10 Best Android phones 2016: which should you buy?

You can no longer get the Samsung Galaxy Note 7, so if you want a smartphone with the stylus, you'll have to dial it back to the Galaxy Note 5. Don't worry, there was never any Note 6, so this phone is only a year old and still incredibly powerful.

Its 5.7-inch screen gives you ample room to doodle with the S Pen, and while it's certainly bigger in the hand, than the Galaxy S7, its curved back makes it easy enough to hold if you have a large grasp. I also got better use of split-screen multitasking and the camera on this beast of a phone.

Read the full review: Samsung Galaxy Note 5 review

LG is trying something quite different with the LG G5. It's a modular phone meaning you can swap out certain features and plug in another when you need something else.

Here this means you can grab the bottom of the phone and pull it out to put in another module that either offers higher audio quality or an easier to grip camera.

It also features a 5.3-inch 2K display as well as 4GB of RAM and 32GB of storage. You won't be disappointed with the spec here as well as the 16MP rear facing camera you have to play with.

The design of the LG G5 isn't to everyone's taste. But if you like the look of this phone and you're not put off by the price, you should buy the LG G5.

Read the full review: LG G5

For some, the OnePlus 3 is the best Android phone around - and to be fair, they have a point.

The Chinese firm has improved on a number of issues fans had with its predecessor, wrapping the OnePlus 3 in a new premium suit and managed to keep the price low enough to worry the established names in the market.

We love the new design, the AMOLED display is bright and vibrant and the fingerprint scanner is much improved and lightning fast.

The lack of a microSD card, and a battery which doesn't last more than a day may put some off, but considering the price you're paying the OnePlus is fantastic value for money.

If you're desperate for a high-end Android phone, but don't have the money to stretch to the Samsungs or HTC, the OnePlus 3 will make you very, very happy.

Read the full review: OnePlus 3

HTC takes seventh place on our best Android phone list with the gorgeous HTC 10. The HTC 10 has a new design with but if you're a fan of the HTC look don't worry, it shares a lot of its design language with past HTC handsets.

It has a 5.2-inch 2K display, which makes watching video gorgeous, as well as some strong spec under-the-hood including 4GB of RAM and a Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 chipset.

The camera technology is a big focus for HTC though. A 12MP sensor may not sound like much, but it makes some gorgeous images on the back and there's a 5MP front-facing camera to capture your selfies too.

Read the full review: HTC 10

Several $400 Android smartphones launched in 2016, and the ZTE Axon 7 was the best of the bunch. It combines a metal design with high-end specs that we've seen in flagship phones throughout the year. It also has some features not available in other pricier Androids, like dual-front facing speakers and 64GB of internal storage.

ZTE is offering a better value for a mid-range phone, and while the OnePlus 3 has nearly the same specs for an identical starting price, the Axon 7 includes a microSD card slot and and Quad HD 5.5-inch display. Sprint and Verizon users be warned, it won't work on CDMA carriers in the US, so it's AT&T and T-Mobile only. Everyone else will like this phone and its cheap price.

Full review: ZTE Axon 7

The Moto Z is modular like the LG G5, but it's far better with extra add-ons and a much easier to use snap-on design.

It's powerful and the modular design means you'll be able to switch out elements for future accessories and could mean you can keep this phone for much longer than other devices that will date quicker.

Usually when we talk about mid-cycle upgrades, we're strictly talking about new software. Moto Z could take on new form at any time.

It may be the world's thinnest phone, but that comes at a cost with a reduction in battery size and the loss of the headphone jack - potential issues for some users. If you can overlook these shortcomings though you'll have a truly innovative device in your hands.

Read the full review: Motorola Moto Z

The Google Pixel XL offers up a pure Android experience on a bigger, higher resolution display than its brother, the Pixel.

The clean, slick interface is a joy to use, while the 12MP snapper round the back delivers some quality shots.

A fingerprint scanner not only keeps the Pixel XL secure, it also uses gestures to give you easier access to the notification bar - saving you from overstretching your thumb to the top of the screen.

The price is on the steep side, but this is a premium flagship device and while we'd like the battery to be a bit better the XL is still an excellent smartphone.

Read our full review: Google Pixel XL

If you're looking for the ultimate Android experience without any over-complicated features the Google Pixel is the phone for you.

It takes the latest version of Google's software - Android 7.1 Nougat - in its natural form. There's no annoying third-party manufacturer overlay, it's Android as Google intended.

Add to that its premium design (although the glass patch on the rear is a little questionable), excellent camera and huge amount of power under the hood and you've got yourself a rather special smartphone.

The battery life is the weak point for the Pixel, and we'd recommend carrying a charger with you if you're out all day.

Read our full review: Google Pixel

Second place goes to the Samsung Galaxy S7. The Galaxy S6 was our favorite Android phone of 2015, but now the Galaxy S7 has improved on it in almost every way.

There's a brand new waterproof design with a variety of little changes that make it much more comfortable to hold.

It doesn't look as innovative as the Galaxy S7 Edge with its curved display, but this version is much more compact than the Galaxy S6 Edge+.

The issues come in the high price and the fact there's only one storage version. But you can always buy a microSD card, up to 200GB, and get a bit of extra room.

If you're looking for one of the best, high-end phones in the world right now - this Android is a great choice.

Read the full review: Samsung Galaxy S7

It has finally happened - the Edge version of a Samsung phone is now actually the best Android phone in the world.

Samsung's Galaxy S7 Edge expands on what the curved display from the Galaxy S6 Edge can do. It has found a happy medium at the 5.5-inch size as well as adding in a lot of new functionality for the most innovative screen tech in phones.

The camera may look like it has dropped when you see it on the spec sheet - but in fact bringing it down to 12MP and updating the sensor technology has meant this is one of the best phone cameras out there.

All in all, the Galaxy S7 Edge is an improvement on everything that went before it. Finally, Samsung has nailed the most interesting version of its phone and made the Galaxy S7 Edge the reigning champion of the phone game.

Read the full review: Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge

Source: TechRadar posted by Campus94