The 8 Best Phones of 2015
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"What's your favorite phone right now?"
We get asked that question all the time, and for good reason. Between us, our team reviews the biggest and most interesting phones on the planet.
We've covered the clunkers, the mids and the phones that really are something special. And now we've presented our flagships for you, the devices that were the best we've seen all year (in no particular order ).
Feel free to share your best phone of 2015 in the comments below.
Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge
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Sarah Tew/CNET
Announcement
: March 2015
Okay, so this is the most expensive and curvy version of Samsung's first all-metal and glass flagship phone, but what Samsung did with the
Galaxy S6 Edge
goes beyond taking an S6 and folding its sides. It manages to be far sleeker and more immersive than any other phone, an achievement that comes when you hold the Edge in your hands. The fact that no one else hasn't done anything like this proves that Samsung has something to offer besides regularly checking features from a list.
You certainly don't need the Edge's curved screen or software extras for most gadgets, but among mesmerizingly identical phones of the year, this one felt genuinely different - in a way that actually worked.
Alcatel OneTouch Idol 3
Announcement
: March 2015
From the first moment we saw him, the
Alcatel OneTouch Idol 3
intrigued us. It continues to be one of the best value phones of the year, with a camera, design and running speeds well above its price. Better-than-normal audio speakers help the 5.5 and (slightly different) 4.7-inch versions exceed expectations.
Sony Xperia Z5 Compact
Announcement
: September 2015
Using most flagship Android phones also means training your thumbs to expand on increasingly gigantic screens. This is not the case with the
Xperia Z5 Compact
.This guy smashes some of the best tech into a body that's much more comfortable to handle.It's the only "mini" version of a flagship that doesn't have you accepting average specs just because you want something smaller fits in your pocket.
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iPhone 6S Plus
Announcement
: September 2015
Of course, the big screen
iPhone 6S Plus
doesn't look much like the previous model, but it's what's inside that counts, and Apple has improved all the main features of what was already a great phone. surprisingly good, the processor simply rips through games, and the new 3D Touch display is already being used creatively by app and game developers.
It might not look like a radical overhaul, but the iPhone 6S Plus has maintained its position as one of the best big phones money can buy.
Motorola Moto G (late 2015)
Announcement
: July 2015
As an intermediate device, the newest
Moto G
may not be the fastest or most powerful handset available. All in all, this raises the bar for what we should expect from an ultra-budget handset.
The device features a 5-inch screen, 13-megapixel camera, and water-resistant build combine for a satisfying experience, and the interchangeable back covers come in bright and bold colors which add an extra touch to your phone. (US customers can go further and
design their own
faces and accent colors.)
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Josh Miller/CNET
Google Nexus 6P
Announcement
: September 2015
We're always excited about a new Google Nexus phone, especially those of us a bit more dedicated to the Android operating system. Forget your UI overlays like Samsung's Touchwiz or HTC's Sense: on a Nexus , you get the purest form of Android possible. This year, Google took a bold step by launching two Nexus models with the
6P headlight
from brand new hardware partner Huawei.
It's a beautifully designed phone, with a gorgeous 5.7-inch screen and a killer camera. Everything about it is screaming quality and we're very excited to see how Google will top it. 'next year.
Xiaomi Mi Note Pro
Announcement
: May 2015
While Xiaomi is generally known for its high-quality budget phones, its flagship devices also tend to outperform competitors' offerings with similar high-end specs but incredibly low retail prices.
Mi Note Pro
is no different - it has a Snapdragon 810 processor, a 5.7-inch 2K display and 4GB of RAM - specs that definitely rival other flagships.
It's a shame then, you won't see this phone being sold outside of China (Xiaomi can be a bit shy with its high-end devices.) But if you're willing to shell out a bit more through online resellers, this beautiful glass smartphone could be yours.
Samsung Galaxy Note 5
Announcement
: August 2015
For fans of big-screen phones - and please, let's leave the term 'phablet' in 2013 where it belongs - then Samsung's Note range has always been a popular choice.
Note 5
, Samsung has delivered something smoother and sleeker than ever, and given that all-important stylus, there's even more to go. Sure, it doesn't have a fancy curved edge, but the Note is a 5 screen .7 inch super high resolution in a surprisingly slim and stylish package. Definitely worth the extra pocket real estate required.
This article also appears in Spanish. Read:
Samsung, Apple and Xiaomi among the best phones of 2015