On the hunt for a new smartphone? Prefer Android to Apple? Well, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve picked out the latest releases, the crème de la crème of the latest smartphones to hit the market. So lets get started!
Honor 9
Screen: 5.15”
RAM: 4GB/6GB
Storage: 64GB/128GB
Camera: Rear- 20MP Dual Lens, Front- 8MP
OS: Android 7 Nougat
Pros:
- Sleek and aesthetically pleasing exterior
- Affordable price
Cons:
- Very mediocre camera for dual lens
With all the high-end features that most popular manufacturers include in their products, we are majorly impressed with the Honor 9. In comparison to manufacturers like Apple and Samsung, Huawei Honor isn’t as established, thus meaning it has a smaller customer pool and less customer loyalty which knocks down the price of the phone when it’s just as efficient and powerful as the Galaxy or iPhone range (good news for you)! The most notable feature is the eye -catching design. Available in sapphire blue and glacier grey with a chic glass exterior, this phone has a luxurious look and feel.
Our Verdict:
Although Honor isn’t as well-known as other manufacturers like Apple or Samsung, the Honor 9 is still in the league as being just as powerful as an iPhone, but more affordable.
Asus ZenFone AR
Screen: 5.7”
RAM: 6GB/8GB
Storage: 64GB/128GB
Camera: Rear- 23MP
Dual Lens, Front- 8MP
OS: Android 7 Nougat
Pros:
- First phone with built-in VR & AR
- Great screen quality
- Impressive camera
Cons:
- Very expensive
ASUS has topped the game with the first phone to be certified and come with Daydream and Tango, it’s probably a flagship product in the history of AR and VR products. So with the market for augmented and virtual products growing, this product has us intrigued. It’s more than just gaming- furnishing your new apartment? If only you could try furniture out the same way you try on shoes…Well, you can now! AR & VR is proving to be handy in day-to-day life so if it’s something that appeals to you, this phone comes highly recommended. Asides from that obvious golden feature, the phone itself is great. This phone takes quick charging to a new level, you can gain up to 60% in the charging time of 40 minutes, despite fast charging being a feature on many new smartphones we haven’t come across anything as fast as this. The unusually high 23MP front camera will ensure every snap or Instagram post is of immense clarity and of utmost detail.
Our Verdict:
If you’ve jumped on the newly formed bandwagon of AR and VR, whether it be for gaming or for every day help- take the plunge if you can afford it! It’s the first and only phone to have such innovative features.
Samsung Galaxy S8 Active
Screen: 5.8”
RAM: 4GB
Storage: 64GB
Camera: Rear- 12MP, Front- 8MP
OS: Android 7 Nougat
(Source: DigitalTrends)
Pros:
- Great camera quality
- Very durable
Cons:
- Not the best choice for power & performance, focuses primarily on durability
With durability being this phones key feature, this is an ideal choice for those who are into extreme sports, constantly active or just plain clumsy. With all the powerful features of the well-known S range, this little guy is a little tougher. The S8 Active can survive under water for 30 minutes at a depth of up to 5ft. With a shatter resistant screen, this phone can withstand more than a few harsh tumbles. It is also equipped to handle more extreme climates that lesser devices would not be able to handle. Alongside this, its chip (the Qualcomm Snapdragon 835) has been proven to be up to 25% more efficient than the chip of its predecessor the S7 Active; alongside upping the resolution from 2560 x 1440 to 2960 x 1440.
Our Verdict:
Hands down- a top choice for those who like to live life on the edge. Withstanding water and heavy drops, alongside being shatter-resistant this phone is tailored for those who indulge in extreme sports.
Motorola Moto Z2 Force
Screen: 5.5”
RAM: 4GB
Storage: 64GB
Camera: Rear- 12MP dual lens, Front- 5MP
OS: Android 7.1.1
(Source: TechRadar)
Pros:
- Can withstand everyday drops and falls with ease
- Lengthy battery life
- Good camera
Cons:
- Plain design
- Cannot withstand hard drops, only day-to-day normal tumbles
- Not scratch and water proof
Upon first glance, it’s a little tricky to spot the differences between the Z2 and its predecessor but there are some noticeable improvements if you dig a little deeper. It’s 13% thinner and 12% lighter (145g) and Motorola managed to fit a dual-lens camera in- amazing! The new 3500mAh battery can stretch battery life for up to 2 days (depends on use). MotoMods further enhances the excitement surrounding this device, with choices of the Moto 360 camera, JBL speakers, an upcoming game controller, a 10x zoom lens, an attachable projector and the Turbo Power battery pack. Despite not being scratch proof or shock proof, this phone has immense 5 screen layers; effectively getting rid of the common screen crack issue that most people face.
Our Verdict:
If you love to capture high-definition pictures but don’t want the hassle of carrying a DSLR- this is your perfect phone. With the MotoMods to improve picture quality, alongside the included camera being of a high standard- you’re in for vivid photos and true-to-life imagery. It’s also a worthy purchase for those who need a little extra protection when it comes to everyday use.
LG G6
Screen: 5.7”
RAM: 4GB
Storage: 32GB
Camera: Rear- 13MP dual lens, Front- 5MP
OS: Android 7
Pros:
- Simple and elegant design
- Waterproof
Cons:
- Very pricey
With its slick and durable design LG are onto a winner having made their best phone yet. The exterior is a combination of metal and glass, framed with aluminum, with 2 sheets of Gorilla Glass 5 on the back and Gorilla Glass 3 on the front. The platinum shade is by far the most eye-catching, so if you’re looking into buying this phone, see if you can get your hands on this colour. With new features such as IP68 certification of dust and water-resistance, this phone definitely tops the LG G5 with the additional features such as these. The Snapdragon 821 chip ensures smooth-sailing navigation, effectively elevating the phones efficiency and power-consumption, alongside decreasing thermal energy given off by the device earning its place in our top picks of the best Android smartphones released so far this year.
Our Verdict:
This is by far LG’s greatest phone yet, so if you’re a fan of the brand and have the money, this phone would be a great purchase. The luxury design makes this an ideal buy for those who need/want to use their device in a formal or work environment.
So there you have it, the latest and best releases of Android smartphones. If you were on the hunt for a new Android phone, we hope this article has been of some assistance. If you’re still undecided, check out our range of Android smartphones.
For more updates on latest releases, top picks, helpful reviews and other tech news- visit our blog.
