Verizon offers a wide array of Android smartphones for all taste levels and budgets. If you are happy with Verizon as your carrier, these are the best Android phones worth purchasing.
1. Moto X
(Motorola)
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What makes the Moto X such an appealing Android phone is its advanced voice recognition feature. It learns what your voice sounds like, and offers an intuitive menu system. This attractive phone may not be the latest and greatest anymore, but it was so thoughtfully constructed at launch that it has aged gracefully.
Notification system designed to minimize battery drain
13 hours of talk time on a single charge
Smart migration system makes transferring data from your old Android phone a snap
Moto X owners get an extra 50 GB of Google Drive storage (on top of the standard 15 GB) free for two years
Cons:
Screen is less durable than other Android phones, with limited drop protection
Texting interface feels cramped
Some users have complained about the quality of Motorola’s customer service
Some users have experienced diminished call quality
Poor camera quality
2. HTC One (M8)
(HTC)
The new-for-2014 HTC One has a gorgeous metal body, and an improved user interface. The ideal new phone for the design-obsessed, this attractive phone is more than just a pretty face. There’s plenty of power under the hood, too.
Metal unibody design makes phone feel ultra-premium
Bigger display than original HTC One
Includes microSD card slot for expansion
Cons:
Camera has gotten poor reviews, despite improvements from original model
Some reviewers found the previous model to be slightly more sleek
Case texture extremely slippery
Speakers are high-quality when listening to music, but seem muted during calls
“Dot View” case functionality is cool, but rather limited
3. Kyocera Hydro Elite
(Kyocera)
Kyocera often gets overlooked in favor of flashier phones from Samsung, LG, or HTC. However, the Hydro Elite is a perfectly serviceable phone. As the name suggests, this phone has advanced waterproofing, making this a smart buy for people who work outdoors or in situations near a river or beach.
Waterproof in up to a meter of water for 30 minutes
Eco Mode with MaxiMZR extends performance automatically by powering down noncritical functions
Designed for enhanced call quality in echo-y or loud situations
Friendly UI makes this a great choice for first-time touchscreen phone/smartphone buyers
Inexpensive option
Cons:
Camera is a mere 8MP
4.3-inch screen is a bit on the small side
Somewhat sluggish processor (1.5 GHz)
Some users have complained about Verizon’s bloatware on this phone
Phone is advertised at 16GB, but usable memory is under 9GB
4. Motorola DROID MAXX
(Motorola)
With insane battery life and a rugged design, Motorola’s DROID MAXX just feels solid in the palm of your hand. Part of that is due to the tough Kevlar backing, but the DROID MAXX also gets big points for having a great user interface.
Too much Verizon bloatware, which can’t be removed
Camera has decent number of megapixels, but auto-focus is slow
5. Samsung Galaxy S5
(Samsung)
Verizon offers tons of Samsung smartphones, but the S5 is the top of the line in terms of both specs and cool features. Samsung has packed a ton of great features into the Galaxy S5, including a power-saving mode, IP67 waterproofing, and a great camera.
Built-in heart rate monitor and biometric sensor for mobile payments
Cons:
Front camera is 2MP, compared to 5MP on the HTC One M8
Some reviewers find the phone is not enough of a jump ahead from the S4
Screen is big, but perhaps not big enough for phablet fans
Some find the backing material to be displeasing from a cosmetic standpoint
May feel cheaper than all-metal unibody phones
Considering getting someone an electronics gift? Check out our Gifts section for tons of great gift recommendations, or visit our ultimate guides to the best gifts for women and best gifts for men.
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