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There is no universal set of five apps every Android owner should install. A practical shortlist depends on what you do: read, exercise, solve puzzles, drive, or organize your home screen. These five options cover those different needs, but “free” needs a qualification: the cited coverage identifies free daily games in NYT Games and a free version of Smart Launcher 6, while it does not establish current pricing or free-tier limits for every app. Treat each app’s current Google Play listing as the authority for your region.
Choose apps for a need, not because a phone is new
Josh Render’s January 8, 2026, Tom’s Guide list describes five apps he uses nearly every day, while noting that the best choices depend on how a person uses a phone. That is a useful starting point, not proof that these are objectively the five best apps or that everyone should install them first.
Before downloading anything, check whether Android or an app already on your phone does the job. Google Maps, for example, comes preinstalled on most phones discussed in the Tom’s Guide article, so a separate navigation app is an optional choice rather than a universal setup requirement.
Five apps, five different jobs
Amazon Kindle for reading
The Kindle app lets you read digital books on your phone, without buying a separate Kindle device. You can add books to your Kindle library, with purchases made through Amazon’s app or website. The app is a reading option—not a promise that the books themselves are free. The cited coverage does not establish app pricing or availability in every region.
#1 Best Overall
- YOUR CONTENT, SUPER SMOOTH: The ultra-clear 6.7" FHD+ Super AMOLED display of Galaxy A17 5G helps bring your content to life, whether you're scrolling through recipes or video chatting with loved ones.¹
- LIVE FAST. CHARGE FASTER: Focus more on the moment and less on your battery percentage with Galaxy A17 5G. Super Fast Charging powers up your battery so you can get back to life sooner.²
- MEMORIES MADE PICTURE PERFECT: Capture every angle in stunning clarity, from wide family photos to close-ups of friends, with the triple-lens camera on Galaxy A17 5G.
- NEED MORE STORAGE? WE HAVE YOU COVERED: With an improved 2TB of expandable storage, Galaxy A17 5G makes it easy to keep cherished photos, videos and important files readily accessible whenever you need them.³
- BUILT TO LAST: With an improved IP54 rating, Galaxy A17 5G is even more durable than before.⁴ It’s built to resist splashes and dust and comes with a stronger yet slimmer Gorilla Glass Victus front and Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer back.
Strava for activity tracking and sharing
Strava tracks activity progress and goals, and its social features let users share runs and follow friends’ progress. It may suit someone who values that combination of tracking and motivation. The cited article does not specify which current features are included free or require a paid tier, so check the app’s current listing and in-app offer before relying on a particular feature.
NYT Games for daily puzzles
The free version includes daily games such as Wordle and the mini crossword, according to the Tom’s Guide article. Older games and additional offerings—including the full New York Times crossword—require a paid subscription. If you only want a daily puzzle, the free offer may be enough; do not assume it includes the archive or all games.
Rank #2
- Carrier: This phone is locked to Tracfone, which means this device can only be used on the Tracfone wireless network. Tracfone plan required, activating is easy, just 3 steps.
- DISPLAY: Immersive viewing on a 6.7-inch super-bright 120Hz display with powerful stereo speakers and Bass Boost for cinematic entertainment.
- CAMERA SYSTEM: Advanced 50MP Quad Pixel camera captures sharp, detailed photos and videos in any lighting condition
- PERFORMANCE: Lightning-fast 5G connectivity paired with a powerful processor and RAM Boost for smooth multitasking.
- BATTERY LIFE: Long-lasting 5000mAh battery with TurboPower charging technology delivers hours of power in minutes.
Waze for connected driving reports
Waze uses driver reports to surface traffic and hazards. The cited article describes it as free, but says an internet connection, including mobile data, is needed to get the most from it. It is most relevant to drivers who value community-sourced road updates; it is not a necessary download if your existing navigation app meets your needs.
Smart Launcher 6 for home-screen organization
Smart Launcher 6 offers app categories, search, and wallpaper color matching to help personalize and organize a home screen. A free version is available, but it is more limited than the paid version. Its approach may take some getting used to, so it is best for people who actively want to change how their home screen works.
Rank #3
- YOUR CONTENT, SUPER SMOOTH: The ultra-clear 6.7" FHD+ Super AMOLED display of Galaxy A17 5G helps bring your content to life, whether you're scrolling through recipes or video chatting with loved ones.¹
- LIVE FAST. CHARGE FASTER: Focus more on the moment and less on your battery percentage with Galaxy A17 5G. Super Fast Charging powers up your battery so you can get back to life sooner.²
- MEMORIES MADE PICTURE PERFECT: Capture every angle in stunning clarity, from wide family photos to close-ups of friends, with the triple-lens camera on Galaxy A17 5G.
- NEED MORE STORAGE? WE HAVE YOU COVERED: With an improved 2TB of expandable storage, Galaxy A17 5G makes it easy to keep cherished photos, videos and important files readily accessible whenever you need them.³
- BUILT TO LAST: With an improved IP54 rating, Galaxy A17 5G is even more durable than before.⁴ It’s built to resist splashes and dust and comes with a stronger yet slimmer Gorilla Glass Victus front and Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer back.
Check permissions and privacy before installing
- Use a trusted source. Install from Google Play or another source you trust, and keep Android and apps updated. Android’s guidance says built-in features such as Play Protect and lock-screen protection help secure a device; it does not call for installing a separate antivirus app by default. Google’s article, How to Secure Your Phone: Mobile Security Apps & Tips, says: “Tools like Google Play Protect and lock-screen protection work to keep your device secure, so you and your data stay protected without the need for another app.”
- Read the current Google Play listing. Its Data safety panel summarizes developer disclosures about data collection, sharing, and handling. Those disclosures apply to Google Play distributions and can vary with use, region, and age, so review the listing for the specific app you plan to install.
- Grant only permissions that make sense. Android lets you control access to location, camera, and microphone; where available, you can choose approximate or precise location and options such as allowing access once or only while using an app. Android can also reset permissions for apps you have not used for a while.
Google Play services supplies core Android capabilities, including security and reliability features, backup, and password management. Its data collection varies with device and account settings, installed apps and services, and the device manufacturer. Some capabilities that sound like separate apps may already be integrated into Android or supplied through Google Play services.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Move your data before replacing the old phone
Installing new apps is separate from migrating your existing information. Android’s setup process can pair a new phone with an old one to copy apps and data; you can also restore from a Google backup or follow manual transfer steps. Confirm that the information you need is on the new phone before wiping, trading in, or recycling the old one.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Carrier: This phone is locked to Tracfone, which means this device can only be used on the Tracfone wireless network. Activating is easy, just 3 steps.
- ACTIVATION Promotion: Includes 1500 min, 1500 texts & 1500 MB Data + add more as you need it
- CAMERA SYSTEM: 50MP Quad Pixel camera. Capture sharper, more vibrant photos day or night with 4x the light sensitivity.
- PERFORMANCE: Blazing-fast Qualcomm performance. Get the speed you need for great entertainment with a Snapdragon 680 processor and 4GB of RAM.
- 64GB built-in storage. Get plenty of room for photos, movies, songs, and apps. Made for US
Rank #4
- PRIVACY DISPLAY: Automatically hide your screen from those beside you. The built-in privacy display can be preset¹ to turn on when receiving notifications, typing passwords, or using specific apps
- TYPE IT IN. TRANSFORM IT FAST: Enhance any shot in seconds on your smartphone by using Photo Assist² with Galaxy AI.³ Add objects, restore details, or apply new styles by simply typing or tapping
- NIGHTS, CAPTURED CLEARLY: From gigs to city lights, record and capture moments after dark with clarity using Nightography so your photos and videos stay crisp and clear on your Samsung Galaxy
- MAKE IT. EDIT IT. SHARE IT: Turn everyday moments into something personal with creative tools built right into your mobile phone, whether it’s a special contact photo, custom wallpaper, an invitation or more⁴
- HELP THAT KEEPS UP: Stay in the moment while Now Nudge with Galaxy AI helps you respond faster and stay organized with smart suggestions⁵ that appear exactly when you need them on your phone
A quick way to decide what to install
- Choose Kindle if you want to read digital books on your phone and are comfortable managing book purchases separately.
- Choose Strava if activity tracking and sharing fit your routine; verify the current free and paid feature boundaries first.
- Choose NYT Games if daily puzzles are what you want from the free offer.
- Choose Waze if you drive and want connected traffic and hazard reports.
- Choose Smart Launcher 6 if you want a more organized or personalized home screen and are willing to try a different launcher.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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