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vendredi 2 septembre 2016

Best Android phones (September 2016): our picks, plus a giveaway

With Android thoroughly dominating the mobile industry, picking the best Android smartphones is almost synonymous with choosing the best smartphones, period. But while Android phones have few real opponents on other platforms, internal competition is incredibly fierce.

From sleek devices that impress with premium design, to powerhouses brimming with features, to all-around great devices, and affordable phones that punch above their weight, the Android ecosystem is populated by a staggering variety of attractive phones.

But "greatness" is subjective, and sometimes spec sheets and feature lists are not enough to make an idea of how good a phone really is. In this roundup, we're looking at the absolute best – the Android phones you can't go wrong with.

Editor's note: We will be updating this list regularly as new devices launch.
Update, September 2016: This month we added the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 to our list.

Samsung Galaxy Note 7

Samsung's Galaxy Note 7 stands out from the competition in more ways than one. Not only is it the best big-screened smartphone out there, it might be the best smartphone on the market right now.

It sports a big, bright 5.7-inch Dual-edge Super AMOLED Quad HD display, a powerful Snapdragon 820 processor, plenty of RAM and on-board storage, an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance, and microSD expansion. It also comes with the same great rear- and front-facing cameras that are present on the Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge. The camera package isn't the only thing the Note 7 borrows form the Galaxy S line. It also features a Dual-edge display, so all of the handy Edge display features found on the S7 Edge are present here, too.

The Note 7's S Pen has gotten a lot more useful as well. Now you can record pretty much anything on your screen and make it into a GIF, and you can also translate text from other languages, magnify certain parts of your screen, and much, much more.

This is a very pricey device, though, so be sure to weigh your options before spending over $800 on a smartphone.

  • Samsung Galaxy Note 7 Review
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Specs

  • 5.7-inch Dual-edge Super AMOLED display with 2560 x 1440 resolution, 518ppi
  • Quad-core 64-bit Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 or Octa-core Samsung Exynos 8890 processor
  • 4GB of RAM
  • 64GB of on-board storage, microSD expansion up to 256GB
  • 12MP rear camera, 5MP front camera
  • Non-removable 3,500mAh battery
  • Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow
  • 153.5 x 73.9 x 7.9mm, 169g

Read more

Buy now from Amazon

Note: Due to potential battery issues, this phone is in a current recall, but Samsung is actively working to fix affected units and so this remains a great phone — it just might be advisable to wait to buy a handset until the dust has settled as far as the recent recall is concerned. 


 Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge

Samsung did a killer job with their 2015 flagship smartphones, the Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge. Design-wise, many would say those two phones were close to perfect. The company forwent a plastic design and instead included glass front and back panels with an aluminum frame. They weren't without their flaws, though. The S6 and S6 Edge didn't offer expandable storage or removable batteries — two features Samsung has been known to include in all its smartphones for years.

Now the Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge have made their way to the masses, and they fix many of the problems the S6 line introduced last year. While they don't offer removable batteries, Samsung included expandable storage on both handsets in case the 32 GB of on-board storage isn't enough. Samsung mostly stuck to the same design this time around, though they did shrink down the camera bumps on the back and made the devices a little thicker to make room for larger batteries.

In terms of specs, these are top-of-the-line smartphones. They come with Quad HD Super AMOLED displays, Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 processors, 4 GB of RAM, great 12 MP rear-facing cameras and run the latest version of Android. Instead of featuring the same screen sizes this time around though, Samsung kept the S7 at a smaller 5.1 inches, while the S7 Edge has been bumped up to a larger 5.5-inch panel.

Seriously, these are some incredible smartphones. They are a little pricey, but all in all, we think the high asking price is worth it.

  • Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge Revie...
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Specs

Samsung Galaxy S7

  • 5.1-inch Super AMOLED display with 2560 x 1440 resolution, 577 ppi
  • Quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 processor
  • 4 GB of RAM
  • 32 GB of on-board storage, microSD expansion up to 200 GB
  • 12 MP rear camera, 5 MP front camera
  • Non-removable 3000 mAh battery
  • Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow
  • 142.4 x 69.6 x 7.9 mm, 152 g

Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge

  • 5.5-inch Super AMOLED display with 2560 x 1440 resolution, 534 ppi
  • Quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 processor
  • 4 GB of RAM
  • 32 GB of on-board storage, microSD expansion up to 200 GB
  • 12 MP rear camera, 5 MP front camera
  • Non-removable 3600 mAh battery
  • Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow
  • 150.9 x 72.6 x 7.7 mm, 157 g

Read more

Buy the Samsung Galaxy S7
Buy the Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge

Moto Z and Moto Z Force (Droid Editions)

Motorola (well, Lenovo actually) is doing something different with their flagship phones this year. Instead of releasing just one flagship under the Moto X moniker, they've decided to release two new smartphones that do things a bit out of the ordinary. The Moto Z and Moto Z Force not only bring flagship-level specs, but also support for modules.

These modules, called Moto Mods, attach to the back of both phones via magnets. There are only a few available right now, but they actually bring some handy features to the phones. You can purchase an external battery module, a powerful speaker, and even a projector!

They both have killer specs, too. Both devices come with a 5.5-inch Quad HD AMOLED display, a Snapdragon 820 processor, 4GB of RAM, plenty of on-board storage, expandable memory, and run Android 6.0 Marshmallow out of the box. You might be wondering – what's the difference between these two phones? The standard Moto Z is super thin at only 5.2mm in thickness, but it only comes with a 2600mAh battery. The Moto Z Force is thicker, has a 3500mAh battery, and also has a shatterproof display.

These aren't the cheapest phones on the market, but they're certainly some of the best.

  • Motorola Moto Z / Force vs S...
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Specs

Moto Z

  • 5.5-inch AMOLED display with 2560 x 1440 resolution, 535ppi
  • Quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 processor
  • 4GB of RAM
  • 32/64GB of on-board storage, microSD expansion up to 256GB
  • 13MP rear camera, 5MP front camera
  • Non-removable 2600mAh battery
  • Android 6.0 Marshmallow
  • 153.3 x 75.3 x 5.2mm, 136g

Moto Z Force

  • 5.5-inch AMOLED display with 2560 x 1440 resolution, 535ppi
  • Quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 processor
  • 4GB of RAM
  • 32/64GB of on-board storage, microSD expansion up to 256GB
  • 21MP rear camera, 5MP front camera
  • Non-removable 3500mAh battery
  • Android 6.0 Marshmallow
  • 155.9 x 75.8 x 7mm, 163g

Read more

Buy the Moto Z from Verizon
Buy the Moto Z Force from Verizon

Nexus 6P


As the successor to last year's Motorola Nexus 6, Google recently unveiled the Huawei-made Nexus 6P. This device is the higher-end of the two Nexus phones announced at Google's event, and that's incredibly apparent when looking at the spec sheet.

It comes with a big 5.7-inch Quad HD AMOLED display, super fast Snapdragon 810 processor, a giant 3450 mAh battery and an impressive 12MP rear-facing camera. Want to get your hands on one? The Nexus 6P is pretty cheap, considering the specs and build quality. You can purchase it from the Google Store starting at just $499!

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  • Nexus 6P Review!
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Specs

  • 5.7-inch AMOLED display with 1440 x 2560 resolution, 518 ppi
  • Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 processor
  • 3 GB of RAM
  • 32/64/128 GB of on-board storage, no microSD card expansion
  • 12 MP rear-facing camera, 8 MP front-facing camera
  • Non-removable 3450 mAh battery
  • Android 7.0 Nougat
  • 159.3 x 77.8 x 7.3 mm, 178 g

Read more

Buy now from Amazon

ZTE Axon 7

ZTE's Axon Pro from 2015 was a good phone, but it fell short in a few key areas. It came to market with only one storage option, no expandable memory, and the dual camera setup on the back of the device felt a bit gimmicky. Not only does the company's latest flagship fix all of those problems, it brings much more to the table.

It has a big 5.5-inch Quad HD AMOLED display, the latest Snapdragon processor, plenty of RAM, multiple storage options, and yes, expandable memory up to 256GB. It also sports some killer front-facing speakers, all-day battery life, a great camera, and a sleek, attractive design. While certain parts of the software could use a little more polish, the ZTE Axon 7 goes toe-to-toe with the best in the Android market. It's also inexpensive at only $400, making this an even more attractive option for folks looking to score a solid flagship device.

Specs

  • 5.5-inch AMOLED display with 2560 x 1440 resolution, 538ppi
  • Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 processor
  • 4/6GB of RAM
  • 64/128GB of on-board storage, microSD expansion up to 256GB
  • 20MP front camera, 8MP rear camera
  • Non-removable 3250mAh battery
  • Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow
  • 151.7 x 75 x 7.9mm, 175g

Read more

Buy now from Amazon

HTC 10

HTC needed a saving grace this year, and the 10 just may be it. The Taiwanese company finally designed a phone that's different enough from its predecessor yet still sports a familiar design language. With an all-metal chassis, front-mounted fingerprint sensor and a new-and-improved speaker setup, the HTC 10 easily made its way to our best Android phones list.

Under the hood, the 10 comes with some killer specs. A 5.2-inch Quad HD display, Snapdragon 820 processor and 4 GB of RAM are in line with most other flagships this year, and it also comes with expandable storage up to 200 GB and a 3000 mAh battery that will have no problems lasting an entire day on a single charge. HTC also improved the camera this time around, which was a big flaw in last year's One M9 flagship.

All in all, the HTC 10 is an awesome device. Great specs and a solid build quality are what you'll get here… what more could you ask for?

  • HTC 10 Camera Feature Focus
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Specs

  • 5.2-inch Super LCD5 display with 2560 x 1440 resolution, 565 ppi
  • 2.15 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 processor
  • 4 GB of RAM
  • 32/64 GB of on-board storage, microSD expansion up to 200 GB
  • 12 MP rear camera, 5 MP front camera
  • Non-removable 3000 mAh battery
  • Android 6.0 Marshmallow
  • 145.9 x 71.9 x 9 mm, 161 g

Read more

Buy now from HTC

LG G5

While the Galaxy S7 series is a minor refresh in terms of design, the LG G5 sees a massive departure from the design language used in the G series, ditching the rear volume/power setup that first debuted with the LG G2. The G5 also adopts a unibody metallic design that has a removable cap for access to the removable battery and a port for modules that allow users to expand the phone's capabilities by adding a camera grip and other special accessories.

The distinctly different design of the LG G5 may not be for everyone, but there's little denying that LG has went out of its way to try and innovate in a market where big changes like this aren't all that common.

Spec wise, we're looking at a Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 with 4 GB RAM, a 5.3-inch display, and 32 GB storage with microSD for expansion. The specs here are certainly impressive all across the board. It's also worth mentioning that LG has revamped its software, making it faster and less bloated. One controversial move with the software, however, is the removal of the app drawer in favor of what LG says is a "simplified experience."

  • LG G5 Review!
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Specs

  • 5.3-inch IPS LCD display with 2560 x 1440 resolution, 554 ppi
  • Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 processor
  • 4 GB of RAM
  • 32 GB of on-board storage, microSD expansion up to 200 GB
  • 16 and 8 MP dual rear cameras, 8 MP front camera
  • Removable 2800 mAh battery
  • Android 6.0 Marshmallow
  • 149.4 x 73.9 x 7.7 mm, 159 g

Read more

Buy now from Amazon

Cast your vote, and participate in our giveaway!

There you have it – our picks from the best Android has to offer right now. Out of those listed, which do you feel is the very best? Be sure to sound off in the poll below. Each month we will also be conducting a giveaway, giving our readers a chance to win the phone with the most votes.

Congratulations to Prasad A. from India, the winner of our August 2016 giveaway!

Best Android Phone (September 2016)


Check out our related best lists:



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Samsung now selling refurbished devices in the US

samsung refurbished pre-owned store

Late last month, we caught word that Samsung may start selling refurbished high end devices in the US. Sources close to Samsung reported to Reuters that this may come about as early as 2017. However, it looks like Samsung had these plans well in the works by the time news leaked, because the Korean tech titan just launched their Certified Pre-Owned device store.

Although some users may grouse at the idea of using a refurbished smartphone, it's an excellent option for people who want to experience flagship tier technology but who previously haven't had to the cash to shell out for them upon release.

Devices purchased through Samsung's official refurbished store will get a 12-month limited warranty, and all devices come with free shipping. The latest and greatest like the Note 7 or the Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge are sadly not available, but grabbing last year's big hitters is now pleasingly affordable. You'll save $200 on a Galaxy S6 Edge, for example, as the refurbished model is only $449.99.

Samsung Galaxy Note7 Teardown - iFixitSee also: It's official: Samsung announces worldwide Galaxy Note 7 recall238

Click the button below to head over to the main landing page and check out these refurb devices for yourself. They are supported on all four of the major US carriers, and Samsung says they'll be continuing to add to the listing of available smartphones.

What do you think of this move by the smartphone giant? Will this coax more users away from today's midrange and over to yesterday's flagship lines? Would you use a refurbished device from previous years as your daily driver? Let us know in the comments below!

Check it out at Samsung
huawei-logo-mwc-2015-4Next: Huawei means to trump Apple and Samsung in smartphones sales in the coming years34


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Facebook Messenger joins the fray with new Instant Video feature

Facebook-Messenger-Instant-Video

Being that many of us are intertwined with the social network machine that is Facebook, we inherently use its Messenger chatting client as a primary form of communication (especially since it was made mandatory). Therefore, it's imperative that Facebook keep up with features that we'd expect to see in a competent messaging platform. We learned that it's doing just that in regard to video chatting, by rolling out a new feature called Instant Video.

google_hangoutsSee also: 10 best video calling apps for Android12

There isn't a whole lot to the feature; it's more about modernizing the video sharing capability – especially in light of Google Duo's fancy live preview ability. Now, when you're chatting away and suddenly want to display something, there'll be a video icon on the top right corner that will instantly pop up a real-time feed from your camera. This is as opposed to the old way of pinging the request to do a video call, and the other party having to accept before seeing anything. You can now quickly show something you're seeing while out and about.

Facebook-Messenger-Instant-Video-2

Instant Video is meant to supplement the text conversation, so the feed will float on the top right corner so that you can keep the chat going. Audio won't be enabled by default; the recipient can toggle it with just a tap. Messenger doesn't toss the good old fashioned video one-on-one, if your buddy wants to partake in the video action.

Get Facebook Messenger from the Play Store

Of course, both parties will have to have the latest version of Facebook Messenger installed, so look out for the update that is rolling out. What do you think about Instant Video? Are you glad to see the live preview capability come to Messenger, and do you like how Facebook implemented it?



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