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dimanche 13 novembre 2016

Best T-Mobile Android phones (November 2016)

T-Mobile is the carrier everyone else is watching out for. They're currently the third biggest mobile service provider in the United States, and they're growing very quickly. Thanks to T-Mobile's "Un-carrier" plan of action, they've been changing industry standards for the better over the recent years. On top of all of the changes they're making, they have one of the widest varieties of smartphones available on any carrier. We've already taken a look at the best phones you can buy on Verizon, AT&T and Sprint, and now it's T-Mobile's turn.

Related: Best prepaid phones for T-Mobile

Since T-Mobile has done away with two-year contracts, you'll notice the phones listed here are at full retail price. In some cases it's cheaper to buy them from Amazon, so we've done our best to find you the best deals available. Also, if you don't want to purchase your phone for full price, T-Mobile will let you pay in monthly installments. You can find out more info by visiting T-Mobile.com. Without anymore delay, let's get started!

Editor's note – We will be updating this list as more devices hit the market.
Update, November 2016: This month we removed the LG V10 and Nexus 6P to make room for the Google Pixel, Pixel XL and LG V20.

Google Pixel and Pixel XL

Google's Pixel and Pixel XL are here, and they truly are some amazing smartphones.

Not only are they the first phones to ship with the Google Assistant on board, they also come with plenty of exclusive software features and some of the best smartphone cameras in existence.

Under the hood, they sport some killer specs, too. Both devices have an AMOLED display, a Snapdragon 821 processor, 4GB of RAM, plenty of on-board storage and long-lasting batteries. The overall design of these phones may not be the most unique, but they do feel like premium phones through and through.

There are a few things about these phones that will turn some people away, though. For starters, they only sport an IP53 rating for dust and water resistance, meaning they're not nearly as waterproof as the Galaxy S7 or S7 Edge. There are ways around that, but none that will make the devices truly waterproof. Plus, these phones don't have the most durable build ever, so you may want to buy a case if you're prone to dropping phones. 

If you're in the market for a new flagship Android phone and don't mind spending over $650, you should buy the Pixel or Pixel XL… these are two of the best Android phones out there.

Specs

Google Pixel

  • 5.0-inch AMOLED display with 1920 x 1080 resolution, 441ppi
  • Qualcomm Snapdragon 821 processor
  • 4GB of RAM
  • 32/128GB of on-board storage, no microSD expansion
  • 12.3MP rear camera, 8MP front camera
  • Non-removable 2,770mAh battery
  • Android 7.1 Nougat
  • 143.8 x 69.5 x 8.6mm, 143g

Google Pixel XL

  • 5.5-inch AMOLED display with 2560 x 1440 resolution, 534ppi
  • Qualcomm Snapdragon 821 processor
  • 4GB of RAM
  • 32/128GB of on-board storage, no microSD expansion
  • 12.3MP rear camera, 8MP front camera
  • Non-removable 3,450mAh battery
  • Android 7.1 Nougat
  • 154.7 x 75.7 x 8.6mm, 168g

Read more

Buy now from the Google Store

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 32GB 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, 4GB of RAM, great 12MP 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.

Specs

Samsung Galaxy S7

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

Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge

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

Read more

Buy the Galaxy S7 from T-Mobile
Buy the Galaxy S7 Edge from T-Mobile

LG V20

The V20 is basically the phone for power users. It has a a big Quad HD display, Qualcomm's Snapdragon 820 processor, plenty of RAM and on-board storage, dual 16MP rear-facing cameras, and a removable 3,200mAh battery. Of course, the unique Second Screen makes a return this year, along with the addition of Quad DAC, military standard durability, and it's already running Android 7.0 Nougat.

If top-of-the-line specs and an impressive feature set is what you're looking for, you can't go wrong with the V20.

Specs

  • 5.7-inch IPS LCD display with 2560 x 1440 resolution, 513ppi
    • Secondary display: 2.1-inch IPS LCD display with 160 x 1040 resolution, 513 ppi
  • Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 processor
  • 4GB of RAM
  • 32/64GB of on-board storage, microSD expansion up to 256GB
  • Dual 16 and 8MP rear cameras, 5MP front camera
  • Removable 3,200mAh battery
  • Android 7.0 Nougat
  • 159.7 x 78.1 x 7.6mm, 174g

Read more

Buy now from Amazon

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 4GB RAM, a 5.3-inch display, and 32GB 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."

Specs

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

Read more

Buy now from T-Mobile

How did you like our list? Do you have any other suggestions? If so, feel free to voice your opinion in the comments below! And if you're looking for a great T-Mobile phone that's a little cheaper, be sure to check out our list of the best cheap Android phones.

Next: Best Android smartphones



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Must read: top 10 Android stories

google-pixel-xl-vs-samsung-galaxy-s7-edge-17

google-pixel-xl-vs-samsung-galaxy-s7-edge-17

This week we compared the Google Pixel XL and Galaxy S7 Edge, went hands-on with the new HTC Bolt, and gave you our first impressions on Google Home. Here's the news of the week!

Who wants to win an LG V20?

The new LG V20 might just be one of the best phones for power users. Here's how you can win one!

10 Android stories we handpicked for you

Google Pixel XL vs Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge The Google Pixel XL and Galaxy S7 Edge might be two of the best phones available right now. See how they compare!


Hands-on with the Sprint-exclusive HTC Bolt If you're on the Sprint network and would like something a bit bigger than the HTC 10, you'll definitely want to check out the new HTC Bolt.


New Galaxy S8 leaks detail advanced AI, delayed launch, new display tech and more Despite Samsung's efforts to keep its employees from breathing a word on the new Galaxy S8, a flood of new information has emerged about the company's next flagship.


Google Home first impressions: It'll get better Do you need Google Home? Is it actually useful? We've spent a few days with Google's new connected speaker, so allow us to share our first impressions!


What voice commands can I use with Google Home? Just got your new Google Home? Wondering what to do with it? Look no further – here's a definitive list of Google Home voice commands.


Google Daydream View review Google Cardboard is all grown up, evolving into a new platform known officially as Google Daydream. How does the official Daydream View handset compare to other mobile VR experiences? We find out in this full review.


This is what Nougat looks like on the Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge Android 7.0 Nougat is currently being tested on the Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 Edge. Here are some new screenshots that show us what it looks like.


What's the difference between Li-ion and solid-state batteries? Solid-state batteries are promising a lot of benefits over current lithium-ion cells, so we break down the key differences and what to expect.


The ideal smartphone: how would Android Authority build it? We asked the AA reviews team what the ideal smartphone would look like if it were made up of currently-available components, but in any combination.


Which countries have the fastest 4G LTE in 2016? Check out which country in the world has the fastest 4G LTE networks and the best coverage for consumers in OpenSignal's 2016 report.


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samedi 12 novembre 2016

LG V20 International Giveaway!

Welcome to the Sunday Giveaway, the place where we giveaway a new Android phone or tablet each and every Sunday!

A big congratulations to last week's winner of the Axon 7 mini giveaway: Kirk T. (USA). Enjoy your new Axon 7 mini phone.

This week we are giving away a brand new LG V20!

The LG V20 is a true powerhouse. With its 5.7-inch Quad HD and top-notch audio features, it's the ideal device for heavy media users. Games and videos will look great, and listening to music will be a delight. This glorious phablet features a Snapdragon 820 processor, 4GB of RAM, a 16MP camera, and a 3,200 mAh battery. Plus, Nougat out of the box!

Enter giveaway
LG V20 International Giveaway!

More Giveaways

Winners Gallery


Terms & Conditions

  • The giveaway is an international giveaway (Except when we can not ship to your Country.)
  • If we can not ship to your country, you will be compensated with an online gift card of equal MSRP value to the prize.
  • We are not responsible for lost shipments.
  • We are not responsible if your giveaway prize malfunctions.
  • You must be age of majority in your Country of residence.
  • We are not responsible for any duties or import fees that you may incur.
  • Only 1 entry per person, do not enter multiple email addresses. We will verify all winners and if we detect multiple email addresses by the same person you will not be eligible to win.
  • We reserve all rights to make any changes to this giveaway.
  • This giveaway is operated by AndroidAuthority.
  • The prize will ship when it is available to purchase.


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5 Android apps you shouldn’t miss this week! – Android Apps Weekly

Welcome to the 165th edition of Android Apps Weekly! Here are the headlines from the last week:

  • Google Chrome installations have reached the magical two billion number this last week. That includes desktop and mobile. It's also the first Google service to boast that many. According to Google, about one billion of those installs are active users. Fun fact, Google now has seven services with over a billion installs. They are Chrome, Gmail, Google Play, Android, Maps, Search, and YouTube.
  • Amazon has been ordered to reimburse customers $86 million due to unauthorized in-app purchases. This is the final verdict from a court case that started back in 2014. The court case revolved around kids being able to use them without parental consent. Both Google and Apple have had similar suits filed against them with $19 million and $32 million fines respectively. We bet Amazon is going to be more careful moving forward.
  • The latest Humble Bundle is now live! The theme for this one is board games. You can pay $1 to get two games, $3 to get up to six games, and you can complete the bundle for a $5 or higher donation. There are a few really good board games up for grabs, including Carcassonne, Ticket to Ride, and Catan. It's also a fantastic deal since Ticket to Ride alone costs $6.99. Of course, it's also a great way to give to charity.
  • Xposed users were wondering if the framework would make it to Android Nougat. The developer released an update to let everyone know that it's in the works. The bad news is there are some hurdles getting in the way. Based on the given information, overcoming those hurdles is going to be quite the task. Good luck Rovo89, we're all rooting for you. Pun intended.
  • Square Enix reportedly made over $1 billion in sales mostly thanks to mobile games. The mobile game portion of sales were over $700 million alone. This is mostly thanks to titles such as Mobius Final Fantasy, Final Fantasy Brave Exvius, Final Fantasy Record Keeper, and an assortment of console ports. With Final Fantasy XV coming out later this month, we're sure that'll add to the pot and help balance things out.

For even more Android apps and games news, updates, and announcements, check out this week's newsletter by clicking here! There you'll find a whole bunch of information that we didn't have time for here. You can sign up for the newsletter using the form below and we'll send it to you every Sunday! Don't forget to check out the Android Authority app for even faster updates!

Signup for our newsletter



youtube VR Android Apps Weeklyyoutube VR Android Apps WeeklyYouTube VR

[Price: Free]
Now that Google Daydream is officially out, we're going to see a ton of apps for it. One of the most prominent ones this week was YouTube VR. It's essentially just the standard YouTube platform that's been redesigned for VR consumption. It puts a special emphasis on 360-degree videos, complete with spatial audio as well as other VR types of content. Anyone who has picked up a Daydream device should and probably will check this one out.

Download now on Google Play!

astral frontier Android Apps Weeklyastral frontier Android Apps WeeklyAstral Frontier

[Price: Free / $2.99]
Astral Frontier is the latest jRPG out of Kemco. It features a fairly familiar set of graphics and concepts. You'll be exploring a world, following a story line, and beating up on bad guys to get to the end of the game. The combat is a pseudo-text based, first person structure like you saw in jRPGs back in the 90's. It should run on most devices, including low end ones. It's also fairly inexpensive at $2.99 and it also has no in-app purchases.

Download now on Google Play!

android auto Android Apps Weeklyandroid auto Android Apps WeeklyAndroid Auto

[Price: Free]
Android Auto has been out on Android for a little while. However, this week marked the first week where it was widely available to most Android users. You'll be able to download this app onto your phone and use it in your car which negates the need to have Android Auto in your car natively. You'll be able to do things like listen to music, navigate with Google Maps, send messages, and a lot more. Google is still working out the kinks, but it's worth a shot.

Download now on Google Play!

pinout Android Apps Weeklypinout Android Apps WeeklyPinOut

[Price: Free / $2.99]
PinOut is the latest game out of Mediocre, makers of the popular game Smash Hit. This title is a hybrid of an adventure game and a pinball game. You'll use flappers to launch the ball through the level to try to make it to the end. It features smooth, colorful graphics along with simple mechanics. You can pick up the game and play it for free with no advertising or in-app purchases. There is an optional $2.99 premium upgrade that will give you the ability to save your progress if you want it.

Download now on Google Play!

microsoft selfie Android Apps Weeklymicrosoft selfie Android Apps WeeklyMicrosoft Selfie

[Price: Free]
Microsoft released a photo app this week called Microsoft Selfie. This is a wicked simple little photo editor that's also really easy to use. You simply open the app, take a photo, apply a filter, and share it where it needs to go. There is also a slider that lightly edits your photo automatically as well. It's nothing overly special, but it is quick and it does seem to work okay. At the very least, it's completely free with no in-app purchases.

Download now on Google Play!

microsoft selfie Android Apps Weeklymicrosoft selfie Android Apps Weekly

Related best app lists:

If we missed any big Android apps or games news, tell us about them in the comments! To see our complete list of best app lists, click here.



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Deal: Get the crazy dual-screen YotaPhone 2 for only $119.99

Yotaphone 2-36

Yotaphone 2-36

Looking to buy a phone on a low budget? Deals emerge often in the tech world, but this one is different for multiple reasons. The YotaPhone 2 was announced back in late 2014, so it definitely doesn't compete with today's favorites, but it is still a very special handset. And at only $119.99 it is quite a steal.

So what is it that makes the YotaPhone 2 a one-of-a-kind? Those of you who have been keeping track of the smartphone universe for long will remember the device's quirky (yet helpful) dual-screen capabilities. One of them is a regular LCD panel, while the back of the phone touts an E-ink screen you can use for pretty much anything. The benefit of going black & white and sacrificing performance? Battery life!

You may notice the screen is usually what eats up most of your smartphone juice. E-ink needs very little energy, so using the secondary display should elongate battery life for days (literally). But you do need to get used to the black & white, as well as the slight delay.

See also:

YotaPhone 2 review

December 27, 2014

In terms of specs, you are looking at a 5-inch 720p main display, a 4.7-inch 960×540 electronic paper display, a Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 processor, 2 GB of RAM, 32 GB of internal storage, an 8 MP main camera, a 2.1 MP front shooter and a 2,500 mAh battery.

Nothing to write home about as we approach the end of 2016, but it is still a pretty good phone… especially at only $119.99. Not to mention it is still one of the most interesting Android handsets the industry has seen. It will be fun playing around with and will guarantee great conversations, as well as looks.

Interested? Head over to GearBest.com, where you can buy the YotaPhone 2 for $119.99. It is listed for $135.99, but you can use coupon code "YOTAPGB" to bring the price down. By the way, this deal ends in 4 days and there are only a bit over 200 units left, so act quickly!

Who is getting one?

Buy the YotaPhone 2 from GearBest.com


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ZTE could be sending you to Las Vegas to attend CES 2017

zte-logo-1

zte-logo-1

If you live in the US and are 18 years of age or over, you have a shot at winning a trip to Las Vegas to attend the 2017 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in early January. ZTE will be sending seven people to not only attend CES 2017 but also to attend special events just for those winners. In addition, 12 runners-up will be given hotel accommodation in Las Vegas, but they won't get airline tickets.

See also:

ZTE Axon 7 review

July 25, 2016

So how do you win this contest? Here's how the company describes it:

Simply submit a video recording, 60 seconds or less, showcasing your fanaticism for Android, ZTE, Z-Community, or all of the above! Be original and creative – we're looking for submissions that make us laugh, cry, or both!

You don't have a lot of time to make this video. The deadline for submitting your entry in the contest is 11:59 a.m. EST on Thursday, November 17. The videos will be judged by "select members of Z-Community's Mod Squad". While ZTE does say that the judges are "naturally favoring those who have been contributing and helping others on Z-Community" it added that "we are also reserving a handful of spots for Android fanboys and fangirls out there."

If you do win, you could get a chance to meet ZTE's USA CEO and attend the company's pre-CES press event (where you can also hang out with team Android Authority). You will also get together in focus groups and participate in mobile ideation contests, with prizes for those winners.

Plus, you can attend the first day of CES itself and just check out Las Vegas in general. You can check out the full rules and conditions for the contest at the link below. Again, you don't have much time to make your cool video, so you need to get going to beat the deadline. Good luck!

Enter ZTE fan contest for CES 2017
Rules and conditions for ZTE fan contest


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