July 2014 is here and we’re back with our monthly post of Best Android Smartphones for all our readers to learn more about some of the most powerful and best devices.
In June we got the brand new LG G3 model from the South Korean manufacturer, but since then there weren’t any new great devices released. If you’re looking to buy a new Android phone, then we strongly recommend you to take a look at our list and see if you can find one that meets all your requirements.
Besides the small reviews for all phones you will also find links to websites from where you can buy your favorite new Android device. If you can think of other great phone models that we didn’t post in this article, then you can use the comments field to notify us.
LG G3
LG G3 has quickly managed to become a favorite device between Android enthusiasts only a month after its official release. It might be one of the biggest smartphones currently available for purchase but you can place your best bet that it poses enough challenge for Samsung’s Galaxy S5 and HTC’s One M8 devices.
The LG G3 smartphone packs a 5.5-inch True HD IPS LCD screen , QHD resolution set a 1440 x 2560, pixel density of 534 PPUI, a 2.5 quad-core Snapdragon 801 CPU, Adreno 330 GPU, 16G / 32GB internal storage, 3GB RAM, support for adding an extra 128GB via external microSD, Wi-Fi 802.11 a/ b/ g/ n/ ac, Bluetooth 4.0 LE, 4G LTE support, 13MP camera with laser auto-focues, OIS, 4K video recording is supported, 2.1MP front-facing camera.
It runs the official Android 4.4.2 KitKat firmware, but it will surely get the update to Android 4.4.4 KitKat soon as this is the new flagship smartphone from LG and it should get better update treatment.
If you like this device then you should know that you can purchase the Unlocked LG 3 from Amazon in Black for $715, Shine Gold for $699 or the Silk White for $680.
Samsung Galaxy S5
The Galaxy S5 from Samsung has been launched earlier this year and it is one of the best Android devices ever to see the daylight. Despite it not being much more different than the 2013 Galaxy S4 model you will still appreciate its back cover material used.
Samsung Galaxy S5 is running a 2.5GHz Snapdragon 801 processor with Adreno 330 GPU, 2GB RAM, 16GB and 32GB internal storage, external microSD card storage supported up to 128GB. Its battery measures 2800 mAh which should be enough for 21h talk-time.
The Galaxy S5 packs a 5.1 inch 1080 x 1920 Super AMOLED Full HD screen. The camera on this device is one of the best and it has a 16MP sensor with phase detection AF and some great photo capturing featuring.
HTC One M8
HTC One M8 is a personal favorite of mine and it has been greatly improved since the 2013 HTC One (m7) model. It is very similar in specs to LG’s G3 and Samsung’s Galaxy S5 smartphones, but it still has a unique design and two back cameras for an interesting look.
The HTC One M8 has a 5-inch Super LCD3 1080p display with Gorilla Glass 3 protection, 1080 x 1920 resolution, somewhere around 441 PPI, and it runs the HTC Sense UI v6. The default Android version is set to 4.4.2 currently, but it will soon receive the official Android 4.4.4 KK update.
Other features of One M8: the 2.5 GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 CPU with Adreno 330 GPU, frontal stereo speakers with build-in amplifiers, 16GB and 32GB internal storage, 2GB RAM, Dual 4MP cameras on its back, Dual-LED flash, support for both video and image recording, geo-tagging, face and smile detection, HDR, a 5MP front-facing camera, and a 2600 mAh battery size.
If you like this device then you can get your hands on one by ordering it from Amazon:AT&T HTC One M8 for $99.99, Verizon HTC One M8 for $149.99 and Sprint HTC One M8 model for $149.99.
Sony Xperia Z2
Xperia Z2 from Sony is another top-tier Android smartphone and you can get one right now from Amazon. It can easily battle against the LG G3 and the Samsung Galaxy S3, as these are some of the best devices with the most powerful hardware specs.
It has a sleek design and it continues Sony’s trend of making dust and water resistant devices as this one is IP58 certified, it packs a 5.2 inch IPS LCD display, 1080 x 1920 resolution, a 2.3 GHz quad-core processor, 16GB internal storage that can be expanded up to 128GB via external microSDcard, a 20.7MP camera, 2.2 front-facing camera, 3GB RAM, Android 4.4.2 KitKat and a 2600 mAh non-removable battery.
If you want to buy the Sony Xperia Z2 device then you can head to Amazon and get the Unlocked Xperia Z2 model for $617.99.
Samsung Galaxy Note 3
The Galaxy Note 3 was launched last year, but this is a great device for those who want to own a bigger device as it offers you the possibility to multitask much better than any other Android smartphone that’s currently on the market.
Samsung Galaxy Note 3 packs a 5.7-inch Super AMOLED Full HD resolution screen. Someday this screen size would have placed the Note 3 in the ‘phablets’ category, but seeing LG releasing the G3 with a 5.5-inch screen it seems like the phablet devices are no longer labeled as that.
Other specs of the Note 3: it comes in two models like the Snapdragon 800 and Exynos 5 Octa versions, it packs 3GB RAM, 32GB and or 64GB internal storage, 13MP back-facing camera, 2MP front camera, S Pen and the largest battery capacity with 3200 mAh. It runs the latest Android 4.4.2 KitKat firmware, but it will soon be updated to Android 4.4.4 KitKat.
You can get a Galaxy Note 3 from Amazon: Verizon model starting from $149.99, Sprint model starting from $79.99 or the AT&T variant for $199.99.
Nexus 5
The Google Nexus 5 might not pack the same internal hardware as the other smartphone models listed above, but it is still a great alternative as it costs considerably less and it runs the stock Android 4.4.4 KitKat OS firmware.
With Google Nexus 5 you will get a device that has a 4.95-inch display with 2.3 GHz Snapdragon 800 CPU and Adreno 330 GPU, Corning Gorilla Glass 3, 2GB RAM, 16 GB or 32 GB internal storage, 8MP camera, 1.3 MP secondary camera, non-removable 2300 mAh battery, the first LTE smartphone from Google, USB on-the-go support, OIS and LED flash for camera, and more.
If you like the Android stock 4.4.4 KitKat experience or if you’ve never tried a KitKat device, then this is the one that you should try. Get your Nexus 5 from Amazon with Sprint. White 16GB model for $19.99 or the Black 16GB model for $19.99.
HTC One Max
HTC One Max device is a bigger model than the others from HTC as it packs a 5.9-inch Super LCD3 display and the future One Max model might be even bigger than this.
The best thing about this smartphone might be the fact that it is great for watching movies, videos and editing some pictures with any apps from the Play Store. With the One Max you will get a device that’s powered by a 1.7 GHz Snapdragon 600 CPU, 2GB RAM, 16GB or 32 GB internal storage, it packs a microSD external slot that allows you to maximize your storage with an extra 64GB, 4MP Ultrapixel camera just like the model on the HTC One M7, Android 4.4.2 KitKat.
One Max from HTC has been recently updated to a new KitKat firmware, but it will soon get the official Android 4.4.4 files, too.
If you want to buy the HTC One Max then you can get the unlocked GSM variant for $470, or you can choose an individual plan from Sprint or Verizon for $99.
Samsung Galaxy S4
Last year’s flagship smartphone from Samsung, the Galaxy S4, still goes strong against some of the newly released devices.
You can get a Galaxy S4 with an Exynos 5 Octa CPU or opt for the Snapdragon 600 model and you will still be running the latest apps and do most tasks that you could do with a Galaxy S5 device.
The Samsung Galaxy S4 packs a 5.0 inches Super AMOLED Full HD Display, 2GB RAM, 16GB, 32GB or 64GB internal storage, but you can expand it with up to an extra 64GB via external microSD, 13MP camera, 2MP secondary front-facing camera, 2600 mAh battery and it runs the Android 4.4.2 KitKat OS. Note that some devices might be purchased with an older Android 4.3 build, but you should get the latest KitKat immediately after booting up the device.
If you want to buy a Galaxy S4 then you can check Amazon as they are offering this device with AT&T, Sprint and Verizon contracts.
Motorola Moto X
The Motorola Moto X is a great device that you can buy for a small fee and receive a great Android experience.
The Moto X comes with the Android 4.4.3 and it should get the official Android 4.4.4 KK update this month. It comes with a 4.7-inch AMOLED HD display, a 720 x 1280 resolution, a small dual-core Snapdragon CPU, 2GB RAM, 16GB and 32GB internal storage, 10MP camera and an extra 2MP frontal camera, 2200 mAh battery. There is no external microSD slot available.
If you want to get the Moto X then you can get one from Amazon with Verizon, AT&T orSprint contracts for a single cent.
Motorola Moto G
The Moto G is a smaller device that is destined for low-end markets and it if you’re not a fan of taking photos at billions of pixels, or you don’t use your phone for Android gaming, then this is the device that you should opt for.
Motorola Moto G packs a 4.5″ HD IPS LCD screen, 1.2 GHz Snapdragon 400 CPU, it has only a single GB of RAM, 8GB or 16GB internal storage, 5MP main camera and a 1.3MP secondary one, Android 4.4.2 KitKat and it is upgradeable to Android 4.4.4 KK.
If you want a Motorola Moto G then you can find it at Amazon for $179.99 if you opt for the Moto G 8GB model or for $199.99 for the 16GB model. Both variants are unlocked.
Sony Xperia Z1
Last year’s Xperia Z1 model from Sony has managed to become quite popular and it still packs a good enough hardware so that it will make you want to buy one. It might not be the latest Xperia Z2 model, but the Xperia Z1 device does what you request from him easily and you can get it cheaper than its younger brother.
Xperia Z1 has a 5-inch Triluminos TFT screen, full HD 1080 x 1920 resolution, IP58 certified dust and water resistant, 16GB internal storage, support for external microSD card up to 64GB storage, 2GB RAM, a 2.2 GHz quad-core Snapdragon 800 CPU, 3000 mAh battery and it supports Google’s latest Android 4.4.4 KitKat OS.
Get an Xperia Z1 from Amazon for only $465. If you don’t want to pay over $600 for the Xperia Z2, then the Xperia Z1 will be a great acquisition.
Sony Xperia Z Ultra
Xperia Z Ultra is a ‘monster’ as it feature a 6.4″ 1080 x 1920 Full HD Triluminos screen and it is the biggest smartphones currently available for purchase.
If you thought that the Galaxy Note 3 or the HTC One Max are devices with big screen wait until you get your hands on an Xperia Z Ultra and then you might truly think that this should be sold as a ‘tablet’ separately.
The Sony Xperia Z Ultra has a 2.2 GHz quad-core Snapdragon 800 CPU, Adreno 330 GPU, 2GB RAM, 16GB internal storage that can be expanded with an extra 64GB via external microSD, 8MP main camera and a 2MP secondary one. It was launched with Android 4.4.2 KitKat, but the Android 4.4.4 OTA firmware upgrade should arrive soon.
If you’re a fan of big screens, then you can get the Z Ultra from Amazon for $434.99.
HTC One
The HTC One M7 is last year’s flagship phone delivered by the Taiwanese manufacturer and it was possibly one of the most beautiful gadgets released then.
HTC One (M7) packs the 1.7 GHz Snapdragon 600 CPU with Adreno 320 GPU, 2GB RAM and all these are powering the 4.7-inch Super LCD3 1080 x 1920 Full HD screen. It is capable of running the latest Android 4.4.2 KitKat which means that it will soon be update to KitKat 4.4.4.
The greatest thing about this device is its frontal stereo speakers which are loud and it is great for music enthusiasts. Its 4MP Ultrapixel camera might not be the best, but it still offers you the possibility to take high quality photos in daylight. You can choose from 32GB and 64GB internal storage models, there is no external microSD slot included.
LG G2
LG G2 is a great device that it offers one of the best Android experiences that you could ever hope to get when buying a smartphone. It might older than the newly released LG G3, but let me tell you that it still works fine and its battery life is great.
LG G2 comes with 2.26 GHz CPU, Adreno 330 GPU, 2GB RAM, 16GB or 32GB internal storage, no external SDcard slot. It was released with Android 4.2.2, but you can upgrade it to Android 4.4.2 KitKat soon enough.
Best Android Phones in July 2014
![Best Android Phones in July 2014]()
Reviewed by Anonymous
on
July 03, 2014
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