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Perhaps you snagged some gift cards for the holidays or you're using the new year as an excuse to upgrade your smartphone. There are a gazillion options out there! Here are a few of the best high-end Android smartphones available right now.
Powerful, an awesome screen, a great camera and some cool unique features, the LG G2 is one of the best smartphones available on all of the carriers. It has an awesome high-def 5.2″ screen on the front. It's large but the phone doesn't feel giant. It has a screaming quad-core processor inside and a 13 megapixel camera that takes some of the best pics on a smartphone today.
On top of all this, the LG G2 has a unique design that you won't see on other phones. LG moved the power button, the volume up and volume down keys to the back of the phone. They're located just under the camera. At first, it feels odd to have the keys placed there but after using the G2 for a few days it started to make sense. The phone is large so your fingers naturally land on the back. Nice job LG! It just works and feels natural after a few days of use. You can also turn the phone on by simply double tapping the screen. I really like this feature. If the G2 is sitting on a desk you don't have to pick it up to power it up, simply tap the screen. Again, a new way of thinking about a basic smartphone feature that feels very intuitive when you start using it.
If you're looking for a compact smartphone, this isn't it. Otherwise, it's a great choice.
The LG G2 is available on all of the major carriers and will cost about $200 depending on the various contract offers available.
Sony may not be the first name that comes to mind when you think about buying an Android smartphone but perhaps it should be! The legacy electronics company has been creating very impressive hardware over the past few years and the Xperia Z is no exception.
The Xperia Z has a bright 5″ screen on the front and a 13 Megapixel camera on the back. It's all packed into an amazingly sleek and slim water-resistant package. Yup, you read that right, the Z is water resistant. You'll never have to worry about pulling your phone out of your pocket in the rain or snow again. This is perfect for the weekend in the mountains! You can literally rinse this phone with water and it won't flinch. FINALLY! I hope other phone companies take notice of this.
The 13 Megapixel camera on the Xperia Z takes awesome pictures. Sony also claims it's the first camera to shoot HDR video as well as still shots. It's a cool effect but somewhat novel for now.
Sony is doing a great job of building solid hardware that doesn't try to be too much. It's fast, the screen looks good and it's an uber slick-looking phone.
The Xperia Z is easily among the best of the best Android smartphones available right now.
It's available for $0 upfront on a T-Mobile payment plan. T-Mobile also just released the update to the Z, the Z1S. It's more powerful with a 20.7 Megapixel camera! It's worth checking out.
What if you took all of the latest specs, packed them into a simple smartphone and then sold it at a non-contract price that wasn't outrageous? That's the Google Nexus 5 (manufactured by LG.) The Nexus 5 has a 5″ HD screen on the front and packs a fast Snapdragon processor inside. The camera is only 8 Megapixels. It takes good pictures. Personally, I don't believe that the number of megapixels is the end all, be all but you won't get the same amazing pictures that you'll get with the G2, Xperia Z or other current smartphones.
The Nexus 5 also comes with Qi charging built-in. This means you can charge your smartphone by simply laying it on a Qi wireless charging pad. I wish more companies would incorporate this technology. It's about time we stop hunting for the charging cable every night.
The Nexus 5 was designed for the latest version of Google Android, 4.4 Kit Kat. The Nexus line of smartphones is designed to offer Android without any frills. Most other manufacturers add their own software tweaks, interface re-designs and custom apps. Nexus is 100% Android, exactly as the software programmers at Google intended it to be.
The Nexus 5 has top of the line specs but isn't the thinnest or sexiest smartphone on the market. The most amazing thing about the Nexus 5 is the price. The 16GB model sells for $349 WITHOUT a contract. Most other top of the line smartphones are $600 unless you agree to a 2 year contract or payment plan. If you're OK with contracts, this might not matter. If you'd prefer to not sign on the dotted line, this is easily your best option for your smartphone dollars.
You can buy the Nexus 5 directly from Google and use it on T-Mobile, At&t or Sprint. It's also available directly from the cell phone carriers.
Conclusion
These are easily 3 of the best Android smartphones available right now. Not the only 3, but 3 of the best. Others I would check out before swiping the credit card include the Moto X and the Samsung Galaxy S4. Happy shopping!
You can catch Kirk Yuhnke anchoring Good Day Colorado weekdays on Fox31. You'll also find him talking tech on Facebook and Twitter.
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