In the eternal debate of fans of various OS, one argument on the side Android is definitely indisputable. This is an incredible variety Android – devices from various manufacturers. For example, Samsung produces a huge number of them, Sony – three per second, HTC wins awards with its devices, and LG attracts the public with super-cheap super phones. Let’s add here a jumble of other manufacturers of inexpensive solutions, Acer, ZTE, Huawei, OnePlus and others, and Google with its Nexus line will crown the picture.
Therefore, it is difficult to find for yourself the most-most Android smartphone: there are too many different screen sizes, processor power options, software features and design variations.
In order to help you make the right choice, we have covered with a glance the most remarkable thing that is now available on Android, taking into account the work of hardware, the possibility of upgrading the OS, and, of course, how pleasant and suitable the device in order to brag to colleagues.
So, the countdown has started: here are the best phones that an OS devotee can spend money on Android.
10. Samsung Galaxy S5
An excellent device, quite worthy of its place in the top, since it is literally packed with technologies, and despite the release of a new flagship, with it you will remain ‘at the forefront’. It has a great 5.1-inch screen, a super-fast Snapdragon 801 processor and a quality 16MP camera. There are also unusual additions to this wealth: a fingerprint scanner hidden behind the Home button, a dust- and water-resistant case, and a heart rate sensor on the back are useless, but you can show off. And the software of the device keeps up with the times, and now it already contains Android 5.0 Lollipop.
Of the minuses, we note the plastic case and the feeling of a frivolous toy, which many people have because of this. And also the heavy TouchWiz shell with a bunch of unnecessary software that eats away memory in the appendage.
Conclusions: you will undoubtedly be satisfied with the device, especially if you are a fan of the brand. But if a premium look that matches the price is important to you, take a look at the other devices on the list.
9. HTC Desire 820
A large device, a real phablet, but at the price of a more budget device. 8 cores, 2 GB of RAM, 13 MP camera – an excellent offer in terms of characteristics. The polycarbonate body and dual flash design are also great solutions. Here’s what to do if you can’t make a phone out of metal. The device literally exudes quality, this impression is gleaned from the premium ONE line.
The 64-bit processor can be classified as top-end, it allows you to work with heavy applications, although 2 GB of RAM somewhat limits the user. Not a bad choice, though.
Conclusions: This device has never been braking, and it has everything to fully exploit the advantages of Android 5.0 Lollipop, when (and if) it is available on it. And the design has earned the highest ratings on the web. If you need a big phone at a budget price – take a closer look at this device. According to its characteristics, it does not compete with the leaders of our list, but it deserves attention.
8. OnePlus One
Perhaps the most correct way to describe this apparatus is that it was taken by surprise. It was a high-profile product launch from an unknown company and it looks like it is now in the top 10.
The phone easily competes with the competition as it has a Full HD 5.5 display, 2.5GHz quad-core processor and 3GB of RAM. But what really makes it special is the £ 229 carrier-free price tag, which is better than the Nexus 5 as the most affordable top-end smartphone.
In fact, this is half the price of what competitors like HTC One M8 and Samsung Galaxy S5 offer, so it’s easy to forgive the device for the lack of a microSD card slot and the questionable quality of the phone part. And with its modified OS from CyanogenMod, it stands out even more.
The company also plans to provide the user with the ability to choose between CyanogenMod and their own customization Android 5.0, known as OxygenOS.
Conclusions: As for the cost, this device is beyond competition here. It hardly pretends to compete with such premium devices as the HTC One M8, but for the money it is strange that it has a screen at all. By the way, about the screen. It may be a bit big for some users. And if we forget about the price, the quality of this screen does not quite meet the high standards of HTC One M8, LG G3 or Sony Xperia Z3, although close to that.
7. Moto X (2014)
The 2014 Moto X has the same name as it did in 2013, but fortunately the manufacturer is far more inventive in terms of features than in terms of name. Motorola improved the hardware on a number of key points: it has a bigger screen (5.2 inches, 1080p), a better camera (13 MP). And also there are a number of preinstalled good applications – you must admit that this can rarely be said about preinstalled applications.
Also, the phone should get an update to Android 5.0 in the coming days. The hardware specs are decent, with a Snapdragon 801 quad-core processor and 2GB of RAM. There are two versions, 16 and 32 GB – quite normal, but not expandable.
Conclusions: Maybe the name has not changed, but the filling is very even. It was influenced by customer reviews, and a lot has been improved in the new flagship Motorola with a larger screen and an aluminum frame along with a very competitive price. This device is not perfect, it has a mediocre camera and no microSD slot. But he deserves his place on the list.
6. Sony Xperia Z3
Just six months after the release of the Sony Xperia Z2, Sony announced its successor. With such a period of renewal, it was difficult to expect revolutionary innovations. All the company could do was improve the already cool phone on a number of key points.
It has a larger 5.2-inch 1080p screen and is based on technology that boosts overall brightness so it looks great.
The Z3’s specs are also impressive, with a 2.5GHz quad-core processor, an Adreno 330 graphics accelerator, and 3GB of RAM. All of this is packaged in a slimmer, sleeker design that gives the device a true premium look and is also water and dust resistant.
Conclusions: The company has done a great job creating a device with excellent performance and first-class appearance. If you have a Playstation 4, then Remote Play is the function of streaming your games to your phone. And if not, you need to fix it.
An excellent device, especially since Sony announced it one of the first to receive Android 5.0. And a number of problems prevent him from taking a higher place in the list, which could not be avoided here. And the most annoying of them are the disappointing camera and buggy software.
5. Google Nexus 6
A larger version of the new Moto X with the addition of Android Lollipop. Everyone expected it to be a super cheap device, but it turned out that its price makes you think about selling a kidney – and all because of the high-end chipset, an incredibly sharp QHD screen and a large battery.
Due to the 6-inch screen, the device can be classified as a phablet. But even being an opponent of such devices, you will forgive him for what it offers. Moreover, thanks to the edge-to-edge screen design, it is not that huge. If you can come to terms with the price, buy it.
Conclusions: The device can attract a lot. Everyone loves the fifth Android, and how great it looks on a 6-inch AMOLED screen. You won’t find an annoying heap of pre-installed apps here. The 13MP camera takes more lifelike shots than last year’s Nexus 5 and other smartphones Motorola, although it doesn’t match Samsung’s advances in this area. In any case, when thinking about the price, do not grab your wallet with both hands – you will need them to hold this monster.
4. Sony Xperia Z3 Compact
Is the mini version higher on the list than the ‘original’? Let me explain this choice. Sony has done an amazing job. The Z3 was reduced to the size of a more compact device, but at the same time it did not fundamentally lose its characteristics, so it is possible that the company ended up with a more desirable device for users.
Note that this is the only mini-version of the flagship in our hit parade, there is no HTC One Mini 2 or Samsung Galaxy S5 Mini at all. This is because, in general, the characteristics of the Z3 mini, in contrast to them, are almost as good as the older version. It has the same 2.5GHz quad-core Snapdragon 801 processor, Adreno 330 graphics accelerator and a very good 20.7MP camera.
And the smaller screen (4.6 inches) makes the smartphone more durable and also has a more comfortable grip. It also has a lower price, making it a better buy.
Conclusions: The best compact Android smartphone on the market today. Sony has done a tremendous job of squeezing the excellent specs into a smaller body, and has succeeded.
The device is not only comfortable in the hand, it also looks great thanks to the translucent back. And, like the ‘big brother’, will soon receive an update to Android 5.0. A true masterpiece from Sony, it is doubly nice to get hold of it if you own a PS4, all because of the Remote Play feature.
3. Samsung Galaxy Note 4
This device appeared 4 years after the first Note, from which the hysteria around the phablets began. And now Samsung still has what it takes to create superior overgrown smartphones.
A top smartphone with a rather big price tag to boot. For the money, you get a fantastic 5.7-inch QHD Super AMOLED screen, 2.7GHz quad-core processor, and 3GB of ‘RAM’. Due to these characteristics, it easily outperforms its closest competitors, iPhone 6 Plus and HTC One M8, and with the upgrade to Lollipop it will only look better.
Conclusions: Sure, the Samsung Galaxy Note 4 isn’t cheap, but its stunning screen, cool specs and great camera justify the price. And if you want a big smartphone, seriously consider this option.
2. LG G3
The huge advantage of this smartphone is its QHD display (1440 x 2560), which makes it very clear. Few applications can fully take advantage of this resolution, but it does have a lot of room for the future.
Aside from the screen, there are other niceties too: a quad-core 2.5GHz Snapdragon 801 processor, 3GB of RAM and an Adreno 330 GPU, which promises all your apps, widgets, games and interface to fly. Also, in most places the device has already received Android 5.0 Lollipop.
A somewhat controversial design with a metal back and a 5.5-inch screen, which may seem too big to many. If you don’t get hung up on these little things, the G3 is a high-end smartphone that has something to attract the buyer.
Conclusions: If you want the latest and greatest in the field of screens, this smartphone is for you, but everything else falls short of screen level. The device is cool, but it is more of a phablet than a phone, and the design does not add points to it.
1. HTC One M8
We love the camera, the Duo Camera is capable of taking incredibly sharp pictures, the BoomSound upgrade is impressive, and the design … you just have to hold the device in your hands. HTC The One M8 is an excellent device.
The Snapdragon 801 processor has greatly extended the battery life, and it also allows you to take photos faster. And even the front camera is better.
It is convenient to do everything on this device – play, watch movies, work in the browser, take pictures. Plus, it’s superb in design – even when compared to the iPhone 6 considering the cost. HTC takes care of his offspring, and it has already started receiving Android 5.0.
Conclusions: The only way to appreciate this smartphone is to go to the store, pick it up and hold it for a few minutes. Check out the design, listen to the BoomSound speakers and flip through the Sense.
Of course, this device isn’t for everyone and everyone, and it has some serious contenders like the Xperia Z3, OnePlus One, and Galaxy S5. But for those looking for the perfect blend of performance and design, there is nothing more to look for.