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What is THE flagship phone?

S

SkaFunkRastaPunk

Newbie
So I'm in the market for a new phone (Verizon) and I've just recently made the decision to stop thinking about the iPhone 5S and go with an Android device.

The one problem is: where it was easy to decide what iPhone I wanted (the best); its a little more difficult to figure out which Android phone would be the best fit. Cost isn't a big concern, I just want the BEST possible android experience; is there one singular answer to that now?

Are there any rumored flagships coming out soon that are worth waiting for?

Please help!
 
For the best android experience I'd probably say try the Nexus 5. Otherwise the other big phones would be the HTC One, and the Samsung S4 and Note 3.
 
Since you're on Verizon, I must suggest the DROID Maxx. What other device out there has a 48 hour battery life? Also, it's action packed with a lot of awesome features like quick capture camera, touchless voice control, active notifications, etc... A bunch of features that you'll actually use. Plus it comes with 32 GB memory onboard.

The camera software isn't the greatest right now (though it still takes great pics) but there is an update rolling out very soon to fix that.

All-in-all, you can't go wrong with it.

EDIT: I forgot to mention that it is a very lightly themed version of Android out of the box. HTC has Sense 5 and Samsung has TouchWiz both of which have their setbacks. Samsung's TouchWiz can be a resource hog.
 
All of the major flagships for a while are out except the Nexus 5. However, Verizon is the one major US carrier not getting the Nexus 5, so that's out the window. So you're options would be HTC One, Samsung Galaxy S4, Samsung Galaxy Note 3, Motorola Droid Maxx, Motorola Moto X, or LG G2. I would recommend going to the nearest corporate Verizon store and play with each one to see which you like best.

Since we are comparing devices, I'm going to move this to the device comparisons forum.
 
The LG G2 is a really nice device hardware wise, and if you are willing to root it and install a stock android ROM, may be the closest we come at Verizon to the Nexus 5.

That being said, like jhawkk said, Check out a VZW store and see them for yourself. Spend 5 minutes with each one, doing the things you do most on your existing phone. You should quickly be able to narrow your choices down. Check the forums for the devices, and ask a few questions specific to each phone you consider. If you want to tinker, Check out the All Things Root sections and see which one has the best support, etc.
 
I'd go note3. 16gb on the go for me wouldn't be enough and just personal experience I find Samsung better quality even with my TV and monitor which I just brought.

I was going to get the s4 love the style and size but the note 3 is essentially the same but newer and better specs
 
SkaFunkRastaPunk said:
I just want the BEST possible android experience; is there one singular answer to that now?
Click to expand...

Thankfully no; every OEM has their "flagship" device to showcase their own approach, which makes for a varied and interesting market. The only reliable way to decide is, as others have said, to get hands-on with them and see which ones appeal.
 
jhawkkw said:
All of the major flagships for a while are out except the Nexus 5. However, Verizon is the one major US carrier not getting the Nexus 5, so that's out the window.
Click to expand...

Damn, didn't realize that about the Nexus 5; almost makes me want to cry.

Droid MAXX is sounding interesting tho.
 
SkaFunkRastaPunk said:
I keep hopping back and forth between the LG G2 and the Moto Droid Maxx.

When do you figure these phones would get a kitkat update?
Click to expand...
Verizon is notorious for being slow getting updates out. Its really anyones guess.




The top android phones on the market right now are:

Released Soon:
LG Nexus 5 (Not coming to Verizon)

Out now:
HTC One
LG G2
MotoX
Samsung Galaxy Note 3
Samsung Galaxy S4
Droid Maxx (Only ranked last because I haven't gotten a chance to see one in person yet)

I ranked them according to my preference, but you really need to go into the store and play with them to see whats best for you. :Thumbup:

These days, you really can't go wrong with any android flagship. Its nice to have choices :)
 
SkaFunkRastaPunk said:
I keep hopping back and forth between the LG G2 and the Moto Droid Maxx.

When do you figure these phones would get a kitkat update?
Click to expand...

I wouldn't base your decision on which phone might get kitkat first. You'll just set yourself up for disappointment if it doesn't get it when you thought it would. No one here can say for sure when any phone will get kitkat.

Your going to get a mixture of answers which might not help you at all. Personally, I like Samsung. My wife, sister, and brother in-Law have all had bad hardware quality issues with Motorola phones.

Your best option is to go to a Verizon store that has live display phones. Spend some time in there playing with each phone. That is going to be the best way to find out which one is best for you.
 
valorian said:
I wouldn't base your decision on which phone might get kitkat first. You'll just set yourself up for disappointment if it doesn't get it when you thought it would. No one here can say for sure when any phone will get kitkat.


Your best option is to go to a Verizon store that has live display phones. Spend some time in there playing with each phone. That is going to be the best way to find out which one is best for you.
Click to expand...

QFT :)

Choose a phone for what it has now, not what it might get someday.
 
I'm on Verizon and looking for a new phone. I'm going to wait until MotoMaker hits Verizon (2 weeks?) and see if I can snag a 32 GB Moto X. It's a toss-up for me between the X, the Droid Maxx and the 32 GB GS4.

GS4 only wins because of capacity and SD-card capability but if I can get a 32 GB X I'd go that route. I'd rather the X because it's a more "pure" Android experience.
 
I'd like to add that features might be another thing to look at. Are looks and build quality important? Do you want high quality pictures/videos? Are you away from a charger for a good part of the day? Is fast software updates really important? Do you plan to keep the phone for 2 yrs? Do you like to listen to music or watch video's using the hardware speaker? Do you plan on linking up your phone with other devices, like a smart TV, etc.? Do you need expandable storage? Are you a heavy 3D gamer? Do you need your phone to be a phone/tablet?

These are just some questions that I asked myself before making my purchase.
 
itsallgood said:
I'd like to add that features might be another thing to look at. Are looks and build quality important? Do you want high quality pictures/videos? Are you away from a charger for a good part of the day? Is fast software updates really important? Do you plan to keep the phone for 2 yrs? Do you like to listen to music or watch video's using the hardware speaker? Do you plan on linking up your phone with other devices, like a smart TV, etc.? Do you need expandable storage? Are you a heavy 3D gamer? Do you need your phone to be a phone/tablet?

These are just some questions that I asked myself before making my purchase.
Click to expand...

And many of those questions are ones I'm trying to answer for myself (I'm not the OP). I'd love to have MicroSD expansion but if I get a 32 GB phone that's not a HUGE need. Fast updates may become less of a need with Google moving many of the "oh that's cool" features to the Play Services framework and updating individual apps rather than including those updates in a new OS release.

I'm leaning heavily toward the Moto X 32 GB once VZW gets it though the GS4 is tempting.
 
I think the Maxx has MotoBlur, or whatever Motorola's overlay is now, on it. The X is a nearly-pure Android image.
 
SkaFunkRastaPunk said:
And also... Moto X is getting a new version to verizon? With more storage? Any idea when?
Click to expand...

Not a new version, but Moto maker should be coming soon because AT&T's exclusive rights to it are due to expire soon. One of the options for Moto maker is 32GB storage. Currently the only way to get 32GB of storage on a Moto X is the Verizon developer edition.
 
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