Are you in the market for a new smartphone? With the year almost coming to an end, there are dozens of smartphones out there that make it a tough choice when it comes to finding the best.
There is no doubt that the year has been flooded with great handsets. Just recently, a new OnePlus 3T came to the market and there are even others yet to come as the busy shopping holiday season creeps in. So, which are the best Android phones you can buy this November 2016?
OnePlus 3T
OnePlus 3T leads the way thanks to the fact that it starts selling tomorrow, November 22nd. In short, it’s a new handset that recently launched, replacing the OnePlus 3 that was launched earlier in the year, and still one of the best ever. The phone keeps every aspect of the predecessor’s exterior design but adds a new gunmetal color variant. On the inside, there is a superior Snapdragon 821 SoC alongside an even better storage capacity of 128GB, but the RAM stays at 6GB. You also get a lower end model of 64GB, but the rest of the specs are the same for the two variants, including a 3400mAh battery unit.
The front camera has been amped from 8MP to 16MP, but the rear camera remains at 16MP, although new features have been added. The screen size is 5.5-inch AMOLED and has a 1080p resolution. The base model is priced at $439 while the high-end variant costs $40 more.
Google Pixel and Pixel XL
Launched last month, the Google Pixel and Pixel XL are still one of the hottest smartphones on the market right now. The two are one and the same, only that one is smaller than the other. If you are looking for stability, a solid performer and an experience that is as pure as Android, the Google Pixel and Pixel XL are a must-have.
Like OnePlus 3T, you get the latest Snapdragon 821 SoC, but the RAM is smaller at 4GB. There is the same 128GB of non-expandable storage, however, the base model only manages 32GB. The Pixel phones have an advantage of OnePlus 3T and other Android phones thanks to the full access of Google’s AI-driven Assistant alongside support for Daydream VR. Owners of these devices are also entitled to 24/7 customer support as well as unlimited cloud storage for photos and videos. Speaking of photos and videos, you get a 12MP snapper and 8MP sensor for selfies on both phones.
The smaller Google Pixel, which has a 5-inch Full HD screen, is priced at $649. On the other hand, the larger Google Pixel XL, whose screen size is 5.5 inches with a resolution of 1440p, is priced at $769. The high-end models in each case will require an additional $100.
Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge
Released in March 2016, Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge have been hailed as the best smartphones from the company, yet. The base model has a 5.1-inch Super AMOLED screen with QHD resolution while the high-end model carries a 5.5-inch edge-to-edge screen with the same resolution. The specs under the hood as the same – a Snapdragon 820/Exynos 8890, 4GB RAM and 32GB of expandable storage, something you won’t find on the pure Android device and the OnePlus 3T as well. The Galaxy S7 units also come with IP68 dust and water resistance certification, a 12MP rear camera and a 5MP selfie sensor. The batteries are 3000mAh for the flat screen S7 and 3600mAh for the curved screen variant.
In terms of prices, the Galaxy S7 is valued at about $650 while the high-end Galaxy S7 Edge has a market value of $770.
LG V20
LG made history with the LG V20 when it launched with Android 7.0 Nougat ahead of the Google Pixel and Pixel XL. However, it lags behind the OnePlus 3T thanks to the fact that it has a Snapdragon 820 SoC and 4GB RAM on board, but this doesn’t make the V20 a poor performer. In terms of display, the V20 has a 5.7-inch QHD display unit as the primary screen, but you also get a 2.1-inch secondary screen with the same QHD resolution.
Unlike OnePlus 3T and Google Pixel phones, LG is unique in the facts that it has a removable battery of 3200mAh alongside an expandable storage of 64GB. In addition, you get a dual-lens camera setup on the back, something none of these two offers. LG also boasts having an inbuilt 32-bit HiFi DAC that promises the best audio listening experience from a smartphone.
As for the pricing, the LG V20 is available through Verizon Wireless at $672 while AT&T values the phablet at $830. Still, you can get an unlocked version for about $800.
LeEco Le Pro 3
Perhaps known to few, LeEco is another Chinese OEM that has just made its debut in the U.S. With it comes a new LeEco Le Pro 3 flagship. You get a top-end design, specs, features as well as price. You get the same 5.5-inch screen like most devices here, but the resolution is 1080p, same as OnePlus 3T. If the low screen resolution isn’t a big deal for you, the LeEco Le Pro 3 is one hell of a powerful phone. There is the latest Snapdragon 821 SoC on board alongside a RAM of 4GB. These match the specs you find on the Google Pixel and Pixel XL, but OnePlus 3T is still ahead in terms of RAM.
LeEco packed a 4070mAh battery inside the Le Pro 3 alongside features like a fingerprint scanner, 4G LTE, and Android Marshmallow. The Le Pro 3 is priced at just $399.
ZTE Axon 7
Like OnePlus 3T, we have another special phone from ZTE and its name is the Axon 7. The phone shares the same characteristic with the OnePlus handset – it is high on specs but low on price. Boasting a decent 5.5-inch AMOLED screen, a Snapdragon 820 SoC, and 6GB RAM, you only need $399 to get yourself this ZTE Axon 7 handset. Don’t even think about the design, for you will for sure love the all-metal look and front speakers. Like the Google Pixel and Pixel XL, you also get Daydream VR support on this handset.
Xiaomi Mi MIX
Last but not least, we have a new monster in town by the name of Xiaomi Mi MIX. In case you haven’t heard of the phone, it packs a massive 6.4-inch screen with no bezels on three sides. The only place you find a bezel is the bottom of the phone, which is also the home of the handset’s selfie camera.
If you love big screens, perhaps the Mi MIX could be your thing. In addition, the phone has a one-of-a-kind design, which makes it a perfect for those who prefer style over durability. Speaking of durability, better take great care the phone doesn’t slip out of your hand for it will definitely break, unless it falls on a pillow.
As far as the hardware is concerned, the Xiaomi Mi MIX is a real monster. The phone packs the latest Snapdragon 821 SoC alongside a huge RAM of 6GB and up to 256GB of storage. This still gets a microSD card storage port that can carry the same amount. There is a 16MP snapper on the back while the front has 5MP.
Xiaomi Mi MIX is only available in China, but it can still be shipped from platforms such as Geek Buying, among others. At the moment, the phone is priced at around $700.