It looks like we’ve seen the last of the major smartphone announcements until the end of the summer so it’s time
to look back at the best smartphones for the first half of 2015.
Let’s take a look at my current top picks for the first half of 2015.
1. LG G4
The LG G4 stands out from the pack in 2015 with its removable battery
and microSD card slot as most manufacturers move to sealed batteries
and full internal memory. LG provides
options while encasing the back in leather, setting the bar for a smartphone camera, and impressing users with
its 5.5 inch Quantum-HD IPS display.
You will find a Snapdragon 808 1.8 GHz 64
and OIS, front facing 8 megapixel camera, removable 3,000 mAh battery, Quick Charge 2.0 technology, and
support for up to 2TB microSD cards.
2. Apple iPhone 6 & 6 Plus
The Apple iPhone 6 Plus was at the top of every one of my
with some great innovations that set the bar for Android devices.
The iPhone 6 Plus is a big phone, but I went with it over the iPhone 6 because of the larger battery and OIS. It is
an awesome phone with all the apps you could want, quality photos, and a usable operating system.
3. Samsung Galaxy S6/S6 Edge
The Samsung Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge are powered by a Samsung Exynosocta
32GB/64GB/128GB internal storage, 16 megapixel camera
display, integrated wireless charging, and more. Note that the
removable battery, waterproof design, and microSD memory card
expansion are all now gone from this successor to the Galaxy S5.
4. Samsung Galaxy Note 4/Note Edge
While the Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge take the metal frame design further
with glass front and back panels, the Samsung
THE 10 BEST SMARTPHONES FOR THE FIRST HALF OF 2015
It looks like we’ve seen the last of the major smartphone announcements until the end of the summer so it’s time
to look back at the best smartphones for the first half of 2015.
Let’s take a look at my current top picks for the first half of 2015.
1. LG G4
The LG G4 stands out from the pack in 2015 with its removable battery
and microSD card slot as most manufacturers move to sealed batteries
and full internal memory. LG provides these two consumer
options while encasing the back in leather, setting the bar for a smartphone camera, and impressing users with
You will find a Snapdragon 808 1.8 GHz 64-bit processor, 3GB RAM, 16 megapixel camera with f/1.8 aperture
and OIS, front facing 8 megapixel camera, removable 3,000 mAh battery, Quick Charge 2.0 technology, and
he top of every one of my lists. However, I think LG deserves the top spot
with some great innovations that set the bar for Android devices.
The iPhone 6 Plus is a big phone, but I went with it over the iPhone 6 because of the larger battery and OIS. It is
l the apps you could want, quality photos, and a usable operating system.
The Samsung Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge are powered by a Samsung Exynosocta-core processor, 3GB of RAM,
32GB/64GB/128GB internal storage, 16 megapixel camera, 5.1 inch Super AMOLED 2560 x 1440 pixel
display, integrated wireless charging, and more. Note that the
removable battery, waterproof design, and microSD memory card
expansion are all now gone from this successor to the Galaxy S5.
While the Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge take the metal frame design further
with glass front and back panels, the Samsung Galaxy Note 4 and
THE 10 BEST SMARTPHONES FOR THE FIRST HALF OF 2015
It looks like we’ve seen the last of the major smartphone announcements until the end of the summer so it’s time
to look back at the best smartphones for the first half of 2015.
Let’s take a look at my current top picks for the first half of 2015.
The LG G4 stands out from the pack in 2015 with its removable battery
and microSD card slot as most manufacturers move to sealed batteries
these two consumer-friendly
options while encasing the back in leather, setting the bar for a smartphone camera, and impressing users with
camera with f/1.8 aperture
and OIS, front facing 8 megapixel camera, removable 3,000 mAh battery, Quick Charge 2.0 technology, and
I think LG deserves the top spot
The iPhone 6 Plus is a big phone, but I went with it over the iPhone 6 because of the larger battery and OIS. It is
l the apps you could want, quality photos, and a usable operating system.
core processor, 3GB of RAM,
, 5.1 inch Super AMOLED 2560 x 1440 pixel
Galaxy Note Edge remain solid choices. They both retain the removable battery and microSD card slot while
providing cool S Pen functionality. It’s likely that the Note 5 will be announced later and it will be interesting to
see what Samsung brings to the Note line from the Galaxy S line.
The Note 4 and Note Edge are powered by a Snapdragon 805 quad-core processor, with a 5.7-inch 2560 x 1440
Super AMOLED screen, 3GB of RAM, 32GB internal storage with support for a microSD card, 16-megapixel
camera, 3.7-megapixel front-facing camera, and large 3220 mAh replaceable battery. Now that the Galaxy S6 is
known, the removable battery and microSD card slot set up the Note 4 as a device for the road warrior.
5. Google Nexus 6
Unlike previous Nexus devices where there were always one or two things missing, the Nexus 6 is not really
lacking in any specification. It has a large 5.92-inch 2560 x 1440 pixel resolution display, Snapdragon 805
processor, 3GB RAM, 32/64 GB internal storage, large 3900 mAh battery, 20-megapixel camera, Qi wireless
charging, and water resistance.
It turns out the display resolution may have gone too far as battery life could be better for such a large device.
You can capture good photos with the camera, but the conditions have to be just right. LG and Samsung have
pushed the Android camera market forward, making the Nexus 6 camera not as attractive of an option.
However, you will get the latest and greatest version of Android on the Nexus 6 so there is value in that.
6. BlackBerry Passport
The battery life is outstanding, the QWERTY keyboard is enjoyable and efficient, and I haven’t noticed much of
an app gap thanks to the Amazon Appstore and sideloading capability.
There are very few phones with hardware QWERTY keyboards and BlackBerry has optimized it for utility with
touch-sensitive support.The BlackBerry Passport has a 4.5-inch 1440 x 1440 pixel resolution display, full
hardware QWERTY keyboard, 13-megapixel camera, 3GB RAM, 32GB internal storage, microSD card slot,
and large 3,450 mAh battery.
If unified communications is important to you, then it will be tough to beat the awesome BlackBerry Hub. The
BlackBerry Passport is available in black, white, and red as an unlocked model and also with more curved edges
on AT&T.
7. HTC One M9
I’ve spent quite a bit of time with the HTC One M9, and feel I gave it a higher rating than I should have. It is a
great piece of hardware and it performs very well, but the camera is the worst of the new Android flagships and
battery life could be better.
The UltraPixel camera was improved and moved to the front of the phone where it fits in best with expectations
for front facing cameras. The rear camera was upgraded to a 20-megapixel shooter, but HTC seems to have
issues optimizing the software for the camera module.
The design was improved with two-tone color metal and an in-hand feel that shouldn’t slip as much as the One
M8 did. HTC Sense has been improved to provide more personalization at a time when people are looking for
ways to make their phone unique.
The internal specs have been updated to include a Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 octa-core processor, 3GB RAM,
32GB internal storage, microSD card slot, and 2800 mAh battery.
8. Sony Xperia Z3
The Sony Xperia Z3 is quite popular in Europe and I would have it ranked higher, but Sony doesn’t seem to care
much for the Caribbean market.
The Sony Xperia Z3, sports a Snapdragon 801 quad-core processor, 3GB RAM, 32GB internal storage and
microSD card slot, massive 3,100 mAh battery, 20.7 megapixel camera, and front-facing stereo speakers.
The water resistance, excellent audio quality, physical camera shutter button, slim design for a 5.2 inch display,
and amazing battery life made it one of my favorite phones over the past year. Sony needs to improve the
camera software and get better US support in place.
9. Nokia Lumia 830
I had to include this device in my top 10 list, even if it doesn’t have the top specs of other Android devices I did
not include. It turns out I was wrong about Microsoft’s affordable flagship strategy and you really can do quite a
bit with a low-cost Windows Phone device.
The Lumia 830 comes installed with Windows Phone 8.1, a Snapdragon 400 processor with 1GB RAM, 16GB
integrated storage, microSD card slot, 10 megapixel camera, 2200 mAh replaceable battery, and 5 inch 720p
display. I have mine updated to Windows 10 Mobile and it continues to work very well.
The metal frame and curved Gorilla Glass feels and looks great, the bright orange or green back stand out from
the crowd, the camera performs nearly as well as the top smartphones, and the price just cannot be beat.
10. Moto X 2014
One phone that I have had in my shopping cart a number of times over the past many months, but never pulled
the trigger on is the 2014 Moto X. The ability to buy a customized phone with a leather or wood back is
compelling and for those looking for a truly unique device then the Moto X is a great candidate. Motorola
continues to drop the price on the Moto X with a likely successor coming later this summer or early in the fall.
The Moto X has a nearly pure Google experience with Android Lollipop, fantastic Motorola experience
enhancements, and a solid form factor. The Moto X has been out for several months and Motorola has had
special offers at various times the past few months.
The Moto X comes with a 5.2 inch 1080p display that fits well in your hand and pocket while the Snapdragon
801 and 2GB keep it running smoothly. The 2300 mAh battery doesn’t meet my needs, but it does support the
Quick Charge 2.0 technology to quickly top off the phone. What’s your choice?