There's one key way in which Android is massively different from its Apple-branded smartphone competition - the number of phones out there running Google's hot mobile OS.
The big names are all here; Samsung, Sony, HTC and LG are all right at the fore. On top of that, there's a glut of other names in the mix, with the likes of Acer, ZTE, Huawei and OnePlus all offering cheap smartphones - and Google's gone high end with the Nexus range.
So here they are - the best Android phones money can buy today. For many, many different reasons.
10. Moto X Style
Motorola's latest flagship packs a sizable punch
OS: Android 5.1
Screen size: 5.7-inch
Resolution: 1440 x 2560
RAM: 3GB | Storage: 16/32/64GB
Battery: removable 3000mAh
Rear camera: 21MP | Front camera: 5MP
Bright, vibrant screen
Pure Android
Big and heavy
Disappointing battery
Motorola has embraced the full stock Android platform for the X Style and has put it all inside one of the best designs we have ever seen from the company.
This is a great looking phone and the 5.7-inch 2K display means whatever you watch or do on the screen will look great as well.
It may prove a little too bulky for any users that enjoy a smaller phone, but if you're into big handsets this is a really good choice. It's not quite as big as the Nexus 6P, which is coming up, but it's still designed for those with big hands.
The battery life on the Moto X Style isn't always the best, but the camera technology is a standout feature with a 21MP rear facing camera and 5MP front facing sensor. If you want to experience the Android platform how Google has made it, the Moto X Style is one of the best choices for you.
9. Sony Xperia Z5 Premium
The first ever 4K phone is more than a one-trick pony
OS: Android 5.1.1
Screen size: 5.5-inch
Resolution: 2160 x 3840 | Memory: 3GB
Storage: 32GB
Battery: 3430mAh
Rear camera: 23MP | Front camera: 5.1MP
The Sony Xperia Z5 Premium is the first and currently only 4K phone and it makes the most of it with a large, not to mention absolutely stunning, 5.5-inch display.
Beyond the screen it takes many of the best things about the standard Sony Xperia Z5, such as its brilliant 23MP camera, a water resistant build and an impressive fingerprint scanner.
It's undeniably premium, but we're not big fans of the chunky design and all those pixels take a toll on the battery.
That's why you'll find the Xperia Z5 higher in our list, but if you want to wow your friends with an almost impossibly crisp screen the Z5 Premium will do the job and it's an impressive phone in most other ways too.
8. HTC One A9
The iPhone with the brains of an Android
OS: Android 6
Screen size: 5-inch
Resolution: 1080 x 1920
RAM: 3GB | Storage: 16GB
Battery: removable 2150mAh
Rear camera: 13MP Front camera: 4MP
Improved camera
Great design
Battery life too poor
Some rattling in case
HTC has taken some design cues from the iPhone for the One A9, but that doesn't make it any less of an Android phone. This comes with Android 6 Marshmallow software on board and we'd expect HTC to update it to Android 7 software when it's possible.
There's a 5-inch Full HD screen, which isn't as gorgeous as the screen on the HTC 10 but the price of the HTC One A9 has already dropped so it's going going to break the bank.
The camera is much improved upon previous HTC handsets, but the battery life on this phone isn't as great as some had hoped for.
If you're looking for the latest from HTC check out the HTC 10 that features later in this list, but if not this is always a great choice.
7. Sony Xperia Z5 Compact
A flagship phone in a smaller sizeOS: Android 5.1.1
Screen size: 4.6-inch
Resolution: 720 x 1280
Memory: 2GB | Storage:32GB
Battery: 2700mAh
Rear camera: 23MP | Front camera: 5.1MP
Sony is one of few companies still making compact flagships, and the Sony Xperia Z5 Compact shows that it's still well worth doing.
Essentially the Xperia Z5 Compact is the Sony Xperia Z5 in miniature, with the same great 23MP camera, the same speedy fingerprint scanner, the same level of water resistance and almost as much power.
The screen is a little lower resolution, but at 4.6 inches it can get away with it and if anything the battery life is even better. Small Android phones don't come better than this and the Z5 Compact even gives the similarly small iPhone 6S a run for its money.
6. Nexus 6P
The most premium Nexus yet still undercuts rivalsOS: Android 6.0
Screen size: 5.7-inch
Resolution: 1440x2560
Memory: 3GB|Storage:32/64/128GB
Battery: 3450mAh
Rear camera: 12.3MP | Front camera: 8MP
Samsung still has the edge when it comes to Android phablets, but the Nexus 6P makes for a convincing alternative.
It's not as expensive as the Galaxy S6 Edge+ yet it has almost as good specs, a premium metal build, decent speakers and the latest version of Android.
Its 5.7-inch QHD screen looks great, there's an accurate fingerprint scanner on board and it will get Android updates faster than most rivals.
The camera bulge on the back is a little ugly and the Nexus 6P lacks some high-end features like wireless charging and optical image stabilisation, but that's a small price to pay for a top phone at a not quite top end price.
5. LG G5
The best innovation in a smartphone we've seen
OS: Android 6 Screen size: 5.3-inch Resolution: 2560 x 1440RAM: 4GB | Storage: 32GB Battery: removable 2800mAh Rear camera: 16MP | Front camera: 8MPStrong screen
Super performance
Questionable design
Battery could be better
LG is trying something quite different with the LG G5. It's a modular phone meaning you can swap out certain features and plug in another when you need something else.
Here this means you can grab the bottom of the phone and pull it out to put in another module that either offers higher audio quality or an easier to grip camera.
It also features a 5.3-inch 2K display as well as 4GB of RAM and 32GB of storage. You won't be disappointed with the spec here as well as the 16MP rear facing camera you have to play with.
The design of the LG G5 isn't to everyone's taste. But if you like the look of this phone and you're not put off by the price, you should buy the LG G5.
4. Sony Xperia Z5
A much needed refresh makes this Sony's bestOS: Android 5.1.1
Screen size: 5.2-inch
Resolution: 1080x1920
Memory: 3GB |Storage:32GB
Battery: 2900mAh
Rear camera: 23MP | Front camera: 5.1MP
If you got the sense Sony had been phoning it in lately the Xperia Z5 should more than make amends, as it's far more than just the same phone with a new number.
The design might superficially be similar to that of the Sony Xperia Z3+, but it's been seriously refined, with a frosted glass back and smoother, rounded edges. It's a change which makes the phone look far more elegant and more importantly far fresher.
But the changes are more than just skin deep. The Sony Xperia Z5 also has a really good fingerprint scanner and a new camera with a higher megapixel count.
Plus, there's everything we've long loved about the Xperia Z range, like strong battery life and a water and dust resistant build, making this the best phone Sony's made in a long time.
3. HTC 10
Not 10/10, but the best phone for music by far
OS: Android 6
Screen size: 5.2-inch
Resolution: 1440 x 2560
RAM: 4GB | Storage:32GB
Battery: 3000mAh
Rear camera: 12MP | Front camera: 5MP
Amazing audio
Great design
Camera not impressive
Slight bugs still in system
HTC takes third place on our best Android phone list with the gorgeous HTC 10. The HTC 10 has a new design with but if you're a fan of the HTC look don't worry, it shares a lot of its design language with past HTC handsets.
It has a 5.2-inch 2K display, which makes watching video gorgeous, as well as some strong spec under-the-hood including 4GB of RAM and a Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 chipset.
The camera technology is a big focus for HTC though. A 12MP sensor may not sound like much, but it makes some gorgeous images on the back and there's a 5MP front-facing camera to capture your selfies too.
2. Samsung Galaxy S7
Samsung now owns second place as well
OS: Android 6
Screen size: 5.5-inch
Resolution: 1440 x 2560
Memory: 4GB | Storage: 32GB
Battery: 3600mAh
Rear camera: 12MP | Front camera: 5MP
Superb camera
Improved, waterproof design
High price
Only 32GB of space
Second place goes to the Samsung Galaxy S7. The Galaxy S6 was our favorite Android phone of 2015, but now the Galaxy S7 has improved on it in almost every way.
There's a brand new waterproof design with a variety of little changes that make it much more comfortable to hold.
It doesn't look as innovative as the Galaxy S7 Edge with its curved display, but this version is much more compact than the Galaxy S6 Edge+.
The issues come in the high price and the fact there's only one storage version. But you can always buy a microSD card, up to 200GB, and get a bit of extra room.
If you're looking for one of the best, high-end phones in the world right now - this Android is a great choice.
1. Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge
The Edge screen finally reaches number one
OS: Android 6
Screen size: 5.5-inch
Resolution: 1440 x 2560
Memory: 4GB | Storage: 32GB
Battery: 3600mAh
Rear camera: 12MP | Front camera: 5MP
Fantastic screen
Superb camera
High price
Only 32GB storage
It has finally happened - the Edge version of a Samsung phone is now actually the best Android phone in the world.
Samsung's Galaxy S7 Edge expands on what the curved display from the Galaxy S6 Edge can do. It has found a happy medium at the 5.5-inch size as well as adding in a lot of new functionality for the most innovative screen tech in phones.
The camera may look like it has dropped when you see it on the spec sheet - but in fact bringing it down to 12MP and updating the sensor technology has meant this is one of the best phone cameras out there.
All in all, the Galaxy S7 Edge is an improvement on everything that went before it. Finally, Samsung has nailed the most interesting version of its phone and made the Galaxy S7 Edge the reigning champion of the phone game.
Go for it.
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