Top Androids. Which smartphone is better to buy this year

The operating system on a smartphone is by no means a trifle that can be ignored when choosing a new device. For many people, abandoning the familiar interface is simply impossible. For others, on the contrary, buying a mobile phone with a different OS becomes a real breakthrough in the world of digital technologies. We offer you a rating of the best smartphones on Android - for those who appreciate this operating system and those who would like to get to know it better.

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Best smartphones onAndroid 4

Lenovo Vibe Z2

The operating system is Android 4.4.4 with the Vibe UI shell. Upgradeable over the air (FOTA). The smartphone has many preinstalled programs and proprietary utility utilities, most of them free. Portal experts test Root-nation showed that the shell works fine: no delays or jerks were noted while navigating the interface. Site Mobile-review notes that Lenovo managed to make a very decent product, and if you decide to choose a smartphone with the largest display possible, you should pay close attention to the Lenovo Vibe Z2.

HTC Desire 820

Google Android 4.4.4 and HTC Sense 6 proprietary interface are used as a system. Experts Ixbt.com rated the HTC Desire 820 as a very attractive product. Here they note the presence of a useful Do Not Disturb mode - turning off sound notifications by time; two energy-saving modes - normal and maximum, as well as the presence of a children's mode. There is a file manager, an office suite and a convenient function for transferring personal data from an old device to a new one. On Helpix.ru the equipment of the smartphone was called simply gorgeous.

Best smartphones onAndroid 5

Samsung Galaxy Note 5

Here is installed a hassle-free Android 5.1.1 with a proprietary TouchWiz shell. As stated in the review on Ixbt.com The Galaxy Note 5 features the most advanced and most powerful hardware platform available today. The interface is the same for all new Samsung products, only small touches differ (in in this case removed some unnecessary applications, and the shell became lighter). The main innovation was the adaptation of the interface to work with a stylus - after removing the electronic pen, a context menu appears on the screen, consisting of a screenshotter, a program for graphic notes and a utility for selecting an area of ​​the screen. In the opinion Hi-Tech.Mail.Ru, the device is so functional that it has practically no competitors in its category.

SonyXperiaZ5Compact

The platform program is Android 5.1.1 Lollipop with a proprietary Xperia Home interface. According to the authors of the review on Mobiltelefon.ru, Sony's skin is one of the most balanced on Android. It works smartly and smoothly, not overloaded with unnecessary elements, and designers have a taste. The user has access to themes, it is possible to customize the notification curtain and the lock screen. A separate section in the settings menu is devoted to working with the fingerprint sensor - everything here is organized in the same way as on the original Xperia Z5. In review on Hi-Tech.Mail.Ru noted that the Xperia Z5 Compact is the best miniature flagship on Android.

Meizu PRO 5

A neat and thoughtful copy of the iPhone 6 Plus, according to the authors of the review on the portal Hi-tech.mail.ru, works fine under Google Android operating system version 5.1. True, little is left of the "five" in the OS interface: a Flyme shell is laid on top of the Android base. At the rate Mygadget.su, it runs quickly and smoothly, the shell design is neat and clean. According to the authors of the review on Mobiltelefon.ru The Meizu PRO 5 is perhaps the most sophisticated model of all Chinese Android smartphones on the market. Portal Gagadget.com claims to be also the most productive in its class.

HighscreenPowerFivePro

The strong point of this smartphone, according to almost all specialized sites, is the battery capacity of 5000 mAh. As the author of the review notes on Citilink.ru, you can also note the ingenuous (in a good way) work under Android 5.0. In addition to the traditional "chips" there is an interesting option to access a number of applications by drawing the appropriate gesture on the screen, which skips the lock screen and menu and brings you directly to the desired program. Test for W3bsit3-dns.com showed the absence of freezing animation and other common problems of smartphones in the middle price segment. According to the portal Megaobzor.com The Highscreen Power Five Pro has become a worthy successor to the line of smartphones with a capacious battery on Android.

ZTEBladeX3

Android 5.1 is installed here, the advantages of which, according to experts Odnako.su, the pre-installed Kingston WPS office suite is worth mentioning. It is recommended to change the standard shell to Yandex Launcher - there will be more possibilities for designing a smartphone "for yourself", the interface will become faster. The performance of this phone is sufficient for everyday use and is quite adequate for the price, and the powerful battery is simply impressive. Hi-tech.mail.ru calls the ZTE Blade X3 "a box of pleasant surprises."

ASUSZenFone 2LaserZE500KG

Inexpensive smartphone running Android 5.0.2 with its own ZenUI interface. In review on W3bsit3-dns.com it is noted that the shell adds custom settings, some design "chips" and device control. Various skins for ZenUI can be downloaded. Among the preinstalled applications that stand out separately are Dr. Safety, which checks the device for errors and viruses, PhotoCollage for creating photo collages and a very convenient organizer What`s Next. Experts Overclockers.ru believe that few smartphones in this price range can match the functionality of the ZenFone 2 Laser.

Best smartphones onAndroid 6

LG Nexus 5X H791

A distinctive feature of smartphones with the nexus nameplate is the pre-installation of "pure" Android, in our case version 6.0 Marshmallow. Improved energy optimization, added new permissions for apps. Ixbt.com adds that a full-fledged file manager appeared in the settings menu, the absence of which previous versions of Google Android suffered so much. The volume control menu that pops up on top of any application can now be expanded. It also became possible to leave text notes directly on the lock screen. As the authors of the review note on Mobile-review The LG Nexus 5X H791 is a well-balanced smartphone with the necessary set of features for those who want to get a "pure" Android.

HuaweiNexus 6P

This smartphone also runs pure Android 6.0 (Marshmallow). Among the main advantages, as noted in the review on Mobile-review, - lists of widgets sorted by application. A new application permission manager has appeared, which allows you to deny access to certain smartphone functions, as well as Doze technology, which prevents applications from using up the battery in sleep mode, and a new camera API has been introduced. The quality and functionality of the model are so high that the portal Tech.onliner.by named Huawei Nexus 6P as an iPhone among Android.

Less than two months remain until the end of 2016, but now it's time to take stock. 2016 turned out to be really busy. The most memorable event was the scandal around the Galaxy Note 7 - an excellent smartphone, if not for the well-known problem. Therefore, unfortunately, it will not make it to today's list of the best smartphones.

Google Pixel and Pixel XL

The Google Pixel and Pixel XL are, in our opinion, some of the best smartphones on the market, if not the best. The back glass insert gives the devices uniqueness and originality. The Pixel and Pixel XL cannot be confused with any other smartphone on the market except the iPhone - there are still some similarities.

There are no questions about the technical part either. The Pixel and Pixel XL are equipped with a Snapdragon 821 processor, 4 GB of RAM and 32/128 GB of internal memory, an AMOLED display, an IP53 dust and moisture protection, a 12-megapixel rear camera and an 8-megapixel front camera.

The Pixel's main camera is currently ranked as the best in a smartphone. Many people note the speed of the interface and the convenient dimensions.

Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 edge

This place was supposed to be taken by the Galaxy Note 7, but this is not destined to happen. However, S7 and S7 edge are still able to please us with impressive filling and appearance. The devices are equipped with a Snapdragon 820 processor, 4 GB of RAM, a 12-megapixel camera with fast Dual Pixel autofocus. We should also praise the displays of smartphones.

The LG V20 is aimed primarily at advanced users. Equipped with a main 5.7-inch QHD display and an auxiliary 2.1-inch display with a resolution of 160 x 1040 pixels (in both cases, the pixel density is 513 ppi), a Snapdragon 820 processor, 4 GB of RAM and 32/64 GB of internal memory with support for microSD cards up to 256 GB, dual rear (16 + 8 MP) and 5 MP front cameras, 3200 mAh battery. The difference will be Android 7.0 Nougat out of the box.

Motorola Moto Z and Moto Z Force

The Moto Z and Moto Z Force are currently, according to user reviews, one of the fastest devices when it comes to interface speed, of course. Moto Z and Z Force are equipped with a 5.5-inch AMOLED QHD display, Snapdragon 820 processor, 4 GB of RAM and 32/64 GB of internal storage with support for microSD cards up to 256 GB.

The devices are distinguished by a 13-megapixel main camera in the case of the Moto Z and a 21-megapixel camera on the Moto Z Force. The Moto Z, meanwhile, has a 2,600mAh battery, while the Force has a 3,500mAh battery.

ZTE Axon 7

The ZTE Axon 7 is the most attractive smartphone from ZTE and one of the most attractive smartphones on the market overall. At least, according to user reviews, in life, a smartphone feels much different in a good sense of the word.

The price of $ 400 should also attract. For this money, ZTE offers a 5.5-inch QHD AMOLED display, Snapdragon 820 processor, 4/6 GB of RAM and 64/128 GB of internal memory with support for microSD cards up to 256 GB, 20-megapixel rear and 8-megapixel front camera and a non-removable 3250 mAh battery.

HTC 10

Yes, HTC's flagship is still one of the best. "Ten" is equipped with a Snapdragon 820 processor, a 5.2-inch QHD-display, 32/64 GB of internal and 4 GB of RAM, a 12-megapixel rear and 5-megapixel front camera, a 3000 mAh battery.

Of the minuses, it is worth noting the not very convenient location of the navigation buttons - they are not centered relative to the bottom end and the bottom of the display, but are shifted closer to the bottom end, which makes the device somewhat inconvenient.

Some people are not happy with the Sense 8 shell, which has not undergone any major changes since the days of Sense 5.

Lg g5

Not a bad flagship. We will not repeat ourselves, there is still the same top-end processor, the same QHD display, which is distinguished only by a diagonal of 5.3 inches, all the same 4 GB of RAM and 32 GB of ROM.

The 16MP rear camera deserves special attention, which takes excellent pictures. Of the minuses, we note the 2800 mAh battery, in connection with which the operating time of the screen is on average 4-5 hours, which is very modest by today's standards. In addition, display retention has been reported by many owners.

The question of which Android is better worries every user who goes to the store to buy a new gadget running this operating system.

The OS, the logo of which has become a green robot, today occupies one of the leading places in the market, is installed on hundreds of devices, is constantly being improved and updated by developers. And Android receives updates with enviable regularity.

In the first half of 2017, Google announced Android O (8), while its predecessor, Nougat, only managed to surpass the 10% mark, and Marshmallow remains the most popular. So is it worth chasing the numbers in the name of the operating system or staying with the old and proven version? Let's figure it out together.

Android OS: pros and cons

You've probably noticed that the gadget market today is divided by two operating systems: iOS and Android. The first is the brainchild of Apple, which is closed source, and is used only on the products of this company. The second is the development of Android, Inc., which was acquired by Google. The main feature is openness and freeness, which made it so popular for manufacturers of smartphones, tablets and other devices.

A little-known company Android, Inc. was bought by the search giant back in 2005. Google planned to create a free open source operating system, which it did in the fall of 2007, presenting the first version of the developer package. Officially, the first version of the system was shown on September 23, 2008 along with the first Android smartphone - HTC Dream. The OS, despite the skepticism of many specialists, managed to attract the attention of both ordinary users and equipment manufacturers.

The rapid growth of the mobile operating system began, which was accompanied by the appearance of new versions with various improvements. Android OS in a very short time managed to oust a number of other platforms from the market, dividing the place on Olympus with the main competitor in the person of iOS.

Why is this system so fond of?

First, users liked the functionality and openness. Android opened up a lot of possibilities, allowed digging into the file system, installing a bunch of applications from different sources, even changing the appearance of the OS. The operating system, with very little effort, can change beyond recognition, which is difficult on many other mobile operating systems.

We must not forget about custom firmware developed by ordinary users, which are completely capable of turning the "green robot" into something completely different. In addition, the official Android store is simply littered with thousands of applications and games, among which there are many absolutely free (paid ones, by the way, are much cheaper than in the same App Store).

Whatever one may say, but there are also disadvantages of Android.

1. One of the most annoying and hated among users is the system freezes and lags (although this problem comes to naught with the release of new improved versions of the OS, and serious errors are found only on very cheap devices).
2. Another weak point of even the best versions of Android is considered to be frequent infections with viruses that can get to the device even from the official app store.
3. Finally, the disadvantages include the slow updating of devices to more current and better versions. It may take a year before a smartphone gets a fresh version. In addition, the overwhelming number of budget / mid-range devices remain without updating to the latest version at all.

Which version of Android is better: outdated, current and new

Having familiarized a little with the history, advantages and disadvantages of Android, we go directly to the existing versions of this operating system. To make it easier for you to understand, we will divide the material into several blocks according to the state of Android versions: outdated, current and new. Here we will talk in detail about the features of each version, their advantages, disadvantages, as well as the relevance of use in 2017. Well, in the end, we will decide which version of Android is more convenient and better today.

We tell you about outdated versions of Android rather for informational purposes. For most users, they are no longer able to provide the necessary functionality, and therefore are of interest only to geeks.

Outdated Android versions

Android is a relatively new operating system, but it can boast of an abundance of versions. Like other well-known systems, it was constantly being improved, new editions were released, but the old ones were gradually forgotten. The same thing happened, for example, with Windows - not many will remember Windows 95, and XP is gradually forgotten. Android has such dinosaur versions, although finding them on devices is not easy. In addition, they have nothing to surprise the today's user with.

Android 1.0 "Apple Pie"

So, the system begins its path with version 1.0, which was named after the apple pie. This is the first stable build presented in fall 2003. It looks a little different than the latest best versions of Android, but the similarities are undoubtedly visible. Naturally, Android 1.0 was filled with bugs, and many of the usual functions of smartphones were not provided at all.

What made version 1.0 stand out:

• the usual Android notification system with a drop-down top curtain;
• desktop widgets;
• integration with Gmail services;
• online application store.

Of course, for everyday use Android 1.0 "Apple Pie" is hardly suitable: the absence of many "chips", the impossibility of installing many programs, and a device running "Apple Pie" is quite difficult to find.

Android 1.1 "Banana Bread"

At the beginning of February 2009, Android received a massive update that made a number of functions available, although the exterior of the system was absolutely unchanged. Version 1.1 was available for the only smartphone - the T-Mobile G1 (HTC Dream).

Key innovations include:

• Google Voice Search;
• the ability to sell paid applications in the Play Market;
• the function of updating the firmware "by air" (at the same time the item "About phone" appeared in the settings).

Android 1.1 "Banana Bread" is nothing more than history today, and HTC Dream, the device that supports it, is a rarity.

Android 1.5 "Cupcake"

"Keks" (the name of the version translated into Russian), released in the spring of 2009, brought a lot of small improvements that partially improved the system by adding new features. So, on-screen keyboards appeared, which allowed users to avoid the usual mechanical keys. The first smartphone to test Android 1.5 was again the brainchild of HTC - Magic.

In addition to the on-screen keyboard, there was:

• new icons;
• the ability to install third-party keyboards;
• animations when moving from window to window;
• changes in the browser;
• the ability to publish a photo or video on the network;
• support for MPEG-4 and 3GP and new Bluetooth profiles.

Like its predecessor, Android 1.5 "Cupcake" is now forgotten, which is understandable.

Android 1.6 "Donut"

In the same 2009, in the fall, Android got a new update, in which Special attention was paid to the app store. Its interface was redesigned, bugs were fixed, and screenshots of applications appeared. Also major innovations were support for CDMA networks and display resolutions over 480 × 320 pixels, which attracted the attention of new manufacturers to the system.

In addition, Android 1.6 "Donut" boasted:

• improved camera interface and new possibilities for working with photos and videos;
• multilingual voice search;
• significant expansion of search capabilities;
• applications work faster;
• the ability to find out which programs are draining the battery.

Android 2.0 / 2.1 "Eclair"

Not stopping at what has been achieved, already in November 2009 the developers rolled out the new Android 2.0, which can be called a breakthrough. It was this version that began to be massively introduced into the then smartphones and widely distributed around the world. In the dispute, which version of Android is the most convenient and best, at that time 2.0 unambiguously won. Smartphones running Android 2.0 were really surprising at the time with their capabilities and fairly productive hardware.

What's new:

• the ability to work with multiple Google accounts;
• updated camera interface, added effects and flash support;
• the keyboard has become more comfortable;
• updated calendar and graphical architecture;
• support for new sizes and resolutions of displays;
• improved user interface;
• a lot of other minor improvements.

In the new 2010 update 2.1 is presented, the main innovations of which are "live" wallpapers and improvements to Google Maps. Based on this version of Android, the famous Nexus One comes out, a smartphone that was a welcome acquisition of any geek of those years.

Android 2.2 "Froyo"

In May 2010, the "frozen yogurt" update is released, which first appears on the Nexus One smartphone. In Android 2.2, attention was paid to optimizing the interface, memory, etc. Now applications began to launch noticeably faster, and Adobe Flash appeared in the Play Market, which allowed launching videos and even some flash games in a standard browser.

The list of innovations in Android 2.2 "Froyo" is quite wide:

• the ability to distribute Wi-Fi;
• installing applications to extended memory;
• support for ultra-high resolution screens;
• the browser has received the integration of the JavaScript engine V8;
• a bunch of small updates.

Google subsequently released several security updates to Android 2.2 "Froyo", after which it introduced a new version of the OS.

Android 2.3 "Gingerbread"

One of the most famous, innovative and best versions of Android, which is still found on many devices. It was presented in December 2010, received many subsequent updates, which brought something new to the system. Indeed, there were a lot of changes, which allowed Android 2.3 "Gingerbread" to receive a lot of positive ratings. First, the system has slightly changed in appearance - it has become darker and more elegant. Secondly, there was support for even clearer displays, as well as audio and video codecs. In addition, the new version received:

• support for more sensors (barometers, gyroscopes);
• redesigned keyboard;
• the ability to clear memory from garbage;
• more energy efficient use of the battery.

Android 2.3 is rightfully considered one of the best and most convenient OS versions (for 2010-2011 - the best). Even today it will not be difficult to find a device that will operate under the control of "gingerbread", but its purchase does not seem entirely appropriate.

Android 3.0 / 3.1 / 3.2 "Honeycomb"

Already in February 2011, Google introduced another version of Android, however, it was developed exclusively for tablets. The update contained many innovations that made the use of tablets more comfortable. For example, the user mode has been optimized, support for multi-core processors has appeared, and multitasking has also been improved.

The list of innovations with subsequent additions looks impressive:

• added support for hardware acceleration;
• support for peripheral devices;
• optimized work on different devices;
• improving stability and security;
• auto-updates appeared in the Android Market;
• improved support for Adobe Flash.

Android "Honeycomb" was full of various innovations, but Google decided to continue to present universal operating systems that will work on tablets and smartphones.

Android 4.0 "Ice Cream Sandwich"

"Waffle Ice Cream" was announced in May 2011, and in the fall the version was already officially presented. Android 4.0 was the first version of Google's OS to support tablets and smartphones. She brought a lot of useful improvements, she was very fond of users, although at the start she had a lot of bugs and problems in work.

The list of innovations is quite large:

• changed the notification panel;
• improved multitasking;
• the lock screen has been changed, there are shortcuts for quick access to phone functions;
• typing has become more comfortable, spell checking has become more stable;
• the camera now has more options;
• screenshots of the screen can be taken programmatically;
• subsequent bug fixes and security updates.

Android 4.0 is innovative and quite user-friendly. Today the OS version is seriously outdated, although about 1% of devices are still running 4.0.

Android 4.1 / 4.2 / 4.3 "Jelly Bean"

At the end of June 2012, an updated version of Android was presented, which practically did not change in terms of interface design, but received a lot of improvements at the hardware level. The improvements ensured a smoother operation of the interface, faster launch of games and applications, as well as a minimum of bugs. The best version of Android at that time received:

• new keyboard with gesture support;
• support for multiple profiles on one device;
• Miracast technology, which allows you to transfer videos and photos to the TV without wires;
• quick settings menu in the notification panel;
• camera interface update.

In the fall, with minor improvements, a convenient version of Android 4.2 was presented, and in the summer of 2013, revision 4.3 was released to the public, which brought new updates and fixes to the operating system.

As of today, Jelly Candy still has a decent market share and can still be used, but with each more app developers are dropping support for it.

Android 4.4 "KitKat"

The KitKat version, despite the fact that it was introduced back in 2013, is still very common. At the moment, the share of Android 4.4 is slightly more than 18% (for the last Nougat, for a minute, the share does not exceed 10%). Until recently, KitKat has been installed on the vast majority of budget devices, and has repeatedly received the title of the best version of Android. The secret of success on cheap devices lay in excellent optimization, which is why many users today prefer KitKat.

What did the version bring:

• voice assistant Google Now;
• optimized memory allocation;
• faster application launch;
• support for wireless printers;
• appeared "remote control";
• switching launchers in the device settings;
• improved security system and fixed minor bugs.

Be that as it may, the share of Android 4.4 "KitKat" is declining rather quickly, and gadget manufacturers are giving preference to newer versions of the OS. Therefore, we will nevertheless write down the adored version by many and move on to the current ones.

Current versions of Android

Outdated versions of Android, despite the affection of many users, seriously lose to the current ones, which boast a wider range of functions and regular updates. In addition, the current versions of Android can be called the best due to the minimum number of problems and massive distribution on the market.

Android 5.0 / 5.1 "Lollipop"

One of the best and most popular versions of Android so far. The OS from Google, presented in the fall of 2014, won the hearts of many users, and the manufacturers of smartphones and other devices liked the new product. Lollipop stood out for its updated interface, which the developers called Material design - it became easier, more pleasant and more comfortable to work with devices. Attention was paid and autonomy, thanks to which.

In addition, Android Lollipop brings:

• improved notification system;
• the ability to encrypt user data;
• redesigned automatic screen adjustment mode;
• setting up notifications;
• new animations;
• a lot of subsequent minor updates that made the system more stable and safer.

The version of Android Lollipop can still be considered the best, because in terms of prevalence it is second only to Marshmallow - 31% versus 22%. A huge number of smartphones based on this version of the OS are still on sale and they definitely deserve attention.

Android 6.0 "Marshmallow" - The Most Stable Android Today?

Android 6.0, introduced in May 2015, remains the most popular version of the OS from Google to this day. And, apparently, it is not going to give up its positions in the near future. Many budget devices, despite Nougat, get exactly Marshmallow, which is polished by the developers and is practically not inferior to the newer version. Outwardly, not everyone can distinguish this version from its predecessor - the same Material design has been preserved with similar icons. However, the functionality has been expanded with new interesting features.

• now Android devices can be unlocked with a fingerprint scanner;
• 2 SIM cards are natively supported;
• it became possible to control the access of applications to personal data;
• introduced multi-window mode;
• added Android Pay application for electronic payments;
• some new animations and updates for the stable operation of the system.

Overall, Marshmallow is a reworked Lollipop. The Android 6.0 version is really convenient, it has all the functions that a modern user needs and, moreover, the most widespread. Marshmallow will be relevant for at least another year.

New versions of Android

It is the newest versions of operating systems that attract the majority of users, which is not surprising. The updated operating systems, albeit marginally, are improving compared to their predecessors, boasting better developer support and regular updates.

Android 7.0 / 7.1 / 7.1.1 / 7.1.2 "Nougat"

This is the newest version of Android to date. It was presented in August 2016, but so far it has not been able to conquer the market among Android devices. Visually, "Nuga" is noticeably different from its predecessors, it did not remain without new functions.

The most notable changes to Android 7.0:

• the ability to split the screen into two halves appeared;
• now all running applications are deleted from memory with one button;
• improved notification system, a quick response function;
• night mode, which allows you to achieve a comfortable level of contrast for the eyes;
• improved power saving mode;
• redesigned folders;
• new emoticons;
• picture-in-picture mode;
• added full hardware support for virtual reality.

It seems that the capabilities are not the most important, but the system is noticeably prettier. In the future, there are three fairly significant updates - 7.1, 7.1.1 and 7.1.2. The first update brought Daydream VR mode. In 7.1.1, circular app icons are a notable innovation. Well, the latest update 7.1.2 brought improved encryption capabilities and minor bug fixes.

According to many users, Android "Nuga" has become the best and most convenient version of the mobile OS from Google. Nougat looks stylish and modern, supports many useful features and will be relevant for many years to come.

Android 8.0 "O ..."

This fall, Google released a beta version of the upcoming Android 8.0 for selected smartphones, which is likely to be named after the Oreo liver. The official release of Android O, according to a number of sources, is scheduled for early fall 2017. True, most users will be able to try out the coveted novelty not earlier than the first quarter of 2018.

It's too early to talk about all the innovations in the future version, but some details are already known:

• notifications will be improved;
• an event counter will appear on the application icons;
• dynamic icons will appear;
• minor interface updates.

Well, all that remains is to wait for autumn.

Is the new version of Android the best?

Not really. Getting acquainted every year with a new version of Android, which was supposed to become the best, experienced users decided that:

Updates bring not only improvements, but also bugs.

It often takes developers months to fix all the problems, and during this time, as a rule, the next version is announced. That is, the user gets a perfectly polished system closer to the presentation of a new version. Therefore, many people prefer to "sit" an extra month on an older, but convenient version of Android, rather than put up with the bugs of the novelty.

However, you should not rush from one extreme to another and remain faithful to long-dated versions. In addition to poor functionality, older operating systems are more susceptible to virus attacks and are unable to 100% protect user data from intruders.

Based on this, we can decide that in the near future, the Android versions Marshmallow and Nougat remain the best choice. By purchasing a device running Android 7.0, you will get the most up-to-date features, and many Marshmallow devices are likely to receive an update to the next version. If you liked a smartphone on Android Lollipop, then it is better to know in advance whether it will receive an update to at least 6.0.

Conclusion: do not chase the newest version of Android

In today's rather extensive material, we tried to tell you about the most important features of each version of the Android OS, as well as answer the question of which one is the most convenient and best. The operating system from Google does not stand still, bringing something new with each update. However, it is difficult to keep up with each new version of the OS, and there is not much sense in this - the solutions from two years ago still do an excellent job with their tasks. We hope our article will help you understand all the nuances of each version of Android and decide which is the best.

In 2005, Google acquired Android Inc. Google announced the Open Handset Alliance (OHA), an open mobile platform. The first version of the operating system was announced a year later. And so the era of Android smartphones began.

Google sells its version of Android OS with built-in Google Servises to various companies. In turn, they create their own skins, add proprietary settings. For example, Samsung has TouchWiz (now Samsung Experience), LG has LG UX, HTC has Sense, Xiaomi MIUI, etc.

Of course, all of these shells have their own advantages, various unique functions. But often, they are always bulky and take up more of the device's precious RAM. After the release of new versions of the operating system, companies need to first optimize them for their shells and phones.

Therefore, there are brands that install stock Android on their devices, which makes the update process much easier. These phones are more likely to receive security patches. We've put together a list of the best pure Android devices for you.

Google Pixel 2 XL

Smartphone specifications:

• Display: 6-inch POLED, 2880 x 1440p, 538 ppi
• RAM: 4GB LPDDR4
• Flash memory: 64/128 GB
• Main camera: 12.2 MP with f / 1.8 aperture
• Front camera: 8MP
• Battery: 3520mAh
• Navigation: GPS, GLONASS
• Operating system: Android 8.0 Oreo
• Dimensions: 157.9 × 76.7 × 7.9 mm
• Weight: 175 grams

We all know the history of smartphones from Google. First there was the Nexus line of devices. The Good Corporation has negotiated with various companies to release pure Android gadgets. Years later, Google decided to take a serious step - to completely develop its own devices without the help of third-party manufacturers. And so the new Pixel brand was born.

- currently the flagship smartphone of the corporation. The novelty was announced a couple of weeks ago. This is by far the reference device with a bezel-less screen and a clean operating system as Google sees it. The Pixel 2 XL features a 2880x1440p POLED display with Always On Display.

The novelty is equipped with a top-end Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 processor with an Adreno 540 video accelerator, a 6-inch frameless screen and one camera. But don't be upset. The company claims its camera can capture bokeh-effect portrait photos thanks to neural networks. DxOMark has already scored the highest on the Google Pixel 2 XL camera.

Of the features, the device has the function of opening different applications when squeezing the edges, an analogue of Edge Sense, the camera has a hybrid stabilization (optical + software). The smartphone received IP67 dust and moisture protection and, unfortunately, lost its 3.5 mm audio output. The cost of the flagship is not small - $ 850.

Essential Phone

Smartphone specifications:

• Display: 5.71 inches IPS LCD, 2560 x 1312p, 504 ppi
• Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 835
• RAM: 4GB LPDDR4
• Flash memory: 128 GB
• Main camera: 13 MP + 13 MP with f / 1.9
• Front camera: 8MP
• Battery: 3040mAh
• Navigation: GPS, GLONASS
• Wireless interfaces: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC
• Dimensions: 141.5 × 71.1 × 7.8 mm
• Weight: 185 grams

The sensational smartphone of Android creator Andy Rubin. The novelty came out not so long ago and was supposed to become a reference product, but this, unfortunately, never happened. PH-1 was sold only in the amount of 5 thousand copies. The smartphone is, indeed, very unusual in its characteristics and design, and definitely not like everyone else.

The device received a frameless 5.71-inch IPS display with a resolution of 2560 × 1312p, a top-end Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 chipset, a fingerprint scanner, stereo speakers, a dual 13MP monochrome camera and modularity.

The novelty is completely made of titanium and ceramic. The phone naturally comes with pure Android on board. The Essential Phone has several color options: Black Moon, Pure White, Stellar Gray and Ocean Depths. The cost of the smartphone is $ 699 and is sold only in the United States so far.

Smartphone specifications:

• Display: 5.3 inches IPS LCD, 2560 × 1440p, 554 ppi
• Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 835
• RAM: 4/6 GB, LPDDR4
• Flash memory: 64/128 GB + microSD up to 256 GB
• Main camera: 13 MP + 13 MP with OIS and f / 2.0
• Front camera: 13 MP
• Battery: 3090mAh
• Navigation: GPS, GLONASS
• Wireless interfaces: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC
• Operating system: Android 7.1.1 Nougat
• Dimensions: 151.5 × 73.7 × 7.9 mm
• Weight: 160 grams

After its return, Nokia chose the right path of development and began to install pure Android in its smartphones without any third-party shells. New items quickly receive fresh monthly security patches and should soon be updated to Android 8.0 Oreo.

- the flagship device of the company. The device received a 5.3-inch IPS LCD QHD display with a resolution of 2560 × 1440p. The glass is covered with Gorilla Glass 5 with a good oleophobic coating. Of course, the device is equipped with the flagship Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 chipset with the Adreno 540 video accelerator.

The flagship received, as is fashionable now, a dual 13 megapixel camera with an aperture of f / 2.0. The second camera module is monochrome. It takes black and white images that are more detailed and sharper. The smartphone has a weak dust and moisture protection according to the IP54 standard.

One of the features of this device is the surround sound recording technology - OZO Audio. The phone also has a 3.5mm audio output, which is definitely good news, as well as a fingerprint scanner and an NFC module. The device is sold in four colors and costs $ 699.

Oneplus 5

Smartphone specifications:

• Display: 5.5 inches AMOLED, 1920 × 1080p, 403 ppi
• Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 835
• RAM: 6/8 GB, LPDDR4
• Flash memory: 64/128 GB
• Main camera: 20 MP + 16 MP
• Front camera: 16MP
• Battery: 3300mAh
• Navigation: GPS, GLONASS
• Wireless interfaces: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC
• Operating system: Oxygen OS (Android 7.1.1 Nougat)
• Dimensions: 154.2 × 74.1 × 7.3 mm
• Weight: 153 grams

OnePlus has always been famous for its Oxygen OS shell. It is very similar to stock Android, but it has just a huge number of interesting features and innovations. It can be flexibly configured and changed to suit your needs.

- the flagship model of OnePlus. The phone is positioned as a "flagship killer". The smartphone received a metal body, a 5.5-inch AMOLED display with a resolution of 1920 × 1080p, and a 3300 mAh battery. Unfortunately, the OnePlus 5 is completely insecure from water and dust.

The 5th generation was equipped with a top-end Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 processor paired with an Adreno 540 video accelerator. This model received a dual wide-angle camera with the ability to take portrait shots with bokeh effect. There is also support for fast charging Dash Charge.

The smartphone turned out to be interesting, especially considering its characteristics, excellent build, dual camera, and of course, Oxygen OS based on pure Android 7.1.1 Nougat. There are two colors available: Slate Gray and Soft Gold. The OnePlus 5 is priced at $ 479.

Moto z2 force

Smartphone specifications:

• Display: 5.5 inches, POLED, 2560 × 1440p, 534 ppi
• Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 835
• RAM: 4/6 GB, LPDDR4
• Flash memory: 64/128 GB
• Main camera: 12 MP + 12 MP, f / 2.0 and f / 2.0
• Front camera: 5MP
• Battery: 2730mAh
• Navigation: GPS, GLONASS
• Wireless interfaces: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC
• Operating System: Stock Android 7.1.1 Nougat
• Dimensions: 155.8 × 76 × 6.1 mm
• Weight: 143 grams

After being bought in 2011 by Google, Motorola devices began to receive operating system updates in much the same way as Nexus smartphones. For this, and not only, many fell in love with the company. Now this mobile division of the company belongs to Lenovo, and smartphones are still coming out on stock Android, which is good news.

Is the modular flagship of Motorola. The smartphone was presented relatively recently and it has not yet been sold with us. The flagship hasn't changed much from the previous generation. The novelty received a shatterproof screen with Shattershield technology and a 5.5-inch POLED display with a resolution of 2560 × 1440p.

The device has a dual 12 megapixel camera module. The first camera is wide-angle, the second is monochrome, for pictures in black and white format. Unfortunately, the Z2 Force lacks dust and moisture protection and a 3.5 mm audio output. The device is equipped with a top-end Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 processor.

A feature of the "Z" line is modularity. You can purchase a camera module, extra battery, projector, game controller, 360 ° camera or speakers. The smartphone starts at $ 720 and comes in two color options: black and white.