Best Android Phones of December 2014

Best Android Phones of December 2014

The shopping spree has already kicked out and many of you are probably planning to buy a new smartphone. We’ve taken a look through the line-up of the world’s biggest online retailer and came up with the below list of Best Android Phones of December 2014 in an attempt to help you find the device that suits your needs and budget.

It’s also worth noting that the phones are listed by manufacturer and that you will also be able to find more information about their hardware platform, complete with information about their price and Amazon links to make it easier for you to order. Also, if you believe that are other smartphones that should be on the list, we are inviting you to let us know in comments.

Amazon Fire Phone

Fire Phone is Amazon’s smartphone and even though it’s not the most powerful device on the market, it’s capable of delivering an interesting experience. The device is running a customized version of Android and the 4 user-facing cameras are used for delivering a 3D dynamic perspective UI with system wide tilt, auto-scroll, swivel, and peek functions.

Hardware-wise, Amazon Fire phone arrives with a 4.7-inch HD IPS LCD display, a quad-core 2.2 GHz Snapdragon 800 processor, 2 GB of RAM, and 32 or 64 GB of native storage. The handset also integrates a 13 MP primary shooter with optical image stabilization, a 2.1 MP user-facing camera, and 2,400 mAh battery.

The AT&T Fire Phone 32 GB is available on Amazon with a two-year contract starting at only $0.99. You can also buy it unlocked at $449.

LG G3

The G3 is currently the most powerful smartphone in LG’s portfolio. The handset boasts about a 5.5-inch True HD IPS LCD display with Quad HD (1440 x 2560), a Snapdragon 801 chipset with quad-core 2.5 GHz Krait 400 CPU and Adreno 330 GPU.

LG G3 also packs a 13 MP main cam with laser autofocus, optical image stabilization, and support for 4K video recording, a 2.1 MP secondary cam, 3 GB of RAM, 32 GB of internal storage, support for microSD cards up to 128 GB, and a 3,000 mAh battery. It runs Android 4.4.2 KitKat, but it should get updated to Lollipop in the next couple of weeks.

The LG G3 is available on Amazon at only $0.01 if you agree to sign a two year-deal with Verizon, Sprint, and AT&T. You can use the following links to order the device: Verizon, AT&T, and Sprint.

LG G2

The LG G2 is the company’s flagship smartphone for 2013 and even though it’s more than one year old, it still has a lot of life in it. The handset is currently upgradable to Android 4.4.2, but it will get updated to Android 5.0 Lollipop early 2015.

The terminal is based on a quad-core Snapdragon 800 processor paired with 2 GB of RAM, while sporting a 5.2-inch True HD IPS LCD display with 1080 x 1920 resolution, while integrating 32 GB of storage and all the connectivity features worthy of a modern smartphone including LTE, infra red port, NFC, and microUSB 2.0. On the back there’s a 13 MP camera, while the front panel accommodates a 2.1 MP camera. The handset is 8.9 mm thin and is kept alive by a 3,000 mAh battery.

Amazon is selling the LG G2 at $0.01 if you agree to sign a two-year contract with Verizon, AT&T, or Sprint. You can order the G2 using the following links: Verizon, AT&T, and Sprint.

Samsung Galaxy S5

Samsung Galaxy S5 was introduced by the South Korean phone maker back in February, but it’s still one of the most powerful handsets on the market. It’s also the first Samsung smartphone to integrate a fingerprint sensor and a heart rate monitor.

Galaxy S5 features a 5.1-inch Full HD Super AMOLED display with 432 ppi pixel density, a quad-core 2.5 GHz Snapdragon 801 processor, 3 GB of RAM, and 16 GB of internal storage, expandable using microSD cards up to 128 GB. It’s also equipped with a 16 MP rear-mounted camera with phase detection autofocus and 4K video recording, 2 MP front-facing camera, a 2,800 mAh battery, and is dust and water resistant with IP67 rating.

On Amazon, the Galaxy S5 is up for grabs starting at $49.99 on-contract. You can order yours using the following links: Verizon,AT&T, and Sprint.

Samsung Galaxy S4

As you may know already, Samsung Galaxy S4 is the predecessor of Galaxy S5 and despite being one year and a half old, it’s still a powerful device. Furthermore, it will also get Android 5.0 Lollipop support.

Samsung Galaxy S4 packs a 5.0-inch Super AMOLED display with Full HD (1080 x 1920) resolution and it’s powered by a quad-core Snapdragon 600 processor clocked at 1.9 GHz. It has 2 GB of RAM, 16 GB storage, 13 MP main cam, 2 MP secondary cam, and a 2,600 mAh battery. Connectivity-wise it comes with LTE, NFC, Bluetooth 4.0, IR blaster, and microUSB 2.0.

You will be able to get the Galaxy S4 from Amazon at a price of $0.01 if you choose to sign a two-year contract with Verizon, AT&T, orSprint. The device can be ordered using these links: Verizon, AT&T, and Sprint.

Samsung Galaxy Note 4

Galaxy Note 4 is Samsung’s most powerful smartphone yet and one of the most powerful smartphones currently on the market. It was announced back in September and it should get updated to Android 5.0 by the end of the year.

Samsung Galaxy Note 4 integrates a 5.7-inch Super AMOLED display with Quad HD resolution and 515 ppi pixel density, while the processing tasks are handled by a Snapdragon 805 processor with four Krait 450 cores clocked at 2.7 GHz and an Adreno 420 GPU. It comes with 3 GB of RAM, 32 GB of native storage, support for microSD cards up to 128 GB, 3,220 mAh battery, 16 MP main camera with OIS and 4K video recording, and a 3.7 MP user-facing camera with Wide Selfie.

On Amazon, you will find the Galaxy Note 4 priced at $299.99 with on a two-year contract. Use the following links to order yours: Verizon,AT&T, and Sprint.

Samsung Galaxy Note 3

Samsung Galaxy Note 3 was released in September 2013 and despite being over a year old, it’s still on par with many smartphones launched in 2014 when it comes to performance. Furthermore, you will be able to purchase it at a promotional price.

Note 3 is upgradable to Android 4.4.2 KitKat and just like the S4, it should get updated to Android 5.0 Lollipop in the first quarter of 2014. The technical specifications list includes a 5.7-inc Full HD Super AMOLED display, quad-core Snapdragon 800 CPU at 2.3 GHz, 3 GB of RAM, 13 MP main shooter, 2 MP secondary cam, and a 3,200 mAh battery. Because it’s a member of the Note tribe, the device comes with an S Pen stylus and S Pen-optimized software features.

If you choose to purchase the Galaxy Note 4 from Amazon, you will be able to grab it for only $0.01 with a two-year contract. Feel free to use the following links to place an order: Verizon, AT&T, and Sprint.

HTC One M8

HTC One M8 is undoubtedly one of the best-looking smartphones released this year. The good news is that its hardware platform is matching its looks.

One M8 introduces a 5.0-inch Super LCD3 display with 1080 x 1920 resolution, a quad-core 2.3 GHz Snapdragon 801 processor with Adreno 330 GPU, 2 GB of RAM, and 32 GB of microSD-expandable storage. It has 4 MP Dual UltraPixel camera, 5 MP secondary camera, a 2,600 mAh battery and it’s running Android 4.4.3 KitKat with Sense 6.0 on top of it.

HTC One M8 is currently discounted on Amazon. You will be able to buy it for only $0.01 with Verizon, AT&T, and Sprint contracts. Follow the links and order yours: Verizon, AT&T, and Sprint.

HTC One M7

HTC One M7 have been chosen the best smartphone of 2013 by numerous outlets. It’s expected to receive Lollipop early next year and it’s definitely a smartphone you would want to check out.

In terms of hardware specifications, HTC One M7 comes with a 4.7-inch Super LCD3 display with Full HD resolution, a Snapdragon 600 processor with four cores clocked at 1.7 GHz, 32 GB of storage, and 2 GB of RAM. It also comes with 4 MP UltraPixel main camera, 2.1 MP selfie cam, and a 2,300 mAh battery.

HTC One M7 is available on Amazon at $0.01 with a two-year Verizon contract. You can order it here.

Nexus 6

Nexus 6 is the latest and greatest Nexus smartphone. Co-developed by Google and Motorola, it’s the first smartphone in the world to come pre-loaded with Android 5.0 Lollipop.

Nexus 6 has beastly technical specifications, probably being the most powerful smartphone around. It has a massive 5.96-inch AMOLED display with Quad HD resolution, quad-core 2.7 GHz Snapdragon 805 CPU, 3 GB of RAM, and 32 GB of intenral storage. It has a 13 MP camera with optical image stabilization, dual-LED ring flash, and 4K video recording, 2 MP secondary camera, and a 3,220 mAh battery.

The device is $50 off on Amazon. You will be able to buy the AT&T and the Sprint variants at $249.99 on-contract. You can order using the following links: AT&T and Sprint.

Nexus 5

Nexus 5 is manufactured by LG and since it’s a member of the Nexus family it’s upgradable to the latest Android firmware. It was released in October 2013 and it’s still an above-average smartphone.

It comes with a 5.0-inch True HD IPS+ screen with Full HD resolution, quad-core 2.3 GHz Snapdragon 800 processor, 2 GB of RAM, 16 GB of internal storage, and a 2,300 mAh batter. It also comes with an 8 MP rear-facing camera with HDR+ and Full HD video recording 1.3 MP secondary camera, and connectivity features such as LTE, NFC, Bluetooth 4.0 LE, and microUSB 2.0.

For some reason, Amazon is no longer selling the Nexus 5 on-contract. Anyway, you will be able to buy the unlocked model at $389.99.

Motorola Droid Turbo

Droid Turbo is the most powerful handset ever released by Motorola and one of the most powerful around. Of course, it’s a Verizon-exclusive.

Droid Turbo packs a powerful hardware line-up which includes a 5.2-inch Super AMOLED display with 1440 x 2560 resolution and 565 ppi pixel density, a quad-core 2.7 GHz Snapdragon 805 processor, 3 GB of RAM, 32/64 GB storage, and a huge 3,900 mAh battery. It has a 21 MP primary camera with 4K video recording and 2 MP secondary camera.

Amazon is selling the Droid Turbo 32 GB at $199.99 on-contract. You can buy it using this link.

Motorola Moto X 2014

Moto X 2014 is the follow-up of the original Moto X and it’s an appealing smartphone. It has been recently updated to Android 5.0 Lollipop and it brings an almost-stock Android experience.

It has a 5.2-inch AMOLED display with Full HD resolution, quad-core 2.5 GHz Snapdragon 801 CPU, 16 or 32 GB of storage, and 2 GB of RAM. It sports a 13 MP primary camera, 2 MP secondary shooter, and it’s kept alive by a 2,300 mAh battery. The connectivity features include LTE, WiFi ac, Bluetooth 4.0, NFC, and microUSB 2.0.

Amazon is offering the Moto X 2014 at a price of only $0.01 with a two-year contract with Verizon or AT&T. You can order using the following links: Verizon and AT&T.

Motorola Moto G 2014

Moto G 2014 is an amazing device for those who don’t want to spend a fortune on a smartphone. It brings decent specifications and great Android experience at a relatively low price.

The 2nd gen Moto G has a 720p 5.0-inch IPS LCD display with Gorilla Glass 3 coating, a quad-core 1.2 GHz Snapdragon 400 processor, 1 GB of RAM, and 8 or 16 GB of storage. It also has an 8 MP camera, microSD card slot, and a 2,070 mAh battery. It has already received the Android 5.0 update.

On Amazon, the 8 GB Moto G is available at $179.99. As you might have guessed already, the device is not carrier locked.

Sony Xperia Z3

Xperia Z3 is Sony’s latest and greatest flagship smartphone. Just like it’s predecessors it’s both water and dust resistant and it brings an elegant design with glass on both sides.

Sony Xperia Z3 is equipped with a 5.2-inch IPS LCD display with Full HD resolution and it’s powered by a Snapdragon 801 processor at 2.5 GHz. It has 3 GB of RAM, 16 GB storage, and support for microSD cards up to 128 GB. It also arrives with a 20.7 MP primary camera, 2.2 MP secondary camera, and a 3,100 mAh battery.

Sony promised to update the Z3 to Lollipop sometime early 2015. On Amazon, the unlocked Xperia Z3 is priced at $630 and it can be ordered from here.

Sony Xperia Z2

Sony Xperia Z2 was introduced in February at Mobile World Congress 2014 and it shares a lot of Xperia Z3’s features. It’s dust proof and water resistant with an IP58 rating and it should also receive Lollipop in the first months of 2015.

Sony’s flagship smartphone for the first half of the year has a 1080p 5.2-inch IPS LCD display, quad-core 2.3 GHz Snapdragon 801 processor, 3 GB of RAM, and 16 GB of internal storage expandable with up to 128 GB via microSD. It has a 20.7 MP primary camera, 2.2 MP secondary camera, and a 3,200 mAh battery.

Amazon is selling the unlocked Xperia Z2 model at a price of $432. But be aware that no warranty is offered for this device.