At the end of each year, it's easy to find ourselves both recalling at all that took place over the past 12 months, attempting to reflect on it, then looking forward to what's ahead. The "what's ahead" is about to strike us with a right-cross in a number of weeks when CES arrives, so I 'd state that I'm still quite in the reflection stage at this point. Which brings me to this post and my ideas on the top 5 Android phones of the year.
The year 2013 was filled with the most unbelievable smartphones the world has actually ever seen. 1080p displays became a standard (for the most part), cams grew progressively better, battery life is now measured in days instead of hours, modification was presented, and prices could have started to decline across the board. Phone makers likewise seem to have determined winning formulas for the most part in terms of hardware, however only one still has the marketing side (or budget) on lock. All that helped form this list.
And speaking of this list, it is 100 % my opinion, a viewpoint I hope you are open to disagreeing with in the remarks below. The whole point below is to spark discussion, so let's get to it.
1. Moto X.
Not a surprise here, right? Even though I handed the top phone award to the Nexus 5 in our last DL Program, that was primarily simply to offer a different response from the across-the-board viewpoint of the team, which was the Moto X. Back when this phone first launched, I penned an article specifying that the Moto X would be my everyday phone till the next Nexus came out, because I presumed that the next Nexus would supplant it on my desk. And you understand, that actually taken place. The Nexus 5 arrived and I loved it for the most part, beyond a video camera that would later be repaired. However the whole time, a wandering eye constantly appeared to focus on the Moto X, as it looked for a means to get it back into my pocket. And afterwards Bamboo took place and it has returned, most likely for good.
The Moto X tops this list for numerous reasons, but there are 2 in particular that make it attract attention to me: selection and Active Display. With the Moto X, you have a choice in how it looks, the amount of storage it has, which provider it works on, and if it's a designer version. You cannot state that for any other phone on earth. Because that's the provider I desired it on, the Moto X that sits on my desk today has a one-of-a-kind Bamboo back and works on Verizon. However I might have gone green with yellow accents, picked T-Mobile, and opened the bootloader to tinkerer to my heart's desire. No matter what, the modification of phones is a ground-breaking idea that Motorola brought to life. I simply hope they have seen enough success with it to keep it going.
The other reason I can not get enough of the Moto X is Active Display. I've discussed this function a lot, but having my phone reveal me timely details every single time I pick-up my phone or pull it out of my pocket without having to hit a button is the single greatest software creation of the past couple of years for smartphones. I not have to translate blinking LED lights or fumble over the power button thousands of times per day. Whenever I pick-up another phone to test, this is the first thing I miss out on.
The Moto X could not have the best display or video camera, but I'm willing to deal due to the fact that everything else it offers I can't live without.
2. Nexus 5.
Since I reveal continuous love for the Moto X does not imply that the Nexus 5 is somehow a distant Second place, just. In fact, because of its display, power, and ties to Google, it is closer than you may think. Nexus phones will constantly place really high in lists like this from me since they are Google's vision of Android, they ship open (SIM unlocked and unlockable bootloader), seem to work on more wireless frequencies each year, and sell at unbelievably low prices for the hardware included. I provided you 2 major reasons the Moto X tops this chart, but for the Nexus 5 at a close 2nd, there is one: price.
At $350 off-contract, you can have a phone that works nearly all over (simply not Verizon), matches the most powerful phones available spec-for-spec, and runs the newest variation of Android prior to anyone else has actually even sniffed it. Other phones that compare to the Nexus 5 all sell with providers at practically double that price without a contract. When the Note 3 first debuted, it was costing $299 on-contract.
If you want another reason beyond cost, I 'd state that Google came oh-so-close to producing the perfect smartphone. With in 2012's Nexus 4, Google provided us an inadequate cam, awful battery life, and no LTE. This year, they tried to step their game up in all of those areas with the Nexus 5, while producing a hardware design that feels and looks as good as anything on the marketplace. Battery life is good enough and LTE is included on a range of bands. The only issue I still have to do this day is the camera, even after its latest camera-fixing upgrade. You were nearly there, Google.
3. Galaxy S4 Google Play Version.
Before the Moto X entered my life, I was making use of a Google Play Edition Galaxy S4 and loving every second of it. I 100 % dislike Samsung's TouchWiz Android skin, but really enjoyed the construct of the Galaxy S4 when it was released with its svelte body that feels as great in hand as the Nexus 5. So with a GPE phone, there is no OEM skin, just 99.9 % stock Android with regular updates. What's then not to like?
With the Galaxy S4, Samsung packed in best-of-the-best specs, an amazing mobile video camera, and probably 2013 รข�² s best smartphone display till the Note 3 came. Couple all that with a guarantee of updates and TouchWiz's bloat out of the way, and you have yourselves a fantastic smartphone. It really was my phone of option from the minute it was launched up until Motorola handed me a white Moto X in late August. Had the Moto X not existed, it would have stayed my phone till the Nexus 5 showed up.
At $649 without a contract, the phone is by no indicates a deal. However if the Nexus 5 and Moto X aren't satisfying your every requirement, this is a great option.
4. LG G2.
I have got to confess that from the minute the LG G2 was revealed to the minute I completed my review, I did not think this phone would make my top 5 list for 2013. I was so postponed by the rear button positioning and greasy backside, that although it offered numerous various other positives, I just had to press it aside. Then one day I understood I had to pick-up a phone to use on my Verizon line (Moto X was on AT&T at the time), so I grabbed the VZW LG G2 with a ridiculously prompt Amazon price cut (screw-up).
When my SIM was placed, I instantly remembered exactly what I 'd enjoyed about the phone and quickly looked past the two negatives. If you want the supreme employee, I'm not sure there is a speedier or more effective phone than the LG G2. Its touch level of sensitivity is the very best in the game, it sports a class-leading FHD LCD panel, and most likely houses my favorite smartphone video camera with its remarkably rapid, multi-point autofocus. Sure, it has a suspicious Android skin and does not yet have Android 4.4, however you understand what, I 'd take it any day over Samsung's TouchWiz. LG also included beneficial multi-tasking tools and has dropped the price routinely given that launch.
The LG G2 is a wonderful phone.
5. HTC One (Opened or Designer Version).
To wrap up this short list, I 'd have to go with the opened or designer versions of the HTC One. Not the provider variations, I'm speaking particularly about the variations offered straight through HTC's establishment. These make the list because in 2013, updates rule the world. I own the opened HTC One, and it is currently running Android 4.4 "Kit Kat." The provider and global designs could be weeks if not months far from getting a comparable update. With no middle guy, HTC has actually been able to upgrade their 2013 flagship in the timeliest of good manners, which Android enthusiasts like myself can value.
You could remember that I likewise declared this was my phone of the minute at one time, that was until the GPE Galaxy S4 came along obviously. But the HTC One has a lot to provide. With its outstanding sound experience (BoomSound), set of certain stand-out camera techniques (Emphasizes and zoes), performance with high-end specs, and all-metal body, it set a standard for 2013 smartphones that appeared to have raised the game to a brand-new level. You'll still find techies to this day that will claim the One as the very best readily available phone, even with its successor a few months away and phones like the G2 and Moto X out.
2013 might have been a horrible year for HTC, but I do not think anybody can deny the quality of the One.
