All the same, our rating should start with devices without an audio chip. These smartphones cost relatively little money. That being said, for example, the Xiaomi Mi Note 3 sounds pretty good. He has loud stereo speakers at his disposal, and there are no special complaints about the sound in the headphones. Especially if you are connecting a headset that supports Bluetooth 5.0 technology. As for the wired connection, you will have to use an adapter for this purpose, since there is only one connector on the device's case - USB Type-C.

Mainly responsible for the sound here is the Snapdragon 660 processor. This is an eight-core chipset, half of the cores of which are clocked at 2.2 GHz. He is great at sound processing and in games. Everything is in order with a smartphone and with a graphics accelerator - Adreno 512 is used as it. The gadget also includes 4 GB of RAM and 64 GB of permanent memory. The only thing that is a little embarrassing against this background is the absence of a memory card slot. However, nowadays it is a rare person who keeps a full-fledged music library in his memory; more often, various online services are used to listen to songs.

Autonomous operation of the device is provided by a 3500 mAh battery. In MP3-player mode, the smartphone will definitely last for several days. The buyer should also be pleased with the support of the Quick Charge 3.0 technology, which provides fast charging. The product also has a fingerprint scanner located on the front panel.

The picture is displayed here on a 5.5-inch display, created using IPS technology and having a Full HD resolution. The Android 7.1 operating system is handling what is happening. Internet access is carried out via LTE and Wi-Fi 802.11ac. You can also pay for purchases using this smartphone - an NFC chip is used for this.

Xiaomi Mi Note 3 received very decent cameras. The front camera has a 16-megapixel resolution, which is quite enough for high-quality selfies. As for the rear camera, it is double. The second lens has a shorter focal length, due to which a 2x optical zoom is realized. The main optics are capable of boasting aperture open to f / 1.8. Both matrices have 12-megapixel resolution. It should be noted that this camera can shoot video in 4K resolution, albeit only at 30 frames / s.

Dignity

• Available high speed internet;
• Good front camera
• Large amount of memory;
• Built-in powerful processor;
• Decent IPS display
• There is a fingerprint sensor;
• A USB Type-C connector is used;
• Built-in NFC chip;
• Excellent rear camera with optical zoom.

Flaws

• There is no 3.5mm audio jack;
• No memory card slot;
• There is no audio processor.

Another smartphone in our ranking, which has at its disposal 64 GB of internal memory. And here, too, there is no slot for a memory card, which some may not like. If you buy such a device, then it is better to refuse storing music tracks in FLAC format in memory. The memory comes in handy for storing other files - in particular, videos captured with the dual rear camera. They are written only in Full HD resolution, but with the use of an optical stabilizer. By the way, the camera turned out to be very fast - the main lens is capable of boasting an aperture of f / 1.9. If we talk about the front-facing camera, then it consists of only one optical module, but a 20-megapixel sensor is hidden under it.

However, smartphones are not included in this rating because of their camera. What about the sound? Let's start with the fact that this model also does not have a separate audio processor. More precisely, the manufacturer declares its presence, but the name of the chip is not specified. However, the eight-core Snapdragon 660 does a pretty good job of processing sound anyway. It's nice that the device received stereo speakers - many modern smartphones have only one speaker. As a result, the device sounds good not only when playing music, but also when launching games. By the way, Adreno 512 is responsible for graphics processing. Another product received 4 GB random access memory, which is enough for the Android 7.1 operating system.

A certain number of Meizu 15 buyers will want to use headphones. Nothing will stop it. Wireless connection carried out using the Bluetooth 4.2 standard. But the 3.5mm audio jack seems to be much more useful. The USB Type-C port will be used by the owner of the smartphone only to connect the charger and synchronize with the PC.

It should be noted that the Chinese manufacturer tried in every possible way to reduce the thickness of his creation. As a result, he opted for a battery with a capacity not exceeding 3000 mAh. We would call this parameter insufficient, but our impressions are changed by the LCD display. The fact is that it is made using AMOLED technology. This means that when displaying dark colors, the screen is practically not wasted energy. In a word, at first, a full charge will be enough for a couple of days of battery life. The picture will change only after a very large number of applications are installed on the smartphone. The display resolution is 1920x1080 pixels - with a 5.46-inch diagonal this is quite normal.

Perhaps the Chinese have got an excellent device. It exists in four color options x, and the minimum thickness of the side frames will facilitate easy use of the gadget with one hand. Separately, the minimum weight can be noted - a rare modern smartphone weighs only 152 g.

Dignity

• Several types of body colors;
• High-speed wireless modules are used;
• Decent amount of memory;
• Installed a powerful processor;
• USB Type-C and 3.5mm audio jack are present;
• Decent front camera
• Excellent dual camera with optical stabilization;
• An AMOLED display is used;
• Very light weight;

Flaws

• Not a very capacious battery;
• There is no NFC.

This is already a significantly less expensive smartphone in our ranking. The device is almost no different from those devices that were popular 3-4 years ago. That is, quite wide side frames are waiting for you, and to control the operating system you will need to use the subscreen keys. By the way, the "Home" button is physical, and additionally it has a built-in fingerprint scanner. Previously, similar solutions were found in Samsung smartphones.

Like absolutely all smartphones reviewed today, ASUS ZenFone 4 has stereo speakers. But in such inexpensive devices they are almost never found! Also, the sound can be output to headphones using the usual 3.5 mm audio jack. When connected, you can activate the FM radio - this, by the way, is also a rare guest in modern smartphones. Of course, you can also output sound to a wireless headset, for which Bluetooth 5.0 is used.

Perhaps, in terms of sound, it is extremely difficult to find fault with this device. Although it feels like there is no DAC here, which is why even when listening to FLAC music you are unlikely to hear even the smallest details. However, the eight-core processor tries to squeeze the best out of itself. By the way, there are two versions of ASUS ZenFone 4: one received the Snapdragon 660, and the other - the Snapdragon 630. In terms of power, both chipsets are approximately equal, so you shouldn't seriously think about this.

A USB Type-C connector is used to recharge this smartphone. Most importantly, the 3300 mAh battery supports fast charging technology. Of course, the display consumes the most energy here. It was created using IPS technology, and its resolution with a 5.5-inch diagonal is 1920x1080 pixels. The standard aspect ratio makes it a pleasure to watch YouTube videos. And don't forget about stereo sound! It also contributes to increased comfort!

As mentioned above, this device has a relatively low price tag. Therefore, do not expect to receive perfect camera... However, its dual module is unlikely to disappoint you. Of course, the camera is not capable of recording 4K video, but it copes very well with a picture in Full HD resolution. It is also important to note the presence of an optical stabilizer - it allows the system to take a slightly longer shutter speed, which is useful in low light conditions. It remains to add that the main module has an aperture of f / 1.8. As for the front camera, it looks less impressive with an 8-megapixel matrix.

Dignity

• There is an FM radio;
• There is a fingerprint sensor;
• Built-in USB Type-C connector;
• Decent IPS display
• Not forgotten 3.5mm audio jack;
• There is an NFC chip;
• High speed standards are supported;
• Nice rear camera complemented by optical stabilization;
• Decent amount of memory;
• A powerful processor is used;
• Not very high cost.

Flaws

• Only two color options;
• Unpretentious front camera;
• The firmware has a ton of unnecessary applications.

The best smartphones with good sound in the middle price segment

The Chinese company Meizu decided to become more original. She released a smartphone called "Meizu 16th". However, not only the name is special here. The user is waiting for a flagship with a fingerprint scanner built into the screen! The device has a frameless design, but the areas above and below the display are preserved. The screen has a 6-inch diagonal and a resolution of 2160x1080 pixels. The 18: 9 aspect ratio makes it much easier to use two apps at the same time. It is incredibly pleasing that the display was created using AMOLED technology. This means that the screen has rich color reproduction and very low power consumption. There is no doubt that with a 3010 mAh battery the device will work on a full charge for about two days.

This smartphone can no longer be called a budget one, in Russia its cost reaches 30 thousand rubles. In this regard, it is not surprising that there is a central audio processor Qualcomm Aqstic (WCD9341) here. Also included in the device is the CS35L41 amplifier. In a word, this representative of our rating can transmit sound in excellent quality even to on-ear headphones! It is proposed to connect an accessory via a 3.5 mm audio jack. There is also Bluetooth 5.0, which is required to synchronize a smartphone with smart watch and wireless broadcasting of sound. However, it is not necessary to output sound to headphones or a loudspeaker, the built-in stereo speakers do their job well.

It is difficult to find fault with the rest of the characteristics of the gadget. For example, the buyer will definitely be pleased with the rear camera. It is double, and matrices with a resolution of 12 and 20 megapixels are hidden under its lenses. With this module, you can take pictures with a beautifully blurred background. The camera is capable of 4K video recording, albeit with a frequency of only 30 frames / s. The main lens has an aperture of f / 1.8, which indicates a high aperture. And there is also optical image stabilization.

An eight-core Snapdragon 845 is built into the smartphone as a processor. Top-end chipset. Also under the body of the smartphone are 4 GB of RAM and 64 GB of permanent memory. It remains to be regretted that this volume cannot be increased - there is no corresponding slot here.

Dignity

• Implemented Quick Charge 4.0 fast charging technology;
• High speed wireless connection;
• Excellent AMOLED display
• There is a fingerprint sensor;
• There are 3.5mm and USB Type-C connectors;
• Decent amount of memory;
• A top processor is used;
• The rear dual camera is complemented by an optical stabilizer;
• Excellent 20-megapixel front camera;
• Weight does not exceed 152 g;
• DAC and amplifier are built in.

Flaws

• No memory card slot;
• High price.

Think 64GB of internal storage is not enough? Looking for a device with a cutout screen at the top? In this case, you should be pleased with another representative of our rating - Xiaomi Mi8. This is the flagship of the Chinese manufacturer, operating under Android 8.1. For storing files, 128 GB of memory are intended here. There is no microSD card slot, but buyers of the device will hardly remember it. It is also impossible not to notice that as many as 6 color variants of the smartphone have gone on sale. What other flagship is capable of providing such diversity?

The front panel of this gadget houses an AMOLED display with a diagonal of 6.21 inches. The screen occupies 84% ​​of the front panel area, so using the device is still quite convenient. Although it must be admitted that the help of the second hand is required on a regular basis. The display resolution is 2280x1080 pixels. You can see that the screen is stretched in height - this is done for more comfortable work with two open applications... There is also, as mentioned above, a curly neckline. It houses sensors, an earpiece and a 20-megapixel front camera.

If the smartphone is turned over, then you can see not only the fingerprint scanner, but also the dual camera. Both lenses have exactly the same 12-megapixel matrix. The design of the optical modules themselves is noticeably different - as a result, a double zoom becomes available to the user. The main lens has an f / 1.8 aperture and an optical stabilizer. As for the telephoto lens, it has an f / 2.4 aperture. The quality of the shooting is excellent, the buyer is unlikely to complain about anything. I am glad that the camera is capable of 4K video recording (the frequency will not exceed 30 frames / s).

Of course, the smartphone is pleased with many other components. For example, the manufacturer has built a 3400 mAh battery here. Its full charge dries up in one and a half to two days of active operation of the smartphone. In addition to this, it also charges very quickly, for which one should thank the support for Quick Charge 4.0 technology. The top-end Snapdragon 845 is used as a processor. This eight-core chipset allows you to run absolutely any games without reducing the level of graphics. There are also 6 GB of RAM, which is enough for an operating system. Wi-Fi 802.11ac is used to access the Internet. The manufacturer has not forgotten the NFC chip, which makes it possible to pay for purchases at most Russian cash desks.

But what about the sound? Is it not for nothing that the device got into our rating? Of course, not in vain. The Chinese manufacturer does not say if a separate DAC is used here. However, this does not negate the fact that the device "pumps" any headphones in full. It's just a shame that they will have to be connected only through an adapter, since there is only USB Type-C among the connectors on the case. But no one forbids the use of wireless headsets. Importantly, Bluetooth 5.0 is supplemented here with support for aptX. There are also stereo speakers, which play quite well for their size.

Dignity

• Excellent AMOLED display
• There is a USB Type-C connector;
• A capacious battery with fast charging support is used;
• Large amount of memory;
• Built-in top processor;
• There is NFC support;
• There are high-speed wireless modules;
• Decent front camera
• Good rear camera with optical zoom
• Lots of color options;
• There is a fingerprint sensor.

Flaws

• Weight reaches an impressive 175 g;
• No 3.5mm audio jack.

Another frameless smartphone with a cutout at the top of the display. Its cost is very high, about 35 thousand rubles. In this regard, the user can count on top performance. Android 8.0 is used as the operating system here - a more recent version of the "green robot" will become mass only in the spring of 2019. The built-in display here was created using IPS technology, which speaks of soft color reproduction and maximum viewing angles. The diagonal of the screen is 6.2 inches. Fortunately, this smartphone cannot be called huge, since its display is stretched in height, not in width. The 2246 x 1080 pixels resolution is ideal for viewing photos. Well, the aspect ratio of 18.5: 9 allows you to comfortably work in two applications at the same time.

If we talk about sound, then the buyer is waiting for loud stereo speakers. You can output sound to headphones, if such a desire arises, through a 3.5 mm audio jack. By the way, if you connect them, you can activate the FM radio. The second socket present here is USB Type-C. As you know, the wire is inserted into it exclusively from the first time. If you have a smartwatch or wireless speaker then Bluetooth 5.0 will definitely come in handy. No less useful is the NFC chip, which allows you to use your smartphone in the manner of a bank card. Finally, there is also support for Wi-Fi 802.11ac - one of the highest-speed wireless standards.

The work of all this good is provided not only by the operating system, but also by the top-end Snapdragon 845 processor. Its clock speed reaches an impressive 2.8 GHz. This and six gigabytes of RAM is enough to run any games on maximum settings graphics. There are also 64 GB of permanent memory. In this case, the manufacturer allows you to additionally use a microSD card. Not forgotten, and the fingerprint scanner, which is triggered literally in a split second.

A very decent camera is built in here. It is double, and under its optical modules are sensors with a resolution of 12 and 8 megapixels. The main lens is capable of boasting f / 1.8 aperture and optical stabilization. The capabilities of such a camera are quite enough for video recording in 4K resolution. As for the front camera, it has an 8-megapixel matrix.

Dignity

• Weight does not exceed 155 g;
• Used by USB port Type-C;
• Decent amount of memory;
• Built-in powerful processor;
• There is an NFC chip;
• There is an FM radio;
• Excellent rear camera with OIS
• Good IPS display;
• A fresh version of the operating system is installed;
• Fingerprint scanner not forgotten.

Flaws

• Few color options for the case;
• Not everyone will like the cost.

The Japanese company Sony began its history with the production of transistor radio receivers. She became famous after the release of Walkman cassette players. Not surprisingly, the company still pays the most attention to sound. She has ensured that even the very tiny Xperia XZ1 Compact is able to reproduce music in excellent quality. And this is one of the smallest smartphones among those equipped with stereo speakers!

The device lives up to its name. It has only a 4.6-inch display at its disposal. This allows you to manage the operating room Android system 8.0 and all applications with just one hand. Also, such a smartphone will definitely fit into any pocket. Some buyers will not like the only fact that due to the reduction in size, the manufacturer had to abandon the second SIM card slot. But on the other hand, he introduced a full-fledged water protection - the device meets the IP68 standard. A rare music smartphone is also waterproof!

The device is available in four colors. It uses an eight-core Snapdragon 835 as a processor. Recently, this chipset was considered a top-end. You can be sure that such a processor will cope with the launch of absolutely any game. Even under the body of a miniature gadget, there are 4 GB of RAM and 32 GB of permanent memory. For a music lover, this built-in storage will not be enough, so he will use a microSD card. The work of all of the above components is provided by a 2700 mAh battery. It supports Quick Charge 3.0 technology, so the battery is filled with energy very quickly.

To transmit sound to wireless devices carried out via Bluetooth 5.0. Regular headphones they also do not go overboard - the Japanese did not get rid of the 3.5 mm "mini-jack". As for other wireless modules, among them are Wi-Fi 802.11ac, LTE-A from one of the highest categories and, of course, the NFC chip.

Screen this smartphone made using IPS technology, and its resolution is 1280x720 pixels - not much, but with such a diagonal it is tolerable. Photos taken with the built-in 19-megapixel camera look great on such a display. Although it is more focused on video - the manufacturer has endowed it with support for 4K resolution and high-speed shooting. The front-facing camera has received less attention - it has a modest 8-megapixel resolution by modern standards.

Dignity

• Extremely compact size;
• There is support for high-speed wireless networks;
• NFC chip is not forgotten;
• There is a fingerprint scanner;
• Very powerful processor;
• A battery that is capacious for such a compact device;
• There is water protection;
• Used fresh Android version;
• Several color options;
• A USB Type-C connector is used.

Flaws

• Not really a high resolution LCD display;
• Little memory;
• Only one SIM card slot.

The best smartphones with good sound in the premium segment

Modern flagship smartphone should be free from obvious flaws. Including people should not be unhappy with its sound. The engineers who created the Samsung Galaxy S9 + understood this. As a result, the device got into our rating by no means undeservedly. Yes, there is no separate audio processor here. But its tasks are successfully solved by a top-end chipset of its own production. Also, one cannot fail to note the presence of AKG stereo speakers here. They give out a very deep sound. It can be seen that the manufacturer squeezed absolutely everything possible from a fairly small smartphone. You can also listen to music with headphones, including wired ones - the South Koreans did not follow the fashion, ridding their flagship of the 3.5 mm jack. Well, for wireless transmission sound uses Bluetooth 5.0 - a long-range and energy-efficient standard.

This smartphone can be called frameless. Its 6.2-inch display takes up most of the bezel. It was created using AMOLED technology, thanks to which a 3500 mAh battery is enough for two to three days of battery life. Such a screen can also display the date and time in a constant mode, which not every smartphone is capable of.

The housing, which can be painted in one of five colors, is water resistant. You can take photos in the pool or the sea - do not forget to thoroughly rinse the device only after the salt water. The body has a hole for a paper clip, after using which you can access the tray. Here the owner is presented with the traditional choice: either insert two SIM cards, or one SIM card and one external storage. The choice is difficult, because 64GB of internal storage can run out very quickly if you actively use the rear camera.

This smartphone can shoot 4K video at 60 frames / s. Do I need to say that it takes up a lot of space? A dual camera with 12-megapixel matrices is used to shoot videos and photos. The main lens boasts an incredible f / 1.5 aperture. The South Korean manufacturer did not forget about optical stabilization. It's hard to complain about the front-facing camera either. Yes, its resolution is small - only 8 megapixels. But wide-angle optics allow you to fit as much space into the frame as possible. There are no complaints about the f / 1.7 aperture.

Such a smartphone can easily cope with the launch of games at maximum graphics settings. Its 6GB of RAM allows you to keep many applications in the background. He could not do without high-speed wireless modules. By the way, a smartphone can replace a bank card using Samsung app Pay or Android Pay. Also, the gadget understands signals from different sports sensors, since there is support for ANT + technology. In short, you can talk about the South Korean flagship for a very long time. He even comes with very decent headphones - you are unlikely to look for a replacement. It is a pity that the device is obscenely expensive, which makes it affordable for only a minimal number of our readers.

Dignity

• The display resolution is 2960x1440 pixels;
• Fingerprint scanner is not forgotten;
• Long lasting autonomous work;
• Decent front-end;
• Great rear camera
• There are USB Type-C and 3.5mm connectors;
• Decent amount of memory;
• Excellent AKG stereo speakers;
• A fresh version of the OS is installed;
• There is an NFC chip and ANT + support;
• Bluetooth added with aptX support;
• The screen was created using AMOLED technology;
• A very powerful processor is built in.

Flaws

• Very high cost;
• Many will find it too heavy.

This device got into our rating, perhaps, not due to the high-quality sound. Most of all we liked the amount of permanent memory. 256 GB is enough for a huge music library, even if the ALAC format is used. For sound output, solid stereo speakers are used here. If we talk about Apple technology, then only the HomePod speaker and tablets from the series sound better. iPad Pro- that is, substantially larger devices. The device also supports branded wireless headphones AirPods. However, the sound in these "inserts" is not for everybody. Unfortunately, wired headphones can only be connected using an adapter - there is only Lightning among the connectors on the case.

This model develops the ideas of the jubilee iPhone X. This means that the device again received a waterproof case. Its bezel now houses a 6.5-inch OLED display. The screen resolution is 2688x1242 pixels, the aspect ratio of 19.5: 9 would make it convenient to work with two applications at the same time, if such a function was present in iOS. But who knows, it is possible that it will appear in future updates.

At the top of the display is a branded cutout, inside which there is a place for the front camera and all kinds of sensors, including those responsible for face recognition. The front-facing camera has a small resolution, only 7 megapixels. The rear camera looks much more interesting, consisting of two lenses and the same number of 12-megapixel matrices. The main optical unit has an aperture of f / 1.8. It can help you create great portrait shots. The second lens is designed for shooting with 2x optical zoom. I am glad that the camera received optical stabilization, and the processor power was enough for 4K video recording at 60 frames / s.

Apple's flagship device has support for a wide variety of high-speed wireless standards. There is also an NFC chip designed to pay for purchases using Apple Pay... As for the battery, its capacity is quite enough for several days of battery life. Of course, the smartphone supports fast and wireless charging.

Dignity

• High-speed data transmission available;
• Large amount of memory;
• A very powerful processor is used;
• Excellent optical zoom camera;
• Gorgeous AMOLED display;
• Excellent stereo speakers
• Long battery life.

Flaws

• Still not the best sound transmission quality over Bluetooth;
• No 3.5mm audio jack;
• Large sizes will not suit everyone;
• Weight is 208g;
• Scary high cost.

Another frameless smartphone in our ranking. And it also has a notch at the top of the display. Unlike most of the models discussed above, the device is available in only two color options. The musicality of the smartphone is expressed in the presence of stereo speakers, the sound for which is processed by a separate audio processor. You can also output music to a wireless headset using Bluetooth standard 5.0. If the accessory supports the aptX digital codec, then you will hear deep and spacious sound, especially if you are playing a track in FLAC format. You can also connect wireless headphones to a smartphone - the 3.5 mm audio jack is located in its rightful place.

A USB Type-C port is used to recharge the gadget. Unfortunately, connect Charger will have to happen often enough. This is due not only to the battery capacity, which does not exceed 3000 mAh, but also to the high power consumption of the IPS-display installed here. However, the process does not last long, so there is no need to worry.

The diagonal of the screen used here has been brought to 6.1 inches. The resolution is incredibly high at 3120x1440 pixels. Surface covered protective glass Gorilla Glass 5. The device is not afraid not only of falling onto a hard surface, but also of short-term immersion under water.

To unlock, a fingerprint scan is used here. Android 8.0 is responsible for the operation of all applications. 64 GB are intended for data storage. If this does not seem enough, then it is proposed to abandon the second SIM-card, replacing it with a microSD card. Also under the body of the smartphone are the top-end eight-core Snapdragon 845 processor and 4 GB of RAM.

Our story about this model should be finished with cameras. The South Korean company LG has traditionally introduced a wide-angle front-facing camera here. Its resolution is 8 megapixels, and the aperture of f / 1.9 should contribute to good quality shooting in low light conditions. The rear camera is dual, it can shoot 4K video at 30fps. Both matrices used have a resolution of 16 megapixels. The aperture of the optical modules is different - it has a value of f / 1.6 and f / 1.9. The manufacturer did not forget about optical stabilization, which further improves the picture.

Dignity

• Implemented water protection according to the IP68 standard;
• Decent amount of memory;
• Built-in powerful processor;
• There is an NFC chip;
• There is a separate DAC;
• Great rear camera
• High resolution display;
• The latest version of the operating system is used;
• There are 3.5 mm and USB Type-C connectors;
• There is an FM radio;
• There is a fingerprint scanner.

Flaws

• Very high cost;
• Very large size;
• The screen is made using IPS technology;
• Not the most capacious battery.

Our rating ends with another product from the Japanese company Sony, which is far from being so miniature. This unit has metal case, under which a special glue mass is hidden. You can safely drop such a device into the water, nothing will happen to it. This is proved by the IP68 certification, which is mentioned on the box with the smartphone. As for the sound, it is not for nothing that the smartphone got into our rating. Yes, there is no separate DAC, or the Japanese manufacturer simply does not talk about it. But this does not mean that the device sounds bad. Sufficiently loud stereo speakers do their job quite well. If you want to output sound to headphones, then a 3.5 mm audio jack will come to the rescue. You can also use Bluetooth 5.0. Of course, there is also support for aptX - a digital codec, thanks to which the sound is transmitted almost in CD quality. But do not forget that support for such a codec must be present on the headset side as well.

As you might have guessed, the Japanese have built a top-end processor here. The eight-core Snapdragon 835 is more than enough to run any applications and games, even the heaviest ones. The product also received 4 GB of RAM and 64 GB of permanent memory. The manufacturer did not forget about the microSD card slot. However, it is not necessary to store your music library on an external storage device. The user can easily listen to it online. And not only music - support for LTE-A 16th category allows you to download any amount of data. There is also an NFC chip, which is needed primarily in order to replace a bank card with a smartphone.

The picture is displayed here on a 5.5-inch display. Its resolution is, you will not believe, 3840x2160 pixels. That is, a full-fledged 4K display in a pocket format is waiting for you! There are 801 pixels for every inch of this screen.

Traditionally, we should also mention cameras. Oddly enough, the Japanese manufacturer rarely endows its smartphones with a dual module. That's Sony Xperia The XZ Premium got a regular camera. Under its lens is an f / 2 aperture and a 19-megapixel sensor. Perhaps the camera is the only serious drawback of the device. However, even she is capable of 4K video shooting. And there is also a 13-megapixel front camera.

Dignity

• Four color options;
• Capacious battery with fast charging support;
• High Speed ​​Supported wireless standards;
• There are USB Type-C and 3.5 mm connectors;
• There is a fingerprint scanner;
• The screen has 4K resolution;
• Good front camera
• Implemented full water protection;
• The NFC chip is not forgotten.

Flaws

• High price;
• Weight reaches 195 g;
• Not the best rear camera;
• The display is created using IPS technology.

Conclusion

Smartphone manufacturers rarely think about how their creations will sound. They must think that for playing music, the most often used is not a mobile phone, but a car radio, a home acoustic system or something like that. If you are still accustomed to using a smartphone for this purpose, then we recommend buying one of the this material devices. Any of them will surely delight you with their sound, especially if you also have quality headphones.

A huge number of music lovers live in the world. Such people want the best possible sound from technology. They acquire home theater with a receiver and a gorgeous audio system. And when choosing a smartphone, they pay attention to whether it has a central audio processor or other technologies that separately handle sound processing and make it better and louder. If you also want to buy yourself a music smartphone, then be sure to take a look at our rating of such devices!

What determines good sound?

Many people believe that everything portable devices are about the same in their sonic qualities. Usually such users think that the differences lie only in the musical dynamics. But in fact, even on headphones, the sound is far from the same. It all depends on what component converts digital sound into analog (and you can't do without it, the headphones themselves have not yet learned how to solve such a problem). In most inexpensive smartphones, sound is processed by a processor or a very simple audio processor. Both of these cases are not suitable for the music lover, since the following happens:

• The sound is quiet.
• The quality of the music is far from ideal, since the sampling rate is greatly reduced.
• It is impossible to connect large on-ear headphones - the signal does not have enough strength in order to overcome the increased impedance.

This is why some manufacturers build a separate audio processor into their products, and sometimes even supplement this with an audio amplifier. However, in 2019, engineers learned to improve sound in other ways. There are many technologies and different brands use their own methods. How different companies approached the issue and which smartphones are musical in 2019, read below.

Highscreen PowerFive Max 2

Price: from 12 590 rubles.

In addition, the phone has received a military grade of protection MIL-STD-810G and dust and moisture protection IP68. The device has a capacious 5400 mAh battery with fast charging, 6-inch IPS matrix with FHD + resolution. There are two memory options - 3/32 and 4/64 GB, NFC, Snapdragon 450 chipset.

Advantages:

• Classic case with a high class of protection against any threats.
• High quality IPS screen.
• NFC module.
• Clean and very loud sound.
• Good storage space.
• Excellent capacity.
• Supports fast charging.

Flaws:

• Not the best quality of shooting photos and videos.
• For its price, the device received a good, but still modest processor.
• Large thickness and weight - 12.6 mm and 216 g.

Meizu Pro 7

Price: from 15,000 rubles.

A fairly old model, released at the end of 2017, will appeal today to those who care about sound, and other parameters are not particularly interesting. However, everything is not bad there. The smartphone received a Cirrus Logic CS43130 DAC with a built-in headset amplifier. This audio chip is more designed for pumping monitor headphones and will suit those users who prefer large "paws" to earbuds.

For hardware - a small 5.2-inch FHD screen, made using AMOLED technology. The body is metal - on the back there is an additional 1.9-inch AMOLED screen for displaying notifications and taking selfies on the main camera. It is double - 12 + 12 Mp, color and monochrome modules. Front camera - 16 megapixels. Chipset - Helio P25, memory - 4/64 GB. Battery - 3000mAh with fast charging support.

Advantages:

• Great headphone sound.
• Small display.
• Good memory set.
• Fast charging.
• The modest battery lasts a full day under load.
• The body is made of metal.

Flaws:

• No NFC.
• Old OS - Android 7.0.
• The old chipset (already at the time of the release of the device, it was not the most relevant).
• Cameras are mediocre by 2019 standards.
• The location of the auxiliary display is not very good.

LG G7 ThinQ

Price: from 27 100 rubles.

The G7 ThinQ is the flagship from the Korean brand in 2018. The device did not become the most top-end in the world and is inferior to competitors in some aspects, but in terms of sound it is considered one of the best. they always try to make high-quality sound and a decent result is obtained not only in flagships. This model received not only a dedicated Saber ES9218PC DAC, but also a resonance effect to increase the sound volume. Without going into details - the technology is based on the fact that the device uses the surface on which it lies for resonance, increasing the volume. It is worth noting that world-renowned audiophiles have highly appreciated the G7 ThinQ's music reproduction capabilities, and that means something.

Considering the fact that this device is a flagship, all other parameters are also at the same level - a powerful Snapdragon 845, NFC, a 16 + 16 megapixel dual camera, support for fast charging and other modern chips. However, the device has its drawbacks.

Advantages:

Flaws:

• Photo tier is not for premium tier smartphones.
• 4/64 GB - a modest set for a flagship, but overall worthy.
• Modest battery - 3000 mAh.
• Boring appearance.
• Separate button for launch google Assistant is positioned very poorly and interferes with comfortable use.

LG V30 +

Price: from 25 600 rubles.

Slightly older in terms of release date, but not much cheaper than the V30 +. The device appeared at the very end of 2017, but is hardly considered obsolete. It contains an ES9218 Saber DAC. The task of the chip is to convert the sound with minimal loss and as close as possible to the source, that is, to the way it was intended by the creators. Another feature that hints at the "musicality" of the device is the bundled headphones from Bang & Olufsen.

A significant difference from the G7 ThinQ is the older processor - Snadragon 835, memory - 4/128 GB, OLED matrix, 3300 mAh battery. The rest of the devices are similar - a dual camera (a usual module with a very large aperture and a wide-angle, optical stabilization), NFC, fast charging, two Wi-Fi bands, military grade protection and dust and moisture resistance.

Advantages:

• High quality sound.
• Great headphones included.
• Protection against water, dust, shock.
• Excellent storage capacity.
• Fast and wireless charging.
• Nice camera.
• NFC availability.

Flaws:

• The processor is old but powerful.
• Old OS - Android 7.0.
• The screen is not set up very well - the picture turns green at small angles.

Meizu 16th

Price: from 25 500 rubles.

The Chinese company Meizu, like the Koreans of LG, among other things, rely on sound. The 16th is a device that hit the shelves in 2018 and was positioned as a flagship. As for the sound, the device is all right - 2 stereo speakers, support for aptX and LDAC, that is, high-quality sound in headphones, SmarPA Cirrus Logic CS35L41 amplifier and Aqstic WCD9341 digital-to-analog converter from Qualcomm. It is very pleasant to listen to music with or without headphones.

The rest of the model turned out to be no less worthy - a pretty glass case, frameless AMOLED display with FHD + resolution, Snapdragon 845, 6/8 and 64/128 GB of memory, dual cameras from Sony with laser and phase detection autofocus, optical stabilization and optical zoom, dual front camera, 3010 mAh battery (with low numbers shows excellent autonomy in difficult conditions) with fast charging mCharge.

Advantages:

• Frameless AMOLED display.
• Excellent autonomy.
• Very high quality sound.
• High performance and multitasking.
• Quality cameras back and front.

Flaws:

• No NFC.

HTC U12 +

Price: from 37,000 rubles.

The third brand that can be called an adept of high-quality sound along with Meizu and LG is the Taiwanese HTC. The predecessor model U11 + was one of the loudest on the market and U12 + decided to continue the good tradition. The device received a whole bunch of sound "enhancers". Two stereo speakers located above and below, called BoomSound Hi-Fi Edition, play very loud and clear. Supports aptX HD, USonic Active Noise Canceling Headphones. Another interesting feature of the device is the sound adjustment taking into account the shape of the ear. The user inserts a branded headset, the device plays music and calibrates based on the reflection of sound waves from the ear canal. In other words, the smartphone is truly musical.

In addition to the sound, there is a lot of interesting things - the original design with a transparent lid, HTC Sence technology - the side edges react to pressing and its force by launching this or that application, a 6-inch AMOLED display with AlwaysOn support, Snapdragon 845, 6 and 64/128 GB of memory, NFC, dual camera front and back, 3500mAh battery with fast charging, IP68 waterproof.

Advantages:

• Powerful filling.
• Great sound.
• Expensive and high quality headphones included.
• Moisture protection.
• NFC support.
• Great main camera.

Flaws:

• Not the best picture quality on the front camera.
• The battery has a weak charge.
• You have to get used to the "touch" side faces and not everyone considers the technology useful or convenient.

Samsung Galaxy S9

Price: from 31 800 rubles.

It makes special sense to talk about top smartphones Samsung doesn't make sense, so it's worth mentioning what the brand has done to get quality sound. All previous models Galaxy series S were equipped with one stereo speaker, which gave a pleasant sound, but not the best compared to competitors. In the S9, it is still not the best, but the level has become much higher.

First of all, 2 stereo speakers were installed, and this was done in a cunning way - no matter how the device is lying, it will sound equally loud, that is, the speakers are not muffled, as is the case with the devices listed above. Cooperation with AKG gave not only high-quality complete headphones, but also sound settings - in S9 it was tuned by AKG specialists, which gave high quality and volume. Compared to the S8, the device is 1.4 times louder.

Last important point- Dolby Atmos support with the ability manual setting... To put it simply, this standard was created for filmmaking. Its essence lies in the fact that the sound is distributed not over the channels, but over the objects that emit it - each instrument in the song, as well as the voices of the vocalist and backing vocalists, will be reproduced separately, without merging into a single canvas. The technology is being actively implemented in televisions, cinemas and audio equipment.

It makes no sense to describe the pros and cons for this model, because the former can include the entire device, and the latter can only be found if you find fault with it. In general, any Samsung flagship is the choice of those people who are not embarrassed by the expensive price, and they do not know what to choose and do not want to make a mistake. Galaxy S is always a win-win.

Excluded from selection

Meizu MX4 Pro

• DAC: Saber ES9018K2M
• Amplifier: Texas Instruments OPA1612

Price: 11 900 rub.

The manufacturer of this smartphone has intelligently optimized the software for specific sound components. As a result, listening to music with this model is very pleasant. At the same time, the device can boast of other characteristics. For example, the resolution of the 5.5-inch display installed here is brought up to 1536 x 2560 pixels - individual pixels can only be seen under a microscope. The smartphone also has 3 GB of RAM and a 20-megapixel camera.

Dignity

Flaws

• An old version of the operating system;
• The sound is loud only in headphones;
• It gets hot enough, thereby discharging the battery.

Highscreen Boost 3

• DAC: Saber ESS9018K2M
• Amplifier: ADA4897-2

Price: 13 990 rub.

For unknown reasons, smartphones with music chips are very heavy. But Highscreen Boost 3 can be considered an exception to the rule - its weight does not exceed 140 g. This device has two slots for SIM-cards, a 5-inch display with Full resolution HD and 4G module with support for LTE-A networks of the fourth category. An eight-core product from MediaTek is used as a processor, and 2 GB of RAM are hidden under the case. Distinctive feature the device is a complete set - in the box you can find an additional battery with a capacity of 6000 mAh.

Dignity

• Long battery life;
• LTE-A support;
• Relatively good camera (13 megapixels, f / 2);
• Powerful processor and 2 GB of RAM;
• A pair of batteries included;
• The ability to install two SIM cards;
• Not very high cost.

Flaws

• Decent sounding only in high-quality headphones;
• Operating system has bugs;
• Not the best design.

HTC One M9

• DAC: no data
• Amplifier: no data

Price: 30 990 rub.

HTC does not say what kind of "stuffing" is located in its flagship. However, this does not negate the fact that the device sounds better than each of its competitors. We need to thank for this not only the components, but also the proprietary technology HTC BoomSound. The stereo speakers deliver clear and loud enough sound. And if you connect high-quality headphones to the device, the effect will be even more impressive! Concerning technical characteristics, then they include Android 7.0 (originally there was the fifth version), Wi-Fi 802.11ac, LTE-A and 3 GB of RAM. A 20-megapixel camera is used for photography.

Dignity

• Loud stereo speakers;
• Powerful processor;
• High resolution display;
• Great rear camera
• Support for LTE-A of the ninth category.

Flaws

• Low resolution front camera;
• High price;
• No fingerprint scanner.

Lenovo Vibe X3

• DAC: ESS ES9018K2M DAC
• Amplifier: Lenovo 3xTIOPA1612

Price: 22 990 rub.

Lenovo has created its own amplifier specifically for this smartphone. Despite its diminutive size, this detail allows you to output sound to large on-ear headphones. But the device is not positioned as a musical one. The Chinese rightly point out that their creation can easily cope with any other tasks. For example, a smartphone allows you to access the Internet at high speed, since there is an LTE module. It also delivers decent photos, for which the 21-megapixel camera deserves credit. And if the best music smartphones have only one SIM card slot, then Lenovo Vibe The X3 does not have this drawback.

Dignity

• 3 GB of RAM;
• Six-core processor from Qualcomm;
• The presence of a fingerprint sensor;
• Two slots for SIM cards;
• LTE and 802.11ac support;
• High resolution display;
• Great cameras(21 and 8 Mp).

Flaws

• Quite high cost.

LG V10

• DAC: 9018C2M
• Amplifier: ESS 9602C

Price: 27 800 rub.

When designing the LG V10, the South Koreans tried to introduce unusual technologies into their creation. In particular, the device received two screens. One of them is auxiliary - it can be found near the front camera. Also, the device received a central audio processor and amplifier, due to which it entered our top music smartphones. Customers also like the 5.7-inch display installed here, capable of boasting a resolution of 1440 x 2560 pixels. And the smartphone shoots pretty well - the 16-megapixel camera is responsible for this process.

Dignity

• The ability to use two SIM cards;
• There is an auxiliary display;
• Very high resolution of the main screen;
• Relatively good rear camera (16MP, f / 1.8)
• Support for LTE-A of the fourth category;
• Powerful processor;
• 4 GB of RAM;
• Dual front camera.

Flaws

• The camera has no optical stabilization;
• Very high cost.

Among the users of Android devices, there are also those who are used to old and loud push-button phones, they do not care about the sound quality of the speaker, they do not care about the depth low frequencies, they only care about the volume. Manufacturers still do not forget such users. If you want to switch to a modern smartphone without losing this feature push-button telephones, we propose to consider the loudest smartphones of this year. We'll start with the quietest smartphones in our top.

HTC One (M8) - 75.2 decibels

Yes, yes ... This is the quietest smartphone on this list, but there is always a "but": firstly, it has Boom Sound stereo speakers, and secondly, the sound of these speakers is of the highest quality today. In other words, this is the best volume-quality ratio. Because, as a rule, if a speaker is very loud, then it is not quite of high quality.

Meizu MX4 - 80 decibels

Regarding the sound quality, the MX4 does not show anything outstanding even when using a high-quality headset, but the volume of 80 decibels is good news.

Oppo Find 7 - 80 decibels

A large, high-quality screen coupled with a loud speaker is perfect for watching movies, but our colleagues from phonearena claim that the sound lacks volume and depth, let's take their word for it.

HTC Desire 501 - 80 decibels

Desire 501 debuted in Taiwan in November 2013, more than a year has passed since its announcement, but it still boasts a very loud speaker. Want an inexpensive Android smartphone with a loud speaker? Desire 501 is your choice.

LG G3 - 81 decibels

Need a loud flagship but the One M8's design and shell aren't to your liking? Then you should pay attention to the flagship of the Korean giant - LG G3, which was presented in May 2014. However, the loud speaker is not its main difference, because the G3 was one of the first to receive a QHD display.

Samsung GALAXY S5 - 81 decibels

Even if the current generation of the GALAXY S-line is not so successful, it has quite attractive characteristics, including a loud speaker, the volume of which can reach 81 decibels. Unlike Find 7, GALAXY S5 has a deep and bass sound.

Samsung GALAXY Note 4 - 84 decibels

In addition to being the best tablet phone, it is also one of the loudest smartphones on the market. For lovers large displays, a stylus and a loud speaker, it fits like no other.

Samsung GALAXY Note Edge - 87 decibels

Except for an innovative screen with a rounded bezel, the Note Edge has a whopping 87 decibels of sound, head and shoulders above its closest competitors.

The resource AndroidAuthority has compiled the TOP smartphones with the best sound. The rating of the best sounding smartphones will be useful for both audiophiles and lovers of good sound!

TOP smartphones with the best sound from Android Authority were compiled on the basis of a list of 10 models that aroused the greatest interest among Android smartphone fans in 2016.

A similar top ten was featured in the previous Best of Android 2016 ratings (Battery, Performance and Display). Well, the rating itself "Best of Android 2016 Audio" was compiled on the basis of measurements of SNR (signal-to-noise ratio), headphone voltage and speaker volume level.

How does the signal make noise and why is it important?

Modern phones can play not only low quality compressed audio stored in mp3 files. The best-sounding smartphones operate on lossless tracks, reproducing studio-quality (or near-studio) quality sound delivered in files with FLAC resolution.

Low quality mp3 audio is associated with a 16-bit audio standard that requires a relatively low SNR to play comfortably. The initially low quality of compressed audio does not require fiddling with the broadcast stream, forgiving both the presence of noise and loss of sampling rate when decoding audio.

However, true Hi-Res Audio operates on 24-bit files that store uncompressed audio, for which it is necessary to restore the waveform with minimal loss or distortion. Therefore, a real smartphone for audiophiles in 2016 is completed not only with software, but also with hardware converters (DAC), which increase the signal-to-noise ratio to a comfortable level.

As a result, trying to understand which smartphones have the best sound, AndroidAuthority specialists began their tests with SNR (signal-to-noise ratio) ratings. Measurements of this parameter allowed us to identify an unambiguous leader - HTC 10 (-105.5 dB) and a clear outsider - ZTE Axon 7 (-79.6 dB). Do not forget that only owners of devices with SNR below -96.3 dB will be able to hear the clear difference between mp3 and FLAC.

Carefully! Low voltage

The smartphone with the best sound from the 2016 headphones cannot have low voltage on the audio port pins. Therefore, the second test was based on measuring the voltage and showed the following results:

smartphone with the best sound in headphones 2016. Voltage

	Smartphone	Voltage
1	Lenovo Moto Z Force Droid	1.45
2	ZTE Axon 7	1.21
3	LG V20	1.009
4	HTC 10	1.00
5	Google pixel XL	0.99
6	OnePlus 3T	0.829
7	Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge	0.76
8	Sony Xperia XZ	0.382
9	Huawei Mate 9	0.347
10	Xiaomi Mi 5	0.18

The maximum voltage was demonstrated by the Lenovo Moto Z Force Droid, the minimum - by the Xiaomi Mi 5. The owners of the latter should not rely on too strong a signal in the headphones.

Who is louder?

Most people prefer loud and festive music, so the really best smartphones with good sound in 2016 should generate enough power from their speakers.

In an effort to determine the smartphone with the best speaker sound in 2016, AndroidAuthority tested it with a decibel meter mounted 1 meter away from the devices. As a result, the following results were obtained:

The loudest sound came from the Google Pixel XL (77.8 dB), the second place was taken by the ZTE Axon 7 (76.6 dB), and the bronze medalist was the Xiaomi Mi 5 (75.6 dB). The worst results were shown by the Xperia XZ, which issued only 58.9 dB. Since the human hearing aid is designed in such a way that a 10 dB gain “doubles” the audible sound volume, a Sony product will transmit 4 times less “perceived” sound power than a Google product.

And the winner of the rating of smartphones with the best sound is ...

According to AndroidAuthority, the smartphone with the best sound is the HTC 10. It will suit even spoiled music lovers and connoisseurs with a fine ear. Fans of loud and party music will surely love the Google Pixel XL and the 77.8dB generated by this phone's speakers.

Sony Xperia XZ should be recognized as an outsider in the Best of Android 2016 Audio rating - this smartphone is in eighth place in the sound quality rating, and its speakers sound quieter than the audio system of any device reviewed in this test.

If you have not yet decided what is better to purchase for playing your favorite music - a player or a smartphone with the best sound- we suggest that you familiarize yourself with the material "Player or Smartphone: An Honest Review".

You can compare prices and characteristics of smartphones (as well as any other phones) in the publication in one table in our catalog.
1. Go to the "Catalog" section (in the main menu). Enter the name of the model you are interested in in the search bar (in the Basic Filters block). Click the New Search button.
2. Next, in the search bar, enter the name of the model with which you want to compare. Click the Add button. The message "Data loaded into the table" appears.
3. Then you can add a third, fourth (and so on) phone for comparison, repeating the actions of the second paragraph.
4. To remove duplicate models (in different colors), put a check mark in front of the name of the smartphone and click the "Compare" button under the table. Now you will see in one table only the characteristics of the models you are interested in without duplicates.
5. To compare smartphones by specific characteristics, put a checkmark in front of the corresponding characteristic in the "Table Settings" block.
6. Adding models can be performed at any stage - the table settings you have selected are saved, the selected models too.

Portable players gained popularity very quickly in the last decade, wiping out cassette and disc players. But it turned out that they were not destined to sit on the throne for a long time. Just as quickly, mobile phones were forced to forget about pocket MP3-players, taking over all their functions (and even more). Some budget-class turntables are now produced by the Chinese and do not cause much interest due to their mediocre sound. Pocket players are trying to maintain their position in the Hi-End category, surpassing phones in sound quality. However, among mobile phones there are already quite a few devices that can compete with players for several hundred dollars. Our rating of smartphones with good sound is dedicated to them.

It is clear that you should not expect good (in general, and not by the standards of smartphones) speaker sound from a mobile phone. There are outstanding devices that are noticeably ahead of competitors in this regard, but their capabilities pale in comparison to the more or less decent acoustics. The reason lies in the fact that a small speaker is physically unable to produce powerful bass, in its frequency spectrum there will always be an upward skew.

Great sound is much easier with headphones. To do this, you need to install a normal discrete DAC (digital-to-analog converter), which converts the set discrete signals recorded track in sinusoidal electrical impulses fed to the speaker and forming sound waves. A separate amplifier is also needed to increase the power. sound signal... Without it, it will be problematic to swing any headphones, except for cheap "plugs". Best smartphones in terms of sound quality, those presented in our selection meet these requirements.

All smartphones with good sound presented in the selection below were released in 2016 or 2017, equipped with up-to-date and productive hardware, Android OS version 6 or higher, and are distinguished by a balance of other characteristics. The exception is the iPhone 6s: it appeared at the end of 2015. However, the stock of relevance for Apple technology is slightly more than that of competitors, so for iPhone 1.5 years is not old age. We decided not to include the 7 because the lack of the still relevant 3.5 mm jack is perceived ambiguously.

HTC U Ultra - a powerful music cameraphone

HTC has always focused on good sound, and the HTC U Ultra is no exception. This is a flagship device based on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 821 chipset, equipped with a 5.7 ″ screen with a resolution of 2560x1440 pixels. The capacity of the RAM is 4 GB. A DAC is responsible for playing sound, which supports decoding of 16-bit audio with a sampling rate of up to 192 kHz.

You can record music in internal memory, with a capacity of 64 or 128 GB. If this is not enough, and you want to put the audio library in LoseLess format, you can use a memory card. The smartphone also has good camera 12 MP, equipped with an optical stabilizer, an additional 2-inch display-indicator and a 3000 mAh battery.

Meizu Pro 6 Plus - almost Samsung

Meizu started out as a manufacturer of MP3 players, so it's no surprise that it also pays a lot of attention to sound quality in phones. Meizu Pro The 6 Plus is a flagship device built using Samsung components. It is equipped with a powerful Exynos 8890 processor, 4 GB of RAM and 64 or 128 GB of storage. A DAC is responsible for playing music, which supports decoding of 32-bit audio at 192 kHz. This is more than enough to get High Quality the sound of tracks in FLAC, so headphones are needed to match the device (Chinese for 200-300 UAH will obviously not be enough).

In addition to the processor, the Meizu Pro 6 Plus also received a screen from Samsung. He's the same as Galaxy Note 5, with a diagonal of 5.7 ″ and a resolution of 2560x1440 pixels. But the camera for this musical device was made by Sony (however, for Samsung flagships they are also produced by the Japanese), but the software for it is also samsung. The camera is equipped with a 12 MP sensor with enlarged pixels and optical stabilization. The picture quality can be called excellent, almost like in the Galaxy S7. But they ask for the device only from 10 thousand, which is not so much against the background of the same Samsung.

Samsung Galaxy S7 - compact flagship

Samsung has already unveiled the new S8 flagship, but the Galaxy S7 remains interesting. After all, it costs significantly less than the new item, and you can buy it now (at the time of writing the material, there are 3 weeks left before the release of the S8 in Ukrainian retail). Among other things, the list of its characteristics includes a DAC that supports decoding of audio in 24-bit format, with a sampling rate of up to 192 kHz. The Exynos 8890 chipset is good in many tasks, and 4 GB of RAM is also pleasing. You can store music in 32 or 64 GB of internal memory, and if not enough, add a USB flash drive.

The display of the device has a diagonal of 5.1 ″, but a high resolution of 2560x1440 pixels. The camera pleases not with its resolution (which is only 12 MP), but with enlarged pixels, increased light transmission ability of optics, and optical stabilization. Therefore, the Galaxy S7 is not only the best music smartphone of 2017 from this company, but also the best cameraphone on the market in general. the battery capacity is only 3000 mAh, but in terms of autonomy, the device is not inferior to devices with a thicker battery. Of course, the gadget is not very cheap, but if you need a gadget that combines good sound and a camera with bright screen and small size - it's worth it.

Apple iPhone 6s - musical and with apple

Apple once became famous for its MP3 players, but the release of the iPhone made its own adjustments. Mobile devices equipped with a separate DAC inherited all the advantages of players, and even expanded their functionality. On paper, the decoder parameters are not very impressive: 16 bit, up to 44 kHz. But even this is more than is required for MP3 and is quite enough for listening to LoseLess formats, such as rips of Audio CDs. The apple gadget has a powerful processor with strong graphics, 2 GB of RAM and 16 to 128 GB of permanent memory for storing music.

The 6s is the latest iPhone to feature a standard headphone jack. This is a smartphone for music lovers who do not want to switch to new models of headphones or use adapters. It also has a good 12MP camera and a 4.7-inch touch-sensitive screen on board. Although the battery is small (1700 mAh), the power consumption is balanced, and the autonomy is normal.

LG G6 - bezelless and musical

The release of smartphones with minimal bezels around the display by Sharp was of no particular interest to anyone. But as soon as Xiaomi did it, others rushed to create something similar. The first bezel-less flagship of 2017 from a well-known brand is the LG G6. New flagship the Korean company received an elongated 5.7-inch display with a resolution of 2880x1440 pixels. It occupies almost the entire front panel, and therefore the G6 is even more comfortable in the hand than 5.5-inch "regular" phablets. Also on board is the Snapdragon 821 chipset, 4GB of RAM and 32 or 64GB of ROM for files. There is also a slot for a flash drive.

A DAC is responsible for the sound in the device, decoding a 32-bit digital signal with a frequency of up to 192 kHz. The device also has a dual camera supporting optical stabilization on the back and a 3300 mAh battery. Despite using last year's chipset, the gadget is really powerful and demonstrates decent battery life.

Huawei P10 - Chinese music flagship

Huawei has been experimenting with two cameras for a long time, and Leica engineers have been involved in the development of optics for them since 2016. It is not known exactly how great this participation is, and what else is there, besides the logo, from "Leica", but the cameras shoot with dignity. The device is powered by the Kirin 960 chipset, one of the most powerful smartphone chips ever. The sound is processed by a decoder capable of "digesting" a 24-bit signal with a frequency of up to 192 kHz. You can store your music in 32 or 64 GB of internal storage or expand the space with a microSD flash drive.

The device is equipped with a 5.1 ″ IPS display with FullHD resolution. Cameras have a resolution of 12 MP (main color) and 20 MP (additional black and white, which enhances the clarity of the photo). The battery capacity is 3200 mAh. Everything in this device is excellent, but only the lack of an oleophobic coating let us down. It interfered with the operation of the fingerprint scanner, so it was abandoned. So the user will have to carry a screen cleaning cloth with him, as he collects prints faster than usual.

LG V20 - Music and Dual Screen

LG V20 is the best smartphone for the music lover, which not only listens to music, but also shoots video. If you frequent concerts and want to capture the most outstanding parts of them, this is the device for you. A DAC that supports a 32-bit signal with a frequency of up to 192 kHz is responsible for sound reproduction in it. The sound subsystem is certified by B&O, a renowned manufacturer of expensive acoustics. But that's not all: in addition to the DAC, the V20a also has an ADC ( analog-to-digital converter) for microphones, recording 24-bit audio at 48 kHz. With him, filming the performance of your favorite artists, you will not hear a disgusting gurgle instead of a bass part, or an unpleasant squeal instead of a solo in high tones.

The main screen of the device has a diagonal of 5.7 ″, with a resolution of 2560x1440 pixels. A small 2-inch display is called to help him, showing the time, notifications and other useful information on a locked device. Built-in memory 32 or 64 GB, there is a slot for a flash drive. There is also a proprietary dual camera equipped with laser autofocus. This is a decent device for an audiophile, close to the parameters of the G6, but sold much cheaper.