Jimmy Westenberg In early 2015, we’re now seeing more and more OEMs bring their devices to market for low price points. It’s because of this trend that an increasing number of US customers are buying unlocked devices, rather than getting tied in to a 2-year contract. So, what are the best devices out there for the crowd that wants to move off-contract? We’ll take you through our list of the best unlocked Android smartphones for under $250, under $400 and above $400. Without any further ado, let’s take a look! Editor’s note: we’ll be updating this list regularly as new devices launch. It’s also worth noting that this article is written for a US-centric point of view, though (since they are unlocked) pretty much all of these devices are available outside of the US at least in some capacity. Best Android phones under $250 #1 – Motorola Moto G (2nd Gen.) The follow-up to the original Moto G holds a lot in common with its predecessor, including its 1.2GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 CPU and 1GB of RAM. This time around, however, the display size has jumped up to 5-inches and the camera package has also improved. Most versions of the Moto G are now running Android 5.0 Lollipop, though some models are still waiting for the update. Motorola’s Moto G series proves that low-price doesn’t have to mean low quality, something we’re also seeing with the even cheaper Moto E. Specs 5-inch LCD display with 1280 x 720 resolution 1.2GHz Qualcomm quad-core Snapdragon 400 CPU 1GB of RAM 3G/GSM 8GB and 16GB storage options, microSD expansion 8MP rear cam, 2MP front cam 2070 mAh battery 141.5 x 70.7 x 11 mm, 149g Removable colored backs Android 5.0 Lollipop Read more Moto G (2014) Review Moto G (2014) officially announced Best Moto G (2014) cases & shells Buy now from Amazon from $178 #2 – Motorola Moto E Yet another phone from Motorola that proves you don’t need to pay top dollar to still get a solid Android experience. The Moto E is far from a power house with its dual-core Snapdragon 200 CPU and a smaller qHD 4.3-inch display, but the phone actually performs rather well, in large part thanks to its clean stock-like Android installation. The Moto E actually has a few small advantages over the first-gen version of its bigger brother, such as its microSD expansion slot and the inclusion of a front-facing speaker, but the second gen Moto G takes these advantages away. Without a front cam and with slightly weaker specs, the Moto G (2nd gen) is the better deal but if you absolutely are looking for the cheapest phone around, the Moto E provides a $50 savings over the Moto G and yet is still without a doubt one of the best handsets you’ll find for under $250. Specs 4.3-inch LCD display with 540×960 (qHD) resolution 1.2GHz Qualcomm dual-core Snapdragon 200 CPU 1GB of RAM 3G/GSM 4GB storage with microSD 5MP rear cam 1980 mAh battery 142g weight, 124.38 x 64.8 x 12.3mm Black, White with removable colored backs Android 4.4 KitKat (Lollipop update coming down the pipeline) Read more Moto E Review Moto E officially announced Best Moto E cases Buy now from Amazon from $113 #3 – Sony Xperia M2 The Sony Xperia M2 is a great offering because it provides premium Sony hardware for users on a budget. It has a 4.8-inch screen that should be plenty big enough for most users. The 1.2GHz Snapdragon 400 processor and 1GB of RAM help run the device, and produce a smooth software experience overall. It also has an 8MP rear-facing camera and removable storage up to 32GB, so multimedia fans should be partial to this device. Though the M2 only has a 2300mAh battery, we found the battery life to be really exceptional. Sony isn’t particularly known for their cheap handsets, especially in the States. So if you’ve been waiting to get your hands on a super-sleek Sony device, the Xperia M2 may be the one for you. Specs 4.8-inch display with 540 x 960 resolution 1.2GHz Qualcomm quad-core Snapdragon 400 CPU 1GB of RAM 8GB of on-board storage, microSD expansion up to 32GB 8MP rear cam, VGA front cam Non-removable 2300mAh battery 139.7 x 71.1 x 8.6 mm, 148g Black, White, Purple Android 4.4.4 KitKat (Lollipop update coming down the pipeline) Read more Sony Xperia M2 review Sony unveils entry-level Xperia M2, powered by Snapdragon 400 CPU Best Sony Xperia M2 cases Buy now from Amazon from $240 #4 – BLU Vivo Air After a recent announcement at CES 2015, the BLU Vivo Air really stuck with us as one of the better Android devices on the market. It’s thin, extremely light and has a 4.8-inch screen that will likely suit most users’ needs. The Vivo Air is meant to be a thin, compact device that doesn’t break the bank. It has an octa-core processor, a clear 8MP rear-facing camera, and a 2100mAh battery that should be able to last you throughout the day on a single charge. We really like what BLU has done with their newly-announced devices. If you’re looking for a sleek device for under $200, you may want to check this one out. Specs 4.8-inch Super AMOLED display with 720 x 1280 resolution 1.7GHz octa-core Mediatek 6592 CPU 1GB of RAM 16GB of on-board storage, no microSD card slot 8MP rear cam, 5MP front cam Non-removable 2100mAh battery 139.8 x 67.4 x 5.1 mm, 97g Black, White/Gold Android 4.4.2 KitKat (Lollipop update coming down the pipeline) Read more BLU has just announced seven new low-cost Android handsets at CES 2015 Hands-on with BLU’s latest smartphones Buy now from Amazon from $199 Best Android phones under $450 #1 – LG Nexus 5 If you want a stock Android experience, the way Google intended it, then there’s no better choice than the Nexus family, and while the Nexus 6 is more powerful, the Nexus 5 is still an extremely capable handset with an excellent price/value ratio. On the downside, the phone is on its way out the door and so it only has limited stock in Google Play, though Google continues to trickle in more stock from time to time. The LG Nexus 5 is powered by a 2.3GHz quad-core Snapdragon 800 CPU and has 2GB of RAM. The Nexus 5 is now running Android 5.0 Lollipop, so you can take advantage of Google’s most recent version of Android. Specs 4.96-inch display with 1920 x 1080 resolution 2.3GHz Qualcomm quad-core Snapdragon 800 CPU 2GB of RAM GSM/3G/LTE NFC, A-GPS, Bluetooth 4.0 LE, Wireless charging 16GB and 32GB storage options 8MP rear cam with OIS, 1.3MP front 2300 mAh battery 130g, 137.84 x 69.7 x 8.59mm Android 5.0.2 Lollipop Read more Nexus 5 Review Nexus 5 – is it still worth it? Best Nexus 5 cases Buy now from Google Play from $350 #2 – OnePlus One OnePlus came out of nowhere, but soon it seemed everyone in the tech world was talking about its “flagship killer.” Of course, OnePlus couldn’t hold all its bold promises, but the Chinese startup didn’t disappoint in one crucial area – the price. There’s simply no competitor delivering what the OnePlus One delivers at $300. And the One isn’t just a great affordable phone; it’s a great phone it its own. With solid specs, unique features, and the clean CyanogenMod running on it, the OnePlus One is a great proposition for just about any user. All that considered, the device sells for half the price of similar devices, so we had to include it on our best unlocked Android smartphones list. Specs 5.5-inch LCD display with 1920 x 1080 resolution 2.5GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 CPU 3GB of RAM 16/64GB of on-board storage, non-expandable 13MP rear cam, 5MP front cam Non-removable 3,100 mAh battery 152.9 x 75.9 x 8.9 mm, 162 g Silk White, Sandstone Black Android 4.4 KitKat/CyanogenMod 11 (Lollipop/CyanogenMod 12 update coming soon) Read more OnePlus One review OnePlus One review – a follow up 7 common issues with the OnePlus One and how to fix them While the OnePlus One is typically sold through a frustrating invite-only system, it ocassionally opens up sales to anyone who wants one. As an example, the phone is expected to be available to all for two hours on 1/19, and this is likely far from the last time OnePlus holds such an open window. #3 – LG G3 Pick up the LG G3 and you will instantly see and feel what makes it special: the display is incredibly crisp and the thin bezels around it allowed LG to keep this device compact and lightweight – or at least more compact than other devices in its size class. Not only is the G3 small for its screen size, the placement of the power and volume buttons on the rear will make it even easier to operate this device. The G3 doesn’t feature a metal construction like other contestants in our Android flagships roundup, and that thin design may make it more exposed to accidents. On the inside, there’s little to complain about, and you even get a removable battery, something that only the Note 4 offers from the other devices on this list. LG also made some big strides with the Android overlay running on the G3, which includes a few unique features that may prove very helpful. Specs 5.5-inch LCD display with 1440 x 2560 resolution 2.5GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 CPU 2/3GB of RAM 16/32GB of on-board storage, expandable 13MP rear cam, 2.1MP front cam Removable 3,000 mAh battery 146.3 x 74.6 x 8.9 mm, 149 g Metallic Black, Moon Violet, Silk White, Shine Gold, Burgundy Red Android 4.4 KitKat (Lollipop update coming down the pipeline) Read more LG G3 review Shopping for LG G3 cases? Here are 9 solid suggestions Samsung Galaxy Note 4 vs LG G3 quick look Buy unlocked from Amazon for $400 #4 – Moto X (1st Gen.) Ah, the memories. Motorola aimed to show us that they could make an inexpensive phone with midrange specifications that performed as well as the competition. They managed to succeed with the Moto X. Many people grew very fond of this device thanks to it’s smaller-than-usual 4.7-inch screen, stock Android software, and that weird dimple on the back that fits your index finger just right. All of these features coupled with Motorola’s own software enhancements (Active Display, Touchless Control, Moto Assist), made for one heck of a great phone. It wasn’t the best phone on the market, spec-wise. But it didn’t need to be. It didn’t have tons of extra software features that nobody needs, nor did it have a nice 1080p display. The Moto X will continue to be one of our favorite Android phones of all time. Specs 4.7-inch AMOLED display with 720 x 1280 resolution 1.7GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro CPU 2GB of RAM 16/32/64GB on-board storage (no microSD slot) 10MP rear cam, 2MP front cam Non-removable 2200mAh battery 129.3 x 65.3 x 10.4 mm, 130g Customizable via Moto Maker Android 4.4.4 KitKat (Lollipop update coming down the pipeline) Read more Moto X (1st Gen.) Review Moto X finally made official Best Moto X cases Buy now for $260 Best Android phones $450 and above #1 – Samsung Galaxy Note 4 Years after Samsung gambled on the original Note, the concept is still the phone to beat when it comes to large devices. While some competitors are offering larger screens, none of them can match the Note 4’s productivity-boosting stylus. The S Pen can truly enhance the way you interact with your phone, with a strong focus on doing actual work, from basic research, to composing a quick message, to multi-tasking. But it’s not just work: basically anything that requires precision and speed can be done better with a stylus. While Samsung’s TouchWiz Android implementation has a bad reputation, nobody can deny that the Note 4’s feature set is compelling. You can make the most of that 5.7-inch screen with the new and improved multi-tasking tools, and that’s something you simply don’t get on other high-end Android phones. And, with the latest iteration of the series, the Note looks as good as it works, thanks to a finely chamfered aluminum frame. If you’re looking for the ultimate device for getting things done, the Note 4 is probably your best choice. Specs 5.7-inch Super AMOLED display with 1440 x 2560 resolution 2.7GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 805 CPU 3GB of RAM 32GB of on-board storage, microSD expansion up to 128GB 16MP rear cam, 3.7MP front cam Removable 3220 mAh battery 153.5 x 78.6 x 8.5 mm, 176g Frosted White, Charcoal Black, Bronze Gold, or Blossom Pink Android 4.4.4 KitKat (Lollipop update coming down the pipeline) Read more Galaxy Note 4 Review Galaxy Note 4 officially announced Best cases for your Galaxy Note 4 Samsung Galaxy Note 4 Feature Focus – Multitasking It’s 2014 and we still don’t have a real Note alternative Buy unlocked from Amazon for $673 #2 – Motorola Nexus 6 The Nexus 6 is a staple on any list of top Android handsets of the moment, looming large both literally and through what it represents – Google’s vision of what Android software should be like and what hardware that software needs in order to truly shine. That’s always been the case with Nexus devices, but the Motorola-made Nexus 6 is nothing like the understated Nexus 5, which almost vanished in the background to let Android shine through. The Nexus 6 is big and powerful; it makes a statement about its user and it turns heads. The biggest drawback of the Nexus 6 is the one that makes it stand out – with its six inches display, the Nexus 6 will never be a good choice for everyone. However, if you’re fine with the size, there’s a lot to like about this phone – the screen is amazing, the processing package is top-notch, the camera is powerful, and build quality is as good as any. Plus, even if Motorola and other phonemakers are upping their updates game, Nexus is still the way to go if you like your phones up to date. Specs 5.96-inch Super AMOLED display with 1440 x 2560 resolution 2.7GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 805 CPU 3GB of RAM 32/64GB of on-board storage, non-expandable 13MP rear cam, 2MP front cam Non-removable 3220 mAh battery 159.3 x 83 x 10.1 mm, 184g Midnight Blue, Cloud White Android 5.0.2 Lollipop Read more Nexus 6 review Nexus 6 camera shootout Nexus 6 vs the competition Nexus 6 vs Nexus 5: early look Buy unlocked from Play Store for $649 #3 – Motorola Moto X (2nd Gen.) With the original Moto X, Motorola proved you don’t need to have the latest specs to get a great user experience. With the second generation, the Lenovo-owned company took no chances and double-downed on the spec side as well, packing the new Moto X (2014) with a dense 5.2-inch AMOLED screen, a beefy processor, and a capable 13MP camera. The Moto X (2014) is well equipped on the inside, but it’s the customizable skin that really sets it apart from other top Android phones out there. Motorola lets you choose your own combination of colors and materials, including the yet to be matched leather and natural wood options. The ability to harmonize its appearance to different styles makes the Moto a great gift for someone dear this holiday season. Other big selling points are the near-stock interface and Motorola’s proven commitment to bringing fast updates to it. If you’re looking for a balanced, stylish, and capable device, the Moto X (2014) should be high up your list. Specs 5.2-inch AMOLED display with 1080 x 1920 resolution 2.5GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 CPU 2GB of RAM 16/32GB of on-board storage (no microSD slot) 13MP rear cam, 2MP front camera Non-removable 2300 mAh battery 140.8 x 72.4 x 10 mm, 144g Customizable via Moto Maker Water resistant Android 5.0 Lollipop Read more Moto X (2014) review Moto X (2014) officially announced Moto X (2014): Moto Voice setup – feature focus Buy unlocked from Amazon for $499.99 #4 – Sony Xperia Z3 Compact The other entries on our list of best Android smartphones all feature displays that are larger than five inches. If you love expansive screens, you’ve never been more spoiled with choice. But what if you like your smartphones smaller? The 4.6-inch Xperia Z3 Compact is probably your best choice. In a landscape of underpowered “Mini” phones, Sony’s Xperia Z3 Compact stands out as a smaller phone that doesn’t require many compromises. Perhaps the only feature that may turn you off from the Z3 Compact is the 720 x 1280 screen, which is a perfectly decent 319 ppi, but clearly lags behind the other phones on this list. Everything else is at the high end of the scale, including the processing package and especially the 21MP camera, identical to the shooter on the bigger Xperia Z3. The Android implementation is relatively close to stock and doesn’t indulge in any visual excesses, though you will have to deal with a fair amount of bloatware. Plus, you get Sony’s iconic design in a lightweight package that may feel refreshing after having to handle some bigger phones. Specs 4.6-inch LCD display with 720 x 1280 resolution 2.5GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 CPU 2GB of RAM 16GB of on-board storage, expandable 20.7MP rear cam, 2.2MP front cam Non-removable 2,600 mAh battery 127.3 x 64.9 x 8.6 mm, 129 g Green, Orange, White, Black Android 4.4 KitKat Water resistant – IP68 Read more Xperia Z3 Compact review PS4 Remote Play app now available for Xperia Z3 devices Buy unlocked from Amazon for $519.95 There you have it – our picks from the best unlocked Android has to offer right now. Missed anything? Tell us in the comments! ift.tt/1sZFpII
Posted on: Mon, 19 Jan 2015 22:34:23 +0000
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