If you're looking for a phone with a huge screen, you've come to the right place.
Best Overall
LG V20
LG needed to raise its game after the modular mess that was the G5, and that's exactly what Samsung's local rival did with the V20. LG's 5.7-incher gets you the same guts as the G5, without any of the modular nonsense, and with much improved build quality and some unique features thanks to the second display. As before, you can use the secondary ticker above the main screen to see app shortcuts, show a personal message or view notifications.
And the removable battery option is back, with the V20's 3,200mAh swappable cell living behind a metal back panel, which pops off when you hit the release switch.
On the camera side, the V20 is every bit as good as the G5, with a main 16-megapixel sensor behind an f/1.8 lens, and a secondary wide-angle camera for fitting in more detail. LG's also packed in new autofocus and stabilization technologies not present in that phone for even smoother video.
The V20 represents a significant milestone in the Android world too — it's the first phone to ship with Android 7.0 Nougat out of the box, though you're still looking at LG's UX as opposed to a the cleaner Android UI you'd get on a Nexus.
Bottom line: The V20 is easily LG's best phone ever. You get the proven cameras of the G5, along with Android Nougat and a solid metal chassis, plus the rarity of a removable battery.
One more thing: LG hasn't announced any plans to range the V20 in Europe, so don't hold your breath for an official way to buy the phone in that part of the world.
Why the LG V20 is the best
Speed, build quality, and unique features make this the big phone to beat.
With the cancellation and subsequent second recall of the Samsung Galaxy Note 7, the LG V20 has taken the phone's spot as the best big phone for most people. With a stunning 5.7-inch display, the latest Snapdragon chip and 64GB of storage by default, the V20 is a lot of phone.
But it also reinforces the fact that LG knows what it's doing, and that the G5 was more an aberration than a way forward. While the V20 still hasn't penetrated far behind its home country of Korea, in our time with the pre-production model of the phone, it showed a lot of promise from both a hardware and software perspective. Other than the Pixel phones, it is the first device to ship with Android 7.0 Nougat, and that advantage is clear from the moment you turn on the phone. Moreover, while the camera quality may not be as good as the Galaxy S7, it stands up to serious scrutiny.
Best Pure Android
Nexus 6P
Sure, the Nexus brand will is likely no more, but if you want a pure, untouched installation of the latest version of Android on a big screen, the 6P is where it's at. It's been around since late 2015, so you're looking at specs in line with other high-end phones from that period: A Snapdragon 810 processor, 3GB of RAM and 32, 64 or 128GB of storage. Despite the reputation of the 810, the 6P performs just fine in most tasks, although battery life doesn't extend past a day, even with a 3,450mAh cell inside.
The 6P's hefty metal exterior comes in four colors, and the design is attractive if a little blocky. The main reason to buy this phone, however, is the software. As a Nexus, you get a completely pure, untouched stock Android install, as well as speedy updates from Google when a new version drops.
Bottom line: Given that it's almost a year old, it's possible to find the 6P online for not a whole lot of money compared to the upcoming Pixel phones.
One more thing: Google has announced the Google Pixel, but we're leaving the Nexus 6P on this list for a couple of reasons: it is still available at various carriers and retailers, and it has a larger 5.7-inch than the Pixel XL. It's also still a great phone.
Best for less
Samsung Galaxy Note 5
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For all the fuss about this year's Galaxy Note, last year's stylus-toting offering, the Note 5, has aged remarkably well. Across the board, you're looking at a similar feature set to the now-cancelled Note 7, just a little less barnstorming across the board. A slightly older Exynos processor, and a 16-megapixel (optically stabilized) camera that doesn't quite match the Note 7's in low light, but is still damn good in its own right.
And the Android 6.0 Marshmallow update that landed earlier this year has given the Note 5 new life, porting over many of the features from the Galaxy S7. What's more, Samsung has largely kept on top of rolling out Android's important monthly security updates for the phone.
Bottom line: The Note 5 is still a fantastic phone, even by the standards of late 2016. In fact, it gives some of the lesser flagships of this year a run for their money. (And you'll be able to use it on an airplane, too!)
One more thing: Samsung never officially released the Galaxy Note 5 in Europe, so if you're importing and using it on European networks, be sure to check that the model you're buying will work with your carrier's cellular bands.
Conclusion
The LG V20 is one of the best big phones on the market, and a true return to form for a company that didn't have a great start to 2016. While the Second Screen may appear gimmicky, it has true utility, as does its second camera wide-angle camera. And then there's the removable battery, which many tout as being a reason alone to buy the phone. Whatever the reason, there is plenty to love in the LG V20.
Best Overall
LG V20
LG needed to raise its game after the modular mess that was the G5, and that's exactly what Samsung's local rival did with the V20. LG's 5.7-incher gets you the same guts as the G5, without any of the modular nonsense, and with much improved build quality and some unique features thanks to the second display. As before, you can use the secondary ticker above the main screen to see app shortcuts, show a personal message or view notifications.
And the removable battery option is back, with the V20's 3,200mAh swappable cell living behind a metal back panel, which pops off when you hit the release switch.
On the camera side, the V20 is every bit as good as the G5, with a main 16-megapixel sensor behind an f/1.8 lens, and a secondary wide-angle camera for fitting in more detail. LG's also packed in new autofocus and stabilization technologies not present in that phone for even smoother video.
The V20 represents a significant milestone in the Android world too — it's the first phone to ship with Android 7.0 Nougat out of the box, though you're still looking at LG's UX as opposed to a the cleaner Android UI you'd get on a Nexus.
Bottom line: The V20 is easily LG's best phone ever. You get the proven cameras of the G5, along with Android Nougat and a solid metal chassis, plus the rarity of a removable battery.
One more thing: LG hasn't announced any plans to range the V20 in Europe, so don't hold your breath for an official way to buy the phone in that part of the world.
