Best Android Phones of January 2015

 

Another year passed by and if you haven’t purchased a new smartphone in 2014, you might want to get your hands on a new one this month. We went through the Android smartphones available on Amazon and we made the list below which contains the Best Android Phones of January 2015. Hopefully, you will be able to use it and find a smartphone that fits your needs.
Before proceeding, you should know that this isn’t a top and that the smartphones are listed by manufacturer. You will also be able to find information about their technical specifications, their price, and links to help you order with ease. We are also inviting you to let us know in comments whether there are other smartphones worth being included on the list.

Nexus 6

 

Nexus 6 is the latest and most powerful Nexus smartphone so far. This time Google has teamed-up with Motorola to the first smartphone in the world to come pre-loaded with Android 5.0 Lollipop.
Nexus 6 is underpinned by a powerful hardware platform, one of the most powerful around. It features a gigantic 5.96-inch AMOLED display with Quad HD resolution, quad-core 2.7 GHz Snapdragon 805 CPU, 3 GB of RAM, and 32 GB of internal storage. Nexus 6 arrives 13 MP camera with optical image stabilization, dual-LED ring flash, and 4K video recording, 2 MP secondary camera, and a 3,220 mAh battery.
The device is $50 off on Amazon. You will be able to buy the AT&T and the Sprint variants at $249.99 on-contract. You can order using the following links: AT&T and Sprint.

Amazon Fire Phone

 

After years of rumors and speculations, Amazon finally released their first smartphone last summer. It might not have the most powerful hardware platform, but it sure delivers an interesting user experience. With the help of 4 user-facing cameras and a customized Android version, Fire Phone has a 3D dynamic perspective UI with system wide tilt, auto-scroll, swivel, and peek functions.
The technical specifications list includes a 4.7-inch IPS LCD display at 720p, quad-core 2.2 GHz Snapdragon 800 CPU, 2 GB of RAM, and 32 or 64 GB of storage. On the back there’s a 13 MP camera, the front panel accommodates a 2.1 MP sensor, while the phone is kept alive by a 2,400 mAh battery.
The AT&T variant with 32 GB of storage can be purchased from Amazon starting at only $0.99, on-contract. You can also buy it unlocked at $449.

LG G3

 

The LG G3 was one of the most powerful and most appreciated smartphones of 2014. It’s main selling point is the 5.5-inch True HD IPS LCD display with Quad HD (1440 x 250) resolution. It has a quad-core 2.5 GHz Snapdragon 801 processor and an Adreno 330 GPU.
The G3 comes with 3 GB of RAM, 32 GB of microSD-expandable storage (up to 128 GB supported), has a 13 MP primary shooter with laser autofocus, optical image stabilization, and 4K video recording capabilities, 2.1 MP selfie camera, and a 3,000 mAh battery. LG’s flagship comes pre-loaded with Android 4.4.2 KitKat, but it’s upgradable to Lollipop.
The LG G3 is a bargain if you choose to buy it from Amazon. It’s up for grabs at only $0.01 with a two-year contract with Verizon, Sprint, or AT&T. You can use the following links to order the device: Verizon, AT&T, and Sprint.

LG G2

 

LG G2 was released in 2013 and, despite it’s age, it’s still a smartphone that you would want to purchase. For the time being, LG G2 can be upgraded to Android 4.4.2, but the South Korean phone maker has promised their 2013 flagship will receive the Lollipop update early this year.
LG G2 features a quad-core Snapdragon 800 processor helped by 2 GB of RAM, while boasting about a 5.2-inch Full HD screen with True HD IPS LCD technology. It has 32 GB of internal storage and connectivity features such as LTE, infra red port, NFC, and microUSB 2.0. A 13 MP cameras lays on the back, above the volume and power keys, and in the front there’s a 2.1 MP sensor. It has a 3,000 mAh battery and it’s 8.9 mm thin.
On Amazon, you will find the LG G2 priced at $0.01 with a two-year contract with Verizon, AT&T, or Sprint. You can order the device using the following links: Verizon, AT&T, or Sprint.

Samsung Galaxy S5

 

Samsung announced the Galaxy S5 in February last year, but the South Korean phone maker didn’t release it on the market sooner than April. Even though it’s almost a year old, Galaxy S5 is still one of the most powerful devices around. It’s Samsung’s first handset to arrive with a heart rate monitor and a fingerprint sensor.
Samsung’s flagship packs a 5.1-inch AMOLED display with 1080 x 1920 resolution and 432 ppi pixel density and a quad-core 2.5 GHz Snapdragon 801 processor. It also has 3 GB of RAM, 16 GB storage, and support for microSD cards up to 128 GB. Galaxy S5 features a 16 MP primary shooter with phase detection autofocus and 4K video recording, 2 MP secondary camera, 2,800 mAh battery, and it’s IP67 water and dust resistant.
Samsung Galaxy S5 is available on Amazon starting at $79.99 with a two-year contract. You can use the following links to order yours right away: Verizon, AT&T, and Sprint

 

Samsung Galaxy S4

 

Samsung Galaxy S4 was the best-selling Android phone of 2013 and even though it’s one of the oldest devices on the list it still has a lot of life in it. You would also want to know that Samsung will get it upgraded to Android 5.0 Lollipop.
It arrives with a 5.0-inch Full HD Super AMOLED screen and it has a quad-core Snapdragon 600 CPU at 1.9 GHz. Galaxy S4 integrates 2 GB of RAM, 16 GB of native storage, support for microSD cards up to 64 GB, 13 MP rear-facing camera, 2 MP user-facing camera, and it’s powered by a 2,600 mAh battery. In terms of connectivity it brings LTE, NFC, Bluetooth 4.0, infrared, and microUSB 2.0.
On Amazon, the Samsung Galaxy S4 is available for only a penny if you sign a two-year contract with Verizon, AT&T, or Sprint. The device can be ordered using these links: Verizon, AT&T, or Sprint.

Samsung Galaxy Note 4

 

The Samsung Galaxy Note 4 is last year’s take on ‘phablets’ by Samsung, as it packs a 5.7-inch Super AMOLED Quad HD display, a 2.7 GHz Snapdragon 805 chipset, 32GB internal storage, 3GB RAM, support for adding up to 128GB via external microSD, 16MP rear camera, 3.7 MP secondary camera, Android 4.4.4 KitKat and a 3220 mAh battery.
The Galaxy Note 4 device can be bought from Amazon starting with $249 with a two-year contract. The AT&T Galaxy Note 4 can be found here, while the Sprint model is here and the Verizon one can be ordered from this link here. Along with the Samsung Galaxy S5, the Note 4 is probably the best Samsung device ever released and we cannot wait to see what Samsung has in store for 2015.
The Android 4.4.4 KitKat was the OS shipped with the Note 4 device in October last month, but this device will surely be the first one to receive the future Android 5.0 Lollipop upgrade.

Samsung Galaxy Note 3

 

Samsung’s Galaxy S4 was introduced back in March 2013 and it became one of the best selling Android phones of 2013. Despite being over one-year old, it’s still a powerful device.
The terminal measures 136.6 x 69.8 x 7.9 mm and weighs in at 130 grams. It sports a 1080p 5.0-inch Super AMOLED screen, has a 13 MP primary cam, 2 MP secondary cam, and 16/32 GB of storage, expandable using microSD cards. The processing tasks are handled by a quad-core Snapdragon 600 processor paired with 2 GB of RAM.
It can be upgraded to Android 4.4.2 KitKat and features connectivity options such as HSPA+, LTE, WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 4.0 LE, NFC, microUSB 2.0, and IR blaster. A 2,600 mAh battery is keeping the lights on.

HTC One M8

 

If you want a smartphone that it’s both good looking and powerful then you should consider the HTC One M8. The latest flagship smartphone of the Taiwanese phone maker was introduced in March and released on the market later the same month.
The new HTC One M8 has a 5.0-inch SuperLCD3 display with 1080 x 1920 resolution and Gorilla Glass 3 protection. It measures 146.4 x 70.6 x 9.4 mm, weighs 160 grams, and features a 2,600 mAh battery.
The processing tasks are handled by Snapdragon 801 SoC with quad-core 2.3 Krait 400 CPU and Adreno 330 GPU, mated with 2 GB RAM. It also arrives with 16/32 GB storage, microSD, HSPA+, LTE, WiFi, NFC, IR blaster, Bluetooth 4.0 LE, and microUSB 2.0.
On the back of the One M8 you will be able to find Dual 4 MP UltraPixel camera with autofocus, dual LED flash, 1/3” sensor size, 2µm pixel size, automatic simultaneous video and image recording, geo-tagging, face and smile detection, HDR, panorama, and 1080p@30fps video recording capabilities. The user-facing selfie camera has a 5 MP sensor.
The One M8 was released running Android 4.4.2 , but you will now be able to updated it to Android 4.4.3. The on-contract prices for HTC One M8 on Amazon are as follows: the AT&T model is available for $49.99, the Sprint variant costs $29.99, and the Verizon One M8 is only $0.01.

HTC One M7

As you may know, the HTC One M7 is the predecessor of the One M8. Just like its successor, the HTC One M7 was highly appreciated for its design.
The device measures 137.4 x 68.2 x 9.3 mm and has a weigh of 143 grams. It features a 1080 x 1920 4.7-inch Super LCD3 with Gorilla Glass 2, 2 GB RAM, 32/64 GB of internal storage, and a quad-core 1.7 GHz Snapdragon 600 processor. It was launched with Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean on board, but it’s upgradable to Android 4.4 KitKat with Sense 6.0 UI.
HTC One M7 has a 4 MP UltraPixel camera with autofocus, OIS, LED flash, 1/3” sensor size, 2µm pixel size, simultaneous HD video and image recording, geo-tagging, face and smile detection, and support for Full HD video recording. There’s a 2.1 MP camera placed on the front panel. Underneath its aluminium body you will be able to find a 2,300 mAh battery and connectivity features such as LTE, HSPA+, Bluetooth 4.0, NFC, IR blaster, and WiFi in all standards.
Because it’s more than one year old, Amazon is offering the HTC One M7 for free after you agree with a two-year contract with Verizon or Sprint. You can purchase the One 7 from Amazon using the linkshere and here.

Nexus 5

The Nexus 5 is the fruit of the collaboration between Google and LG. Like the last couple of Nexus smartphones, it was released in October and it was the first smartphone in the world to come pre-loaded with the latest Android version.
Nexus 5 ran Android 4.4 KitKat out of the box and it’s upgradable to 4.4.4. It will also be one of the first smartphones to get the Android L update. It measures 137.9 x 69.2 x 8.6 mm and weighs in at 130 grams. The technical specifications list includes a 5.0-inch True JD IPS+ display with Full HD resolution and 445 ppi, a quad-core 2.3 GHz Snapdragon 800 CPU, 2 GB RAM, 16/32 GB native storage, and a 2,300 mAh battery.
The stock Android-powered smartphone also comes with an 8 MP primary shooter with OIS, HDR+, and Full HD video recording capabilities, plus a 1.3 MP user-facing cam. Connectivity-wise you will get LTE, WiFi, NFC, microUSB 2.0, and BT 4.0 Low Energy.
The Nexus 5 is quite cheap if you decide to buy one now. You find it on Amazon at only $19.99 with a two-year Sprint contract.

Motorola Droid Turbo

 

 
Motorola Droid Turbo is sold exclusively thorugh Verizon’s network, and it’s one of the most powerful devices around. It shares a lot in common with the Nexus 6.
Droid Turbo features a 5.2-inch Super AMOLED display with 1440 x 2560 resolution and 565 ppi pixel density, a quad-core 2.7 GHz Snapdragon 805 processor, 3 GB of RAM, 32/64 GB storage, and a massive 3,900 mAh battery. It has a 21 MP primary camera with 4K video recording and 2 MP secondary camera.
Amazon is selling the Droid Turbo 32 GB at $199.99 on-contract. You can buy it using this link.

Motorola Moto X 2014

 

The second-gen Moto X was released on the market last month and it’s already available for purchase. You will be able to get it from Amazon at a price of $99.99 with a two-year Verizon contract, or at $119.99 with an AT&T contract.
Motorola Moto X 2014 measures 140.8 x 72.4 x 10 mm and has a weight of 144 grams, while featuring a 5.2-inch AMOLED display with 1080 x 1920 resolution and 424 ppi pixel density. The device is powered by a quad-core 2.5 GHz Snapdragon 801 processor, has 2 GB of RAM, and 16/32 GB storage.
Moto X 2nd gen has a 13 MP primary camera with dua-LED flash and 4K video recording support and a 2 MP camera with Full HD video recording capabilities. It brings LTE, NFC, WiFi, Bluetooth 4.0 LE, microUSB 2.0, and a 2,300 mAh battery. It runs Android 4.4.4 KitKat out of the box and Motorola promised to upgrade it to Android L.

Motorola Moto G 2014

 

The Moto G device has also received its own 2014 Edition and it couldn’t have been left out of this article. The original Moto G device was one of the most popular devices ever released by Motorola and that’s why we’ve received this a refreshed variant.
The 2014 Moto G packs a 5.0 inch IPS LCD HD screen, Corning Gorilla Glass 3 acts as protection, 1.2 GHz Snapdragon 400 chipset, 1GB RAM, it is available with 8GB and 16GB internal storage, 8MP camera, support for external microSD card, 2070 mAh battery and it runs on Android 4.4.4 KitKat.
Motorola Moto G 2nd-gen smartphone should be updated to Android 5.0 Lollipop starting with early 2015. You can buy a Moto G 2014 device from Amazon starting with $179.99.

Sony Xperia Z3

 

The Xperia Z3 is the most powerful Android smartphone in Sony’s portfolio. Just like its predecessors it has a glass back and is both dust proof and water resistant.
The new Xperia Z3 packs a 5.2-inch IPS LCD display with 1080 x 1920 resolution, while being powered by a quad-core 2.5 GHz Snapdragon 801 processor, mated with 3 GB of RAM. It has 16/32 GB storage and support for microSD cards up to 128 GB. The connectivity features include LTE, HSPA+, WiFi, Bluetooth 4.0, NFC, and microUSB 2.0.
Sony’s flagship brings a 20.7 MP primary shooter with autofocus, LED flash, 1/2.3” sensor size, geo-tagging, touch focus, face detection, HDR, panorama, and 4K video recording support. It also has a 2.2 MP user-facing camera, and a 3,100 mAh battery.
For the time being, the Xperia Z3 is not available at any of the major US carriers. Amazon is selling the 16 GB unlocked model at $610.

Sony Xperia Z2

Sony Xperia Z2 was officially introduced at Mobile World Congress event in February. Just like its predecessor, it has an all-glass body with sharp edges and rounded corners.
Sony Xperia Z2 features a 5.2-inch Full HD IPS LCD display with 424 ppi pixel density, 16 GB of microSD-expandable storage, 3 GB of RAM, 20.7 MP primary camera with 4K video recording support, 2.2 MP secondary camera, and a 3,200 mAh battery.
Sony’s latest flagship is powered by a Snapdragon 801 SoC with quad-core 2.3 Krait 400 CPU and Adreno 330 GPU. It runs Android 4.4.2 out of the box, has all the connectivity features worthy of a modern smartphone including LTE, WiFi, BT 4.0, NFC, and microUSB 2.0, and it’s available on amazon, factory unlocked, at a price of $424.99.