The Four Best Android Phones of 2014

The S5 is the latest installment in Samsung’s insanely popular Galaxy series. Not surprisingly, the Galaxy S5 improves on virtually everything users loved about the S4, including upgraded internal hardware and a slew of unique new features.

With the Galaxy S5, Samsung continues its innovative use of Super AMOLED screen technology. Compared to LCD screens, Super AMOLED offers lower power consumption while also sporting brighter, more saturated colors. This compliments Samsung’s TouchWiz UI quite well with its intricate graphics and cartoony appearance. The S5’s 5.1-inch screen also offers sturdy Gorilla Glass 3 construction and full HD resolution at a pixel density of 432 ppi. Beneath those pixels is a lightning-fast Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 CPU clocked at 2.5 GHz along with an Adreno 330 GPU and 2 GB of RAM.

Taking inspiration from Apple’s iPhone 5S, Samsung has included a fingerprint scanner on the S5’s home button, allowing users to unlock the phone at the swipe of a finger. Another interesting new feature is the rear heartbeat sensor, which allows users to check their pulse on the go while integrating the information into Samsung’s custom fitness applications. Fitness-minded users will be happy to hear that the S5 is dust- and water-resistant with a certified IP67 rating.  Other features include a 16-megapixel rear camera, a removable battery, up to 32 GB of internal storage and Micro-SIM card support.

Galaxy S5 16 GB White Smartphone – Sprint (2.5 GHz Quad-Core Processor, 2 GB RAM, 16 GB Internal Storage, Android 4.4, 4G, 16 MP Camera) – $699.99, Free shipping – Available at Amazon.com

The G3 is LG’s latest upgrade to their cult-favorite G2 smartphone from 2013. Just like the G2, the G3 features cutting-edge hardware specs as well as the smallest bezel-to-screen ratio of any Android smartphone currently available. With its tiny front bezels, the G3 is able to fit a huge 5.5-inch Gorilla Glass 3 screen into a body that is hardly bigger than most 5-inch phones on the market.

The screen’s resolution is equally as impressive as its size: at 1,440 x 2,560 pixels, it’s the first quad HD phone ever released, sporting an unmatched pixel density of 534 ppi. Powering all of those pixels is a Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 CPU clocked at 2.5 GHz, as well as an Adreno 330 GPU and 3 GB of RAM. To offset the increased power usage of quad HD, LG has managed to stuff a huge 3,000 mAh battery into the G3’s tiny frame, so battery life is equally as impressive as it was with the G2.

On the back of the G3 you’ll find LG’s trademarked rear-button layout, which is done to minimize the size of the side bezels. Above the volume and power buttons is a centered 13-megapixel camera with optical image stabilization, making it one of the most capable smartphone cameras on the market. The G3 also features 16 GB of internal storage and Micro-SIM card support.

32gb Lg Google Nexus 5 Black D820 Factory Unlocked 2013 Lte 4g 3g (2g & 3g 800/850/900/(1700/2100)/1900/2100 & 4g Lte – $483.01, 4.99 shipping – Available at Amazon.com Marketplace

The HTC One M7 of 2013 won numerous design awards, being the first Android smartphone to feature premium aluminum construction that rivaled Apple’s renowned build quality. For 2014, HTC has taken this design philosophy a step further: the One M8’s body is now composed of 90-percent aluminum, featuring a sleek curved back that offers the most premium feel of any Android phone on the market.

Like most 2014 Android phones the One M8 has increased in size, now featuring a 5-inch Super LCD3 screen. Protected by sturdy Gorilla Glass 3, the One M8’s display offers some of the most realistic color reproduction on the market, sporting a pixel density of 441 ppi. Behind the screen is Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 801 processor clocked at 2.3 GHz as well as an Adreno 300 GPU and 2 GB of RAM.

Setting the One M8 apart from other Android offerings is its unmatched sound quality: dual front-facing HTC Boomsound speakers provide loud, crisp audio that rivals even some laptop computers. The other most notable feature of the One M8 is its innovative Duo Ultrapixel camera. Though it’s capable of only 4 megapixels, the 2-micrometer size of each pixel allows them to absorb up to twice as much light as competitor’s cameras, making the One M8 exceptional in low-light photography.

The Duo camera also features two separate sensors: the primary Ultrapixel sensor works in conjunction with a depth sensor that allows users to refocus images after they are taken. Other features of the One M8 include up to 32 GB of internal storage, Micro-SIM card support, and an integrated IR blaster for controlling television sets and other peripherals.

One Silver 32 GB Smartphone – Unlocked (1.7 GHz Quad-Core Processor, 2 GB RAM, 32 GB Internal Storage, microSD Slot, Android 4.1, 4G, 4 MP Camera) – $504.94, Free shipping – Available at Amazon.com

Following their unprecedented six-month release cycle, Sony has upgraded their well-reviewed Xperia Z1 smartphone with an even more impressive offering, the Z2. With its aluminum frame and sturdy glass-back construction, the Z2 offers one of best build qualities of the Android marketplace. And under its beautiful exterior, the Z2 is packed with cutting-edge features and hardware.

The Xperia Z2 sports a large 5.2-inch IPS LCD screen with a pixel density of 424 ppi. Powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 CPU clocked at 2.3 GHz, an Adreno 330 GPU and 3 GB of RAM, the Z2 is one of the snappiest smartphones on the market. Internal storage is limited to 16 GB, but Micro-SIM support offers expandability up to 128 GB.

The Z2 is one of the most weather-proof phones available: with IP58 certification, it is both dust-proof and water-resistant for up to 30 minutes. The Z2 also features one of the most impressive cameras in the Android marketplace with its 20.7-megapixel shooter capable of recording 4K video. With its dual front-facing speakers, the Z2 is second only to the HTC One M8 in sound quality, making it the perfect device for quality media consumption.

Xperia ZL Red Smartphone – Unlocked (1.5 GHz Quad-Core Processor, 2 GB RAM, 16 GB Internal Storage, microSD Slot, Android 4.1, 4G, 13 MP Camera) – $373.99, Free shipping – Available at Amazon.com

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