Poll: Best Android Phones of 2014
- Thread starter AndyCr15
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Soldato
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HTC One M8 is the best phone of 2014 imho, best looking, best built, best tuned software, best speakers, awesome screen, trouble free functionality and timely updates. Camera is on the weak side though albeit its taking awesome pictures and video.
In my view, 2014 has been a great year for mobile phones and tablets.
The hardware available is top notch, and the O/S's and apps on offer are also much improved.
I think when we talk about the best mobile phones, we are at the same time not only considering hardware spec's and software implementation, we are also looking at what best fits our own personal needs.
Whilst hardware is on the whole much the same in terms of processing power and productivity, some manufacturers are also thinking about what the end users wants. People who use their phones mostly for music can look at phones that excel in that area, those who want to take photos and video's will be more inclined to look at camera centric devices.
More and more when people are asking for advice on what phone to purchase, are themselves being being asked, "what do you want from your phone?"
All phones can make calls, text and email, but not all phones may excel in all areas, but could well be a 'jack of all trades'.
I think the arrival of the One Plus (decent phone and great price), and Xiaomi's planned expansion outside of Asia, will hopefully see on offer a greater variety of phones which can better fit our individuals needs. Whilst there has been a fair bit of Apple cloning by Chinese manufacturers, there are companies that are also prepared to produce devices that are camera centric, or are focused on the requirements of audiophiles.
Vivo, have made some really decent handsets this year, and they are a company that will likely continue to develop these 'niche' devices.
For me, any choice of the best phone of 2014, is going to be influenced by what the user wants from a phone. Having owned various Samsung devices, what I learnt was that I take lots of photos, listen to a lot of music, browse the web, use GPS, and watch videos through the TV via XBMC. I needed a phone with expandable storage, a very good camera, decent audio, decent battery, and something that would still tick these boxes in 2 years time. I don't want to replace a phone on a yearly cycle.
The phone that is my 2014 winner is the phone I bought, the Vivo Xshot, because it does what I want it to do. Yes a Note 4 or Nexus 6 would have been okay, but they would have fallen short in one or more of my requirements.
Yes, its a long post, but I wanted to give my reasoning for my vote.
The hardware available is top notch, and the O/S's and apps on offer are also much improved.
I think when we talk about the best mobile phones, we are at the same time not only considering hardware spec's and software implementation, we are also looking at what best fits our own personal needs.
Whilst hardware is on the whole much the same in terms of processing power and productivity, some manufacturers are also thinking about what the end users wants. People who use their phones mostly for music can look at phones that excel in that area, those who want to take photos and video's will be more inclined to look at camera centric devices.
More and more when people are asking for advice on what phone to purchase, are themselves being being asked, "what do you want from your phone?"
All phones can make calls, text and email, but not all phones may excel in all areas, but could well be a 'jack of all trades'.
I think the arrival of the One Plus (decent phone and great price), and Xiaomi's planned expansion outside of Asia, will hopefully see on offer a greater variety of phones which can better fit our individuals needs. Whilst there has been a fair bit of Apple cloning by Chinese manufacturers, there are companies that are also prepared to produce devices that are camera centric, or are focused on the requirements of audiophiles.
Vivo, have made some really decent handsets this year, and they are a company that will likely continue to develop these 'niche' devices.
For me, any choice of the best phone of 2014, is going to be influenced by what the user wants from a phone. Having owned various Samsung devices, what I learnt was that I take lots of photos, listen to a lot of music, browse the web, use GPS, and watch videos through the TV via XBMC. I needed a phone with expandable storage, a very good camera, decent audio, decent battery, and something that would still tick these boxes in 2 years time. I don't want to replace a phone on a yearly cycle.
The phone that is my 2014 winner is the phone I bought, the Vivo Xshot, because it does what I want it to do. Yes a Note 4 or Nexus 6 would have been okay, but they would have fallen short in one or more of my requirements.
Yes, its a long post, but I wanted to give my reasoning for my vote.
In my view, 2014 has been a great year for mobile phones and tablets.
The hardware available is top notch, and the O/S's and apps on offer are also much improved.
I think when we talk about the best mobile phones, we are at the same time not only considering hardware spec's and software implementation, we are also looking at what best fits our own personal needs.
Whilst hardware is on the whole much the same in terms of processing power and productivity, some manufacturers are also thinking about what the end users wants. People who use their phones mostly for music can look at phones that excel in that area, those who want to take photos and video's will be more inclined to look at camera centric devices.
More and more when people are asking for advice on what phone to purchase, are themselves being being asked, "what do you want from your phone?"
All phones can make calls, text and email, but not all phones may excel in all areas, but could well be a 'jack of all trades'.
I think the arrival of the One Plus (decent phone and great price), and Xiaomi's planned expansion outside of Asia, will hopefully see on offer a greater variety of phones which can better fit our individuals needs. Whilst there has been a fair bit of Apple cloning by Chinese manufacturers, there are companies that are also prepared to produce devices that are camera centric, or are focused on the requirements of audiophiles.
Vivo, have made some really decent handsets this year, and they are a company that will likely continue to develop these 'niche' devices.
For me, any choice of the best phone of 2014, is going to be influenced by what the user wants from a phone. Having owned various Samsung devices, what I learnt was that I take lots of photos, listen to a lot of music, browse the web, use GPS, and watch videos through the TV via XBMC. I needed a phone with expandable storage, a very good camera, decent audio, decent battery, and something that would still tick these boxes in 2 years time. I don't want to replace a phone on a yearly cycle.
The phone that is my 2014 winner is the phone I bought, the Vivo Xshot, because it does what I want it to do. Yes a Note 4 or Nexus 6 would have been okay, but they would have fallen short in one or more of my requirements.
Yes, its a long post, but I wanted to give my reasoning for my vote.
How does the camera compare to other flagships?
F/1.8, allowing more light into the sensor. Professional mode, where you can adjust iso, and also the phone comes with OIS. All the above means the Xshot is better in low light, manages to cope better with camera shake. Google Xshot camera images, night time shots are awesome. To answer the question, better camera than current 'flagships'.
Soldato
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One plus just need a better company behind it, and some better 4g support.
The phone that is my 2014 winner is the phone I bought, the Vivo Xshot, because it does what I want it to do. Yes a Note 4 or Nexus 6 would have been okay, but they would have fallen short in one or more of my requirements.
Yes, its a long post, but I wanted to give my reasoning for my vote.
Nice looking phone - never gave it much notice before you mentioned it
http://i2.wp.com/www.gizchina.com/wp-content/uploads/images/blue-vivo-xshot-4.jpg
http://upload.newhua.com/2014/0522/1400730759487.jpg
Great post pugwash as you've definitely got me interested in the Vivo Xshot. May I ask where you bought it from?
I'm looking at OppoMart website but i'm not too sure if I'll get hit with customs duties.
Why would you do that? I could probably have told you back in August last year (before it came out) a poll would look a little like this.
Erm, no, not really. The OnePlus One is £270, I would say better value than the Moto G 2014.
In fact, probably only one of those couldn't be bought for less than around £450. If you think paying that for a top end smartphone is 'ridiculous' then you probably just shouldn't be voting
In fact, probably only one of those couldn't be bought for less than around £450. If you think paying that for a top end smartphone is 'ridiculous' then you probably just shouldn't be voting
I got the phone from a 'top store in Italy'. I can't post a link as they sell tablets as well, and could be viewed by mods as direct competitors. OCUK has a great forum and I don't want to bite the hand that feeds.
The phone is not without its quirks. The Chinese Rom needs a few things installed to get playstore installed and location services running. I managed it, and I am not an expert.
There is an international version available out as well which has no problem with location as playstore etc is running.
Funtouch OS is heavily skinned jellybean, and there is a beta kitkat available. As the OS is so apparrent and heavily tweaked, I have kept jellybean and rooted with no intention to upgrade to kitkat. There is no news on lollipop. If you are someone who must have the latest os, then the xshot isn't for you.
I have kept the Chinese Rom, even if it has a few Chinese texts and folders here and there. The still shots are excellent, though video slow motion is not smooth. Theres a dedicated DAC, not as good as the Vivo xplay 3s, but still a nice addition.
Battery life is excellent. It uses the same 1080 screen from the LG G2, but it's been tweaked. I think anything higher than 1080 on a 5.2 inch screen is overkill.
Have a read on the vivoforums for an idea of the quality and quirks.
Interesting device for sure, but I have to be honest, all that and to suggest it's phone of the year seems to be stretching it somewhat?
*EDIT** Actually, you've not said how much it is. If it's under £200 then you might have an angle.
*EDIT** Actually, you've not said how much it is. If it's under £200 then you might have an angle.
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It's not under £200, closer to £400.
For me the 'best phone' is a subjective notion. Whilst a lot of people will not do too much research and buy the phone that is either promoted by a seller or advertiser, a lot of users who post in this forum will research and some are tech enthusiasts, and others are bordering obsession.
The more you research devices, the more you rule in and then rule out possible choices. I think that ocuk members are more discerning and as such have put a lot of thought into their purchase, and as a result find a phone that fits their personal needs.
Me saying the Xshot is the phone of 2014 is simply my subjective view. Some people are happy with closed OS systems and don't place much emphasis on expandle memory. Those limitations would send me running to the hills, but close friends absolutely believe the iPhone 6, or the HTC one m8 are the best phones of 2014. Just my opinion of course.
Yes, but in my OP I suggested someone has come to you with a handful of money asking what phone they should buy. In reality you would question them on what they need and make a decision for them based on that. I guess what I was driving at, being as unbiased to your own preferences, which phone is the best from 2014 and from what you've said, I wouldn't think yours should be in the running.
Sounds like it's right for you, I'm not contesting that, and this is of course just my own opinion based on what I've read here and of course it's not until you try and device that you really get a good feel for it.
Sounds like it's right for you, I'm not contesting that, and this is of course just my own opinion based on what I've read here and of course it's not until you try and device that you really get a good feel for it.