With Android thoroughly dominating the mobile industry, picking the best Android smartphones is almost synonymous with choosing the best smartphones, period. But while Android phones have few real opponents on other platforms, internal competition is incredibly fierce.
From sleek devices that impress with premium design, to powerhouses brimming with features, to all-around great devices, and affordable phones that punch above their weight, the Android ecosystem is populated by a staggering variety of attractive phones.
But “greatness” is subjective, and sometimes spec sheets and feature lists are not enough to make an idea of how good a phone really is. In this roundup, we’re looking at the absolute best – the Android phones you can’t go wrong with.
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Editor’s note: we’ll be updating this list regularly as new devices launch.
Samsung Galaxy S6 (and S6 Edge)
Depending on who you ask, one might tell you that the last truly impressive member of the Galaxy S famly was the widely popular GS3. While the Galaxy S4 and Galaxy S5 were not bad handsets, their highly derivative nature came under fire, bolstered further by the fact that many of its rivals have since taken to pushing more premium builds made of metal, glass and other similar materials.
With the Samsung Galaxy S6, the Korean giant has finally delivered a truly premium Galaxy S experience, melding a glass front and back with a metal frame. Most tech journalists and even everyday tech enthusiasts agree that the redesign is a welcome one. Of course, Samsung’s new look isn’t without sacrifice, ditching Samsung staples like a removable back and battery. The microSD slot is also absent on the Galaxy S6.
Another major change for the Galaxy S6 is the processing package, with Samsung electing to leave behind Qualcomm, solely offering up its Exynos 7420 processor, paired with 3GB RAM. And finally, the software has also been scaled back a bit with the latest iteration of the Galaxy S.
Like the idea of the Galaxy S6, but hoping for something that stands out even further? The Galaxy S6 Edge offers the same specs, but adds dual-edges and a few special features that take advantage of the phone’s unique design.
Specs
- 5.1-inch Super AMOLED with 2560 x 1440 resolution, 577 ppi
- Exynos 7420
- 3GB of RAM
- 32/64/128GB storage options (non-expandable)
- 16 MP rear camera with OIS
- 5 MP front-facing camera with 90 degree wide angle lens
- Non-removable 2,550 mAh battery
- 143.4 x 70.5 x 6.8 mm, 138 grams
- 143.4 x 70.5 x 6.8 mm
138 grams - Android 5.0 Lollipop with TouchWiz
Read more
- Galaxy S6 cases
- Galaxy S6 hands-on
- Galaxy S6 color comparison
- Galaxy S6 Edge hands-on
- Galaxy S6 review
- Galaxy S6 Edge review
LG G4
With every phone on this list bringing something different to the table, LG attempts to offer the most with their latest flagship. While maintaining the design language and the unique elements of its predecessors, LG’s attempt to standout on the design front involved adding a subtle curve to the display, and the availability of different back cover options in a hard plastic or leather variants.
Speaking of back covers, the LG G4 is one of the very few flagships to come with a removable back cover, which makes possible an even rarer feature: a replaceable battery. A gorgeous Quad HD display, a great camera experience, and a smooth and fluid software iteration make for a fantastic device. If what is missing in other flagships kept you from buying them, the G4 just might be the phone that you’re looking for.
Specs
- 5.5-inch LCD Quantum Dot display with a 2560 x 1440 resolution (534 ppi)
- 1.82 GHz hexa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 808 processor
- Adreno 418 GPU
- 3 GB RAM
- 32 GB storage, expandable via microSD up to 128 GB
- 16 MP rear camera with LED flash, 8 MP front-facing camera
- 3,000 mAh battery
- Android 5.1 Lollipop
- 148.9 x 76.1 x 6.3 – 9.8 mm, 155 grams
Read more
- LG G4 review
- LG G4 first look and hands-on preview
- LG G4 vs LG G3: LG’s flagships compared
- LG G4 – Camera Focus
Moto X Style (aka Moto X Pure Edition)
With the original Moto X, Motorola proved you don’t need to have the latest specs to get a great user experience. With the second generation, the Lenovo-owned company took no chances and double-downed on the spec side as well, packing the new Moto X (2014) with a dense 5.2-inch AMOLED screen, a beefy processor, and a capable 13MP camera. But with the Moto X Style, Motorola reaches the perfect balance between performance, simplicity, price and… well, style.
By Style we are mostly referring customization capabilities, a factor which has been an integral part of the Moto X experience since day one. Customers can use Moto Maker to manipulate their devices’ aesthetics to their will. You can change the color of the metal areas, engrave the back and even choose from a plethora of back options, including materials leather, wood, rubber and other materials.
The device is not a bad contender in terms of hardware, either. The larger screen puts the phone up with contenders like the OnePlus 2, Nexus 6, LG G4 and the Galaxy Note series. It may not sport the “best” processor in the market, but the Snapdragon 808 is pretty close to the 810, and Motorola has proven time and again they can make a super fast phone without the greatest chipset. The best part? This phone’s price will start at only $399!
It’s worth noting that the phone will be sold in most markets under the Style branding, though in the United States it will be sold as the Moto X Pure Edition, Moto X Pure Edition, an unlocked model that will play nice with all U.S. carriers.
Specs
- 5.7-inch display with QHD 2560x1440p resolution
- 1.8GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 808 CPU
- 3GB of RAM
- 16/32/64GB of on-board storage (microSD card slot supports up to 128 GB)
- 21MP rear cam, 5MP front camera
- 3000 mAh battery
- 153.9 x 76.2 x 11.06 mm, 179g
- Customizable via Moto Maker
- Water resistant
- Android 5.1.1 Lollipop
Read more
- Moto X Style announced
- Moto X Style hands-on and first impressions
- Moto X Style vs OnePlus 2
- Moto X Style vs Play
Samsung Galaxy Note 5
It’s hard denying that Samsung has always been the king of large-screened smartphones, and that still holds true today. With its crystal clear 5.7-inch display, powerful Exynos 7420 CPU and killer 16MP rear-facing camera, the Galaxy Note 5 is one of the best Android phones available on the market right now.
It’s an all-around solid device, boasting an all-glass chassis that’s similar to that of the Galaxy S6. It comes with an improved S Pen and some great multitasking features that will make it easy to get work done. The software is much more clean and simple than we’ve seen from the company in the past, too.
With all of that said, though, this device doesn’t come without its caveats. Samsung’s decision to omit the microSD card slot and removable battery has been a controversial one over the past few weeks, especially among Samsung die-hards. Even with these notable omissions, the Note 5 can still be considered one of the best out there.
Specs
- 5.7-inch Super AMOLED display with 1440 x 2560 resolution
- Samsung Exynos 7420 processor
- 4GB of RAM
- 32/64GB of on-board storage, no microSD card slot
- 16MP rear cam, 5MP front cam
- Non-removable 3000mAh battery
- 153.2 x 76.1 x 7.6 mm, 171g
- Black Sapphire, Gold Platinum, Silver Titan, White Pearl
- Android 5.1.1 Lollipop
Read more
- Samsung Galaxy Note 5 review
- Samsung Galaxy Note 5 officially announced: what you need to know
- Best Samsung Galaxy Note 5 cases
- Samsung Galaxy Note 5 unboxing and first impressions
- Samsung Galaxy Note 5 vs iPhone 6 Plus quick look
- Samsung Galaxy Note 5 vs Galaxy Note 4 quick look
- Samsung Galaxy Note 5 vs LG G4 quick look
Nexus 6P
As the successor to last year’s Motorola Nexus 6, Google last month unveiled the Huawei-made Nexus 6P. This device is the higher-end of the two Nexus phones announced at Google’s event, and that’s incredibly apparent when looking at the spec sheet.
It comes with a big 5.7-inch Quad HD AMOLED display, super fast Snapdragon 810 processor, a giant 3450mAh battery and an impressive 12MP rear-facing camera. Want to get your hands on one? The Nexus 6P is pretty cheap, considering the specs and build quality. You can purchase it from the Google Store starting at just $499!
We have a full review coming your way sometime soon, but for now, feel free to check out our unboxing and initial impressions after 48 hours of use.
Specs
- 5.7-inch AMOLED display with 1440 x 2560 resolution
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 processor
- 3GB of RAM
- 32/64/128GB of on-board storage, no microSD card slot
- 12MP rear-facing camera, 8MP front-facing camera
- Non-removable 3450mAh battery
- 159.3 x 77.8 x 7.3mm, 178g
- Aluminum, Graphite, Fronst
- Android 6.0 Marshmallow
Read more
- Nexus 6P unboxing and impressions after first 48 hours
- Nexus 6P hands-on and first look
- Nexus 6P vs Nexus 6 quick look
- Nexus 6P officially announced: everything you need to know
- Nexus 6P and 5X vs the competition
Sony Xperia Z5 Premium
Alongside the Xperia Z5 and Z5 Compact, Sony unveiled another high-end offering, the Z5 Premium. Featuring a solid design, premium specifications and a slightly toned down software experience, the Z5 Premium certainly brings a lot to the table. Oh, and did we mention it’s the first ever smartphone to feature a 4K display?
Aside from the bump up in display resolution, the Premium seems to be a pretty wonderful device so far. It has a powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 processor backed by 3GB of RAM that should keep the device running smoothly throughout the day. It also features a big 3430mAh battery, microSD expansion up to 200GB and boasts Sony’s new 23MP Exmor RS sensor. In terms of specifications, this is one of the best devices launched so far this year.
Although we haven’t reviewed the device in full quite yet, we’re confident that the Xperia Z5 Premium is one heck of a smartphone. Take a look at the hands-on video below for more details.
Specs
- 5.5-inch IPS LCD display with 4K (3840 x 2160) resolution (806 ppi)
- 64-bit octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 processor
- 3GB RAM
- 32GB storage, microSD expansion up to 200GB
- 23MP rear camera, 5MP front-facing camera
- Non-removable 3,430mAh battery
- Android 5.1.1 Lollipop
- 154.4 x 75.8 x 7.8mm, 180g
- Chrome, Black, Gold
Read more
- Sony Xperia Z5 Premium hands-on and first look
- Sony Xperia Z5 Premium officially announced: what you need to know
- Here’s what the Sony Xperia Z5 Premium camera can do
- Sony Xperia Z5 Premium vs Samsung Galaxy Note 5 quick look
- Sony Xperia Z5 Premium vs LG G4 quick look
The Sony Xperia Z5 Premium will be available later this year
There you have it – our picks from the best Android has to offer right now. Missed anything? Tell us in the comments!
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