For most people the default choice is Android as the platform offers the combined advantage of Google with its Android software and the variety of hardware with manufacturers such as Samsung, Motorola, HTC, Sony, LG and others having created a buoyant and incredibly competitive market. As the current year is drawing closer to its end and all are eagerly prepping to welcome 2015, we have come up with the list of best flagship smartphones that have been launched this year.
Google Nexus 6
Nexus 6 is fitted with a 5.96 inch Quad HD display with a resolution of 1440×2560 pixels and a pixel density of 493 pixels per inch. A 2.7 GHz quad core Qualcomm Snapdragon 805 processor aided by 3 GB of RAM powers the smartphone. There are 32 GB and 64 GB native storage options that cannot be expanded further as there is no micro SD card. The imaging hardware of the Nexus 6 includes a 13 MP primary snapper and a 2 MP front facing selfie camera. Fueled by Android 5.0 Lollipop, the handset gets energized by a 3,220 mAh battery.
Key Specs
| Model | Google Nexus 6 |
| Display | 5.96 inch, Quad HD |
| Processor | 2.7 GHz Quad Core Qualcomm Snapdragon 805 |
| RAM | 3 GB |
| Internal Storage | 32 GB/ 64 GB, Non-Expandable |
| OS | Android 5.0 Lollipop |
| Camera | 13 MP/ 2 MP |
| Battery | 3,220 mAh |
| Price | Rs 44,000/ Rs 49,000 |
Sony Xperia Z3
The Sony flagship smartphone houses a 5.2 inch FHD Triluminos display with Live Color LED powered X-Reality engine with a brightness level of 600 nits. Under its hood, the Xperia Z3 incorporates a 2.5 GHz quad core Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 processor supplemented with Adreno 330 graphics engine and 3 GB of RAM. The handset packs 16 GB of native storage capacity that can be expanded externally by another 128 GB. For imaging, the Xperia Z3 uses a 20.7 MP primary snapper with Exmor RS sensor, LED flash, auto focus, optical image stabilization and 4K video recording. Also, the handset flaunts a 2.2 MP selfie camera at its front. A 3,100 mAh battery operates under the smartphone pumping a decent backup to it.
Key Specs
| Model | Sony Xperia Z3 |
| Display | 5.2 inch, FHD |
| Processor | 2.5 GHz Quad Core Snapdragon 801 |
| RAM | 3 GB |
| Internal Storage | 16 GB, Expandable up to 128 GB |
| OS | Android 4.4 KitKat |
| Camera | 20.7 MP/ 2.2 MP |
| Battery | 3,100 mAh |
| Price | Rs 51,990 |
Samsung Galaxy Note 4
The Galaxy Note 4 is bestowed with a 5.7 inch Quad HD Super AMOLED display with a resolution of 2560×1440 pixels and Corning Gorilla Glass 3 protection. This time, Samsung has announced the quad core Qualcomm Snapdragon 805 variant of the Note 4 in India with 3 GB of RAM. The default storage capacity of the Note 4 is 32 GB and there is support for expandable storage up to 64 GB. The Galaxy Note 4 is given a 16 MP Sony IMX240 main camera with Smart Optical Image Stabilizer and dual LED flash and a 3.7 MP front facing selfie camera with F1.9 aperture that can capture 60 percent more light, 90 degree shooting angle and 120 degree wide angle for clicking a wider frame of selfies. Also, there is a 3,220 mAh battery to pump long hours of backup to the smartphone.
Key Specs
| Model | Samsung Galaxy Note 4 |
| Display | 5.7 inch, FHD |
| Processor | 2.7 GHz Quad Core Snapdragon 805 |
| RAM | 3 GB |
| Internal Storage | 32 GB, Expandable up to 64 GB |
| OS | Android 4.4.4 KitKat |
| Camera | 16 MP/ 3.7 MP |
| Battery | 3,220 mAh |
| Price | Rs 58,300 |
LG G3
The LG G3 boasts of a 5.5 inch IPS display with QHD screen resolution of 2560×1440 pixels. Fueled by Android 4.4.2 KitKat, the phone uses a 2.5 GHz quad core Snapdragon 801 chipset paired with Adreno 330 graphics engine. The handset comes in two variants – 16 GB of internal storage and 2 GB of RAM and 32 GB of internal storage and 3 GB of RAM respectively. There is expandable storage support up to 128 GB using a micro SD card. The LG G3 features a 13 MP primary snapper with OIS, dual LED flash, auto focus and 4K video shooting and a 2.1 MP front facer. Operating within the smartphone is a 3,000 mAh battery supporting Qiwireless charging.
Key Specs
| Model | LG G3 |
| Display | 5.5 inch, QHD, 2K |
| Processor | 2.5 GHz Quad Core Snapdragon 801 |
| RAM | 2 GB/ 3 GB |
| Internal Storage | 16 GB/32 GB, Expandable up to 128 GB |
| OS | Android 4.4.2 KitKat |
| Camera | 13 MP/2.1 MP |
| Battery | 3,000 mAh |
| Price | Rs 47,990/Rs 50,990 |
HTC One M8
HTC One M8 comes with a 5 inch FHD display with 1920×1080 pixel resolution and is energized by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 SoC paired with 2 GB of RAM. The handset will be available in two configurations – 16 GB and 32 GB storage options respectively each with support for expandable storage up to 128 GB. The highlight of the HTC One M8 is its duo camera setup that combines the UltraPixel camera and a depth sensing camera to let users to refocus images even after they have been clicked. A 5 MP front camera is given to the flagship smartphone for video conferencing and clicking selfies. Running on Android 4.4.2 KitKat topped with Sense 6 UI, the handset is powered by a 2,600 mAh battery.
Key Specs
| Model | HTC One M8 |
| Display | 5.0 inch, FHD |
| Processor | 2.3 GHz/ 2.5 GHz Quad Core Snapdragon 801 |
| RAM | 2 GB |
| Internal Storage | 16 GB/32 GB/64 GB, Expandable up to 128 GB |
| OS | Android 4.4.2 KitKat |
| Camera | 4 MP Ultra Pixel/ 5 MP |
| Battery | 2.600 mAh |
| Price | Rs 49,990 |
Conclusion
While these flagship smartphones along with the others that exist in the market are pretty advanced, the next year is expected to be even better with many other impressive devices to be launched. Already we have been hearing a plethora of rumors regarding the upcoming devices and we would witness few of them in the first quarter of 2015 at the CES and MWC events.
