The 10 BEST ANDROID PHONES

Check out the best Android phones, as rated by Digital Trends’ expert reviewers.

Apple’s iOS may have kicked the smartphone era into high gear, but Google’s Android OS has reaped many of the rewards. The vast majority of all smartphones sold are based on Android, and entire companies like Samsung and HTC, have become huge players thanks to Google’s OS.Android handsets represent a majority of smartphones sold around the world. With that said, for those of you on the hunt for your next phone, here are some of our favorite Android devices.

Our best Android phones list is continually updated as we review new products that enter the market.

Looking for more in-depth analysis? Check out our top-notch Android Phone reviews. And if those don’t float your boat, check out our list of the best cell phones across all carriers and brands.

Motorola Moto X (2014)

Motorola wowed us with the first Moto X, but the second generation is even better. The improved screen, high-end processor, and endlessly customizable design make the 2014 Moto X a true flagship smartphone.

Release date9/2014
Release price$99.99
Operating systemAndroid
Launch OS version4.4.4

Pros: Personalized design , Fast processor , Great screen size
Cons: Not a great camera , Average battery life

Samsung Galaxy Note 4

The Galaxy Note 4 is a shining example of how great a phablet can be. It's one of the best Android phones available today -- if not the very best.

Release date10/17/2014
Release price$250
Operating systemAndroid
Launch OS version4.4
Proprietary skinTouchWiz

Pros: Fantastic big-screen features , Cutting edge processing power , Great battery life , Best Android…
Cons: Not waterproof , S-Pen controls hidden in settings , No good way to manage screen size ,S Pen…

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Samsung Galaxy S5

The Galaxy S5 is another win for Samsung. If you’re looking to upgrade, there are a lot of watertight reasons to choose GS5.

FeaturesTouchscreen, Front-facing camera, External storage, High resolution camera, HD video recording, 4G
Release date4/11/2014
Release price$650
Operating systemAndroid
Launch OS version4.4.2

Pros: Fast, powerful processor , Clean, redesigned interface , Waterproof and dustproof , Built-in…
Cons: Stale design , Poor speaker quality , No KnockOn feature , Audio jack is on top of phone , Camera…

Motorola Droid Turbo

The Droid Turbo is the perfect size phone, and so powerful it would give Superman pause.

Release price$200
Operating systemAndroid
Launch OS version4.4

Pros: Industry leading battery life , Gorgeous AMOLED screen , Will get Android Lollipop , Comfortable…
Cons: A tad heavy to hold , Smart screen wakes up too frequently , No MicroSD

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Samsung Galaxy S5 Active

Samsung’s Galaxy S5 Active loses the fingerprint reader in favor of tactile buttons and a solid plastic shell. Inside, it’s the same powerful Galaxy S5, with long battery life and top-end performance.

FeaturesTouchscreen, Front-facing camera, External storage, 4G
Release price$199.99
Operating systemAndroid
Launch OS version4.4
Thickness.35"

Pros: Very powerful, like the Galaxy S5 , Nice camera , Ruggedized exterior , Long battery life , MircoSD…
Cons: No fingerprint reader , Phone vibrates when speaker is cranked

Sony Xperia Z1 Compact

Sony has nailed a market segment that needs some love. The Z1 Compact is the best small smartphone running Android.

FeaturesTouchscreen, High Resolution Camera, 4G
Operating SystemAndroid
Launch OS Version4.3 GHz
Thickness9.5 mm
Height127 mm

Pros: Manageable size , Speedy performance , Premium design , Waterproof and dustproof , MicroSD support…
Cons: Fingerprint and dust magnet , Big bezels above and below screen , Flaps on ports , No selectable…

LG G3

LG’s renaissance continues with the G3, which could be the best Android phone of 2014. The G3’s stunning Quad HD screen, high-quality camera, and sleek design should put it on everyone’s wish list.

FeaturesTouchscreen, Front-facing camera, External storage, High resolution camera, HD video recording, 4G
Operating systemAndroid
Launch OS version4.4.2
Thickness.35"
Height5.76"

Pros: Beautiful Quad HD touchscreen , Classy metal-look rear panel , Laser-autofocus works well , Vastly…
Cons: LG Health isn’t effective , Smart Notice isn’t that smart , Spotty game performance , Not…

Vertu Aster

The Vertu Aster is a no compromise, luxury smartphone with a strong processor, long-lasting battery, an excellent camera, and your own (real) personal assistant.

Release date10/2014
Operating systemAndroid
Launch OS version4.4

Pros: Superb design , Much improved camera , Excellent battery life , High-class materials and build…
Cons: Expensive for mere mortals

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Samsung Galaxy S5 Sport

The Sprint-exclusive Galaxy S5 Sport is colorful and powerful. But with fewer features than the standard Galaxy S5, at a higher price, it’s not a great value. And AT&T’s similar S5 Active is a better option for those who tend to drop their phones.

Release date6/2014
Operating systemAndroid
Proprietary skinTouchwiz

Pros: Very powerful, like the Galaxy S5 , Nice camera , Colorful tactile exterior , MircoSD slot…
Cons: No fingerprint or heart rate readers , Less ruggedly designed than the S5 Active , Annoying…

10.

Sony Xperia Z2

The Xperia Z2 is Sony’s best release yet and shows how fast its smartphones are improving. This is a phone that can compete with anything on the market.

FeaturesTouchscreen, Front-Facing Camera, External Storage, High Resolution Camera, HD Video Recording, 4G
Release DateApril 2014
Release Price$1000.00
Operating systemAndroid
Launch OS Version4.4

Pros: Very fast and powerful , Gorgeous display , Premium design , Waterproof and dustproof , MicroSD…
Cons: Fingerprint and dust magnet , Big bezels above and below screen , Not especially comfortable to hold…

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