Top 10 Best Android Phones of 2013 to 2014

Top 10 Best Android Phones of 2013 to 2014

With so many great Android phones being available to UK and global customers you can spend literally hours trying to decide which one to get with your next mobile contract. So we keep an Android Top 10 list up to date to help me your decision easier.
Rankings our list of the best Android phones have been decided upon by adding together and averaging out the scores from Tech Radar, CNET, Phone Arena, Wired and Trusted Reviews for each phone.

10. LG G3

• OS: Android (version to be announced)
• Dimensions: TBA
• Weight: TBA
• Screen Size/Resolution: Size TBA, 1440 x 2560 pixel Quad HD display
• Battery Talk Time/Standby: TBA
• CPU Speed: Octa-Core Processor, Speed TBA
• Memory: TBA
• Built in Storage/Expansion: TBA
• Camera Resolution: 16MP Rear-facing
• Overall Rating: Rating Coming Soon

The LG G3 isn’t on the shelves just yet, but information has recently been leaked about some of the handset’s features, and let’s just say that they look formidable to say the least. An octa-core processor is just the start since this phone will move to 64-bit architecture much like the step that the iPhone 5S has already taken. There’s no word on the size of the screen yet but it is known that a 1440 x 2560 display is on the cards, bringing it to 2K resolution standards. A 16 megapixel camera also sits on the rear of the phone, but for the rest of the specs we’re just going to have to wait and see. What’s certain is that this phone will be a ferocious competitor for all of its rivals, and the sales figures will hopefully do this phone some justice that the LG G2 never experienced. 

9. LG G Flex

• OS: Android OS, v4.2.2 (Jelly Bean)
• Dimensions: 160.5 x 81.6 x 8.7 mm
• Weight: 6.24 oz (177 g)
• Screen Size/Resolution: 6.0 inches /720 x 1280 pixels
• Battery Talk Time/Standby: TBA
• CPU Speed: Quad-core 2.26 GHz Krait 400
• Memory: 2GB RAM
• Built in Storage/Expansion: 32 GB
• Camera Resolution: 13 megapixels
• Overall Rating: 8.2/10

After the Samsung Galaxy Round’s release in Korea, there was no way that rival phone companies weren’t going to come up with a like-for-like response: the LG G Flex is LG’s answer to this wonderfully curved device. The G Flex has a curved screen measuring 6 inches and possesses a quad-core 2.26GHz processor. Its camera is quite impressive at 13mp, but the one thing that may put many off at this stage is the substantial price tag, ringing in at well over the usual high-end phone price at roughly $900 or so. The Flex is no doubt a high-end masterpiece but waiting for the price to drop would be a smart move that will save you money. 
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8. Samsung Galaxy S4: Mini

• Dimensions: 124.6 x 61.3 x 8.94 mm
• Weight: 3.77 oz (107 g)
• Screen Size/Resolution: 4.3 inches/540 x 960 pixels
• Battery Talk Time/Standby: 12 hours/12.5 days (300 hours)
• CPU Speed: Dual core, 1700 MHz, Krait 300
• Memory: 1536 MB RAM
• Built in Storage/Expansion: 8 GB/Expanded up to 64 GB with Micro SD
• Camera Resolution: 8 megapixels
• Overall Rating: 8.24/10

Compare deals for the Samsung Galaxy S4: Mini at Three O2 T-Mobile Orange Vodafone Virgin

7. Sony Xperia Z1

• Dimensions: 144.4 x 73.9 x 8.5 mm
• Weight: 6 oz (170 g)
• Screen Size/Resolution: 5 inches/1080 x 1920 pixels
• Battery Talk Time/Standby: 13.83 hours/36.7 days (880 hours)
• CPU Speed: Quad core, 2200 MHz, Krait 400
• Memory: 2048 MB RAM
• Built in Storage/Expansion: 16 GB/Expanded up to 64 GB with Micro SD
• Camera Resolution: 20.7 megapixels
• Overall Rating: 8.44/10

Compare deals for the Sony Xperia Z1 at Three O2 T-Mobile Orange Vodafone Virgin

6. HTC One Mini

• Dimensions: 132 x 63.2 x 9.25 mm
• Weight: 4.30 oz (122 g)
• Screen Size/Resolution: 4.3 inches/720 x 1280 pixels
• Battery Talk Time/Standby: 20.72 hours/20.8 days (500 hours)
• CPU Speed: Dual core, 1400 MHz, Krait
• Memory: 1024 MB RAM
• Built in Storage/Expansion: 16 GB/No Expansion Available
• Camera Resolution: 4 megapixels
• Overall Rating: 8.44/10

Compare deals for the HTC One Mini at O2 T-Mobile Orange Vodafone

5. Samsung Galaxy S4

• Dimensions: 136.6 x 69.8 x 7.9 mm
• Weight: 5.38 x 2.75 x 0.31 oz (130 g)
• Screen Size/Resolution: 5 inches/1080 x 1920 pixels
• Battery Talk Time/Standby: 17 hours/15.4 days
• CPU Speed: Quad core, 1900 MHz, Krait 300
• Memory: 2048 MB RAM
• Built in Storage/Expansion: 16 GB/Expanded up to 64 GB with Micro SD
• Camera Resolution: 13 megapixels
• Overall Rating: 8.66/10

At position 7 the SG4 was 2013's first real phone hard-hitter –. The Galaxy S4 had a lot to live up to when it was released back in April – the Galaxy S3 was a game-changing smartphone, and one that few thought Samsung would ever top. It's questionable whether Samsung managed to pull it off - some may think they have, we think not. This phone is more of a tweaked version of the SG3 rather than a phone worth upgrading to if you already own the SG3. In terms of value for money we'd recommend getting the SG3 (further down the list) on contract instead and if your a loyal SG3 owner, wait for the SG5!
The Galaxy S4 is a slightly more serious looking phone than its predecessor, and gives the superficial appearance that it really means business. Samsung has opted to stick with the much-maligned plastic back panel, but it doesn’t really take too much away from the device. The S4 is still better spec’d, more innovative, and has a bigger screen than the S3. Speaking of the screen, the 5.0-inch Full HD resolution display at 441ppi is impressive, with vivid colours and deep darks. A 1.6 GHz Cortex A-15 processor and 2 GB of RAM are used to power the phone providing an ample improvement on performance to the S3.
Smartphone photographers will enjoy the 13-MP camera, which produces quality images and excellent features, including Dual Shot, whereby both cameras (front and rear) shoot footage at the same time.
As ever, Samsung is generous with storage, offering 16, 32, and 64 GB versions of the S4 and a micro-SD card slot for a further 64 GB of space which some other big names such as the HTC One range and iPhone ranges fail to do.
If your in the market for a 'flashy' brand new phone, the SG4 might be for you. However if your looking for value for money on a contract phone, opt for the SG3 further down.
Compare deals for the Samsung Galaxy S4 at Three O2 T-Mobile Orange Vodafone Virgin

4. Samsung Galaxy Note 3

• Dimensions: 151.2 x 79.2 x 8.3 mm
• Weight: 5.93 oz (168 g)
• Screen Size/Resolution: 5.7 inches/1080 x 1920 pixels
• Battery Talk Time/Standby: 25 hours/22 days (528 hours)
• CPU Speed: Qualcomm Snapdragon, Quad core, 2300 MHz, Krait 400
• Memory: 3072 MB RAM
• Built in Storage/Expansion: 32 GB/Expanded up to 64 GB with Micro SD
• Camera Resolution: 13 megapixels
• Overall Rating: 8.74/10

Samsung build's on the success of their second edition note with an additional 1GB of Memory, twice as much in built storage to fit all those useful apps on and over 40% more processing power with the new Qualcomm Snapdragon Quad core 2300 MHz processing power. This is a serious monster of a phone with a great deal of improvements at it's core beyond power - just check out the full range of note features at the official micro site.
Compare contract offers for the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 - Best Overall Lowest Price Best for Internet Best for Call Time

3. HTC One

• Dimensions: 137.4 x 68.2 x 9.3 mm
• Weight: 5.04 oz (143 g)
• Screen Size/Resolution: 4.7 inches/1080 x 1920 pixels
• CPU Speed: Qualcomm Snapdragon 600, Quad core, 1700 MHz
• Memory: 2048 MB RAM
• Built in Storage/Expansion: 32 GB/None Expandable
• Camera Resolution: 4 megapixels
• Overall Rating: 8.78/10

Despite producing stellar handsets in recent years, HTC has never really captured public attention in the same way as Samsung but the HTC One changes all that.
This smartphone really is as good as it gets. A machined precession aluminium body gives the phone a build that only the iPhone can compare to. Like the Xperia Z, the weight (143 grams) and thickness (9.3 mm) only serve to add to the premium feel and make the One a dream to handle.
By opting for a 4.7 –inches instead of 5.0-inches in the display department, HTC has produced the best quality display ever seen on a smartphone, with Full HD resolution producing 469ppi. Colours are wonderfully vivid and text is pin sharp every time, no matter if you’re watching Netflix or browsing the web.
The HTC One is also a powerhouse of a smartphone, boasting a Qualcomm Snapdragon 1.7 GHz quad-core processor and 2 GB of RAM. The Taiwanese manufacturer comes up trumps in the camera department too, with a 4-MP ultrapixel snapper delivering staggering quality. Both the rear and front facing cameras get 1080p video recording and the secondary camera, at 2.1-MP, is great for video callers.
Beats Audio will have your music sounding better than ever and 32 or 64 GB of internal storage should ensure plenty of space for tunes.
Compare deals for the HTC One at Three O2 T-Mobile Orange and Vodafone

2. LG G2

• Dimensions: 138.5 x 70.9 x 8.9 mm
• Weight: 5.04 oz (143 g)
• Screen Size/Resolution: 5.2 inches/1080 x 1920 pixels
• Battery Talk Time/Standby: Info hours/Info days (Info hours)
• CPU Speed: Qualcomm Snapdragon 800, Quad core, 2260 MHz
• Memory: 2048 MB RAM
• Built in Storage/Expansion: 32 GB/None expandable
• Camera Resolution: 13 megapixels
• Overall Rating: 8.82/10

The first phone to contain the Snapdragon 800, Quad core, 2260 MHz processor this is a seriously fast phone and big Android contender from LG. The 13 Mega pixel camera takes super sharp photos and with a generous 2GB of memory we would have put this phone at the number one slot had it not been for the fact that in the UK neither Three or O2 offer the phone in the 32 GB internal storage version.
With the 16 GB version being the only model available some users may find this capacity just a little limiting. If LG would have kept to the expandable memory option (micro SD slot) that was present in their previous phones this may not be have been too much of a hurdle for users who like more space. If however you are not a heavy gamer or app user and can manage your inventory more efficiently this won't cause you a problem.
On the whole the LG G2 deserves second spot due to it's many powerful features compared to previous models. It scores an impressive 8.82/10 across the big phone review sites.
Compare deals for the LG G2 at Three and O2 (Orange, T-Mobile, Vodafone and Virgin are currently not stocking the phone).

1. Google Nexus 5

• OS: Android (4.4)
• Dimensions: 131.9 x 68.2 x 8.6 mm
• Weight: 4.59 oz (130 g)
• Screen Size/Resolution: 5.0 inches/1080 x 1920 pixels
• Battery Talk Time/Standby: 17.00 hours/12.5 days (300 hours)
• CPU Speed: Quad core, 2300 MHz, Krait 400
• Memory: 2048 MB RAM
• Built in Storage/Expansion: 16 GB/Not expandable
• Camera Resolution: 8 megapixels
• Overall Rating: 8.85/10

The Nexus 5 is finally here and with some serious power behind it (Quad Core processor and 2GB of Ram) this phone comes with some very good contract offers it's only two uk network suppliers at current - O2 and Three.
It's a monster of a phone considering it's performance specs highlighted above and easily competes with the LG G2. With a recommended retail price of £299.99 it hands down beats all other phones for value for money. In terms of contracts it means you can get the very best minutes and internet data deals for a much lower price than other handsets of equivalent performance specs.