Rank your Top 10 Android Smartphones in 2013

[Beeplance]

Just want to see the general thoughts about the top 10 Android Smartphones in this year. With (1) being the best and (10) being just decent enough.

For me:

1) GALAXY Note 3 - undisputed IMO. Big Screen, improved faux-leather backing, good battery life, remarkable performance; this guy makes the iPhone 5S look so small.

2) LG G2 - Incredibly underrated, this phone should have received more attention, but was unfortunately overshadowed by the S4.

3) GALAXY S4 - the smartphone powerful and appealing enough to the mainstream. A decently balanced package, and unlike other people I don't have qualms with TouchWiz.

4) HTC One Max - HTC One with a larger screen, what's not to like?

5) Moto X - even though my country doesn't sell it..

6) HTC One - Balanced phone

7) Nexus 5 - One phrase: poor battery life. Other than that, it's ok, just that IMO other phones are better. Kit-kat is a solid upgrade for the Android OS.

8) Sony Xperia Z Ultra - large screen, but unable to stand out among the crowd + competition provides better alternatives.

9) Xperia Z1 - All-rounder, save the fact that it still suffers from poor viewing angles. Wouldn't mind it actually, but I think other people would take that into account. I would think it's rectangular shape makes it unwieldy to grasp in one hand.

10) GALAXY S4 Active - Good enough to be in the top 10 even with slightly inferior specs compared to the normal version.

For you guys?

 

[fredaroony]

I am very happy with my Xperia ZL

 

[Shanghaichica]

Samsung galaxy note 3
Samsung galaxy S4
HTC one

Those are the only android phones that interest me.

 

[cube]

Any phone without a memory card slot or a removable battery is a the bottom of everything.

 

[Beeplance]

Any phone without a memory card slot or a removable battery is a the bottom of everything.

Naturally I'll take it that you believe Samsung phones to be the best since they're the only ones (or the only ones I can think of) to have the two features you wanted....

 

[cube]

Naturally I'll take it that you believe Samsung phones to be the best since they're the only ones (or the only ones I can think of) to have the two features you wanted....

BlackBerry Z10 and Q10 have both features, an Android 4.2.2 runtime, and the ability to install .apk files in the upcoming release, so they might also qualify to be in the list.

 

[cube]

I think there might also be some Xperias from this year with removable battery.

 

[Savor]

Nice list.

I have some phones on the midrange that I find very underrated this year. Some of the best Android phones nobody has heard of Stateside.

Lenovo P780 - Packs a 4000 mAh battery in a reasonable size with the same GPU of the Galaxy S4 at under $300. This is actually my #1 pick for a work phone over the ZR or Ascend Mate. Video playing can last 17 hrs straight! It packs a batt at a Z1-like size where average daily use can last 3 days for every charge. Only downer might be the cam. Has a cool metal back. Lenovo P780 for work. HTC One for personal.

Lenovo S820 - In red, it might be one of the best-looking Android this year. It packs pretty much the same specs as above but slightly smaller, cheaper, and packs half the batt capacity. My wife's next phone. She wants this Android for the bigger screen, good price, SwiftKey, and downloading movies for free using MovieTube as the search and TubeMate as the downloader. Apple is just proprietary and strict. Having Android is just more practical for both of us.

Sony Xperia ZR - Better than the Nexus 4, period. Better cam, better batt and removable, microSD slot, dust/water resistant, soft touch plastic back, etc. Might even be better than the bigger brother, Z. But the price under $500 is not midrange even if it might be the best overall phone using the Snapdragon S4 Pro.

Huawei Ascend Mate - Packs a 4050 mAh battery with a 6.1 720p HD screen. Very good build quality. I say better than the Samsung Galaxy Grand or Mega just by the price, battery, and build quality. Solid workhorse phone. A 720p + 4000 mAh is always a good thing. Not 1080p that kills more batt and Huawei packed a bigger capacity than the ones found in the G2, Z1, Galaxy Notes, and Moto RAZR Maxx phones.

HTC Desire 600 - Dual sim, removable battery, and microSD with excellent build quality makes this a bargain compared to the HTC One Mini and even more practical to use than the One in the longer run. Only turnoff is 1800 mAh batt and lower screen res.

Huawei P6 - Arguably the second most beautiful Android behind the HTC One this year. The P6S is its successor. Only prob is that it is so thin, it creates heating problems and batt is at only 2000 mAh.

Asus Fonepad - Basically a Nexus 7 with lower specs. Also packs a 4400+ mAh battery. Only under $250. The Asus Fonepad 7 was just recently announced. Huawei and Asus were two of the first to pack 4000 mAh batteries into their phablets this year. Lenovo followed suit with the Sony Xperia Z1-like dimensions of the P780.

Lenovo, Huawei, and Asus are some of the most underrated Android OEM's out there. Those three manufacturers are just not as known Stateside with phones but they pack alot of juice, good build quality, reasonable specs, and an affordable price! It basically is Samsung as top dog with Lenovo, Huawei, LG, HTC, Sony, Xiaomi, Motorola, Oppo, and many others fighting for table scraps.

And video reviews from Android Authority are some of the best around.

----------

I think there might also be some Xperias from this year with removable battery.

Oddly enough, Sony and other OEM's pack a removable batt on their lower and midrange while the high-ends they omit it. Xperia ZR, Xperia M, and HTC Desire 600 all have a removable battery and microSD slot.

Nexus devices lacked both since the 4.

 

[LIVEFRMNYC]

I would put the Galaxy Mega in place of the One Max on the OP list.

 

[Beeplance]

I would put the Galaxy Mega in place of the One Max on the OP list.

Initially considered, but the Mega sports a 720p display on a 6.3" screen. May not be THAT significant, but I think the One Max is superior in this aspect.

----------

Nice list.

I have some phones on the midrange that I find very underrated this year. Some of the best Android phones nobody has heard of Stateside.

Lenovo P780 - Packs a 4000 mAh battery in a reasonable size with the same GPU of the Galaxy S4 at under $300. This is actually my #1 pick for a work phone over the ZR or Ascend Mate. Video playing can last 17 hrs straight! It packs a batt at a Z1-like size where average daily use can last 3 days for every charge. Only downer might be the cam. Has a cool metal back. Lenovo P780 for work. HTC One for personal.

Lenovo S820 - In red, it might be one of the best-looking Android this year. It packs pretty much the same specs as above but slightly smaller, cheaper, and packs half the batt capacity. My wife's next phone. She wants this Android for the bigger screen, good price, SwiftKey, and downloading movies for free using MovieTube as the search and TubeMate as the downloader. Apple is just proprietary and strict. Having Android is just more practical for both of us.

Sony Xperia ZR - Better than the Nexus 4, period. Better cam, better batt and removable, microSD slot, dust/water resistant, soft touch plastic back, etc. Might even be better than the bigger brother, Z. But the price under $500 is not midrange even if it might be the best overall phone using the Snapdragon S4 Pro.

Huawei Ascend Mate - Packs a 4050 mAh battery with a 6.1 720p HD screen. Very good build quality. I say better than the Samsung Galaxy Grand or Mega just by the price, battery, and build quality. Solid workhorse phone. A 720p + 4000 mAh is always a good thing. Not 1080p that kills more batt and Huawei packed a bigger capacity than the ones found in the G2, Z1, Galaxy Notes, and Moto RAZR Maxx phones.

HTC Desire 600 - Dual sim, removable battery, and microSD with excellent build quality makes this a bargain compared to the HTC One Mini and even more practical to use than the One in the longer run. Only turnoff is 1800 mAh batt and lower screen res.

Huawei P6 - Arguably the second most beautiful Android behind the HTC One this year. The P6S is its successor. Only prob is that it is so thin, it creates heating problems and batt is at only 2000 mAh.

Asus Fonepad - Basically a Nexus 7 with lower specs. Also packs a 4400+ mAh battery. Only under $250. The Asus Fonepad 7 was just recently announced. Huawei and Asus were two of the first to pack 4000 mAh batteries into their phablets this year. Lenovo followed suit with the Sony Xperia Z1-like dimensions of the P780.

Lenovo, Huawei, and Asus are some of the most underrated Android OEM's out there. Those three manufacturers are just not as known Stateside with phones but they pack alot of juice, good build quality, reasonable specs, and an affordable price! It basically is Samsung as top dog with Lenovo, Huawei, LG, HTC, Sony, Xiaomi, Motorola, Oppo, and many others fighting for table scraps.

And video reviews from Android Authority are some of the best around.

----------

Oddly enough, Sony and other OEM's pack a removable batt on their lower and midrange while the high-ends they omit it. Xperia ZR, Xperia M, and HTC Desire 600 all have a removable battery and microSD slot.

Nexus devices lacked both since the 4.

Hmm, Lenovo doesn't sell their smartphones in my country, so can't say much, plus I'm in the dark about most of their smartphones, particularly due to the lack of hype about them.

But I would agree that ASUS and Huawei have decent options; seen them in action with my very own eyes before.

 

[AQUADock]

I pretty much would have the same list, and i agree with you on the G2 very underrated phone.

 

[tbayrgs]

If I was ranking these objectively without personal bias (or as much as possible ), my list probably wouldn't be very different than the OP's. So to keep it interesting, here's my top 5, in the order in which I'd buy them.

1) Moto X

This device was a bit of a game changer IMO, proving you don't need to throw as much horsepower as possible at a problem to fix it. The Moto X wasn't a spec beast, yet it's widely considered to be every bit as fast as other flagship devices. And Moto didn't' feel the need to including everything but the kitchen sink in the features department, instead sticking to some functionality that I personally find tons of value in (Moto Assist, trusted BT devices, touch less control, active notification). Also love the really small footprint with a relativity large display that comes with terrific battery life. Motorola screwed up the launch/availability of the X but it doesn't change the fact that it's a heck of a device.

2) HTC One

I used a One for the better part of nearly 7 months and love much about it. Virtually lag free and very quick, a skin in Sense that isn't overbearing (personally a fan of Blinkfeed and the camera features, if not the camera), terrific speakers and the best hardware available on an Android device. If only they'd included a better camera it would likely be my top choice.

3) Nexus 5

I can only go on what I've read as I haven't seen one in person yet. I can say that I love the design. I'm a big fan of unibody designs, skinless Android and on-screen buttons so the Nexus should hit my proverbial sweet spot. However, too much criticism of the camera, and to a lesser extent, the battery life knock it back a few pegs. These have been routine criticisms of the past 3 Nexus phones--you'd think Google might have caught on by now.

4) HTC One GPE

While I find value in Sense, I'm still a sucker for vanilla Android. Why wouldn't I take this over the standard One? Well, I think the camera suffers without HTC's optimization and software add-ons. For that matter I think the HTC has done much to optimize the overall experience with Sense. Also, the GPE version is only available for full retail so it's not cheap.

5) Samsung Galaxy S4 GPE

The powerhouse of the list. I make no reservations--I'm not a fan of Samsung's designs, materials, or software but I also cannot deny that this phone is a class leader--a form factor that like the Moto X make minimal use of bezels, has a very good camera and offers flexibility with expandable memory and a removable battery (that already produces great battery life). Removing TouchWiz improves the S4 markedly in my book, though the price is a bit steep as the only way to get this devices is for full retail.

Clearly, I have a bias against large devices and poor OEM skins and it's why you don't see the standard Galaxy S4, Note 3, or LG G2 on my list. Doesn't mean I don't think they are good/great devices, just means they don't hit my preferences better than the 5 above.

 

[MBX]

Agree. Note 3, absolutely the best gadget/ phone/ tablet I've ever owned. I rarely get so excited and in love with these gadgets but this one is just so good + all the things Android can do that I couldn't previously with iOS.

 

[The Game 161]

Note 3 best for me! Best phone I've ever had by some distance

 

[Lloydbm41]

Based on phones I have or have personally used, if I was going to go out and buy a phone right now, and based upon my own experience and desires, it would be:

1. Moto X - Developers Edition
2. Nexus 5
3. HTC One - Google Edition
4. Galaxy S4 - Google Edition

These are the top 4 that I would consider. The rest I would need to get hands on more, but believe they qualify as top 10 considerations.

5. Sony Xperia Z1
6. Blackberry Z30
7. Oppo Find 5
8. LG G2
9. Galaxy Note 3
10 Huawei Ascend P6

 

[TacticalDesire]

Changing this to the top 10 smartphones and not limiting it to just android.

1.) HTC One: Doesn't need much explanation. Great screen, speakers, performance. A well rounded phone for the begining of 2013 and even now. I'm also confident it prolonged HTC's demise a little.

2.) Galaxy S4: Great marketing and feature packed. The smartphone for the masses

3.) Moto X: Brought a smooth, iPhone like experience. Showed the world that Android doesn't need top of the line specs to perform great. Demonstrated that simple can be better. Reliable experience and a decent camera make this a great phone for the holidays. Android 4.4. already rolling out.

4.) Lumia 520/521: Hands down the best low end phone of 2013 and perhaps ever. Great performance, and decent features for a sub $100 unlocked handset. Great value and starter smartphone. Put WP8 on the map for the most part. And the App situation can only improve. If I were on an extreme budget or only needed the basics this would be the phone I would get.

5.) LG G2: Perhaps the most well rounded phone currently out. Great camera, screen, battery life and performance. LG can still put out a great product and are still relevant going into 2014.

6.) Galaxy Note 3: The most powerful smartphone out. Jam packed with features many will never use. S-pen improvements

7.) Nexus 5: Flagship specs at a midrange price. Pure Google experience and buttery smooth performance. Not as many compromises as the Nexus 4. Updates straight from Google. $349

8.) iPhone 5S: Nothing revolutionary but it took a solid smartphone and made it even better. One of the best cameras, imessage, and facetime make this a great phone for those with family invested in the Apple ecosystem. It's also a good phone by itself.

9.) Xperia Z1: Sony showed they had what it takes to make a decent flagship with the Xperia Z and made it even better with the Z1. Perhaps under looked but still a decent option with a great camera and processing package. The only drawback being the slightly washed out screen at an angle.

10.) Blacberry Z10: Controversial I know. After a long hiatus blackberry released a solid smartphone. It has all of the basics covered, and has been further refined by several app updates. Can also run android apps. A good choice for any blackberry fans still out there. No matter how questionable their future may be.

 

[2298754]

Top 10 smartphones

1. GN3
2. GS4
3. GS4 Active
4. iPhone 5S
5. HTC One
6. Nexus 5
7. Moto X
8. LG G2
9. XPERIA Z1
10. Lumia 1520

 

[appleofmy"i"]

1. Moto X
2. iPhone 5s
3.Nexus 5
4.HTC One
5.LG G2

My top 5

 

[Pompiliu]

Rank your Top 10 iOs Smartphones in 2013.
Oh wait.

 

[whoknows87]

the Nexus 5 is the best phone for the value and specs $349 you just can't beat it , battery life well that depends on each person I've gotten no more than 5 hr SOT, keep in mind the size of the battery, it is not fair that you compare it to a NOTE 3/G2

 

[Internaut]

I'd replace Moto X with Moto G; the ultimate value mobile that should be on sale everywhere. I can't believe the extent to which the LG seems to have been underrated in the market; better than the S4 but often available with more subsidy on the British networks.

 

[cube]

10.) Blacberry Z10: Controversial I know. After a long hiatus blackberry released a solid smartphone. It has all of the basics covered, and has been further refined by several app updates. Can also run android apps. A good choice for any blackberry fans still out there. No matter how questionable their future may be.

It is not only for fans. It is my first BlackBerry.

 

[Vegastouch]

Tough to grade all these phones when you havent owned any of them. Id just be doing it from reading about them and my preference. For instance the Notes are too big for my taste so i would never own one.

Ive had my GS3 all year til i get my Nexus 5 on Wednesday so id rank them in order id buy

Nexus 5
LG G2
Moto X
GS4




And i rank those because ive no interest in any of the others named in this thread. Flawed logic perhaps but again,, ive never owned any of these and doubt most here have either. I know some have though.