There are a wide range of smartphones that are up for grabs today with varying price points. So it can get a bit tricky to pick the best of them, mainly due to the sheer volume of devices. Some handsets, however, stand out in the crowd and we’re going to discuss the best of the best. Choice is one of the best things about choosing an Android device over other platforms.
The phones listed here have all been released by the end of June.
OnePlus One
Despite being on the market for an entire year, the OnePlus One continues to make its way onto our list on the basis of price and performance. It runs a clean, customized version of Android in the form of OxygenOS and that makes the overall experience even better.
Right now, the model with 16GB of internal storage is available for $249 and $349 returns 64GB of internal storage along with year-long subscription of Dropbox Pro. The OnePlus One features a 5-inch display (1920×1080), 13MP rear camera, 5MP front-facing camera, Snapdragon 801 processor, 3GB of RAM, and a 3,100 mAh battery. It runs Android 5.0.2 Lollipop and this summer should see Android 5.1 arrive in the form of a software update.
Samsung Galaxy Note 4
This is another device from last year that has held up months later. The Galaxy Note 4 goes to show that some devices have stood the test of time quite convincingly. The Galaxy Note 4 was launched amidst plenty of hype and buzz during IFA 2015 in September. The smartphone was soon to be overshadowed by the launch of the Apple iPhone 6 and the iPhone 6 Plus, but that doesn’t change the fact that this is a stellar handset.
Following the long range of Galaxy Note devices, this one too comes with the iconic S-Pen, an accessory that has some fancy tricks up its sleeve. On the hardware front, customers are greeted to a 5.7-inch display (2560×1440), 16MP rear camera, 3.7MP front-facing camera, Snapdragon 805 processor, 3GB of RAM, 32GB of internal storage with a microSD card slot, Android 5.0.1 Lollipop, and 3220 mAh battery.
The Galaxy Note 4, even though its approaching the anniversary of its release, still maintains a high two-year contract price. With a two-year contract, the price is $299. Without a contract, the Galaxy Note 4 costs around $699. And any carriers with payment plans charge around $29 per month. The Galaxy Note 4 really gives you what you pay for.
Nexus 6
The Nexus 6 was originally supposed to be an Android Silver device before the program was scrapped by Google. The program was touted to bring high-end hardware to consumers, a shift from the principles of selling stock Android devices on the cheap.
Although its size was a bit of a disappointment for the customers, there’s no denying that it is by far the best Nexus device to be sold by Google, perhaps after the Nexus 4 and 5. We highly doubt anyone would give the Galaxy Nexus that acclaim.
The handset has a massive a 5.96-inch display (2560×1440), 13MP camera, 2MP front-facing camera, 3GB of RAM, an abundance of internal storage, Snapdragon 805 processor, Android 5.1 Lollipop, and 3220 mAh battery housed inside.
The device, available directly from Google and select retailers, will set you back by $649 and $699 for the 32 and 64GB models, respectively. Don’t forget that the Nexus 6 will likely be among the first devices to receive Android M when it launches this fall.
LG G4
The LG G4 was announced recently and is only making its way to the markets now. It’s the company’s flagship handset, which means you’re getting the very best of LG. The smartphone is selling for just under $600 from T-Mobile off contract, which is a remarkable price for a flagship smartphone.
It features all the necessary hardware to grab your attention, including a 5.5-inch display (2560×1440) and an impressive design with a leather rear panel option available as well. The device hosts a 16MP camera with an f/1.8 lens underneath its gorgeous exterior and is accompanied by an 8MP front-facing camera with an aperture size of f/2.0, which is quite impressive for a front camera.
Other specifications, too, make the G4 the beast that it is. The internal storage is set at 32GB but is expandable by 2TB through a microSD card slot. The G4’s hexa-core processor, the Snapdragon 808, is paired with 3GB of RAM so performance is not an issue. For those looking to get the G4, T-Mobile is offering a 128GB microSD card for free along with the device, thus offering you an added incentive to get the device from Team Magenta.
The price of the G4 is set around $599 without a contract but carriers have payment plans to spread the cost across twenty-four months.
Samsung Galaxy S6, Galaxy S6 Edge
Adjudged the best smartphones available in the market, the Galaxy S6 and the Galaxy S6 Edge have topped the performance and usability charts from critics and users alike. In addition to featuring a groundbreaking design and technology underneath, the Galaxy S6 and the Galaxy S6 Edge were also voted to be sporting the best camera sensors in the industry by DxOMark, which is an industry approved site for judging mobile camera performance.
If you’re in the market for a flagship Android phone and money is no bar, you can’t do much better than the Galaxy S6 or the Galaxy S6 Edge right now. The smartphones are available from all major carriers as well as plenty of retailers, so you have a multitude of options to get either of the two devices.
The Galaxy S6 comes with a 5.1-inch Quad HD display, 16MP rear camera, 5MP front-facing camera, Exynos 7420 processor, 3GB of RAM, 32/64/128GB options when it comes to internal storage, Android 5.0.2 Lollipop or higher, and a 2550 mAh battery. The Galaxy S6 Edge has the same hardware specs sheet but with the curved edges on either side and a slightly larger 2600 mAh battery pack.
The Galaxy S6 starts from $599 off-contract, while the pricing for the Galaxy S6 Edge starts from $699 from major carriers in the United States. Of course, you can also get the devices by signing a two-year contract for $199.99 and $299.99, respectively.
What devices do you think are among the best available right now? Let us know in the comments.
Come comment on this article: Best Android phones [June 2015]
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