It’s no secret that Samsung is the world’s biggest Android smartphone maker, but did you know that it’s also the world’s biggest smartphone maker overall?
In the first quarter of 2015, Samsung shipped a staggering 83 million smartphones compared to Apple’s 61 million, according to market research company Strategy Analytics. That’s more than 20 million more devices than Apple, and while Apple’s profit margins are better than those of Samsung, it still speaks to Samsung’s dominant position in the smartphone arena.
Unlike Apple, who is the exclusive owner and developer of its own iOS operating system, Samsung’s operating system, Android, is free for any smartphone manufacturer to use as they see fit. Dozens of manufacturers have released their own devices, and you’ll find plenty of Android-based smartphones ranging from budget ~$100 devices to certain models that cost as much as Samsung’s flagship phone, the Galaxy S6.
Here’s a list of 5 Android devices that are just as capable as Samsung’s smartphones, and often cost less to purchase.
Google Nexus phones represent Google’s flagship devices for the Android operating system, and over the years they’ve had partnerships with several smartphone manufacturers like LG, HTC, and even Samsung. Designed and developed almost exclusively by Google, the Nexus-line is often the first smartphone to ship with the latest version of the Android operating system.
The 2015 Nexus model is manufactured by Motorola, and comes with a bevy of high performance features that are built on the latest Android OS, Lollipop 5.0. You’ll get a massive 6-inch QHD screen, 3GB of RAM, and your choice of either 32GB or 64GB of memory. Other goodies include a respectable 13MP camera, turbo charging, and access to Google’s Project Fi, which gives you a wide range of affordable coverage options.
The original HTC One made quite a splash when it debuted in 2013, garnering praise from critics for its beautiful metal design, powerful processor, and superb camera. The 2015 edition of the HTC One is no different, packing its trademark aluminum design coupled with a gorgeous 5.7-inch screen, and of course, the latest version of HTC’s custom Sense program.
The Sense 7 provides a clean UI layout on the HTC One, providing well-spaced icons on the homescreen and a responsive design, making phone navigation a smooth and intuitive experience. You’ll also get a 2GHz octa-core processor and a large, 2,550mAh battery, which is larger than the one found on the Galaxy S6.
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Titled the “Flagship Killer,” OnePlus One is a high-end smartphone from Chinese manufacturer OnePlus that promises to deliver all the goodies found in top-tier smartphones at half the cost. What sets the OnePlus One apart from other high-end smartphones is that it runs on a heavily modified version of Android called Cyanogen OS, which comes with its own themes, apps, and certain privacy features you won’t find on other phones.
Under the hood of the OnePlus One you’ll find a capable 2.5GHz quad-core processor, an Adreno 330 GPU, and 3GB of RAM—specs that are on par with comparable phones from LG, Samsung, and HTC. The OnePlus One phone comes in two versions, a 16GB white model that is priced at $298, and a 64GB black one that costs $348. Both versions are well below the $550+ premiums you would pay for a contract-free high-end phone.
Set to come out in June, the LG G4 is LG’s latest and greatest flagship phone that deviates from its competitors by integrating an elegant leather case and a removable battery. The stunning 16MP camera is capable of shooting images in raw mode, giving users greater flexibility in editing and formatting their photos. The LG G4 also has the highest resolution front-facing camera at 8MP as well as a high 534 pixel per inch density.
The LG G4 also has what it calls an “IPS Quantum Display,” which the company says is a first of its kind. According to LG, the QHD display is 25 percent brighter and has a much wider color range than its predecessors. While the exact cost of the LG G4 remains unknown, we expect it to be in the $600 to $700 neighborhood that other high-end smartphones are priced at.
Despite its pricing as a mid-tier phone, the Motorola Moto X is a more than capable device for both power users and those looking for a well-rounded smartphone. You get 4.7-inch HD display that is covered by highly scratch-resistant Gorilla Glass, a 10MP rear-facing camera, as well as a 2MP front facing camera capable of shooting 1080p video.
Other niceties of the Motorola Moto X include its “Active Display” technology that provides on-screen notifications when you wave your hand over the phone or when you remove it from your pocket while keeping the rest of the screen black. The phone is also equipped with an always-on mic that lets you give voice commands even if your phone’s screen is turned off. Perhaps the best part of the Motorola Moto X is its price, which is several hundred dollars cheaper than other Android flagship phones.
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