Best android phones of 2015

2015 is already proving to be a great year for smartphones. Here we round up 27 of the best new phones that have or are soon to be announced in 2015. Also see the best new tablets you should be most excited about in 2015.

We've listed the most exciting new smartphones for 2015 in alphabetical order, so scroll through the list for new phones coming in 2015 (some are already here) from Apple, Asus, Google Nexus, HTC, Huawei, LG, Microsoft, OnePlus, Samsung, Sony, Tesco, Xiaomi and more

Best new phones 2015: Apple iPhone 6s / Apple iPhone 7

The iPhone 6 and 6 Plus were released in September, and in the months leading up to that the rumour mill went mental. Be prepared for more of the same with theiPhone 7, which will launch in September 2015 running iOS 9. As always, we're expecting a faster processor and some upgraded specs, but little change to the design. (Note that it will probably be called the iPhone 6s rather than iPhone 7, but we're sticking with iPhone 7 for now.)

Best new phones 2015: Apple iPhone 6S Plus

Let's not forget Apple's other smartphone - the massive iPhone 6 Plus is also due a refresh this September. We're not expecting any major changes to the design (although the iPhone 6S Plus should be more durable - we haven't forgotten Bendgate), with the key improvements geared for speed. There will likely be an Apple A9 chip inside, paired with an M9 motion co-processor. Don't be surprised to find Apple Watch-style wireless charging and a larger-capacity battery, plus an upgraded camera - possibly to 12Mp.

Best new phones 2015: Asus Zenfone 2

We've yet to get our hands on an Asus Zenfone 2, but the top-end model (ZE551ML) is now available at Amazon for £309.99 (Buy the Asus Zenfone 2 here). This powerful phone has a staggering 4GB of RAM and a 2.3GHz 64-bit Intel Atom Z3580 quad-core processor. For storage 32GB is fitted, and you can get more through microSD. There's 4G LTE support (dual-SIM, dual active), a 5.5in full-HD IPS screen, and 13Mp rear- and 5Mp front cameras. The stylish brushed-metal case is just 3.9mm thick at the edges. Running the fully customisable ZenUI software, the Zenfone 2 also has Trend Micro security preinstalled. The Asus Zenfone 2 is well worth a look.

Best new phones 2015: Google Nexus 5 2015

The new Nexus phone for 2015 is hotly tipped to be another Nexus 5, made by Huawei. That can mean only one thing - Google's going back to its high-end specs, mid-range price business model. Being a Chinese phone maker, with Huawei we could also see the first dual-SIM Nexus phone, finally bringing dual-SIM functionality into the mainstream in the UK. One thing is for sure, the New Nexus 5 2015 will be the first device to run Android M, the latest Google OS that we heard more details on during May's Google I/O

Best new phones 2015: HTC One M9

We are massive fans of the HTC One M8, and the HTC One M9 is even better (Buy HTC One M9 here). Although HTC has kept the full-HD screen rather than the quad-HD screens seen in the new Samsung Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge, the HTC One M9 is a very attractive phone with some impressive performance. You can check out our HTC One M9 review here, and learn more about the HTC One M9 release date, price and specs here. The phone went on sale in the UK on 31 March from £569 SIM-free, making it £30 cheaper than its rival the Samsung Galaxy S6.

Best new phones 2015: HTC One M9+

A 5.5in-screen phablet version of the HTC One M9 is the HTC One M9+ - and this is the one we were waiting for, with a Quad-HD screen and a fingerprint scanner. It's been announced only in China at 4,299 Yuan (£522), and although HTC's PR team got in touch to tell us that the M9+ will never officially make it to the UK, rumours are spreading that it is coming to Europe after all. For now, though, if you want one you'll have to buy it online from a grey-market importer.

Best new phones 2015: Huawei P8 and Huawei P8 max

Huawei's latest flagship has a gorgeous unibody metal design that's stylish enough to rival HTC and Apple, yet it undercuts the price of those smartphones with a starting price of 499 Euro, or £357. There is a standard 5.2in Huawei P8, or a huge 6.8in Huawei P8 max. The phone and phablet should have gone on sale in the UK in April, with a worldwide launch following 15 May. We're unable to find the Max version for sale right now (check out our Huawei P8 and P8 max UK release date, price and specs), but keep your eyes peeled - it's worth hunting down.

Best new phones 2015: LG G4

LG is calling the LG G4 the 'most ambitious smartphone yet', which is focused on delivering 'comfortable elegance, a great visual experience and a human-centric user experience'. (Buy the LG G4 here.) We stand by our statement that the LG G3 was the very best phone you could buy in 2014, and things just get better with the LG G4 - although opinion is divided on that leather case (also available in ceramic versions). Key specifications include a Qualcomm Snapdragon 808 processor, a 5.5in Quad HD IPS Quantum display, 32GB of storage (with microSD support) and a 3000mAh removable battery. The LG G4 was unveiled at a press event on 28 April, and went on sale on 28 May from £500 SIM-free.

Best new phones 2015: LG G4 Note

Rumour has it LG has an even bigger and better flagship than the G4 planned for 2015. The LG G4 Note, if it materialises, will be a metal-chassis phablet with a faster Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 chip and a massive 4GB of RAM.

Best new phones 2015: LG G Flex 2

The G4 and G4 Note aren't LG's only exciting new smartphones for 2015. At CES 2015 it unveiled the LG G Flex 2, a curved-screen handset. (Buy LG G Flex 2 here.) The G Flex 2 is a 5.5in-screen smartphone with a 64-bit Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 octa-core chip, and it features self-healing technology.

Best new phones 2015: Microsoft Lumia 940 & Lumia 940 XL

Part of the reason we're so excited about the upcoming Microsoft Lumia 940 and 940 XL is that they will be among the first handsets to run full Windows 10 - Microsoft is to finally tackle the Windows Phone apps problem by running one OS across phones, tablets, PCs and laptops. The Lumia 940 has the beefiest spec of any Windows Phone we've seen too, and the XL is a larger version with a 5.7in screen. Our image to the right is merely aconcept, but we won't be waiting long for the real deal.

Best new phones 2015: OnePlus 2

The OnePlus One is an amazing phone that was for a long time virtually impossible to get hold of. Priced from £229 it has the spec to match a £600 smartphone, hence OnePlus marketing it as a flagship killer. The OnePlus 2 is so much better, with improved specs and just £239. It was unveiled last night (27 July) in a unique virtual-reality product launch, and goes on sale from 11 August (find out how to get a OnePlus 2 invitehere). Highlights among the spec list include a second-gen Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 processor, 4GB of RAM, USB Type-C and a fingerprint scanner.

Best new phones 2015: Samsung Galaxy A7

Samsung has confirmed its Samsung Galaxy A7, a gorgeous phablet with a 6.3mm unibody metal chassis, a 5.5in Super AMOLED screen and a 64-bit octa-core processor. The Samsung Galaxy A7 is not yet on sale on the UK, but will come in both single- and dual-SIM variants.

Best new phones 2015: Samsung Galaxy Note 5

Everyone always bangs on about Samsung's Galaxy S line-up, but it's the Note series that really impresses. The Note 4 (pictured) was unveiled at a Samsung Unpacked event prior to September's IFA tradeshow (3 September 2014), and right now sits at the top of our fastest smartphone and best phablet charts. Traditionally Samsung's Note launches are held at IFA in September, but rumours suggest we might see the Samsung Galaxy Note 5 as early as August to give it a headstart on the new iPhones. Indeed, invites have just gone out for a New York Unpacked event on 13 August.

Best new phones 2015: Samsung Galaxy S6

If you're a Samsung fan but would rather stick to a phone than a phablet then theSamsung Galaxy S6 is just what you're looking for. (Buy the Samsung Galaxy S6 here.) With Samsung finally answering build-quality criticisms, it follows in the trend of the Galaxy Alpha and Galaxy Note 4 with a metal and glass body. There's also a quad-HD screen, plus plenty of other radical new features, including a super-fast Samsung Exynos processor (paired with 3GB of RAM), and a redesigned fingerprint scanner that works a lot more like Apple's Touch ID and, you know, actually works. TheSamsung Galaxy S6 was unveiled at a Samsung Unpacked event on 1 March 2015, and went on sale on 10 April 2015. Prices start at £599 SIM-free.

Best new phones 2015: Samsung Galaxy S6 Active

The Samsung Galaxy S6 Active has now been confirmed by the company, although unfortunately for UK customers it's exclusive to the US. If you really want one keep your eyes peeled on the likes of eBay and Amazon. The Samsung Galaxy S6 Active is a rugged version of the Samsung Galaxy S6 with IP68 waterproofing protection and three physical buttons below the touchscreen. Many of the remaining specs are the same as that of the S6 itself, although the Active also features an Activity Zone, allowing you to quickly launch a compass, torch or stopwatch.

Best new phones 2015: Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge

A second version of the Samsung Galaxy S6 launched alongside the standard S6 at MWC. (Buy the Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge here.) It follows the trend set by the Samsung Galaxy Note 4 and Galaxy Note Edge, but with two curved screen edges rather than one and a marginally higher-capacity battery than is found in the S6. In other respects the specs are in line with the standard S6, but expect to pay a premium for that fancy screen. The Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge went on sale in the UK on 10 April 2015. Prices start at £760 SIM-free for the 64GB

Best new phones 2015: Samsung Galaxy S6 mini

A Samsung Galaxy flagship launch is traditionally followed by several variants, most importantly a compact version, but we've also seen variants that offer, for example, improved cameras or more ruggedised designs. The Samsung Galaxy S6 mini is likely to arrive a few months after the standard Samsung Galaxy S6, perhaps in late July/early August, and will be a more compact version of its bigger brother with a slightly slimmed down spec. We expect to see a 4.7in full-HD screen, a slower-clocked Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 processor, perhaps 2GB of RAM and 16- and 5Mp cameras.