Modern smartphones are hardly capable of surprising with any special characteristics: devices in a specific price range have similar processors, screens and memory capacities. Therefore, manufacturers are trying to attract the attention of buyers with software - shells with unique and not so functions.
Unfortunately, these skins often come with a jumble of useless apps and services that make the phone run slower than it could. Therefore, more and more people are inclined to buy smartphones on a pure version of Android.
The advantage of an unmodified operating system is not only speed, but also the fact that devices on it usually receive fresh updates one of the first. Below are the best of them.
High-budget smartphones
Google Pixel 2 and 2 XL
9to5google.comThe latest smartphones from Google are popular in many ways precisely because of pure Android and timely updates. Both devices have a high-quality filling, a nice minimalistic design and a number of unique software features: for example, multifunctional.
The Pixel 2 and 2 XL have three main differences. The Pixel 2 XL has a 6-inch QHD + display with an 18: 9 aspect ratio, while its younger brother only boasts a 5-inch Full HD display with a 16: 9 aspect ratio. Plus, the XL model has a larger battery (3 520 vs.2,700 mAh) and thinner bezels.
Both smartphones use the Snapdragon 835 processor, 4GB of RAM and an excellent 12.2MP camera. The phones are capable of taking pictures with the background blur effect, despite the fact that they have only one camera.
Google Pixel 2 specifications
- 5-inch AMOLED display with a resolution of 1,920 x 1,080 pixels;
- Snapdragon 835 processor;
- 4 GB of RAM;
- non-removable battery with a capacity of 2,700 mAh;
- Android 8.0 Oreo;
- 145.7 x 69.7 x 7.8 mm, 143 g.
Google Pixel 2 XL specifications
- 6-inch POLED display with a resolution of 2,880 x 1,440 pixels;
- Snapdragon 835 processor;
- 4 GB of RAM;
- 64 or 128 GB of internal memory (not expandable);
- 12.2MP rear and 8MP front cameras;
- non-removable battery with a capacity of 3,520 mAh;
- Android 8.0 Oreo;
- 157.9 x 76.7 x 7.9 mm, 175 g.
Nokia 8 Sirocco
9to5google.com Nokia's flagship is part of Google's Android One initiative, which guarantees a clean OS and timely updates. The smartphone will run Android 8.0 Oreo out of the box, and will likely update to 8.1 later.
The phone is an improved version of the Nokia 8, which was released in August 2017. The new device has a larger 5.5-inch screen, rounded at the sides, like the displays on the latest Samsung Galaxy S and Note. The Nokia 8 Sirocco has thinner bezels and IP67 water resistance, which is more than enough for reliable protection.
But the main advantage of the smartphone is a dual camera with Carl Zeiss optics and 2x optical zoom. Despite the recent, the device is equipped with a Snapdragon 835 processor, and not the more powerful Snapdragon 845. The flagship will go on sale in April.
Specifications
- 5.5-inch POLED display with a resolution of 2,560 x 1,440 pixels;
- Snapdragon 835 processor;
- 6 GB of RAM;
- 128GB of internal storage expandable up to 256GB;
- dual rear camera (12 and 13 megapixels), front 5 megapixel camera;
- non-removable battery with a capacity of 3 260 mAh;
- Android 8.0 Oreo;
- 140.9 x 73 x 7.5 mm.
Mid-budget smartphones
Xiaomi Mi A1
9to5google.com Mi A1 is the first Xiaomi smartphone as part of the Android One initiative. One of the reasons for its great success is pure Android: not everyone likes the shell for which the Chinese company is famous. In addition, the Mi A1 is an excellent device in terms of value for money.
Inside, the smartphone with a 5.5-inch Full HD screen has a Snapdragon 625 processor and 4 GB of RAM. The phone can't compete with the Pixel 2 XL, but it's still powerful enough for the average user.
At the back is a dual camera that allows you to take photos with bokeh effect. Initially, the smartphone has Android Nougat installed, but it can be updated to Oreo.
Specifications
- 5.5-inch IPS display with a resolution of 1,920 x 1,080 pixels;
- Snapdragon 625 processor;
- 4 GB of RAM;
- 64GB of internal storage expandable up to 128GB;
- dual rear camera (12 megapixels each), front 5 megapixel camera;
- non-removable battery with a capacity of 3,080 mAh;
- Android 7.1.2 Nougat;
- 155.4 x 75.8 x 7.3 mm, 165 g.
HTC U11 Life
9to5google.com There are two smartphone options on the market. The first one - with proprietary firmware HTC Sense, the second - with a clean version of Android 8.0 Oreo.
One of the main features of U11 Life is Edge Sense technology, which allows you to open the apps you want by simply gripping your phone. The feature is in the HTC U11 and, it should be noted, works great.
The smartphone is equipped with a 5.2-inch screen with Full HD resolution, a Snapdragon 630 processor and, depending on the configuration, 3 or 4 GB of RAM.
Specifications
- 5.2-inch SuperLCD display with a resolution of 1,920 x 1,080 pixels;
- Snapdragon 630 processor;
- 3 or 4 GB of RAM;
- 32 or 64 GB of internal storage, expandable up to 256 GB;
- 16MP rear and front cameras;
- non-removable battery with a capacity of 2 600 mAh;
- Android 8.0 Oreo;
- 149.1 x 72.9 x 8.1 mm, 142 g.
Budget smartphones
Nokia 2
The device runs on stock Android 7.1 Nougat, receives monthly security updates and will eventually migrate to Android 8.0 Oreo. This is a cheap 5-inch phone that stands out among its peers with an impressive 4,100 mAh battery.
Nokia 2 owners can upload unlimited photos and videos to "". The device is protected against water drops according to the IP52 standard. The frame is made of aluminum, the back cover is made of polycarbonate.
Inside the smartphone, you can find a Snapdragon 212 processor and 1 GB of RAM. The rear camera has a resolution of 8 megapixels.
Specifications
- Snapdragon 212 processor;
- 1 GB of RAM;
- 8GB of internal storage expandable up to 128GB; The Moto E4 runs on a virtually untouched version of Android Nougat, with only a handful of apps and features added. Despite this, the operating system looks almost identical to the pure version of Android, which is why the smartphone made it to the list.
- 5-inch IPS display with a resolution of 1 280 × 720 pixels;
- Snapdragon 425 or 427 processor;
- 2 GB of RAM;
- 16GB of internal storage expandable up to 128GB;
- 8MP rear and 5MP front cameras;
- non-removable battery with a capacity of 2 800 mAh;
- Android 7.1 Nougat;
- 144.5 x 72 x 9.3 mm, 150 g.
This is another great value for money device. For a very small amount, you can get a smartphone with a 5-inch HD screen, Snapdragon 425 or 427 processor and 2 GB of RAM.
Despite the low cost, the Moto E4 is not without a fingerprint scanner. The device has a nano-coating that protects it from splashes. The battery capacity is 2 800 mAh.
