Your Android phone could become far more useful with the right apps. While modern Android devices come with essential apps like Gmail and Google Maps pre-installed, these cannot unlock the full potential of your phone. To access that, you’ll want to explore the Google Play Store. However, exercise caution because many apps there are buggy or poorly designed and may cause more harm than good. Google has pledged to purge the worst apps from the Play Store, but it’s still wise to be selective when downloading new apps. Another factor to consider is cost; while many apps are free, some paid ones are indispensable and well worth the investment.
Apps like Balatro and Shonen Jump can keep you entertained during dull flights or doctor visits, while Sun Seeker delivers precise solar information you won’t find elsewhere. Below is a curated list of essential Android apps that justify their price and enhance your smartphone experience.
Pocket Casts
If you’re a regular podcast listener, Pocket Casts Plus is a must-have. The basic Pocket Casts app is free and perfectly serviceable if you listen occasionally; it allows higher playback speeds, queuing podcasts, and adding RSS feeds for ad-free or exclusive content. The Plus subscription, costing $40 annually, unlocks features like folders, shuffle play, bookmarks, smartwatch support, and 20GB cloud storage for audio files. A more expensive Patron tier offers 100GB storage, special badges, unique icons, and early feature access, but for most users, the Plus tier provides ample value.
Sun Seeker
Though it might sound gimmicky, the $6.49 Sun Seeker app offers highly practical solar tracking features. It helps homebuyers and renters understand sunlight patterns throughout the year, benefits gardeners, and is invaluable for outdoor photographers and videographers who can plan shoots based on sun position months in advance. The app shows the sun’s current and future positions relative to your location via compass, map, and 3D views, allowing adjustments by date and location for precise planning.
NYT Cooking
After a long day, deciding what to cook can be daunting. Rather than sifting through generic online recipes, get the NYT Cooking app, which houses thousands of reliable recipes from respected chefs like J. Kenji Lopez-Alt and Sohla El-Waylly. The app covers diverse cuisines including American, Mexican, Japanese, and Indian. It requires a subscription: either the All-Access plan at $25 per month, which bundles multiple NYT services, or NYT Cooking alone at $6 per month or $50 annually. The app’s interface facilitates easy browsing and organization of recipes into folders for quick access while cooking.
Balatro
Balatro is a roguelike poker game that blends seemingly simple gameplay with depth and variety through collectible Jokers, enhanced cards, and deck-specific perks. It rewards skill and strategy, offering new decks and difficulties as you progress. Praised for its design, Balatro won multiple awards at The Game Awards 2024 including Best Independent Game, Best Mobile Game, and Game of the Year. The Android version, priced at $10, is cheaper than its PC and console versions and delivers the same engaging experience. It’s an excellent portable game for winding down during commutes or before bed.
Shonen Jump Manga & Comics
For manga fans, the Shonen Jump app offers an affordable alternative to expensive boxed sets. At $3.99 per month, the subscription provides unlimited access to titles like Demon Slayer, Kaiju No. 8, Jujutsu Kaisen, and Spy x Family, with new chapters added weekly and offline download options. The removal of daily reading limits for subscribers means you can binge entire series without restriction. It’s a cost-effective way to enjoy manga on the go without breaking the bank, especially for casual and avid readers alike.
This selection of apps helps transform your Android phone into a powerful tool for entertainment, creativity, and productivity—all while being mindful of cost and quality.
