What are the smartphones with best audio quality? The biggest names in the smartphone industry are striving hard to produce a smart “smartphone”. Yes, some phones may have a quad HD display (Samsung Galaxy Note 4), a 4 GB RAM (Asus Zenfone 2), or a 41-megapixel camera (Nokia Lumia 1020). These are the main specs that matter when you are getting to know a new phone. But how about the audio quality? Do we consider it as a feature we should review thoroughly? The answer is yes. If you want to know more about the specific handset with a refined audio system, we’ll be happy to have you on board! Let’s hear what the smartphones with the best audio quality have to say, shall we?
Audio is the sound your smartphone produces. We make use of it every day when listening to our playlists, in gaming, or when watching a movie on the phone. So how do we define a smartphone with excellent sound quality? By measuring noise and crosstalk. Without sounding too technical, the noise level is also described as signal-to-noise ratio. It is as simple as a “wanted sound” versus the “unwanted sound” or background noise. As per GSMArena, “the higher the signal-to-noise ratio, the less obtrusive the background noise is”. That means you have quite a good phone. The crosstalk determines your stereo’s capabilities. It is as simple as making sure that your smartphone’s sound doesn’t leak or interfere with another channel. Again, GSMArena quoted that “The larger this value is, the better the quality of the sound coming from each channel”.
The camera feature is as important as the audio capability of a smartphone. Come and check out the 10 Smartphones with the Best Cameras 2015, to help you find the perfect “selfie” phone for you. Now, let’s move on and discover the 7 smartphones with the best audio quality!
7. LG G4
Audio Quality: Noise -91.9dB / Crosstalk -91.3dB
The new addition to the family, LG G4 was released in April 2015. It is popular for its reliable performance and commendable camera features. But, it is also one of the smartphones with best audio quality that hits the market. Some users are claiming a refined sound system with the LG G4, yet, it has the same audio specs with the LG G2. Which is not bad at all for G2 remains competitive when it comes to audio specs. Both LG models provide a crisp and clear sound effects for gaming and music listening. The latest LG G4 is available on Amazon for $445.
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6. Apple iPhone 5s
Audio Quality: Noise -93.6dB / Crosstalk -90.3dB
We picked the Apple iPhone 5s over the newest flagships from Apple company. Why? Because it has the sound quality everyone is looking for. The iPhone 5s highlights clarity above anything else. The amplification of sound using iPhone 5s is better than the iPhone 6 (Noise -94dB / Crosstalk -73.4dB) and even iPhone 6s (Noise -93.8dB / Crosstalk -73.2dB). The distortion of tone is obviously lower with the Apple iPhone 5s. It is also one of the smartphones best for listening music! The price of owning an Apple iPhone 5s only costs $374 on Amazon!
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5. Meizu MX4
Audio Quality: Noise -93.6dB / Crosstalk -93.7dB
The Meizu MX 4 is not only one of the smartphones with the best audio quality, but it is an affordable phone too. For about $200, you can already enjoy a precise and stimulating audio performance from Meizu MX4. The other characteristics of the Meizu MX4 that attracts buyers are its sturdy design, whopping 21-MP camera, and overall snappy performance.
4. HTC One M8
Audio Quality: Noise -95.4dB / Crosstalk -93.2dB
The HTC One M8 is one of the hottest smartphones we haver ever laid our eyes into since last year. Even the new HTC One M9 didn’t threaten the popularity of the M8. The M9 has a lower audio quality which clocks in with a Noise -94.8dB / Crosstalk -93.7dB. Aside from the top performance the improved BoomSound Speakers provide, there are plenty of other features inside HTC One M8, like additional camera modes and the sophisticated design of the phone itself. You can grab an HTC One M8 on Amazon with a starting price of $270.
3. Sony Xperia Z5
Audio Quality: Noise -95.5dB / Crosstalk -94.8dB
The Sony Xperia Z5 brings the best display and audio quality for a smartphone experience that is worth our money. The number of noise level and crosstalk shows that the Xperia Z5 delivers a mandatory good audio. The Z5 is a premium smartphone built to enhance your everyday experience and idea of innovation. Did you know that it is the first smartphone ever to have a 4k resolution screen? How cool is that?! The starting price of the Sony Xperia Z5 is $540.
2. Samsung Galaxy S5
Audio Quality: Noise -96.3dB / Crosstalk -95.2dB
The Samsung Galaxy S5 was released in February 2014 and up til now, it is still gaining recognition for its fully-packed specs. It is famed for the outstanding performance, bright display, as well as improved battery life it offers its users. The Galaxy S5 is also water-resistant, which makes it one of the smartphones tagged as a “game-changer”. Moreover, the Galaxy S5 has built-in premium speakers which render a quality and brisk audio output. At least the signal-to-ratio and crosstalk numbers show it. The Samsung Galaxy S5 is available on Amazon with a starting price of $395.
1. Motorola Nexus 6
Audio Quality: Noise -95.6dB / Crosstalk -96.6dB
Well, well, look at what we got here. The beast named Motorola Nexus 6 is one extraordinary smartphone with the best audio quality. The sound experience is way better than any flagship smartphones in the market. Plus it is relatively cheap too. The audio performance of the Motorola Nexus 6 shows a consistent audio flow. Meaning, it has the same powerful sound output either plugged into with an earphone or speakers, it blasts the same empowering beats and groovy sounds. It’s available on Amazon starting at $350! It offers a great performance that can stand up to iPhone 6 and other expensive smartphones.
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Overall, our list covers different flagships with the best sound quality. We used to available audio features such the Noise level and crosstalk to identify and compare each device mentioned in our article. All thanks to the benchmarks available at GSMArena, it helped us get through our smartphone review. Did we miss anything on the list? Make sure to leave a comment below of any additional information you have about the best sounding smartphones in the market!
