We ranked the top 5 flagship Android phones you can get right now
Flagship smartphones are the race cars of the mobile device market. With normal automobiles you don’t need to go 200mph just to get to work. You don’t need specialized tires, exhausts, engines, and steering wheels for an everyday driver, but that doesn’t mean you don’t want to go fast. Sometimes you want more than you need, and there is nothing wrong with that if you can afford it.
Without race cars, the limits of automobile technology wouldn’t be pushed. Did you know the rear view mirror and disk brakes came from race cars? What seemed innovative when those products were invented are now standard on all cars and trucks.
The smartphone industry is no different – flagship smartphones push the limits of what you can do with mobile technology. 1080p HD displays were “overkill” just two years ago, but are now almost a must have on a smartphone no matter the price. Fast processors, ultra-clear displays, massive amounts of RAM, and killer cameras on flagships make the mobile tech industry move forward.
While budget smartphones are an area of focus for me, I realize I may have forgotten about the enthusiasts who do want to go 200mph on their commute to work. So I have put together my list of the best flagships you can get before Mobile World Conference brings us a whole host of new phones for 2016.
Bear in mind, when 2016 came about, I made a vow to only use smartphones that are unlocked and cost less than $400. Flagship smartphones are a passion of mine, but for 2016 I am only going to use and review smartphones that can save you hundreds of dollars.
With that being said, I still want to share the top five Android flagship smartphones you can get today without taking money into consideration.
Number 5 – HTC One A9
One of the most underrated phones is the HTC made One A9. Software wise, it is one of the few devices that actually runs Android 6.0 Marshmallow with its litany of features many users yearn for. The One A9 is very easy to hold with an all metal design, has a fantastic fingerprint reader for security, and comes with UH OH protection. No other flagship offers free protection from accidents, and that is what sets the A9 apart from the crowd.
No matter how hard some people try, they will drop, scratch and break phones – even with cases on. Replacing or fixing a device is never cheap unless you buy the HTC One A9 since it is free. And better yet, with Android 6.0 the A9 runs buttery smooth and has great battery life.
Specs:
- Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 617, Octa-core; 64-bit, 4 x 1.5GHz + 4 x 1.2GHz
- Memory: 3GB RAM / 32GB Storage
- Main camera: 13MP with sapphire cover lens, auto-focus , BSI sensor, OIS, ƒ/2.0, 1080p video recording
Front camera: HTC UltraPixel™, fixed focus, ƒ/2.0, 1080p video recording - Display: 5.0 inch, Full HD 1080p
HTC One A9 at – Amazon.com, AT&T, Sprint
Number 4 – Samsung Galaxy S6 edge
Without question the Samsung Galaxy S6 edge is one of the most unique 5.1″ smartphones you can get today. It has a gorgeous 2.5D dual curved display that easy to use in one hand. With a Samsung made Exynos octa-core processor, and 3GB of RAM, the S6 edge frequently sits atop benchmark tests even though this phone was released almost a year ago.
The dual edge display wraps around the sides to give the phone a full display without bezels. As beautiful as the S6 edge is, the best part about the phone is the 16MP rear camera which is only matched in quality by its bigger brother, the Galaxy Note5. No other non Galaxy smartphone comes close to the high-quality pictures from the S6 lineup. And that 2k Super AMOLED display is to die for.
The main gripes I have with the S6 edge are the lack of expandable memory, slow updates, and replaceable battery. But it is still a great device you can still use in one hand.
Specs:
- Processor: Samsung Exynos 7420 2.1GHz, 1.5GHz; Octa-Core
- Memory: 3GB RAM/32GB Storage
- Main camera: 16MP
Front camera: 5MP
- Display: 5.1 inch, F1440 x 2560 pixels (~577 ppi pixel density) Super AMOLED
Samsung Galaxy S6 edge at Amazon.com, AT&T, Sprint, Verizon, and T-Mobile
Number 3 – Samsung Galaxy Note5
Any other year and the Samsung Galaxy Note would have been my top pick. The Samsung Galaxy Note line is arguably the most functional smartphone you can get with its top of the line specs, and one of a kind stylus. When the first Note came out, people laughed and said the large display was unwieldy. But the choice to go with a 5.7″ display set the trend for other large smartphones.
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While the Note5 sits at number three, it used to sit at number one for me. Samsung decided to take away features like the IR Blaster, expandable memory, and removable battery from its most prolific smartphone. It replaced those features with an S6 like build that indluded a metal frame sandwiched in between two very sturdy pieces of Gorilla Glass 4. The processor, camera, and 2k AMOLED display are the best you can get on any smartphone. And like the S6 edge, the Note5 also has built-in wireless charging capabilities making it much more convenient to recharge your device.
And the S-Pen, while not for everyone, is super useful for those who still like to use a pen for note taking.
Random question – Did you know Samsung refers to the Note5 without a space in the name?
Specs:
- Processor: Samsung Exynos 7420 2.1GHz, 1.5GHz; Octa-Core
- Memory: 4GB RAM/32GB Storage
- Main camera: 16MP
Front camera: 5MP
- Display: 5.7 inch, F1440 x 2560 pixels (~518 ppi pixel density) Super AMOLED
Samsung Galaxy Note5 at Amazon.com, Sprint, AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon
Number 2 – LG V10
LG quietly sneaked out a powerhouse in the second half of 2015 with the LG V10. The LG V10 is a dual display smartphone with just about every feature you can think of. The dual display is similar to the Samsung Galaxy Note Edge design from 2014, but instead of the second display being on the side, it sits on top of the main display. You can control your music, see current weather conditions, check recently used apps,and see notifications all without disturbing your main display.
The V10 also added real steel siding to the smartphone that gives it a gorgeous look with a four foot drop rating to keep it from breaking in minor accidents. The base memory is also massive at 64GB with the option to expand via the micro SD card slot, and it also has a user replaceable battery too. I find the V10 to be the replacement for what I miss most in the Galaxy Note5. The Quantum 2k display is a real gem too – it has one of the clearest displays of any smartphone and it does it without Samsung’s Super AMOLED technology.
If you like HiFi music, the V10 also has a built in digital to analog converter(DAC) which is audiophile code for a chip that makes music sound awesome. The built-in DAC sets the V10 apart from all other Android smartphones.
Specs:
- Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 808 MSM8992, Hexa-core, 1800 MHz, ARM Cortex-A57 and ARM Cortex-A53, 64-bit
- Memory: 4GB RAM/64GB Storage
- Main camera: 16MP
Front camera: 5MP
- Display: 5.7 inch, F1440 x 2560 pixels (~515 ppi pixel density) Quantum IPS
LG V10 at Amazon.com, AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon
The best of the best Google Nexus 6P
You can’t go wrong with any of the top three phones if you like plus sized phones. But the Huawei made Google Nexus 6P is the overall champ of the flagships. It comes in an all metal body that is gorgeous, easy to hold, slim and “premium”.
What sets the Nexus 6P apart from the others is the ability to be used across any network, including Google’s own Project Fi, and the pure unadulterated version of Android 6.0 Marshmallow. Manufacturers are struggling mightily to keep up with Google’s software updates, and sometimes over customize what Android should be.
The Nexus 6P doesn’t have the greatest specs on paper, but with a clean version of Android it has incredible battery life, access to the most timely updates, and the smoothest software interface of all Android smartphones. The included fingerprint reader on the back is also amazing with incredible accuracy, and your finger will not only unlock your device, it will also turn on the display.
Other flagships that are sold through wireless carriers get added bloatware, and another layer of customization which slows updates to a grinding halt while taking up valuable space. Pure Android 6.0 Marshmallow is Google’s idea of what mobile software should be and I agree 100%. It’s fast, clean, and gets regular updates.
Specs:
- Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 v2.1 2.0 GHz Octa-core 64-bit
- Memory: 3GB RAM/32GB Storage
- Main camera: 12.3MP
Front camera: 8MP
- Display: 5.7 inch,WQHD (2560 x 1440) AMOLED display at 518 ppi
Nexus 6P at Amazon.com, and Google.com
I know my top five smartphones you can get today may not match your list. Let me know what your top five phones you can get today are below.
The post We ranked the top 5 flagship Android phones you can get right now appeared first on AndroidGuys.
The next Nexus: What last year’s peculiar pair might mean for 2016
2015 was a groundbreaking year for Google’s Nexus program, in several different ways. For one, there were in fact two smartphones released, yet at the same time, there was no tablet or specifically branded accessory to be found despite the actual Nexus event last September bringing forth 5 products in total. The aim of this piece is to take a quick look at what last year did – and didn’t – offer, and consider what 2016 may have to offer, especially given that rumors have already begun to surface that HTC will be tasked with making two different Nexus smartphones.
The original “strange” strategy
The announcement of two separate Nexus smartphones from Google last year came as a profound shift in its established Nexus program. In a way, it represents the largest change of strategy since 2013’s temporary decision to allow for “Google Experience Edition” products, know as “GPe” for short. The GPe program basically allowed for products unaffiliated with the Nexus program to be sold directly from Google with Vanilla Android.
Several devices were offered, from a number of manufacturers including the Samsung Galaxy S4 GPe, the HTC One M8 GPe, the Sony Xperia Z Ultra GPe, and the LG G Pad 8.3 GPe. Many of these products received OS updates far quicker than their “skinned” counterparts, and in some cases when their default variant received nothing at all.
The new strategy
Whereas 2013 officially brought the LG Nexus 5 and 2014 the Motorola Nexus 6, 2015 saw the release of a Huawei Nexus 6P, and an LG Nexus 5X, with the former representing the high end of the spectrum, and the latter offering offering more mid-range specs and pricing.
Given that Google has now established that a phablet Nexus has relevance as well as a more standard sized version, there is good reason to assume 2016 will see a similar strategy. This is all the more relevant when one considers that the Nexus smartphones, in many ways, represent the Google antithesis to Apple’s iPhones. And just as Apple now has two sizes of its own products – perhaps three this year – so too does Google.
Of course with the Nexus program, the choice has seemingly less to do with iOS competition and more to do with “internal” options. There has never been more Android phones offered than there are today, with the New York Times, last year, stating that over 1000 different companies are making phones. Given some of the strange ones that released – a Pepsi phone anyone – it’s easy to see just why the number has grown.
By giving the Nexus smartphone program a two-pronged approach, it thereby allows Google to cater to two markedly different markets, and offer compelling products that can stand their own with respect to the aforementioned “internal” competition, especially given that many of the products originating from Asia have heavily skinned user interfaces.
What dreams may come
Could HTC be making the next Nexus?
In assuming there will be two Nexus smartphones released in 2016, the question is who is going to be making them. Would Google pick a pair of producers as it did last year, or will it stick with a single supplier? Given that the first month of 2016 has already passed the half-way point, it is only fitting rumors of this year’s new Nexus devices have begun to start up. Indeed this year, perhaps more so than in those now gone, many in the Android community have increasingly higher expectations of what Google will deliver for the platform itself given the negative reaction ushered in by the Pixel C and its perceived shortcomings, namely the lack of split-screen multitasking and a plethora of tablet-optimized software.
Last week a rumor appeared originating from China’s Weibo social network that claims HTC will be making both a higher-end and lower-end Nexus smartphone this year, and that the former will land at 5.5 inches and the latter at 5.0 inches. The rumor was then expanded when two alleged product model numbers leaked. While some might argue it is too early for plausible rumors to begin for a Nexus product, last year the talk of Huawei making a device began quite early as well, and indeed such talk became a reality as last fall eventually played out.
Hints by Huawei
While any given situation may be fluid until the details and specifics are settled via contract, there is already a bit of evidence to suggest Huawei will be involved in this year’s Nexus project. It is important to consider the not-so-subtle “hint” that Huawei dropped in a recent interview with us, suggesting that it might have another close-working relationship with Google for 2016. (For reference, fast forward to the 3:10 minute mark to find the specific section referenced).
Of course this could ultimately be anything, assuming it to be true at all: a new tablet, a new Chromebook, a new Chromecast. The list could seemingly go on forever given that Huawei manufacturers far more than just devices. To play it safe however, let it be assumed the device in question would be a Nexus smartphone. This would mean either a repeat of the 6P – i.e. a top tier product – or it could be a replacement for the 5X.
While some might argue that it making a mid-tier product after crafting last year’s high end device might be seen as an insult to Huawei, do consider that the Chinese OEM is (1) quite adept at making high quality, affordable devices, and is (2) quite interested in expanding its market share and brand recognition around the world. Unlike Samsung, which allegedly named the Nexus S such because it refused to be considered “number two”, Huawei might have no qualms with the idea of producing a lower-end device, all the more so given that the 6P already proved it could do top-tier, and all the more so given that the 6P will inevitably still be sold for some time after this year’s models are announced and released.
Assuming the rumor does pan out though, and HTC will make both smartphones, the partnership which Huawei hinted could mean the OEM is working on whatever tablet Google plans to bring out this year. Given that Huawei makes numerous tablets, and just announced a newly designed product around CES, such a product would not be out of bounds to consider.
Returning to HTC…
At the same time, while HTC certainly had a flagship phone in its One M9 last year, the device was also playing it very safe. HTC has not released a truly large screen product since 2013’s HTC One Max. Moreover, HTC is also facing continued hardships with earnings and criticism for its choices. Google may not feel comfortable trusting the Taiwanese OEM with handling a potentially volatile project like the 2016 flagship Nexus smartphone out of sheer fear of seeing a repeat of the shortages that befell the Nexus 4 and Nexus 5. Huawei, for that matter, is an infinetly larger enterprise and therefore far better able to meet the manufacturing needs and supply demands of what could be a growing demand as the Nexus line becomes more well-known among the average consumer.
The supply issue problem would become seemingly a larger one if HTC makes both smartphones this year, because then it has two separate lines to worry about all the while trying to salavage its own brand and continue to develop products that make use of the A9’s new controversial design. There is also a fair question in asking how much power the HTC brand itself has given that (1) the company has fallen from grace in recent years, and (2) its sole Nexus smartphone was the original Nexus One, released at a time when arguably few people really knew what Android was compared to the absolute dominance the platform now enjoys.
The supply issue is also a problem given that Google clearly went for two different design languages with last year’s Nexus smartphones. The 6P looks quite different than the 5X. If HTC makes both devices, it would mean that the OEM would either make two clones of different sizes, or else make two entirely different products which means double the details and delivery. It would also serve to make the Nexus line into something more akin to ZTE’s Axon products, which come in different sizes yet essentially look the same. This would be good for continuity, however it would be bad in terms of creativity.
The size situation
Another point worth discussing is the idea that this year’s Nexus devices will be 5.5 and 5.0 inches as opposed to the 5.7 and 5.2-inch products that 2015 saw release. In dropping the larger device further – consider the Nexus 6 was almost a full 6-inches – it would then be on screen parity with Apple’s inevitable iPhone 7 Plus. This may work out for the better, or it might work out for the worst. Aside from that, there would be a clear segment of consumers who would be displeased that their phablet dreams would be dashed. Considering that the LG G4 – a standard smartphone – came in at 5.5 inches as well, it does indeed seem more clear that phablets need to be at least 5.7 inches or larger.
Given the overall satisfaction that seemed to be present last year with respect to the sizes of the 5X and 6P, it seems highly questionably that Google would further shrink both of its 2016 Nexus devices – assuming there are two – just for the sake of making them smaller. If anything the hardware itself could be reduced in size – the top and bottom bezels come to mind – yet leave the display sizes as they are for now.
Tablet talk
The other issue to consider is the next tablet, assuming there is one at all. Whereas 2015 was the first year ever since the original Nexus 7 tablet released in 2012 to not see a new Nexus tablet, there was still the Pixel C released. Running stock Android and receiving updates directly from Google, it is in many ways a “pure” Nexus, developed and manufactured directly by Google rather than through an OEM partner. (Though ironically enough a partner was still obviously used to manufacture the device itself as Google lacks production facilities) .
There is no telling what kind of a Nexus tablet might hit in 2016. It could be a new 7-inch product, especially if the new large Nexus smartphone were to indeed shrink to a 5.5-inch display. It could be a new 10.1 inch device. It could be anything really, but given the decreasing tablet sales as well as neither the Nexus 9 nor the Pixel C taking off by any accounts, it might be more sensible for Google to just fold the Nexus tablet line altogether.
Wrap up
Suffice to say, 2016 is going to be another big year for the Nexus program. Regardless of who makes what device, how many devices release, or even what size they may be, with the presumed inclusion of multitasking and possibly other new additions, it is likely that whatever products are manufactured and sold will be at the forefront of Google’s mobile domination.
Only time will tell what device(s) are ultimately announced and released. Given that Google looks to be making a formal unveiling of “Android N” this summer, it is theoretically possible there could be a new Nexus product announced then. More likely than not however, whatever devices may this way come will probably not see a formal unveiling until the fall.
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Huawei’s Honor 5X launches in Europe on February 4th
The Honor 5X is the first Huawei-branded handset to launch in the States, bringing an impressive array of hardware for the measly price of $199. Here in Europe, we are still waiting for the Honor 5X to become available. Now, at least, we now know that Huawei’s latest budget-busting handset will launch on February 4th at an event in Munich, Germany.
Hardware-wise, the Honor 5X features a 5.5-inch Full HD display, Snapdragon 615 processor, 2GB of RAM, rear fingerprint scanner, 3,000mAh battery, and runs Android 5.1 Lollipop with Huawei’s EMUI 3.1 skin on top. An update to Android 6.0 Marshmallow has been confirmed, although no ETA has been given as yet. It will be interesting to see how Huawei prices the handset in Europe, considering that n the States, the Honor 5X is priced at $199, which is around £139. If the Honor 5X has taken your fancy, Huawei’s vMall website has been sending out emails containing a £20 discount code for the handset when it becomes available.
It will be interesting to see how Huawei prices the handset in Europe, considering that n the States, the Honor 5X is priced at $199, which is around £139. If the Honor 5X has taken your fancy, Huawei’s vMall website has been sending out emails containing a £20 discount code for the handset when it becomes available.
We don’t have long to wait until the launch event in Munich, and we’ll be there covering the event that begins at 3:30 PM GMT, bringing you the details as they are announced.
Come comment on this article: Huawei’s Honor 5X launches in Europe on February 4th
Huawei’s honor 5X gets its January security update already
Monthly security updates are a heaven-sent treat for those of you who want to keep your phones secure… so everyone. The concept is relatively new, though, and we are still not sure how well manufacturers will handle updating devices in such a frequent manner. HTC has even mentioned these monthly OTA updates are “unrealistic”!
Huawei joins our good list by releasing the January security update before the phone even hits the USA. This means your phone will be safe and secure as soon as it reaches your doorstep (shipping starts January 31st). And this is not a one-time thing. Huawei has already promised they will be releasing security updates regularly.
See also: January security update patches Factory Reset Protection bypass bug
Interested in the phone? It is available for purchase from Amazon already, but as mentioned above, it won’t ship until the 31st. It is a very worthy phone for anyone looking to buy a mid-range handset. In fact, we have gone as far as thinking it could be the “best budget premium phone to date“.
At $199, it is one hell of a deal. Especially considering it has a 5.5-inch 1080p display, a Qualcomm Snapdragon 615 processor, 2 GB of RAM, 16 GB of internal storage, a 13 MP rear camera, a 5 MP front shooter and a 3000 mAh battery. Not to mention that amazing all-metal design. This phone looks great!
Also read:
All of that, plus constant security updates? Not to praise anyone here, but we think Huawei is doing a great job with this one. Just go ahead and check out our hands-on coverage to see for yourself.
Here are the videos you don’t want to miss this week – January 23, 2016
You might be able to refer to this past week as the “calm before the storm.” Mobile World Congress 2016 is already happening next month. As our team is working hard to get things ready for Barcelona, we’ve also managed to bring you a handful of reviews and hands-on videos that you should check out.
We’re trying something a little bit different in 2016 in regards to our review format. For specific flagship devices, we’ll be bringing you a video review, of course, but also a written review done by someone else who has had an equal amount of time with the device. We’re doing this with the aim of bringing you two different peoples’ opinions on that smartphone. The first review that we’re doing with the new format is the Huawei Mate 8 review, Huawei’s latest flagship handset. That’s not all, though. We’ve also managed to bring you a full review of the super cheap Raspberry Pi Zero, and brought you our first impressions of the OPPO F1.
Without any further ado, here are the Android-related videos you don’t want to miss this week.
Reviews
Huawei Mate 8 review
Huawei’s new Mate 8 is one heck of a flagship smartphone. It has a big display, awesome fingerprint reader, exceptional build quality and solid performance, but does this phone have any downsides? For a complete look, check out Josh’s video review above, and Nirave’s full written review attached below.
Raspberry Pi Zero review
The Raspberry Pi Zero is the latest compact computer from the Raspberry Pi Foundation. What makes it so special? The standout feature is that it only costs $5. Yes, it’s really that cheap. It might be hard to complain about its faults when keeping the price point in mind, though there are a few weaknesses you should know about before you pick a few of these up for your next project. For everything you need to know about the Raspberry Pi Zero, be sure to check out Gary’s full review.
A quick look at the latest from OPPO
Earlier this month Oppo unveiled a new smartphone aimed at today’s selfie generation, but is it any better than other selfie-centric smartphones? Learn more about OPPO’s new F1 smartphone in Nirave’s full hands-on and first impressions.
Android Apps Weekly
The Room 3, Google did good, let’s get schwifty! – you don’t want to miss the latest episode of Joe’s Android Apps Weekly show.
Huawei Mate 8 review
This review has been written by Nirave Gondhia with the video review (above) by Joshua Vergara. Be sure to check out YouTube as well, where you can watch the video in 4K!
The rise of Chinese manufacturers over the past two years made it inevitable that Google would eventually choose one of them to make its flagship handset and last year saw Huawei team up with the search giant on the Nexus 6P flagship. Sporting an all-metal design, pure Android experience and lightning fast fingerprint sensor – not to mention the best smartphone camera of 2015 – the Nexus 6P has, rightly, been a success.
Like LG and Samsung before it, many expected the success of the Nexus flagship to influence Huawei’s own flagship devices that followed and at CES 2016, the Mate 8 – which was launched in China last month – was finally given its global debut. Prior to CES, there had been many rumours that Huawei would use the Nexus 6P as a springboard for a push into the US market and while the honor 5X is launching stateside, the Mate 8 is nowhere to be seen.
Huawei has always made good hardware and the Mate 8 looks to be no different but has the Chinese company learnt anything from working closely with Google and in particular, is its UX any closer to stock Android? How does the Mate 8 compare to past Huawei flagships? Let’s take a look: hit the jump and join me for the written Mate 8 review and be sure to check out Josh’s video review above.
Specifications
Here’s the key Huawei Mate 8 specs:
| Huawei Mate 8 | |
|---|---|
| Display | 6.0-inch IPS-NEO LCD display 1920 x 1080, 368ppi Corning Gorilla Glass 4 |
| Processor | Quad-core 2.3GHz Cortex-A72 + quad-core 1.8GHz Cortex A53 HiSilicon Kirin 950 |
| GPU | Mali-T880 MP4 |
| RAM | 3/4GB, depending on storage option |
| Storage | 32/64/128GB |
| MicroSD | Yes, up to 128GB |
| Camera | 16MP rear camera, OIS, phase detection auto focus 8MP front camera |
| Software | Android 6.0 Marshmallow Emotion UI 4.0 |
| Battery | 4000mAh, non-removable |
| Dimensions | 157.1 x 80.6 x 7.9mm 185g |
Design
Looking at Huawei’s list of past flagships such as the Mate S, Mate 7 and P8, there’s one thing that’s clear: Coupled with the Nexus 6P, it’s clear Huawei understands exactly what premium hardware is and while the Mate 8 does have a few tweaks, the design language hasn’t changed all that much since the Mate 7.
That being said, Huawei has one of the strongest design languages in the industry and while a lack of significant change runs the risk of it becoming stale, the company isn’t there just yet. Although the Mate 8 design is more than acceptable, we would like to see the company show us the next stage of its design language in future flagship devices.
The metal finish is most definitely premium in the hand and the precise curves and gradient of the rear provide the handset with its ergonomic feel. The Mate 8 is a large device like every Mate smartphone – the Mate S aside – before it but it is probably the smallest 6-inch smartphone on the market, thanks to impressively small bezels around the display. Huawei is known for its ability to deliver large displays crammed inside a smaller-than-expected body and the Mate 8 is no different.
At 7.9mm thick, the Mate 8 is not the slimmest smartphone on the market but the symmetrical design and slightly curved rear mean it feels much slimmer in the hand. The in-hand experience is further enhanced by the 185-gram weight and the Mate 8 does feel reassuringly solid in daily usage.
The backside of the phone is where Huawei’s design language used to stand out from the competition; dating back as far as 2013 and the Mate 7, Huawei has dabbled in metal on its flagship devices and at the time, the company (alongside HTC) was leading the pack. However, since then, metal has become the new plastic and almost all companies are now attempting to incorporate metal in their flagships. While Huawei is no longer unique in this, its design language isn’t stale just yet but as mentioned, we’d like to see a few changes to differentiate its future flagships.
Where Josh and I definitely agree is which colour Mate 8 to get; Josh has the Silver version while I have the space gray but both of us agree that the Mocca brown Mate 8 is the version you should try to get. Neither the Silver nor the Space Gray are bad colour choices but the Mocca colour is quite unique and this helps it to stand out from the myriad of other metal-clad smartphones on the market.
Beneath the camera on the rear, we have a feature that Huawei has become superb in delivering: the fingerprint sensor. From the square sensor in the Mate 7 to the gesture-enabled Honor 7, the ultra fast sensor on the back of the Nexus 6P and now, the scanner in the Mate 8, it’s clear that Huawei understands fingerprint scanners and the Mate 8 is no different. While it doesn’t have all the gestures found in the Honor 7 and Mate S, its definitely up there with the best fingerprint sensors on the market.
Overall, the Mate 8 continues Huawei’s impressive design language and the design is definitely one of our favourite elements on the phone. It may have a 6-inch display but Huawei’s innovative design means the phone feels much smaller than you’d think.
Display
In January last year, we sat down with Huawei’s executives in China and during the course of several discussions, one topic that kept creeping up was display resolution and whether Huawei would eventually offer QHD resolution (and above) on its flagship devices. At the time, the answer was a resounding no but fast forward to the latter part of the year and the Huawei-made Nexus 6P became the first Huawei-made smartphone to offer QHD resolution.
Less than two months later, Huawei unveiled the Mate 8 and, despite all the rumours and leaks suggesting a QHD display was in the works, Huawei chose to stick with its guns and opted for Full HD resolution. Normally this wouldn’t be an issue but the Mate 8 was meant to arrive with great aplomb onto the market and a 6-inch Full HD panel really does – at least on paper – stretch the boundaries of whether the display is good enough.
In actual usage, the JDI-NEO display technology certainly helps to pick up some of the shortfall from not having QHD resolution and while the Mate 8 sports what is probably the best 6-inch 1080p screen on the market, it is just Full HD resolution. For the spec-lovers amongst you, this translates to a density of 368 pixels per inch, which is lower than the Galaxy Note 5 and most other similarly sized devices.
I personally find that while FHD resolution is more than satisfactory, I would have preferred QHD, especially given the price of the Mate 8 and its status as a premium flagship. While Josh agrees with this, he does point out that FHD means everything is a little easier to see than with QHD resolution and the Mate 8 is perfect for those who want a bigger screen for easier reading, rather than to have more space to display content.
What about in direct light? Huawei hasn’t always been the best smartphone to use in direct sunlight but the Mate 8 is definitely one of the company’s better attempts. In direct sunlight (or even incandescent or tungsten lighting), it’s easy enough to see what’s on the display as long as the brightness is set to full and auto brightness is turned off.
Overall, Full HD may not provide a great experience on paper but the Mate 8 screen is certainly more than satisfactory in real world usage and if you’re someone who prefers a bigger screen so you can see things more clearly, this is definitely the smartphone for you. However, if you’re a tech aficionado, you may find that you miss QHD resolution after using the Mate 8 for any substantial period of time but the battery life savings of opting for FHD more than make up for any shortcomings in the screen department.
Software
The most contentious part of Huawei smartphones is – and has been for many generations – the company’s EMUI interface which polarises most users. While some find it easy to adjust to, others certainly do not and this is where the company has often been lambasted in previous reviews.
Having worked with Google on stock Android for the Nexus 6P, there was hope that we’d finally see Huawei opt for a more westernised interface as part of EMUI 4 but has the company done so or are they still trying to force a Chinese-inspired interface on a Western market? Furthermore, are some of the bugs from Lollipop finally fixed in their first Marshmallow device and can EMUI help Huawei compete against other OEMs in Western markets? Let’s find out.
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Prior to Lollipop, Huawei’s EMUI was clean, simple and relatively easy-to-use but the introduction of Material Design in Lollipop resulted in the company trying to revamp its interface to match Google’s new design guidelines. Unfortunately, it mostly failed in this attempt but with EMUI 4.0 bringing Marshmallow to Huawei devices, are we finally given an interface that hasn’t been designed with China in mind? In short, the answer is: no.
This is one of the biggest problems with the Mate 8 and one that I personally find is quite difficult to overcome. For as good as the hardware is, the software is really poor and it almost feels like Huawei has taken a step back in this department over the past year. From the first build of EMUI 3 last year, bugs such as the notification bar being difficult to read thanks to odd colour choices have existed and while we’ve seen the company mostly fix these in the EMUI v3.1 found running on the new Honor 5X, the Mate 8 still has glaring bugs in the software.
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One of the most polarising elements of EMUI is the lack of an app-drawer and while Huawei has certainly made the home screen management more than satisfactory, not having an app drawer is likely to detract from the experience for many Western users. In fact, like previous Huawei smartphones, installing a launcher is probably one of the first things you’ll find yourself doing. Unfortunately, even when you do install a new launcher, the notification menu text bug still persists, so if you use Gmail especially, you can expect to be opening the app or relying on a widget more than you do on other devices.
Look past these glaring issues and the story isn’t much better; Huawei has taken the approach of many other OEMs and sought to add features using its own interface but has failed in its implementation. Some of the new features that Huawei has sought to include are an improved knuckle sense experience – including the draw a letter to launch an app feature that was present on the Mate S – being able to locate your phone through voice control and launching two windows at the same time.
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The knuckle sense feature was first launched early last year and at the time, we said it required a lot of work to be truly useful. Several months later, it still needs a lot of work and while it somewhat worked on the Mate S, I’ve personally been unable to successfully take a screenshot or launch an app at least once. For Josh, it has worked a few times but we both agree that it’s a feature that Huawei might as well remove as, in theory, it’s meant to make things quicker to launch but you almost have to punch your phone in order to make the feature work. Voice control is another area that Huawei has been dabbling in over the past year and again, the company has a lot of work to do in this area but at least it is usable.
It’s not all negative as a couple of features in EMUI are quite useful; especially for reviewers and people who have to show others how to do something on a phone, built-in support for screen recording – which is activated by double tapping the display using your knuckle – is great and works really well. EMUI also provides a lot of control over the experience and lets you customise many features and while this is great to have, the sheer amount of controls in the general UI actually makes it very difficult to use overall.
While a lot of thought has gone into the performance and design, the software seems to have been rushed out the door and both Josh and I are disappointed that working with Google on the 6P hasn’t delivered a more refined user experience. With a lot of patience and time, you can make EMUI work exactly how you want it to but the problem for Huawei is that most people will give up on EMUI long before then.
Camera
Huawei isn’t known for including exceptional cameras in its smartphones but over the past year, we’ve definitely seen them improve considerably in this department. From the new features launched in the P8 to the excellent Honor 7 camera and then the Nexus 6P – which had the best smartphone camera of 2015 – there was a lot of hope that the Mate 8 could prove to be Huawei’s best yet. Equipped with a new Sony sensor, does the Mate 8 deliver in the camera department? In a word: hardly.
The specs list reads that the Mate 8 offers a 16MP camera with f/2.0 aperture for better low light images, Optical Image Stabilisation for less noisy photos and 0.1 second phase detection autofocus and these features mostly live up to their hardware billing. The problem for Huawei however is that its camera processing fails to make the most of this hardware and even the presence of OIS doesn’t seem to prevent some blur in photos captured.
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While the Mate 8 does struggle with abject camera processing, Huawei deserves credit for some of the features they’ve added. Among the many camera modes is the ability to capture super night photos (which takes awesome low light photos), light painting (which is an excellent mode to capture light trails from cars or to help you be really creative in low light) and Professional mode, which offers a plethora of options for the budding photographer.
While Auto mode results in less-than-impressive photos, the sheer volume of controls in Professional mode, coupled with the way changes are reflected in the viewfinder before you press capture, means you can take some really nice photos if you’re willing to spend time to do so. I personally think you should use Professional mode at all times on the Mate 8 and while Josh agrees that it’s a great mode, he does raise the valid point that most people won’t bother. This means that in auto mode, the Mate 8 camera does absolutely nothing to impress you.
No HDR (left) vs HDR (right)
As good as the options that Huawei has included are, there are some that are most definitely disappointing. For example, turning HDR mode on results in almost no improvements to the picture (as you can see above) and this is not acceptable on any smartphone, let alone one that carries such a large price tag.
Despite being powered by Huawei’s own latest processor, there is still no support for 4K video recording. Yes, the Mate 8 does let you capture Full HD video at 60 frames per second, which is not something that’s common on smartphones, but the lack of 4K recording on an ultra premium flagship in 2016 in inexcusable.
Here’s some images we’ve captured on the Mate 8 – do let us know what you think of the Mate 8 camera in the comments below.
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There’s no covering up the fact that while the Mate 8 camera does have some great hardware, it is seriously lacking in the camera department with Josh and I both agreeing the camera is mediocre at best. Like the software, the camera on the Mate 8 really detracts away from the overall smartphone experience and sadly, it is bad enough that it may forfend you even buying the Mate 8.
Performance
One of the reasons the Mate 8 is long-awaited is the chipset under the hood, with Huawei finally bringing its long-awaited Kirin 950 SoC to the market. Arguably the key challenger to the 2016 chipsets from Qualcomm and Samsung – the Snapdragon 820 and Exynos 8890 respectively – the Kirin 950 is expected to set the benchmark for performance this year and from our testing, it definitely delivers on this.
As we covered during our podcasts at CES, this is one very powerful smartphone and we’re yet to find a way to actually slow it down. Although the Mate 8 versions we have come with just 3GB RAM (with around 1.3GB free when nothing is running in the background), the Kirin 950 makes it seem like there are several gigabytes of RAM available to use and definitely sets the benchmark for what flagship performance should be like this year.
When switching between apps, loading new apps or even running games, the Mate 8 shows zero sign of lag and if you’re after a non-stock handset that has the performance of a stock Android smartphone, the Mate 8 definitely ticks this box. The Mali-T880 GPU finally delivers an experience that seems to be on par with the Adreno GPU used in other processors (although this will only truly become apparent once handsets using these other 2016 processors are launched in the coming months) and solves a big problem with previous Huawei devices, which was the graphics performance.
Hardware
If smartphones were about raw performance, the Mate 8 would certainly lead the current crop but as we know it’s about more than just performance, so what about the rest of the hardware? Other notable features include dual SIM support by default in every variant – which instantly gives the Mate 8 an advantage over other flagships that have separate variants with Dual SIM support – a microSD card slot (which takes up the second SIM slot) and an NFC chipset.
All of these work as well as you’d expect and just like previous Huawei smartphones, the presence of metal has no impact on network reliability with Huawei’s extensive experience in antennae heralding great signal and network performance in its latest flagship smartphone. One area that is a let down is the bottom-mounted speaker which is average at best and while it is louder than previous Huawei smartphones with body to the sound, it is definitely lacking overall compared to other flagship devices and even the Nexus 6P.
Overall, the hardware on the Mate 8 is almost close to perfect, as is the performance, and aside from a few issues with the speaker, there’s very little that Huawei could have done to make it better. Without doubt, this is one of the main reasons you should buy the Mate 8 and this is reflected in our ratings, with the Mate 8 coming ever so close to scoring a perfect 10 in this section.
Battery
If there’s one feature that made Huawei’s Mate range stand out from the rest, it was the battery, with the Mate 7 proving to be a battery behemoth that very few – if any – smartphones came close to. The Nexus 6P continued this trend and Doze Mode in Marshmallow proved to be the welcome fix that Android needed for better standby time but does the Mate 8 continue in this vein?
Under the enclosed metal-body is a 4000mAh non-removable battery that supports fast charging and the capacity is one of the highest on the market. The Mate 7 had a 4100mAh battery (in body that was similarly sized) while the Nexus 6P is powered by a 3450mAh unit and at least on paper, the Mate 8 should lead the battery stakes yet again. As we’ve found in the past however, a big battery doesn’t necessarily mean great battery life, so is the Mate 8 the battery behemoth you need in your pocket? In a word: YES.
The large capacity coupled with Huawei’s own optimisations in its chipset all combine to deliver exceptional battery life and overall battery life depends on which of Huawei’s included modes you use.
For example: if you use the Smart mode (which is typical day-to-day usage), you can expect to get 2 days’ worth of overall battery life with around 7 hours’ Screen-on-Time (SoT) while if you want brute power, the Performance mode should let you use the full package and still get a full days’ usage with around 4.5 hours SoT.
For the times when you are running low, Huawei claims you can charge the Mate 8 for half an hour to get a full days’ usage and in our testing, rapid charging seems to add around 35% in half an hour (it increased from 15% to 50%). However, while the presence of rapid charging is certainly welcome, the Mate 8 doesn’t support Quick Charge 2.0 so you’ll need to use the included charger in the box to get the faster charging speeds. On the topic of charging, the Mate 8 also doesn’t support wireless charging which is certainly not a deal breaker but something to keep in mind if this is important to you.
The Nexus 6P and the Mate 7 before it are both excellent for battery life and with its new flagship, Huawei seems to have continued this trend. When we spoke to Huawei last January, we were told the company was avoiding higher-than-FHD resolution as it didn’t want to impact on the battery life and while we would have liked to have seen QHD resolution on the Mate 8, there’s no doubt it would have impacted on the battery life. As it stands, the Mate 8 is setting the benchmark for the battery life you can expect from a 2016 flagship and it remains to be seen whether its competitors can actually compete against this.
Final Thoughts
There you have it – Huawei’s latest flagship ticks a lot of the right boxes but some of its gremlins from the past still remain; we’ve always known that Huawei’s hardware is fantastic but the most surprising thing about the Mate 8 has to be just how poorly optimised the software actually is. Yes, it’s more than satisfactory if you’re willing to adjust to it, but with so many flagship devices to choose from, EMUI v4.0 may prove to be a step too far for many users.
The performance and battery – while being fantastic – are not enough to detract away from the poor software and camera experience.
Previous Nexus manufacturers have used their partnership with Google as a springboard onto bigger and greater success, look no further than LG, who have made several Nexus devices in the past and gained much greater recognition for it, but for Huawei, the Mate 8 isn’t the smartphone to do this. However, as the development process for a smartphone can take several months, we’re willing to give Huawei the benefit of the doubt and wait until the next flagship to see the real benefits of working with Google.
So should you buy the Mate 8? Honestly, I would find it difficult to recommend the Mate 8 as the performance and battery – while being fantastic – are not enough to detract away from the poor software and camera experience. That being said, it is still one of the nicest smartphones on the market and feels absolutely great in the hand.
Josh had similar thoughts, stating that
The performance and power (battery) of the Mate 8 just barely cover up the flaws of a device we still love.
Yes, the Huawei Mate 8 is an excellent smartphone and, for the most part, it does rank well amongst the current crop of flagship devices but the few flaws it has are major and while in previous devices Huawei could get away with some of these, we’d have expected a better camera and software experience from its latest flagship. With all that being said, if you’re willing to customise the interface and don’t mind the camera, the Mate 8 is definitely worth a closer look.
What do you think of the Huawei Mate 8 and do you plan to buy one? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below and don’t forget to check out all of our Mate 8 coverage.
Today’s best-selling unlocked Android phones at Best Buy (December 29)
The $99 Moto G (Gen 2) still leads the pack
So you got yourself some money over the holidays and now you’re looking to spend some. Why not start the new year out right with a new phone?
Purchasing a new smartphone can be quite the expensive endeavor. Moreover, it can also be a bit of a headache as you try to consider which phone, which carrier, and which rate plan is right. We’re here to help you with at least one of those segments: the phone. And, more specifically, we’re going to help nail down one place to check for your handset needs.
Why unlocked?
The benefit of an unlocked smartphone, for those who aren’t aware, is that it can be used on a variety of wireless service providers. Going this route ensures you don’t have to worry about contracts or long-term obligations. Want to hop from T-Mobile to AT&T or vice-versa? That’s no problem when you’re using an unlocked GSM phone.
We’ve gathered up the 10 best-selling unlocked Android devices from Best Buy so you can get a sense for what’s available. Indeed, you’ll see a nice mix of big-name vendors and devices from other, scrappy players. Note that we’ve omitted color variations; you might find other colors available.
So, the next time you need to replace your existing phone, consider scooping up one of these. It’s often a heck of a lot cheaper than going through your carrier in the long run.
- Motoroloa Moto G 2nd Generation 8GB – $99.99 SAVE $50
- Samsung Galaxy S6 32GB – $449.99 SAVE $150
- BLU Studio X 8GB- $99.99 SAVE $50
- Sony Xperia C4 16GB- $249.99 SAVE $50
- Motorola Moto G 3rd Generation 8GB – $179.99
- Huawei P8 Lite 16GB- $199.99 SAVE $50
- Motorola Moto X Pure 16GB – $399.99
- Samsung Galaxy S4 (Unlocked) – $269.99 SAVE $150
- Blu Advance 4 4GB – $59.99
- BLU Life X8 8GB – $129.99
The post Today’s best-selling unlocked Android phones at Best Buy (December 29) appeared first on AndroidGuys.
Huawei KIW-AL20 passes through TENAA
An unannounced Huawei smartphone just passed through China’s official certification database, TENAA. According to information included in the filing, the handset carries the model number KIW-AL20, which is believed to be assigned to either a high-end variant of the Honor 5X or the Honor 7 Plus, and in view of the unit’s dual-SIM compatibility, we can infer that it’s headed to the Asian market.
The documentation also reveals that the device is set to pack a 5.5-inch Full HD display, a 1.5GHz octa-core processor, 3GB of RAM, 32GB of internal storage, a 13MP rear-facing camera, a 5MP selfie shooter and a 3,300mAh battery. If the TECCM device render that accompanies the spec sheet is anything to go by, it would appear that the unit will feature a fingerprint scanner, too.
As for the dimensions, the KIW-AL20 measures exactly 151.3 × 76.3 × 8.15 mm and weighs in at a hefty 158g. These measurements, coupled with the images above, lead us to suspect that the handset will sport an aluminium shell with a glass front. Although, it’s perfectly possible that Huawei is planning to use a durable plastic with an aluminium-like finish.
Unfortunately, we don’t have any information with regards to when the KIW-AL20 is likely to be announced, but we’ll be sure to keep you updated with the all latest news on the handset as and when it breaks. In the meantime, hit the source link below to view the full certification certificate over on TENAA’s website.
Source: TENAA
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Honor 7 is getting Marshmallow in India, but you will have to register to get it
Huawei boasts world-class hardware design, but it still has a way to go when it comes to software. The good news is Huawei is working on improving its software experience, at least when it comes to timely and consistent updates.
After launching a Marshmallow beta program in several countries, Huawei’s sub-brand Honor has now commenced the Android 6.0 rollout for the Honor 7 in India. There’s a slight catch: users who want a fast update need to request it via an online form available here. Users will have to enter their device’s IMEI number, current software vision, email address and phone number.
See also: Android 6.0 Marshmallow updates roundup – December 18, 2015
Provided this info is entered correctly, the OTA update will hit the registered device within 48 hours. This is definitely a novel way to handle OTAs – a dedicated app would have been much easier for users – but it’s good to see that Honor is trying to appease early adopters who want new features as soon as possible.
It’s possible that Honor will use this enrollment method in other countries as well, though for now the update appears to be available in India only.
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The Honor 7 launched in India in October. In our review, Krystal loved the phone’s great battery life, camera, display, and fast fingerprint scanner. Hopefully, the Marshmallow update will help with the weak points of the device – inconsistent gaming performance and a subpar user interface.
Huawei will push out Android 6.0 for Honor 7 owners in India who request the update
Huawei is ready to push out Android 6.0 Marshmallow to Honor 7 owners in India, but for now, only to those who request the update by filling out Huawei’s OTA request form.
Interested users will need to head over to the form at the source link below to request the update. They’ll need to provide Huawei their IMEI number, software version, and a current email address. Huawei says that Android 6.0 will be pushed to devices 24-48 hours after registering for the update.
It’s certainly an unconventional way of updating handsets, but still nice that Huawei is already offering Android 6.0 for the Honor 7 in India.
Huawei hasn’t announced the official release of Android 6.0 Marshmallow for the Honor 7 in any other regions yet. In fact, the Honor 7 in the UK is still undergoing beta testing.
The company is hoping to bring the latest refresh of Google’s mobile operating system to many of its popular devices in early 2016.
Android 6.0 Marshmallow is available for the Honor 7 in India, but only by way of that request form linked below.
source: Huawei (Google Docs)
via: Android Central
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