For the past few years, spring has been the
traditional time period of the release of Android flagship phones. If you’re a
fan of Apple’s iPhone, you’ll have to wait until early fall for the next
release. However, if this year’s output from Android OEM’s is any indication,
the wait may not be worth it. With the likes of Samsung, HTC, Sony releasing
phones this spring, it might be time for you to ditch your old device. With so
many options, the choice can be overwhelming and making the wrong decision can
result in you being locked to a device for two years if you follow a carrier’s
contract model. Here are the devices you should be considering.
Samsung Galaxy S5
Three years ago when Samsung released the Galaxy
SII, they were only a blip on the Android radar of underwhelming smartphones.
What no one expected was their eventual rise to the top-selling smartphone
manufacturer in the entire world. Yes, Apple’s iPhone tends to sell more than
any specific Samsung phone, but with the plethora of Samsung devices out there,
they’ve begun a takeover of the smartphone world. The Galaxy S5 is just another
notch on their belt of great smartphones but, in 2014, is it as great as it
should be?
The answer to that question is a resounding
“No.” The Galaxy S5, while a great smartphone, is only “pretty good” for the
current year. Samsung’s smartphones run a skinned version of Android known as
TouchWiz, which makes the phone look different than other manufacturer’s skins.
But there are more negatives to Samsung’s TouchWiz than there are positives. If
you’re looking for an aesthetically pleasing, smooth experience, you never want
to buy a Galaxy phone. TouchWiz can be described as “bloated,” with too many
Samsung apps that people simply don’t use, such as S-Voice, S-Health,
S-Planner, My Magazine, and Samsung Apps (which just shouldn’t exist due to
Google’s much more mature and universally used Play Store). The disuse of these
apps isn’t just a claim, though. Recent studies from Strategy Analytics
indicate only 1.2% of Galaxy owners actually use Samsung’s apps.
At the same time, the Galaxy S5 isn’t all
that bad. It has a beautiful screen due to its accurate, vivid, colors and increased
brightness in direct sunlight. The S5 is also IP54 water resistant (note: not
completely waterproof), making it comfortable to use around water if for some
reason you need to do that. The added Finger Scanner (not “Fingerprint Scanner”
for legal reasons) is nice even if most who have used the phone find it only
works about half of the time.
Is the S5 ready for the commitment of a
two-year contract or a $650 outright purchase? Probably not, but it wouldn’t be
unreasonable to weigh your options and eventually come out with the S5 on top.
HTC One (M8)
The HTC One (M8) might have the most
confusing name of any phone and HTC isn’t a very popular manufacturer in the
smartphone department. However, none of that matters because HTC is making the
best Android devices out there today. For the current year, HTC improved upon a
few aspects of the original One by adding on screen buttons, an even sleeker
design, and a five inch screen while keeping the impressive BoomSound audio and
aluminum design introduced in the previous device. The result is a larger, yet
more ergonomic device that is easier to use.
There are downsides to the new One (M8),
however. The camera is basically the same as last year’s which wasn’t a high-performing
smartphone shooters on the market. This year HTC added a second camera sensor
to improve depth and create blurred effects for the background of images.
However, if you rely on your smartphone to take great photos, the One isn’t
going to be the best performer in that area.
The One (M8), though, improves upon its
prior model with some fantastic software tricks. For instance, double tapping a
sleeping screen results in unlocking the phone. They also make wielding a
five-inch device easier since you reaching for the power button on the top of
the device isn’t easy for those without large hands.
Is the HTC One (M8) a phone that you should
attach your time or money to? It depends. If you rely on the photography of
your phone, you will be better off with a Galaxy S5 which includes a 16 MP
shooter or the Xperia Z2 which sports a 21 MP camera. But if you’re more
focused on audio quality, experience, looks, and feel of your phone, the One
(M8) is the perfect device for you.
Sony Xperia Z2
The Xperia Z2 hasn’t received much press
because Sony is notorious for never actually releasing their phones in the
United States or most of Europe. The Z2 looks to have a similar release model
and the odds of it ever being available to purchase on contract at a carrier
isn’t looking promising. However, if you have the money, you can always buy one
directly from Sony. But since most people won’t do that, a brief overview of
the phone is just in order.
The Sony Xperia Z2 is a beautifully-designed
device with an all glass front and back surrounded by an aluminum edge that
really puts you in the mind of a better looking iPhone 4. Included on the front
is an improved IPS display, upgraded from the lackluster Z and Z1 devices.
Another upgrade are the front-facing stereo speakers. Although they aren’t as
impressive as the front facing speakers on HTC’s One phones, they’re certainly
better than most of the competition. Topping everything off is a 21 MP shooter
which produces quality shots if you’re shooting in the right environment.
If the Z2 does come to a carrier or becomes
readily available for a reasonable price off contract, you might find yourself
considering. As of right now no information has been released.
The Underdogs
Although the three phones mentioned above
are the top-contenders in the spring flagship race, phones released in the fall
of 2013 are worth taking a look at. The Nexus 5, running Google’s stock version
of Android on LG’s great hardware, is a steal at $349 (16gb) and $399 (32gb)
off-contract. The hardware is nearly on par with this year’s flagships and,
unlike other manufacturers’ devices, you’ll receive Android updates directly
from Google as soon as they’re released.
The Moto X is also a wonderful choice for an
off-contract, affordable phone starting at $399 (16gb) and $449 (32gb) with an
infinite amount of customizable options that no other phone offers. The Moto X
has received accolades for its innovative Always Listening feature that allows
you to make voice commands without ever touching your phone, along with Active
Display which ensures you’re always update on your latest notifications.
On contract, the best deal is going to be
the LG G2, a criminally unnoticed device that excels in camera, display, and
functionality. The G2 can be grabbed for under $100 on a contract, making it
the best deal if you’re willing to commit to a carrier for a couple of years.
Last, but certainly not least, is the Galaxy
Note 3. The Note 3, while too large for most general consumers, is a niche “phablet”
that performs unlike any others with its S-Pen features and Waccom digitizer
that allow you to take notes and multitask in ways you would be unable to do
with any other Android device. The Note 3 can be bought for around $200 on-contract
depending on which carrier you send your check to each month.
In a flooded market of phones, phones, and
more phones, the choice can often be overwhelming. Breaking it down reveals
that there isn’t one perfect phone for everyone, but there certainly is one out
there for you. It is recommended to assess your needs in a phone, research
excessively online, and play with a display model in-store before making
commitment. There’s nothing worse than buyer’s remorse, especially when you’re
stuck looking at your mistake for two years.
No comments:
Post a Comment