The best Android phones with expandable memory

A few years ago, high-end phones with expandable memory started becoming a dying breed. However, the feature is still around, even if it’s not as universal as it once was. Many great phones still include a microSD card slot, allowing you to expand your phone’s storage. Here are the best ones you should know about.

The best phones with expandable memory

Editor’s note: As new devices launch, we will regularly update this list of the best phones with expandable memory.

Sony Xperia 1 VI

Those looking for a high-end Android phone with expandable memory will have very few choices, and this is definitely among the best ones you can find right now. The Sony Xperia 1 VI is the best Sony flagship we’ve used in years, but it’s plenty expensive and isn’t officially available in the US.

Speaking of, you’ll need at least £1,299 if you’re in the UK or €1,399 in the EU. If you can import it to the US, expect it to be compatible with only a handful of carriers. Still, if you’re prepared to pay, the Xperia 1 VI will reward you handsomely.

The big change over the Xperia 1 V can be found up front. The new model’s display drops down its predecessor’s 4K resolution to 1080p. That’ll disappointing for some, but it does bring marked improvements in terms of brightness and aspect ratio. The phone’s telephoto camera also makes for a big improvement, while the display tweak tremendously extends battery life.

However, if you feel like the Xperia 1 VI is a bit too expensive, the Xperia 5 V ($799.94 at Amazon) might be more to your liking. It’s still not cheap at €1,000 and not officially available in the US. Still, it is a very capable, compact device.

Xperia 1 VI specs:

Samsung Galaxy A55 5G

Samsung is becoming a solid contender in the mid-tier market, offering devices with features you would otherwise only find in expensive devices. The Samsung Galaxy A55 5G has a 120Hz Super AMOLED display, a pretty good Exynos 1480 processor, plenty of RAM/storage, and a nice 5,000mAh battery.

The design is pretty nice, too, as it looks very much like the Galaxy S24 series. Of course, this is a more affordable device with a £439 price point, so the construction isn’t as good. It also lacks wireless charging. Otherwise, it is a pretty nice phone. Not to mention the update commitment, which consists of four years of Android versions, along with five years of security updates.

This is definitely one of the best phones with expandable memory, featuring a microSD card slot. Not only that, but it also offers some of the best bang per buck.

Galaxy A55 5G specs:

Motorola Moto G Power 5G (2024)

Now, if you really want to save, and still want one of the best phones with a microSD card slot, you can’t ignore the Motorola Moto G Power 5G (2024). It has a low $300 price, and it isn’t half bad for that price.

Performance won’t be amazing, but the MediaTek Dimensity 7020 and 8GB of RAM are sufficient for casual usage. Not to mention, the less resource-intensive components make for great battery life. It has a sizeable 5,000mAh battery, and it can charge at up to 30W.

The display is pretty nice for what you pay, too. It has a 1080p panel, mixed with a 120Hz refresh rate. Not to mention you will also enjoy the stereo speakers. Overall, this is one of the best phones with expandable storage on a budget.

Moto G Power 5G (2024) specs:

Samsung Galaxy A35 5G

If you like Samsung phones, but feel like they can be a bit too pricey, the company also makes some great budget devices. The Samsung Galaxy A35 5G only costs $400, and it also comes with a microSD card slot.

It’s not a bad phone for the price, either. Specs include an Exynos 1380 processor, 6-12GB of RAM, a 5,000mAh battery, and a 6.6-inch 120Hz screen with a Full HD+ resolution.

Galaxy A35 5G specs:

Samsung Galaxy A15 5G

Now, if you really want to save, Samsung also offers the Galaxy A15 5G for just $200. It comes with a less powerful MediaTek Dimensity 6100+, up to 8GB of RAM, a 6.5-inch Super AMOLED screen with a 90Hz refresh rate, and a 5,000mAh battery.

Of course, it also helps that it comes with a microSD card slot. And it’s definitely one of the most affordable phones that’s still worth your cash.

Galaxy A15 5G specs:

Sony Xperia 10 VI

We were about to leave the Sony Xperia 10 VI out of this list because it isn’t available in the USA. We know plenty of you are in other markets, though. And since our choices of phones with expandable memory are getting very limited, this phone is still a good option, considering it houses a microSD card slot.

Sony devices tend to be very expensive, but the Xperia 10 VI starts at €399 in Europe — €50 cheaper than its predecessor. You can likely find it imported in the USA for around similar numerical price. It makes a few sacrifices to achieve this, but it includes plenty of kit regardless.

The Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 and 8GB of RAM should be enough for most casual users, although this model does see a camera downgrade over the V. Nevertheless, it still packs a 6.1-inch OLED (albeit topped out at 60fps), a 5,000mAh battery, and that rare 3.5mm headphone jack and microSD card slot combo.

Xperia 10 VI specs:

If you got one of the best phones with expandable storage, you now need to buy one of the best microSD cards.