AG Picks: The best Android phone you can buy today (September 2015)
As we get out of summer and head into the autumn season we’re at an important time of the year. Specifically, a number of key smartphones have recently launched and customers have quite a selection to choose from.
Picking the right device isn’t exactly easy, especially when most of today’s phones can be had across multiple carriers. Some of us try as hard as we can to future-proof ourselves and stay ahead of the curve with high-end models. Others, care less about tomorrow and just want a kick-ass handset, no matter the price.
We here at AndroidGuys like to think there is some crossover between those two categories, particularly among the upper echelon of Android smartphones. Sometimes you can actually end up with something that lasts for years and doesn’t break the bank in the process. In other words, cost isn’t indicative of experience.
We conducted an internal poll among the team, anonymously collecting our choices for the top smartphones of September. The criteria was simple: pick the best, and second-best phone you can purchase today. With more than a dozen of us chiming in – some are self-admitted brand loyalists – we reached a pretty clear consensus.
Here are those results, with some details as to why they were selected. In short, these are the three best Android phones you can buy today.
Samsung Galaxy Note 5
Nearly every single one of us picked the Samsung Galaxy Note 5 as the best or second-best phone on the market. Why? It’s gorgeous, sleek, and features some incredible specifications.
You’d have to see one of these in person to really appreciate the beauty in the design. Throw in a killer display, wireless charging, a smarter stylus, and the latest version of Android, and you have one attractive smartphone.
You can pick one of these up from just about any wireless carrier around, however, it doesn’t come cheaply. We’d like to see the price drop just a smidge but we were on board anyhow. If you’re looking to score a top phone this coming holiday season, keep your eyes peeled for some discounts and promotions.
Motorola X Pure Edition
How can you argue with a phone that has this much hardware with a price that’s almost half that of other top flagships? Even when compared to the aforementioned Galaxy Note 5, it comes out on top in some areas – if only on paper.
The 21-megapixel rear camera is the best Motorola has offered in a phone thus far. The nearly stock Android experience ensures quick updates and a bloat-free software package. The level of customization and configuration through MotoMaker is unparalleled. Are you picking up what we’re putting down, here? You won’t find this much bang, or support, for the buck from a top-tier brand such as Motorola. The Motorola Moto X Pure Edition should be considered for your next phone.
Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge+
As an almost identical counterpart to the Samsung Galaxy Note 5, this one trades out the stylus in favor of two edge-displays that wrap and taper.
Not only does this screen look and feel incredibly awesome, it adds extra capabilities in the process. Want an at-a-glance view of time, messages, or other notifications? You’ll find that here. Want quick access to contacts without having to create shortcuts or icons? Bingo.
The Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge+ is virtually swappable for first place and almost beat out the Motorola for second place. As a testament to the two Samsung models here, our team has a few staffers who tend to judge its brand harshly.
Honorable Mentions
Other smartphones placing high on our chart this month include the Nexus 6, LG G4, and OnePlus 2.
Your pick
What phone do you have your eye on? Is it one of these or is there something else you’re considering? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below, so please take a moment to share your opinion.
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Sprint’s LG G4 gets updated with a handful of minor changes
Sprint has launched an update to the LG G4, but it’s nothing major. This update brings just a few minor changes, including the usual bug fixes and performance enhancements. Here’s the changelog by way of Sprint:
- Factory Reset Protection Updates
- UI and Network enhancements
- 3rd Party App Updates
This update will bring your device’s software version to LS991ZV6. As per the norm, the update will make its way to Sprint users over the next couple of weeks. However, you can check for it manually in the device’s Settings menu.
source: Sprint
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LG G Flex 2 can be yours for just $250, in new condition!
Last month well-known Ebay seller qualitycell offered up the LG G Flex 2 for just $290 in brand new condition. That was a hell of a price for a Snapdragon 810-powered device that isn’t even quite a year old yet. If you didn’t jump on it then, you’ll be happy to know it is back for even cheaper at $250!
While the LG G Flex 2 is attractive, if a little odd looking, it has a bit of reputation problem that has probably helped push its price tag down. When the device first hit the market, it was associated heavily with all the 810 overheating drama, and many reviews noted that LG’s UI was more than a little sluggish (ours included). Through a combination of throttling (something we are, unfortunately, seeing on all 810-based devices to at least some degree) and bug fixes in the software, the LG G Flex 2 is reportedly a much more stable and enjoyable device than when it first shipped but the damage to its rep is already done.
If you aren’t trying to win any popularity contests for your phone and simply want something with 2015-level specs that should last you a while, it is hard to ignore the G Flex 2 at this price. For those keeping score, this significantly undercuts even low-cost champions like the OnePlus 2, OnePlus One, and the Moto X Style (aka Moto X Pure Edition). The pricing is instead more on the level of the Asus ZenFone 2 or the Alcatel OneTouch Idol 3, and yet should easily outperform both of them.
While the version up for sale is designed for AT&T, and thus carries its branding, an unlocked code is included and the phone is in brand new condition. For those that need a refresher, in addition to a Snapdragon 810 processor, the phone offers 3GB RAM, a 5.5-inch 1080p curved display, 32GB storage with microSD, and a 3000 mAh battery. The front cam is a 2.1MP shooter, while the rear is a 13MP OIS camera with laser autofocus and support for 4K recording.
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Not sure if the G Flex 2 is the phone you’ve been dreaming of? Be sure to check out our full review for a better idea of what to expect. Again keep in mind that since the review, LG has issued a few software updates that has improved performance. Any current G Flex 2 owners out there? What do you think of the experience these days? Better than when it first came out, or are you still experiencing issues?
Virgin Mobile offers Unlimited customers more LTE data and releases the LG Tribute 2
Virgin Mobile Unlimited plans now include more data. For $35 a month you will receive unlimited talk, text, and 1GB of high speed data. They are also launching the new LG Tribute 2 for $99.99.
The LG Tribute 2 runs Android 5.1 Lollipop, has a 4.5-inch IPS FWVGA (Full Wide VGA) display with 854×480 resolution, a 1.2GHz quad-core processor, 1,900mAh battery, and just like the G4, the buttons are on the back. The phone is also good for selfies, it features LG’s Gesture shot which allows you to raise your open palm to the front camera to take a photo.
Source: Sprint Newsroom
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LG teaser shows Something New is coming on September 21st
On October 1st, LG plans to hold an event where it will announce its V10 flagship quality smartphone. According to a new teaser from LG, that may not be the only handset the company will announce. A mid-range LG Class smartphone with model number LG-H740 is expected to launch a week prior to the company’s announcement of the V10.
Earlier today we spotted the LG-H740 on Geekbench. The handset will likely include a large 5.7-inch display powered by a Snapdragon 615 processor clocked at 1.5GHz. The handset will have 2GB of RAM, a 12MP rear-facing camera and a 5MP front-facing shooter. The handset will include Android 5.1.1 pre-loaded and have 8GB of on-board storage space.
The handset is known as the ‘LG Class.’ By having the word ‘Class’ in the name, the company may be suggesting an all-new upper-class Premium device but with mid-range specifications . The teaser shows a similar design to the majority of LG’s handsets but this time with an attractive metallic finish. According to the teaser image we can expect the handset to arrive on September the 21st. More details are bound to leak by then.
Source: NoWhereElse
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Nexus 5X leak reveals mint color
Some new images that leaked claiming to show the LG version of the upcoming Nexus 5 device, believed to be the Nexus 5X, appear to reveal a new color that will join black and white. Although the images make it a little hard to tell just how vivid the color will be, it looks like the Nexus 5X will be available in a color called “Tennis Court Mint” and appears to be a pale teal or turquoise color.
The back cover appears as one might expect, with the LG and Nexus logos visible. Sources have noted the front of the device appears to carryover some design cues from the original Nexus 5. The red and white versions of the Nexus 5 had a black front with a circular speaker grille that matched the color of the back cover. The Nexus 5X appears to use that same design.
The image also appears to reveal a button or some other feature on the left hand edge of the device that also matches the color of the back cover. Previous leaks show the power and volume buttons on the right had edge, so it is not clear what this might be on the left side.
According to sources, this new mint color will be available at product launch along with black and white.
source: UnderKG
via: Android Authority
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LG teases “Something New”, possibly LG Class mid-range phablet
It’s about time we hear something from LG. Things have been fairly quiet since the launch of the G4. Since then, there’s been word that LG has been contemplating improving build quality of its premier devices. Also, the rumored LG G4 Note variant has yet to surface.
Unfortunately, we still don’t have word about a new top-end smartphone. Rather, LG has just teased “Something New”, which is assumed to pertain to a modest, phablet midranger.
According to a report from NoWhereElse, the teased phone corresponds with a leaked promo for the LG Class.
The Class may be LG’s first attempt at a metal chassis. We can see a fairly simplistic, boxy design, with LG’s familiar rear buttons. A particular detail to notice is that horizontal split up top. LG may have taken ZTE’s approach (with the Axon) and made the top piece plastic, for the antennas to work.
The alleged specs are as follows:
Display: 5.7″ 1080P screen
SoC: Snapdragon 615 (octa-core @ 1.5Ghz)
Memory: 2GB of RAM
Internal Storage: 8GB
Cameras: 12MP rear and 5MP front
OS: Android 5.1.1 Lollipop
There’s no word if there’s microSD expandability, but with such little internal storage, I would bet on it.
LG is one of the last major OEM’s still offering a removable battery, so this move to better build quality may be very worrisome for many folks who put function over fashion. Samsung received considerable criticism when it did this to the Galaxy lineup.
We’ll know more details soon, on Sept. 21st. What do you think of this new design?
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LG teases ‘something new’, possibly for the mid-tier
LG has been teasing “something new” on its Facebook page today, a mysterious upcoming smartphone that is scheduled for an announcement on September 21st.
The uploaded shot gives us a nice look at the back of the smartphone, where we can spot the familiar LG volume rocker just below the camera sensor, an LED flash and a speaker grill. The body of the smartphone appears to be made of metal, but we know looks can be deceiving.
We don’t know anything else about this new LG smartphone, but prolific leakster Steve Hammerstoffer believes that this could be a large smartphone called the LG Class, also known as model LG-H740.
The LG Class is rumored to be a mid-range “phablet”, offering up a large 5.7-inch display with a Full HD (1920×1080) resolution. The handset will apparently be powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 615 processor, accompanied by 2GB of RAM and 8GB of internal storage. There’s no mention of a microSD card slot, but I would imagine there’s one to help beef up the small internal memory. There is also said to be a 12 megapixel rear camera and a 5 megapixel front facing snapper, which is all quite typical of today’s mid-tier Android devices.
Fortunately, the announcement date isn’t far away. What do you think about the rumored LG Class?
Here are the front and back of the Nexus 5X in mint
New leaked images reveal more details about the mint version of the Nexus 5X.
In our exclusive report on the LG-made Nexus 5X (also known as the Nexus 5 2015), we stated that one of the color options available at launch would be “light blue.” Our source wasn’t sure about the official name of the color version (or the exact hue), but this leak from trusted Korean website UnderKG clarifies it – the color will apparently be “mint.”
Two images are being offered as proof, and they look pretty credible. The first one shows the Nexus 5X’s back, with the LG logo at the bottom and the familiar, vertical Nexus logo. The image quality isn’t that good, so the actual color of the device may differ quite a lot from the washed out blue we can see in the image.
The front of the device contains a little throwback to the design of the original Nexus 5, which – in the white and red versions – had a black front and a circular speaker grille in the color of the back. The Nexus 5X features a similar mint accent, and there’s also a feature of the same color on the left side of the phone, though we can’t really tell what that is. (Older renders of the Nexus 5X show both the volume rocker and the power button on the right side of the phone, like on the Nexus 6.) Just under the speaker, you can notice the front facing camera.
UnderKG’s report says the color can be described as “Tennis Court Mint,” but it’s not clear whether that’s the official name of the version or just a descriptor used by the source.
The Nexus 5X will also be offered in the conventional black and white options, and we expect to see all three variants made official on September 29.
According to other reports, the Nexus 5X will feature a Snapdragon 808 processor, a 5.2-inch Full HD display and a fingerprint sensor on the back. The device is expected to start from $400, and you can read more about it, as well as the larger Huawei Nexus, in our rumor roundup.
Incidentally, another device will launch soon in a mint version – the Nextbit Robin. Check out our hands-on with the device.
Thoughts on these images?
Unknown LG smartphone gets spotted in benchmarks with a Snapdragon 615 chipset
A GFXBench report has surfaced online for an upcoming LG device, which we believe to be a mid-range phablet. The leaked benchmark reveals that the handset will carry the model number H740, feature a Snapdragon 615 chipset with a 1.5 GHz octa-core Cortex-A53 CPU and have 2GB of RAM on board.
Early indications give the impression that it will sport a 5.7-inch Full HD display, a 12-megapixel rear-facing camera equipped with dual-LED flash, a 5-megapixel selfie shooter, 8GB of internal flash memory (expandable up to 64GB via microSD), Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.1 (LE), GPS, an accelerometer, compass and pedometer.
The full list of results can be seen in the image below:
Source: GFXBench
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