With so many different (yet similar) smartphones from so many brands from across the globe, one may start feeling a bit lost. Which one of those many is the best phone you can buy right now?
The Samsung Galaxy S6 has finally arrived: a 5.1-inch beauty, it is made of two pieces of Gorilla Glass 4 on the back and front, and a sturdy metal frame in the middle. Gone are the times of disappointing, plastic top-level smartphones from Samsung. Some changes have been made: the Galaxy S6 does not support a microSD card slot, a replaceable battery, or water-protection, but as strong as feeling are about some of these changes, they are likely not going to be a deal-breaker for most. In exchange for those compromises, you get a very slim and good looking phone, an extremely powerful Exynos 7420 system chip, an excellent 16-megapixel main camera, and probably the best AMOLED screen so far.
The Apple iPhone 6 is the world's best-selling smartphone at the moment, and it will certainly break quite a few records in sales. Apple has created a brand universally known for making reliable, extremely stylish devices, and by finally going to that slightly larger screen size that many people have been craving, the iPhone 6 hits all the right spots.
The HTC One M9 might not be as groundbreaking an overhaul as the Galaxy S6, but the reason for this lies in the fact that its predecessors were not depressingly plastic. Quite the contrary, the One M9 comes from the noble, aluminum unibody HTC One pedigree, and it perfects the proven formula with a sleeker design and a splash of color on the side.
The Galaxy Note 4 is the finest Samsung, the world’s largest smartphone maker, has to offer.
The LG G4 came amidst modest expectations, but it not only lived up to them, but also exceeded what one expected from it. The G4's most impressive feature is its great 16-megapixel main camera with optical image stabilization, and - hands down - the best, most convenient manual shooting mode of any smartphone out there.
The Nexus 6 goes a bit in the extreme when it comes to size, but if you’re looking for a truly large smartphone, you will like its 6-inch Quad HD display. It also comes with the advantage of being a Google phone, meaning it is first on the list of devices to Android updates.
Going on a search for outstanding battery life, one inevitably stumbles across the Motorola Droid Turbo, a 5.2-inch smartphone with a 3900mAh battery that does not compromise on specs. The Droid Turbo is a bit chunky, measuring 0.44 inches in thickness, but in exchange, this buys you a peace of mind when it comes to battery longevity, as the phone will easily last two days off the charger.
The Samsung Galaxy Alpha had a fairly high-profile launch late in 2014 when it was considered near the level of flagships. It has quickly dropped in price since then to more acceptable levels, and it now stands out as an all-around great phone with great value for the money. It features a 4.7-inch 720p Super AMOLED panel that supports Samsung's neat Ultra Power Saving Mode, it's got Samsung's own Exynos 5430 system chip, the company's first 20nm silicon, and it's got a great 12-megapixel camera, all in a stylish body with a sturdy metal frame.
Big phones are just not everyone's cup of tea (at least not yet), and that's why there is still a market for extremely compact devices that you can easily use with a single hand. The iPhone 5s is the best such phone you can get at the moment: it offers top-notch performance, a great camera, and the rich iOS 8. The slight downside with it lies in the battery life department, where you won't get much more than a full day of use.
The most notable alternative to the iPhone 5s in the compact phone market is the Sony Xperia Z3 Compact. Sony has managed to cram in a 4.6" display in nearly the same size as the 4" iPhone 5s has.
The OnePlus One definitely made a huge splash in the smartphone market when it arrived with its flagship (for the time) specs at half the price of its peers. Actually buying the One, though, proved to be harder than usual: you had to apply for an invitation, and only then you could buy the phone, which was and still is in short supply.
The Nexus 5 might have been released in the dark ages of late 2013, but if you can still find it, the $350 phone remains a great deal for the money. Its long shelf-life is due to the phone getting updates quickly (it has been running on Android 5.0 Lollipop for months).
Not everyone is willing or should spend a little fortune on a smartphone. Luckily, the last couple of years have finally brought us affordable smartphones that do not run as slow as molasses.
The third ecosystem, Windows Phone, is having a hard time fighting the iPhones and Android flagships of today, but it remains strong in the market of affordable phones.
The new, 2015 edition Moto E launched recently and it's a big upgrade over last year's E series Motorola phone: it's slightly bigger (a 4.5" with qHD resolution on the new one versus a 4.3" on the former), but it's now available in an option with 4G LTE connectivity and the fairly zippy for its class Snapdragon 410 system chip. Yes, the camera is not great - but for all else, the Moto E is a surprisingly nimble device that will please most people that don't necessarily require all the latest technology. Also, keep in mind that the more affordable 3G version of the phone comes with the slower Snapdragon 200 chip, and we recommend you getting the 4G one.
If you, little rebel, have decided that you want to take a wild jump in the depths of Windows Phone, the Nokia Lumia 930 (and its Verizon sibling, the Lumia Icon), are currently two of the best devices to get. You also have the HTC One (M8) for Windows which is a good, stylish device, but the Lumia 930 has the benefit of the upcoming Denim update and a lot of Nokia goodies that add some extra value.
BlackBerry loyalists, you are a rare kind nowadays, but your day has finally come, after years of hope. The BlackBerry Passport is an extravagant phone with a wide footprint and a square screen, but it brings that good old physical keyboard and adds a sprinkle of innovation as the keyboard now doubles as a touchpad.
Luckily, at this time of the year, there is no reason to complain much as the best Android phones are now available: the Samsung Galaxy S6, LG G4 and HTC One M9 are now on store shelves, and their presence alone obliterates many of the earlier Android devices.
There is no definite one-size-fits-all devce, though, and that's why we explore all the options, trying to help you narrow down the choice to some outstanding devices that we think won't disappoint you. We're also breaking them down by categories: after all some people prefer a large, phablet-sized device, while others may want a more conventionally-sized pocket sidekick. We don't go into all that much detail (for those details, make sure to read our in-depth reviews), but we do focus on the most important highlights. With no further ado, here are the best phones you can buy right now.
If you want the very best phone from a brand you trust and in a regular size:
Samsung Galaxy S6
Price: $200 (on contract) | Review
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Apple iPhone 6
Price: $200 (on contract) | Review
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The sleek aluminum body measuring just 0.27 inches also feels fantastically well-made. Under the hood, you have the most powerful system chip of a smartphone in the form of the dual-core Apple A8 (with single-core performance nearly double that of Android rivals), excellent graphics, and a camera that captures great-looking images in various conditions. Add to this the rich iOS ecosystem that continues to secure the best apps and games first, and one starts to understand the appeal of the iPhone 6.
Apple iPhone 6
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HTC One M9
Price: $200 (on contract via Amazon) | Review
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With earlier HTC phones failing to meet expectations on the camera front with UltraPixel, the One M9 ships with a 20-megapixel camera, but it is still a step below most flagships in terms of image quality. For all else, this is one snappy and extremely good-looking phone, with an outstanding seflie camera.
HTC One M9
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If you prefer a large phone with a great camera (phablets):
Samsung Galaxy Note 4
Price: $250 (on contract) | Review
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It's got the latest system chip available (it comes with either the Snapdragon 805 or Exynos 7 Octa), one of the very best cameras on any smartphone (a 16-megapixel shooter), a good-looking 5.7-inch Super AMOLED display, and thebonus functionality of the S Pen. If you're looking for such a full set of the latest specs and don't mind Samsung's TouchWiz, the Note 4 is a great choice.
The iPhone 6 Plus marks Apple’s entry in a market that - in contrast with most of the company's recent products - it did not create single-handedly, and that market is of phablets.
Samsung Galaxy Note 4
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Apple iPhone 6 Plus
Price: $300 (on contract) | Review
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A beautifully designed 5.5-inch handset, the 6 Plus brings a lot of novelty to the table apart from the looks and rich ecosystem: it features an iOS interface tailored for landscape use, it features optical image stabilization and an excellent camera that has proven to be quick and reliable, and it’s got a gorgeous 1080p display that is one of the most color accurate ones on the market. Topping all that is good battery life, better than on the iPhone 6.
Apple iPhone 6 Plus
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LG G4
Price: $200 (on contract) | Review
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As a bonus, the LG G4 is a 5.5-inch device with a thin side bezel and a nice size for its 5.5" screen. It comes in plastic and a slightly more expensive leather version, and you should get the leather one - it's a much smoother, premium feel for the device you will carry every day in your pocket. And finally: yes, the annoying lag from the LG UI in the G3 is practically non-existent on the G4, which feels refreshingly quick.
LG G4 Review
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Nexus 6
Price: $250 (on contract with AT&T) | Review
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The fact that the Nexus 6 was the first phone to come with Android 5.0 Lollipop alone is a big plus, and so is that you don’t have the burden of slow skins. Apart from being zippy, the Nexus 6 captures very good images, has the latest system chip on board, and a long-lasting battery.
Nexus 6
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If you want the absolute best battery life:
Motorola Droid Turbo
Price: $250 (on contract with Verizon) | Review
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The fact that you've got a super sharp Quad HD display, a Snapdragon 805 system chip, and a good, 20-megapixel camera, only helps with the choice.
Motorola Droid Turbo
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Samsung Galaxy Alpha
Price: Free (on contract) | Review
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Samsung Galaxy Alpha Review
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Price: $100 (on contract) | Review
Big phones are just not everyone's cup of tea (at least not yet), and that's why there is still a market for extremely compact devices that you can easily use with a single hand. The iPhone 5s is the best such phone you can get at the moment: it offers top-notch performance, a great camera, and the rich iOS 8. The slight downside with it lies in the battery life department, where you won't get much more than a full day of use.
Apple iPhone 5s
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Sony Xperia Z3 Compact
Price: $440 (off contract) | Review
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With an interesting glass design and translucent plastic siding, the Z3 Compact can boast about having a very long-lasting battery, a snappy system chip and a very decent camera.
If you want to get an unlocked phone:
OnePlus One
Price: $300 (off contract) | Review
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The time invested in this process pays off nicely, though, as the phone - running on Android with Cyanogenmod - works well and is one of the best values for the money.
Xiaomi was the Chinese company that we heard about the most this year. A true success story, the company is known for releasing flagships that mimick Apple's devices.
China has surpassed the United States as the world's largest phone market more than a year ago, but it is this year that we're seeing Chinese brands truly rise up to the level of first-tier companies like Apple and Samsung. Meizu, a company with a relatively long history, is the one that has made one of the most appealing Chinese phones of the year: the Meizu MX4 Pro.
OnePlus One
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If you want to be different than all the rest with something exotic:
Xiaomi Mi Note
Price: $450 (off contract) | Buy at PandaWill
Xiaomi was the Chinese company that we heard about the most this year. A true success story, the company is known for releasing flagships that mimick Apple's devices.
The new, 2015 Xiaomi Mi Note flagship, however, deviated from that trend, and this time around it seemes that the Chinese company is 'inspired' by Samsung as the name Note suggests. Look closer, though, and you'd find a truly original design, an amazingly thin profile and surprisingly solid build quality. Add to that the bonus of a very-well polished MIUI skin, with smooth performance, a great camera, and good battery life. All for less the price of rivals from Apple and Samsung.
Xiaomi Mi Note
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Meizu MX4 Pro
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A device with an aluminum frame, minimalistic design, clean and good-looking Flyme user interface, decent camera, great sound and snappy fingerprint scanner, the MX4 Pro is also more affordable than other flagships.
Meizu MX4 Pro
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Nexus 5
Price: $350 (off contract) | Review
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The Nexus 5 does not have great battery life or camera, but both are decent, and the device comes with built in wireless charging.
Nexus 5
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Meizu M1 Note
Price: $200 (off contract)
The Meizu M1 Note is a shockingly good deal: a 5.5-inch smartphone with a nice display with pleasingly vivid colors and a resolution of 1080 x 1920 pixels, it runs on the Flyme UI skin on top of Android 4.4 KitKat. You should not be scared of the brand: Meizu is one of the largest Chinese phone makers, and it's got a reputation of making reliable, high-quality gadgets.
Meizu Blue Charm Note (M1 Note)
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And then for those who want to spend even less, but still get a decent smartphone:
Motorola Moto G (2014)
Price: $180 (off contract) | Review
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The Moto G was one of the first such phone, and its 2014 edition adds a larger, 5-inch display, and a better, 8-megapixel camera, while still retaining the zippy performance and good battery life.
Motorola Moto G (2014)
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Nokia Lumia 630 / 635
Price: $55 (off contract) | Review
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The Nokia Lumia 630 / 635 in particular is a very alluring offer in some markets. In the United States, the 4.5" handset is sold as an AT&T GoPhone for just $55.
Nokia Lumia 630
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Motorola Moto E
Price: $120/$150 (off contract) | Review
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Motorola Moto E (2015 edition)
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For Windows Phone lovers:
Nokia Lumia 930/Lumia Icon
Price: $100 (on contract) | Review
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The saying goes that Lumia smartphones have great cameras, and while we do find the camera experience on Windows Phone excruciatingly slow, image quality is definitely very good, and promising updates are on the way.
Nokia Lumia 930
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BlackBerry Passport
Price: $600 (off contract) | Review
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The Passport has great battery life, a well polished and smoothly running operating system, support for Android apps, and even a more than decent camera.
BlackBerry Passport
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