What Are the Best Android Phones in 2013?
The cat's out of the bag: we now know for sure that both the Galaxy S4 and the HTC One will be shipping, stripped of their skins, as bonafide "Google Editions." But just because these models have been snagging headlines left and right doesn't mean they're the best phones for you. Here we'll take a look at the best Android phones in 2013
Best for Multi-Taskers: Galaxy Note 2
The best multitasking phone out there remains the Galaxy Note 2. You just can't beat Samsung's productivity suite which allows you to draw sketches, crop images and send handwritten emails. Multi-window support allows you to surf the web while checking your calendar or looking at your personal photo gallery. The technology inside is still cutting-edge, with an ARM cortex A9 quad-core SoC, 2GB of RAM, an 8MP shooter and more. This beast of a phone gets the job done like none other.
Best for the Budget Conscious: Nexus 4
The Nexus 4's design and build won't turn heads, but this is a more than adequate model with very respectable specs. For a starting price of $300, you get a 4.7-inch 720p display, 2GB of RAM, Qualcomm Snapdragon's S4 Pro quad-core processor, an 8MP camera, 4.22 Android and Google's lifelong support. Not bad – at all.
Best for Feature-Junkies and Budding Photographers: Galaxy S4
The Galaxy S4 is a great choice for almost anyone and almost snagged the coveted "best overall" from HTC. We love its long list of features, including smart scroll (which tracks your eyeballs and scrolls the screen accordingly) and air view (which allows you to preview choices by hovering your finger over them). You've also got a 13MP camera which beats everything else out there, a 1.9 GHz quad-core processor, expandable memory, and a huge suite of productivity tools. It may look like the S3 at first glance, but this baby's got a whole lot of new.
Best Overall: HTC One
We know you're sick of hearing us crow about the HTC One but we can't help it. Not only is this phone a stunner, but it offers a blazing fast processor, a gorgeous display and great sound via front-facing speakers. We knocked Blinkfeed when it was first announced, but we've come to love it. Also amazing: HTC Zoe, which creates a stunning gallery of photos and videos with every shot. Besides that, you've got a 4.8-inch, 1080p display with 469 pixels per square inch, a 1.7 GHz processor, 2GB of RAM, 32GB of storage, NFC, an IR blaster for controlling your TV…need I say more? Plus, it's coming out as a Nexus edition on June 26th for $599 via Google Play.
Honorable Mentions:
Xperia Z (for the rugged individualist who needs a waterproof phone), HTC Droid DNA (it'll probably be super cheap if you wait a bit), Galaxy S3 (already much cheaper than before), Galaxy S4 Mini (check out our comparison between the S4 and the S4 Mini here), and the LG Optimus G Pro (super fast processor, great display and huge battery).
What Do You Think?
Hey thanks for giving the LG Optimus G Pro some mention (although I wouldn't mind more published reviews of LG's Android Smart Phones). Had HTC offered the HTC ONE as aa no contract Android Smart Phone? I would've gotten one this year (unfortunately, they're only offering so-so models for the No Contract market while Samsung is embracing it!)
I really do hope that the HTC ONE gets that company out of the Bankruptcy Scare (one less Android Smart Phone manufacturer isn't good for consumers and it doesn't encourage better products being introduced each year).
Yes, I was forced to get an LG Android Smart Phone (Spirit 4G), its a step up from the HTC Droid Incredible and now that T-Mobile has taken over Metro PCS you know I'm going to obtain an LG Nexus 4 this year.
people only choose the One because its made of aluminum--as if its build materials enhance the user experience. NOT !