Here at Android Headlines, we’d like to think that we know a thing or two about smartphones. Since we’ve been doing our monthly Top 10 of both Android smartphones and Android tablets, we’ve been thinking about how we can make things a little better. From now on, we’re going to be calling these our Buyers’ Guides, which will be available monthly as always. We’re making the change to Buyers’ Guide because we group only the Top 10 best android smartphones out there for you to buy right now.
How do we make this list? Well, we consider many aspects of what makes one phone a more viable purchase than the other. Ranging from how well they’ll be supported in the future, how much they cost, are they good value, their availability in the US and more. These lists are completely unbiased and are more to do with what we think is the best in general, not what we like the best. Indeed, only a handful of staff here own a device on these lists and we’re constantly keeping up with the pace of new devices.
In regards to where to purchase these phones that is up to you. You can purchase your new android smartphone through your favorite carrier’s local store or website. However, it has been our experience that if you are looking for the best deal possible on your new Android Smartphone, the Amazon Phone Store has had the best deals for years and is often much cheaper than you will even get at your carrier’s websites or stores. The choice is yours.
Without further a do, let’s start the countdown of our new and slightly improved Buyers’ Guide to Android Smartphones for June 2013!
This time around, we’re offering clear links to our review of the device (where available).
10. Motorola Droid RAZR HD and RAZR MAXX HD
Few devices have worn carrier exclusivity as well as these two. While the DROID RAZR might be in its final stages, with Moto looking to do new things, they’re still great options for those looking for a device on Verizon, and their excellent 4G coverage that comes with it. You won’t get the most up-to-date specs with this pair of smartphones but, you will get well-built devices that have already stayed strong for such a long time, and will be supported for some time to come. These are Verizon’s babies and even though the Droid DNA is a superior device, these are cheaper and perhaps better value for money. For Verizon users, or those looking to switch these are solid offerings, if not a little pedestrian.
- Dual-core 1.4Ghz Snapdragon S4 Plus
- 4.7″ Super AMOLED Display 1280 x 720 – 312 ppi
- WiFi b/g/n
- 4G LTE on Verizon
- Bluetooth 4.0 with LE+EDR
- 16GB of Storage with room for microSD
- 1GB RAM
- 8MP rear-facing camera with 1.3MP front-facing
- 2530 mAh Battery – 3300 mAh on the MAXX HD
- Launched with Android 4.0 but, updated to Android 4.1
09. LG Optimus G
LG are getting ready to move on to new things as well, with the Optimus G Pro on shelves right now and the Optimus G2 fast approaching. The Optimus G marked a change in attitude towards the US market from LG, no longer were they going to create and sell bespoke devices to each carrier – it was time to sell a flagship. As flagships go, there have been better efforts from companies but, this device was just the beginning from LG. Even by today’s standards, the device keeps up well with a modern CPU and a good amount of RAM but, the update support from LG is something to be wary of when buying an older device like this. If it’s on special then yeah, this is a good device to go for but, we’re not sure we’d want to be stuck with this for 2 years from now.
- 4.7″1280 x 768 pixel resolution (320 ppi)
- Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro
- 8 MP rear-facing camera with 1.3 MP front-facing
- 4G LTE on AT&T’s Network
- 16 GB storage
- 2 GB RAM
- 802.11 b/g/n
- NFC
- 2,100 mAh
- Android 4.1
08. Samsung Galaxy S III
The Galaxy S III was sort of a turning point for Samsung, it was the first device that they managed to release on the carriers as the same device, and all within a month or so of each other. Thanks to a massive increase in marketing spending, the Galaxy S III went on to become an “Android iPhone” of sorts, and its popularity is still incredible today. While the Galaxy S4 has eclipsed it a little bit, it’s still a great device and thanks to Samsung’s support the S III will stay updated for some time to come. If you’ve not got one by now, it’s still a great device to buy, especially if you’re looking for something to tide you over until your next upgrade. Let’s face it though, you’ve all already got one, right?
- 1.5 Ghz Dual-core 1.5Ghz Snapdragon S4, Quad-core 1.4Ghz Exynos in some markets
- 4.8″ Super AMOLED HD Display at 1280—720 – with 306ppi
- 4G on AT&T, Sprint and Verizon – HSPA+ on T-Mobile
- 16, 32 or 64GB storage with room for microSD
- 2GB RAM
- 8MP rear-facing camera with 1.9MP front-facing camera
- 2,100 mAh battery
- Launched with Android 4.0 but, Updated to Android 4.1.2
07. HTC Droid DNA
The Droid DNA was a device that seemingly came out of nowhere, it was based on of the Butterfly that HTC announced weeks before it and it quickly became a hot device for Verizon last holiday season. Even today, this is one of the better phones out there, with its 5-inch 1080p display and amazing sound quality. The problem however, comes in HTC’s support for older devices, it’s never been very good and coupled with the track record of other Verizon devices – like the Thunderbolt – the question is just how well will HTC take care of this guy. If that doesn’t bother you too much and you just have to have Verizon service then the DNA is not a bad choice, in fact it’s one of the better choices right now, as the One isn’t available on Verizon just yet.
- SLCD3 1080p with a mind-blowing 440ppi density
- Qualcomm S4 Pro 1.5GHz quad-core CPU
- 2GB of RAM
- 8MP camera rear-facing camera capable of 1080p at 30fps
- f/2.0 2.1 MP Front-facing camera capable of 720p
- Android 4.1 Jelly Bean with Sense 4+ on top
- 4G LTE
- 2.5v headset and speaker amplifier with Beats Audio
- 2,020 mAh Battery
- 9.1mm thin
06. Sony Xperia Z
The Xperia Z is a smartphone that Sony were hoping would lead to a newfound success in the smartphone market. They were wrong, because while the Z is a great phone they failed when it came to distribution. The Xperia Z might be powered by last year’s Snapdragon S4 Pro it still feels like a snappy device and while they’ve moved on to newer things, this is a good device to get your hands on. Sony’s update record is also pretty good, especially when you consider the device has just been updated to Android 4.2.2! There’s even AOSP available for this device, Sony strongly believe in Android and here it really shows. You can buy the device from Amazon but, if you want some carrier backing, it’s finally headed to T-Mobile this Summer.
05. LG Optimus G Pro
The Optimus G Pro is a sort of stop-gap device before the Optimus G2 hits later this year and it’s certainly doing a good job of keeping things fresh before they reinvent the Optimus G. The G Pro is a 5.5-inch device which puts it head-to-head with the Galaxy Note II, but the two differ in their approaches to size. Where the Note II from Samsung offers some added value in the S-Pen, LG are trying to get by on size alone. While that’s certainly a good thing for some folks, it’s not something we can see everyone wanting. The device is only available on AT&T which is a shame but it’s to be expected at this point, as AT&T and LG are good friends. For those looking for a larger device, the G Pro is a good option, it’s got a 1080p display and the Snapdragon 600 inside, making things nice and snappy.
- 5.5-inch Full HD Display (1920—1080 resolution)
- 1.7GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 600 processor
- 2GB or DDR RAM
- 32GB internal storage; Expandable via microSD card slot
- 13MP rear-facing camera; 2.1MP front-facing camera
- 3,140mAh battery
- Android 4.1.2 – Jelly Bean
- 150.2 x 76.1 x 9.4mm dimensions
04. Samsung Galaxy Note II
The Note line has gone from being a curiosity of Samsung’s to a genuine mainstream product which has a cult following all its own. The Note II really took off when it was launched with improved S-Pen functions and on ever major US carrier. It’s screen resolution and CPU are perhaps ageing a little bit now but, what matters here is that the Note II is still the only device that makes an argument for a larger device, with its added S-Pen and the features that Samsung have thrown in here. If you’re looking for a device that’s a little bigger, and that you really can do everything on, then this is the device for you. It’s available on every carrier and it’ll be updated for some time to come.
- Quad core 1.6 GHz Exynos 4412
- 5.5″ Super AMOLED Display at 1280 x 720 – 265 ppi
- 2GB of RAM
- 16GB storage with room for microSD card
- 8MP rear-facing camera with 1.9MP front-facing
- 4G LTE on Sprint, AT&T and Verizon
- WiFi, Bluetooth and NFC
- 3,100 mAh
- Android 4.1 Jelly Bean
03. Google Nexus 4
Is there a smartphone out there that offers better value than Google’s Nexus 4? If there is, we’ve never hear of it, that’s for sure. The Nexus 4 hit the scene last fall with Android 4.2 and it made a pretty big splash. With the (then) latest CPU and display technology, the Nexus 4 was every bit a powerhouse – and yet the price tag didn’t depict such a thing. Coming in unlocked with 16GB of storage for next to nothing, the Nexus 4 was perhaps the best-value smartphone to hit the market in years. It’ll be updated for a long long time to come, and even though a new Nexus is on the horizon, this is still a good buy. What with it being a Nexus, you can also have a lot of fun with ROMs and tweaks.
- 4.7″1280 x 768 pixel resolution (320 ppi)
- Quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro
- 8 MP rear-facing camera with 1.3 MP front-facing
- 4G HSPA+ up to 42mbps
- 16 GB storage
- 2 GB RAM
- 802.11 b/g/n
- NFC
- 2,100 mAh
- Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean
02. HTC One
The One from HTC is a great device, it’s a shining example of what can be done with smartphones today and the premium build is divine. HTC have really brought out all of the stops with this one, making sure to bring their A-game to the table and it seems to have worked. BoomSound, BlinkFeed and the UltraPixel camera all come together to create a brilliant device that anyone would be proud to own. The problem with the One is not so much a problem with itself but more with HTC, we spoke about updates earlier on and if the One X (last year’s flagship) is any indication of how they treat smartphones well, the One might be waiting on updates for a long time. It launched with an outdated version of Android and it’s still languishing with Android 4.1 on it. HTC can do better and with the right support and marketing this could be the best device on the market.
- 4.7-inch 1080p display giving it a 468ppi
- 1.7GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 600 processor
- 2GB of RAM
- 32/64GB internal storage; No microSD card slot
- “UltraPixel” rear-facing camera, 2MP front-facing camera
- Bluetooth 4.0, Wi-Fi 802.11ac, GPS and GLONASS
- 2,300mAh battery
- Android 4.1.2 with Sense 5.0
- IR Reciever allowing you to use the HTC One as a TV remote
01. Samsung Galaxy S4
The latest and greatest from Samsung this year, looked a lot like it did last year. That is to say that Samsung kept a lot of their formula the same as they did with the Galaxy S III. You know what? That’s not a bad thing. What do you do to make something brilliant even better? Simply improve on it. That’s what Samsung have done here and while the design is nothing new, what’s under the hood is and even if TouchWiz is not your cup of tea, the Galaxy S4 has some amazing software features that can genuinely make things easier, Samsung don’t call this a Life Companion for nothing. The Snapdragon 600, the 1080 AMOLED Display and more all add up to a stunning smartphone that we’re sure will be supported for a long time to come.
- 5-inch 1080p displayHD Super AMOLED Display 440PPI
- 1.9GHz quad-core Snapdragon Processor S4 Pro/Exynos 5 Octa for the International Version
- 2GB of RAM
- 16GB/32GB/64GB internal storage; Expandable via MicroSD card up to 64GB
- 13MP rear-facing camera 2MP front-facing camera
- Wi-Fi a/b/g/n/ac
- Bluetooth 4.0
- IR Blaster
- 2,600 mAh battery
- Android 4.2.2 – Jelly Bean