Top 10 Android phones: Galaxy S5, Xperia Z2 and Intel Merrifield
We take a look at the 10 best Google-powered handsets for business users
For the past few years Google's Android operating system has been enjoying massive growth in the consumer space. However, as shown by V3's recent Android business poll, security concerns have hampered its uptake in business.
But, with former heavyweight BlackBerry on the ropes and Apple's proprietary software and expensive hardware leaving it ill-suited for company-wide rollouts, it could be just a matter of time before CIOs are forced to let Android in.
This could put some companies in a bit of a pickle, with the wealth of Android devices and versions available making it hard to know where to start when it comes to picking devices or managing the platform.
Luckily, having braved CES and Mobile World Congress (MWC), we have a pretty good idea of what the mobile landscape is going to look like in 2014, so we have come up with the 10 best Android handsets that could boost your business.
10. Motorola Moto G
Motorola has been somewhat of an enigma in the European markets lately, only launching two phones. With the brand now being bought by Chinese firm Lenovo, it's unclear what presence the granddaddy of mobile phones will have in the UK in future.
Having seen the Moto G, we'd love Motorola to stick around. The handset boasts mid-range specs for a fraction of the cost, at an almost unbelievable £135. With a punchy 1.2GHz quad-core Qualcomm processor, a decent 720p display and Android 4.3 Jelly Bean, the device is more than suitable for companies looking to cut costs on widespread smartphone rollouts.
It's also one of a select few devices we awarded our five-star rating. We were tempted to knock a star off for its lack of SD card slot and 4G connectivity, but for £135, who's complaining?
Top 10 Android phones: Galaxy S5, Xperia Z2 and Intel Merrifield
We take a look at the 10 best Google-powered handsets for business users
9. Huawei MediaPad X1
Asus took the plus-sized "phone" trend to new heights at MWC 2013 when it unveiled its Fonepad. Despite measuring in at a hefty 7in, Asus was keen to market the Fonepad as a smartphone, arguing its 3G connectivity and ability to make and take phone calls meant it wasn't a tablet. But with its underpowered processor and low-end internal components, the Fonepad never took off.
One year on Chinese tech giant Huawei unveiled its own giant 7in MediaPad X1 "phone" at its MWC 2014 keynote. While we definitely felt a little self conscious when trying to make a call in the MWC showroom, we were impressed with its solid, slightly iPad Mini-like metal design.
Add to this its powerful Hisilicon Kirin 910 1.6GHz quad-core processor, crisp 7in 1200x1920 low-temperature polysilicon (LTPS) LCD display and high-quality 13MP rear camera, we can definitely see the MediaPad X1 proving a hit with users who follow the bigger is better philosophy.
8. Panasonic Toughpad 5in
Panasonic has been carving a name for itself in the enterprise space with its indestructible Toughpad tablets. Yet to date every one of Panasonic's Toughpads has lacked one key feature: they haven't been able to make phone calls. This MWC the Japanese firm fixed this issue, unveiling its 5in FZ-X1, Android 4.2 Jelly Bean Toughpad.
The FZ-X1 is fully IP68 certified, making it one of the toughest devices on the market. Panasonic has also loaded the FZ-X1 with a host of enterprise perks, including a built-in barcode scanner and removable battery. Thanks to a USB dock underneath the Toughpad's removable backplate, businesses users can also attach peripherals to the device, such as a second battery or chip and PIN reader.
The combination means the FZ-X1 has the chops to be one of the most solid smartphones available to businesses this year.
Top 10 Android phones: Galaxy S5, Xperia Z2 and Intel Merrifield
We take a look at the 10 best Google-powered handsets for business users
7. Samsung Galaxy Note 3
Samsung has been a key player in the phablet market for good reason: they're great devices. That's not to say they're perfect, however. The firm now insists on coating its handsets with faux leather, which certainly divides opinion. Furthermore, its lamentable Touchwiz user interface is a real drawback.
But the Galaxy Note 3 is still a best-in-class device. Its S Pen stylus, top-end 2.3 GHz quad-core processor and gorgeous full-HD 1920x1080 display more than makes up for questionable design.
This is a premium device for high fliers and is probably not suitable for mass rollouts, but it's certainly something you can use to make your subordinates jealous.
6. Intel Merrifield reference design handset
Intel's Merrifield reference design smartphone may not have arrived on shelves yet, but Intel told V3 that it’s hoping to bring it to market soon.
This would be excellent news for businesses in the market for a powerful, reliable Android smartphone. With Intel’s new Merrifield Atom chip under the hood, the smartphone promises extremely smooth performance, and with it being a dual-core chip only, it will likely be cheaper than the quad-core Galaxy S5 and Xperia Z2, for example.
Intel is also promising that its Atom chip will offer decent battery life, although it is yet to talk specifics.
Beyond its nippy, power-saving chip, Intel’s Merrifield reference design smartphone also has a high-resolution 4in display, and includes an unskinned version of Google’s Android 4.4 KitKat software, so it will be quick to receive software updates, and easy for businesses to customise.
5. Sony Xperia Z1 Compact
In today's world where 5in smartphones are the norm, those with smaller hands can sometimes feel overlooked. In general small devices, such as the Galaxy S4 Mini and HTC One Mini, have featured sub-par internal specifications and offered at best adequate performance. Sony has worked to rectify this situation with its latest Xperia Z1 Compact.
Unveiled at CES 2014 in Las Vegas the Xperia Z1 Compact somehow manages to cram pretty much all the same top-end components seen on its larger Z1 sibling into a smaller 4.5in chassis. Key additions include a powerful 2.2GHz quad-core Qualcomm processor and high-quality 20.7MP rear camera.
Available now for £450 SIM-free, the top-end internal components make the Z1 Compact the definitive smartphone choice for any small-handed buyer.
Top 10 Android phones: Galaxy S5, Xperia Z2 and Intel Merrifield
We take a look at the 10 best Google-powered handsets for business users
4. Google Nexus 5
It might not be the newest phone on our list, but the Google Nexus 5 remains one of the best Android phones for businesses, particularly those on a budget.
Running Google’s Android 4.4 KitKat operating system, the Nexus 5 will be among the first to receive future software updates, meaning it will quickly receive the latest Android features, while remaining secure. Businesses that use Google services will find apps such as Drive and Gmail pre-installed, while Google Play offers access to thousands more applications. There’s also Google Now, which will ensure employees are never late to another meeting.
Staff are unlikely to turn their noses up at the Nexus 5 either, as the phone touts a 5in 1080p HD screen, a quad-core processor, an 8MP camera and a sleek, 8.6mm-thick design.
What’s more, Google sells the Nexus 5 from just £299 without a contract, which is a bargain compared with other devices on the list.
3. The Blackphone
Since whistleblower Edward Snowden leaked classified documents to the press chronicling the US National Security Agency's far-reaching PRISM spy operations, privacy has been paramount for many smartphone buyers.
Aware of this, secure communications firm Silent Circle partnered with hardware gurus at Geeksphone to create the ultra-secure Blackphone. Running a heavily customised version of Google Android, codenamed PrivatOS, Silent Circle claims the Blackphone is the most secure smartphone available. PrivatOS integrates Silent Circle's Silent Text, Silent Phone, Silent Contacts and Silent Keys services directly into it.
The services use custom secure messaging technologies to let Blackphone users set up secure communications channels with other Silent Circle customers. As an added perk the technology is designed to be untraceable and uses self-creating and deleting encryption keys that are not stored anywhere. This means even if someone were to hack the phone or Silent Circle, they still would not be able to decrypt any stolen data.
Sadly, the technology only works on communications between two phones running Silent Circle services. But even with this issue, considering the number of attacks targeting corporate data, we can definitely see the Blackphone being a big hit with C-level executives who regularly handle sensitive data.
Top 10 Android phones: Galaxy S5, Xperia Z2 and Intel Merrifield
We take a look at the 10 best Google-powered handsets for business users
2. Sony Xperia Z2
Sony's latest flagship smartphone is the perfect companion for any clumsy office worker, especially if you're prone to dropping your phone in your cup of tea. Its IP55 certification means it is completely waterproof and rugged enough to survive use from even the most ham-fisted business users.
What's more, it's also a great all rounder, supporting full 4K video recording so you can record meetings, presentations and your bosses dancing at the office party in high resolution detail of 3840x2160 pixels, four times that of standard HD.
Running the latest version of Google's Android 4.4 KitKat mobile OS right out of the box, the Xperia Z2 has been skinned with Sony's custom user interface. But the good news is Sony has only made minor changes so it's not too overbearing, feeling slick and smooth to use, making it great for those busy times when you just need your phone to do as you tell it.
1. Samsung Galaxy S5
For years Samsung has dominated the consumer smartphone market with its Galaxy range. The firm is clearly keen to get business buyers to consider its devices, though, and its latest effort the Galaxy S5 has plenty to shout about.
Most notably the device, like the iPhone 5S, features a fingerprint scanner, allowing users to unlock the device by swiping their digits across the home button. This could prove a real boost for security purposes.
Secondly, the firm has also added a slew of new features to its Knox service, such as VPN+ and enhanced container security powers. A new Knox Marketplace and Knox Enterprise Mobility Management (EMM) service are also key additions, giving IT managers more control over staff device use.
Add to this the usual high-end specs from Samsung - such as a 5.1in full HD screen, an upgraded quad-core 2.5GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 processor and a 16MP rear-facing camera - and Samsung can lay claim to the Android crown for a while longer, and may well become the Android device of choice for businesses.