Best Android phones (July 2015)
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.
You also might like: Best Android watches | Best Android tablets
Editor’s note: we’ll be updating this list regularly as new devices launch.
Update, July 2015: This month saw the Nexus 6, Moto X 2014, and the Asus ZenFone 2 depart from the list to make room for three exceptionally priced and spec’d devices: the ZTE Axon, OnePlus 2, and Moto X Style.
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
Look for the Moto X Style to be available starting in September.
Samsung Galaxy Note 4
Years after Samsung gambled on the original Note, the concept is still the phone to beat when it comes to large devices. While some competitors are offering larger screens, none of them can match the Note 4’s productivity-boosting stylus. The S Pen can truly enhance the way you interact with your phone, with a strong focus on doing actual work, from basic research, to composing a quick message, to multi-tasking. But it’s not just work: basically anything that requires precision and speed can be done better with a stylus.
While Samsung’s TouchWiz Android implementation has a bad reputation, nobody can deny that the Note 4’s feature set is compelling. You can make the most of that 5.7-inch screen with the new and improved multi-tasking tools, and that’s something you simply don’t get on other high-end Android phones. And, with the latest iteration of the series, the Note looks as good as it works, thanks to a finely chamfered aluminum frame. If you’re looking for the ultimate device for getting things done, the Note 4 is probably your best choice.
Specs
- 5.7-inch Super AMOLED display with 1440 x 2560 resolution
- 2.7GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 805 CPU
- 3GB of RAM
- 32GB of on-board storage, microSD expansion up to 128GB
- 16MP rear cam, 3.7MP front cam
- Removable 3220 mAh battery
- 153.5 x 78.6 x 8.5 mm, 176g
- Frosted White, Charcoal Black, Bronze Gold, or Blossom Pink
- Android 5.0 Lollipop
OnePlus 2
It’s hard for any manufacturer to really beat Chinese phone makers in terms of value. These guys make great handsets for very low prices, and OnePlus is more than enough proof of this phenomena. Once again, the legendary startup has managed to build a smartphone that competes only against the best of the best, yet undercuts the competition’s prices in half. The OnePlus 2 doesn’t leave much to be desired, and we know many of you will be lining up to get it as soon as it is released.
What do you get for as low as $329? This phone is a beast, featuring specs that include a Snapdragon 810 processor, 3-4 GB of RAM and a 5.5-inch FHD screen. It also sports a massive 3,300 mAh battery that should keep the phone running for a very long time. In addition, the OnePlus is offering a variety of StyleSwap covers, making it a breeze to customize your smartphone on-the-go. There’s wood, sandstone and even kevlar options available.
Sadly, the phone will be a bit hard to get, as the invite system is still in place, but it will definitely be worth the wait.
Specs
- 5.5-inch LCD display with 1080 x 1920 resolution
- 1.8GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 CPU
- 3-4 GB of RAM
- 16/64GB of on-board storage, non-expandable
- 13MP rear cam, 5MP front cam
- 3300 mAh battery
- 151.8 x 74.9 x 9.85 mm, 175g
- Android 5.0 Lollipop
Look for the OnePlus 2 to be available starting on August 11th, though an invite will be required.
ZTE Axon
We don’t take it easy on smartphones when putting together a review, so the ZTE Axon getting an 8.9 score really says much about the new handset. This phone is a beauty, especially considering its $449.98 price point. It has everything you could expect from a high-end device, and a bit more.
The ZTE Axon features a beautiful metal design, a vibrant display, powerful performance, a clean software experience with very little bloatware and HiFi audio. In addition, customers get some added treats, such as a free pair of JBL headphones and even a 2-year free protection plan. They call it ‘Axon Passport‘ and it even includes accidental damage protection.
The Chinese manufacturer sure didn’t hold back when making this phone, and it is definitely one of the best deals you can currently get.
Specs
- 5.5-inch TFT LCD display with a 1440 x 2560 resolution (534 ppi)
- 2.0 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 processor
- 4 GB RAM
- 32 GB storage
- 13 MP dual-lens rear camera, 8 MP front-facing camera
- 3,000 mAh battery
- Android 5.1 Lollipop
- 154 x 75 x 9.3 mm, 175 grams
There you have it – our picks from the best Android has to offer right now. Missed anything? Tell us in the comments!
Comments