Top 11 best Android phones (2015)

Hunting for the ultimate Android smartphone? You've landed in the right place. If you're in a hurry, simply scroll down to see our top Android smartphone picks.

This list is updated all the time, so whether you're looking for the latest flagship or a dependable budget runabout, there's always something that will fit the bill.

If you're not sure what to buy, then scroll down to the bottom of the page for our essential Android Buyer's Guide, where we'll tell you everything you need to know before splashing out.

The 11 best Android phones:

1. Samsung Galaxy S6 (Price when reviewed: £600 inc VAT)

 You could criticise Samsung for the absent microSD slot and removable battery, but in every other respect the Samsung Galaxy S6 is a superlative smartphone, and significantly better than the HTC One M9. If only the best will do, look no further.

2. LG G4 (Price when reviewed: £498 inc VAT)

For many people, the LG G4 will be the Android phone they've been waiting for. LG hasn't compromised on performance, battery life or camera quality, yet has managed to retain key features such as a microSD slot and a removable battery. It's a brilliant phone.

 3. Sony Xperia Z3 Compact (Price when reviewed: £348 inc VAT)

Sony’s pint-sized smartphone packs in a host of premium features without the high-end price. The tough build quality and waterproofing are undeniably attractive additions for the more accident-prone smartphone user, too.

4. Samsung Galaxy S5 (Price when reviewed: £550 inc VAT)

There's an awful lot to like about the Samsung Galaxy S5, it's good looking, tough, big, feature rich and we love the user-replaceable battery and memory expansion. The Galaxy S6 might have stolen its flagship thunder, but with the S5 now turning up free on contract for as little as £20 a month, it remains a cracking smartphone in every way.

5. Motorola Moto G 2 with 4G (Price when reviewed: £145 inc VAT)

 A high-quality budget Android handset with an excellent 5in screen and decent battery life. Now, the 4G version goes one better by packing in support for super-speedy mobile data connections for an equally bargainous price.

6. HTC One M9 (Price when reviewed: £580 inc VAT)

What do you get if you take the One M8's design and give it a good spit and polish? You get a truly stunning smartphone, that's what. Upgrades include a move to Qualcomm's octa-core Snapdragon 810 SoC; the M8's 4-megapixel snapper has been swapped with a more competitive 20 megapixel sensor this time around, and HTC has added a host of features to its Sense Android launcher software. It's a great phone, just like last year'sHTC One M8, but only a small improvement on the M8.

7. Samsung Galaxy Note Edge (Price when reviewed: £609 inc VAT)

The Galaxy Note Edge takes the guts of the Galaxy Note 4 and bolts on a funky curved-edge display. It is, as you'd imagine, bloody brilliant in almost every sense - the performance, stylus input, camera are all absolutely top notch. But that curved display, as alluringly high-tech as it is, swells the overall cost and impacts upon both battery life and build quality. If you can spare the cash, though, it's an absolute stormer.

8. Samsung Galaxy Note 4 (Price when reviewed: £599 inc VAT)

Its thunder may have been well and truly stolen by the Note Edge, but don't be put off: the Galaxy Note 4 remains a giant amongst Android phones. The crystal-clear Quad HD display and redesigned body go hand-in-hand with improved performance, battery life, camera quality and a peerless range of features - this remains one of the best big-screened phones out there, and prices have begun to come down.

9. Nexus 6 (Price when reviewed: £499 inc VAT)

There's no two way about it, the Nexus 6 is an absolute behemoth. This is more a miniature tablet than a traditional handset. Once you get over ts gargantuan size, it's easy to appreciate the great battery life, decent camera, and the cracking design and build quality. The price will seal the deal for many prospective purchasers, and Android M is set to improve battery life and add a host of powerful new features.

10. Motorola Moto X (Price when reviewed: £419 inc VAT)

Motorola’s second generation Moto X hits most of the right notes, coupling beautiful design with a hatful of innovative - and useful - features. It's faced with a horde of astonishingly good competitors, though - these days, very good isn't always quite good enough.

11. Sony Xperia Z3 (Price when reviewed: £477 inc VAT)

The reign of Sony's flagship handset is coming to an end - the Xperia Z3+ has usurped the Z3's flagship mantle - but the Z3 remains a great phone. It looks and feels like a high-end handset should, and it's only real issue is that the competition is so darn good. If you can find it for a tempting price, though, it's still worthy of a place in your pocket. 

12. Motorola Moto E (2015) (Price when reviewed: £79 inc VAT)

Motorola were already onto a budget winner with the Moto E, but 2015 saw the company deliver a welcome suite of upgrades to its bargain-priced handset. The faster processor makes all the difference - it's now faster than the Moto G - and solid build quality and a decent screen go together to make for a cracking cut-price handset.