Cheap, high-end, small, big, good-lucking, fast performing – whatever you require from your smartphone, there are plenty of choices on the market. However, if you are to ensure a solid purchase that’s going to last you for awhile, and if you’re trying to get the best bang out of your buck, you’d best do some research before going in head-first and buying whatever seems like a good idea at the time. To make your life easier, we’ve rounded up the top 5 Android smartphones that you should consider buying this month, based on performance, pricing, software support, features and general value factors. Let’s get started!
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Months since its release, the Google Nexus 5 remains one of the top choices for medium-budget smartphone enthusiasts. The Nexus 5 isn’t likely to be replaced soon, as the rumored Google Nexus 6 is far from being released. Add to that the fact that the Google Nexus 5 is receiving Android KitKat 4.4.3 support as we speak, it’s clear that this is a smartphone that’s going to stay relevant for a long time to come.
There are several things going for it. First of all, it’s fast, coming with a Snapdragon 800 Quad-Core CPU clocked at 2.26 GHz. It also comes with a great 5 inch display that runs at 1080p (full HD) and provides quality contrasts and color sharpness. It’s thin, it looks good, and it’s well build, so there’s nothing to complain design-wise. The Nexus 5 might not have the best camera on the market (it has a 8MP rear camera), but it’s good enough for some basic photography, and for what it costs, the Nexus 5 is simply a bargain. Carrier-free, you can pick up the 16 GB version for around $380, and the 32 GB version for around $420. For that, you’re getting an extremely capable phone that offers a lot. Definitely a bargain!
[promo title=”LG G2″][/promo]
Probably our favorite pick from the list, the LG G2 comes highly recommended by itself. It’s one of the most critically acclaimed phones of 2013, and for good reason. Since it’s not fresh on the market anymore, the LG G2’s price has gone down slightly, and will continue to do so as the launch of the LG G3 in the United States and Europe closes in. Currently, it can be picked up for $499 at Verizon or AT&T, carrier-free, which is more than reasonable for such a high-end phone.
The LG G2 is blazing fast, as it has pretty much all you could ask for in terms of hardware. It can easily keep up with the recently released Samsung Galaxy S5 or HTC One M8, while being cheaper. It also has one of the best battery life cycles on the market to date, period (and we’re not talking about Android phones alone). With some nifty features, a more than decent camera, an appealing design (although, we admit, it’s nothing out of the ordinary), it’s a no-brainer at this point. The LG G3 is superior from what we’ve seen so far, but it’s also bound to cost more when it is finally released, so if you don’t want to overspend, but would still like a competent Android phone, you can’t go wrong with the LG G2.
[promo title=”Motorola Moto X”][/promo]
The Motorola Moto X has just received a hefty price reduction of around $100, which means that the phone can now be picked up carrier-free for $349. This means it’s affordable enough to be included in our list, as there are few drawbacks and multiple advantages to the phone. It’s extremely fast, due to a beautifully optimized Android OS and competent hardware. It also looks good and feels good, and comes with a huge variety of customization options, so if you want something outlandish (such as a wooden cover), it will satisfy your needs.
The only real drawbacks of the phone are its poor battery life and weak camera. Neither are deal-breaking though, and at $349, these are mistakes we’re willing to overlook. If you don’t plan on taking breathtaking photos and you don’t mind having your charger nearby, the Motorola Moto X provides a solid value factor, and is a safe and reliable choice.