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.
Upcoming: Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 edge
Okay, some might consider it a bit premature to dub the Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 edge as worthy of a 'best phones' list when they haven't even hit retailers yet, but there's no denying that Samsung's latest are among the most desired Android phones arriving this year. Though the S7 series might not deviate much from their predecessors in terms of design, the S7 and S7 edge do offer plenty of little changes that overall lead to a more refined experience.
While the only real difference between the Galaxy S6 and S6 edge was the edge display on the latter of the two, this time around the Galaxy S7 offers a smaller 5.1-inch 'standard' display, with the Galaxy S7 edge opting for a larger 5.5-inch 'edge' display. Beyond this, both phones share essentially the same DNA with either an Exynos 8 or Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 onboard, depending on the market, and 4GB of RAM to back up the experience.
There's also improvements to the camera, battery sizes, and other specs, but probably the biggest changes for the Galaxy S7 and S7 edge are the presence of water/dust resistance and the return of the microSD slot, one of the previous Samsung staples that the company axed with the Galaxy S6's debut. All this changes add up to an even more polished package than what we saw from Samsung in 2015.
Specs
- 5.1-inch (S7) or 5.5-inch (S7 edge) Super AMOLED display with 2560 x 1440 resolution
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 processor or Exynos 8 Octa – depending on market
- 4GB of RAM
- 32/64GB of on-board storage, microSD expansion up to 200GB
- 12MP rear camera, 5MP front camera
- Non-removable 3000mAh battery (S7) or 3600mAh battery (S7 edge)
- Android 6.0 marshmallow
- 142.4 x 69.6 x 7.9mm, 152g (S7), 150.9 x 72.6 x 7.7mm, 157g (S7 edge)
Read more
- Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 edge officially announced
- Samsung Galaxy S7 hands-on and first impressions
- Samsung Galaxy S7 edge hands-on and first impressions
- Samsung Galaxy S7 vs Nexus 6P quick look
- Samsung Galaxy S7 vs Galaxy Note 5 quick look
- Samsung Galaxy S7 vs Galaxy S6 quick look
Upcoming: LG G5
While the Galaxy S7 series is a minor refresh in terms of design, the LG G5 sees a massive departure from the design language used in the G series, ditching the rear volume/power setup that first debuted with the LG G2. The G5 also adopts a unibody metallic design that has a removable cap for access to the removable battery and a port for modules that allow users to expand the phone's capabilities by adding a camera grip and other special accessories.
The distinctly different design of the LG G5 may not be for everyone, but there's little denying that LG has went out of its way to try and innovate in a market where big changes like this aren't all that common.
Spec wise, we're looking at a Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 with 4GB RAM, a 5.3-inch display, and 32GB storage with microSD for expansion. The specs here are certainly impressive all across the board. It's also worth mentioning that LG has revamped its software, making it faster and less bloated. One controversial move with the software, however, is the removal of the app drawer in favor of what LG says is a "simplified experience". Of course you can always bring back the drawer via a 3rd party launcher.
Specs
- 5.3-inch IPS LCD display with 2560 x 1440 resolution, 554ppi
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 processor
- 4GB of RAM
- 32GB of on-board storage, microSD expansion up to 200GB
- 16 and 8MP dual rear cameras, 8MP front camera
- Removable 2800mAh battery
- Android 6.0 Marshmallow
- 149.4 x 73.9 x 7.7mm, 159g
Read more
- LG G5 officially announced
- LG G5 hands-on and first impressions
- LG G5 vs Samsung Galaxy S7
- LG G5 vs Nexus 6P quick look
- LG G5 vs LG V10 quick look
- LG G5 vs LG G4 quick look
Nexus 6P
As the successor to last year's Motorola Nexus 6, Google recently 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!
Specs
- 5.7-inch AMOLED display with 1440 x 2560 resolution, 518ppi
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 processor
- 3GB of RAM
- 32/64/128GB of on-board storage, no microSD card expansion
- 12MP rear-facing camera, 8MP front-facing camera
- Non-removable 3450mAh battery
- Android 6.0 Marshmallow
- 159.3 x 77.8 x 7.3mm, 178g
Read more
- Nexus 6P Review
- Nexus 6P vs Samsung Galaxy Note 5
- Nexus 6P vs iPhone 6S Plus
- Nenus 6P vs Nexus 5X
- Best Nexus 6P cases
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, 518ppi
- Samsung Exynos 7420 processor
- 4GB of RAM
- 32/64GB of on-board storage, no microSD card expansion
- 16MP rear camera, 5MP front camera
- Non-removable 3000mAh battery
- Android 5.1.1 Lollipop
- 153.2 x 76.1 x 7.6mm, 171g
Read more
- Samsung Galaxy Note 5 review
- Best Samsung Galaxy Note 5 cases
- Samsung Galaxy Note 5 unboxing and first impressions
- Samsung Galaxy Note 5 tips and tricks
- Nexus 6P vs Samsung Galaxy Note 5
- Samsung Galaxy Note 5 vs iPhone 6S Plus
Samsung Galaxy S6 / Galaxy S6 Edge
Depending on who you ask, one might tell you that the last truly impressive member of the Galaxy S family 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 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 — something that returns with the upcoming Galaxy S7 family.
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 display with 2560 x 1440 resolution, 577ppi
- Samsung Exynos 7420 processor
- 3GB of RAM
- 32/64/128GB storage options, no microSD card expansion
- 16MP rear camera, 5 MP front camera
- Non-removable 2,550 mAh battery (S6), 2,600mAh battery (S6 Edge)
- Android 5.1.1 Lollipop
- 143.4 x 70.5 x 6.8mm, 138g
Read more
- Samsung Galaxy S6 review
- Best Samsung Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge cases
- Samsung Galaxy S6 vs iPhone 6S Plus
- OnePlus 2 vs Samsung Galaxy S6
- Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge review
- LG G4 vs Samsung Galaxy S6/S6 Edge – camera shootout
Motorola Moto X Style (aka 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, an unlocked model that will play nice with all U.S. carriers.
Specs
- 5.7-inch IPS LCD display with 2560 x 1440 resolution, 520ppi
- 1.8GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 808 processor
- 3GB of RAM
- 16/32/64GB of on-board storage, microSD expansion up to 128GB
- 21MP rear camera, 5MP front camera
- Non-removable 3000mAh battery
- Android 6.0 Marshmallow
- 153.9 x 76.2 x 11.06mm, 179g
Read more
- Motorola Moto X Style (aka Pure Edition) Review
- Best cases for the Moto X Style/Pure Edition
- Moto X Style (aka Pure Edition) – second opinion
- Moto X Style (aka Pure Edition) vs Samsung Galaxy S6
- Nexus 5X vs Moto X Style (aka Pure Edition)
- Moto X Style (aka Pure Edition) vs iPhone 6S Plus
LG V10
If you aren't completely satisfied with the LG G4 (and don't want to wait for the LG G5), perhaps the V10 will suit your needs. It has the same powerful Snapdragon 808 processor and 16MP rear-facing camera as the G4, but with a few extra features included. Most notably, the V10 sports a secondary "ticker" display LG calls the Second Screen. This extra display aims to provide its users useful information without the need to turn on the main screen. It will display app shortcuts, notifications, and even weather and battery percentage information. Although the placement is a bit wonky, we're sure you'll be pretty happy with the added benefit of having a secondary display.
The V10 also has two front-facing cameras for wide-angle selfies, a fingerprint scanner that's actually really reliable, a MIL-STD-810G Transit Drop Compliant rating for shock absorption, and a 32-bit Hi-Fi DAC electronic processor with support for Qualcomm's QFE2550 closed-loop antenna tuning solution. It's also the first smartphone ever to come with a manual mode for taking video.
Specs
- Main display: 5.7-inch IPS Quantum Display with 2560 x 1440 resolution, 513ppi
- Secondary display: 2.1-inch IPS Quantum Display with 160 x 1040 resolution, 513ppi
- Hexa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 808 processor
- 4GB of RAM
- 64GB of on-board storage, microSD expansion up to 2TB
- 16MP rear camera, 5MP Dual Lens front camera
- Removable 3000mAh battery
- Android 5.1.1 Lollipop
- 159.6 x 79.3 x 8.6mm, 192g
Read more
- LG V10 review
- LG V10 durability drop test
- LG V10 hands-on and first impressions
- LG V10 vs LG G4: quick look
- LG V10 cases
Cast your vote, and participate in our giveaway!
There you have it – our picks from the best Android has to offer right now. Out of those listed, which do you feel is the very best? Be sure to sound off in the poll below. Each month we will also be conducting a giveaway, giving our readers a chance to win the phone with the most votes.
Now that you've cast your vote, time to get in on your chance to win! Just follow the instructions below, and good luck!
Best Android Phone Giveaway (March 2016
Check out our related best lists:
- Best cheap Android phones
- Dual sim Android phones
- Verizon Android phones | Verizon Prepaid phones
- AT&T Android phones | AT&T Prepaid phones
- T-Mobile Android phones | T-Mobile prepaid phones
- Sprint Android phones
- Cricket Android phones
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