There isn’t a single mobile phone that isn’t, well, mobile. Whether you’re traveling around the world or mostly on the move to an office, you need the best intersection of portability and functionality. You might hate the constant upgrading cycle you feel trapped in with cell phones but the reality is they’ve reached a technological plateau making usability their most distinguishing features. (Much like PCs in early 2000s and laptops several years after that.)
All this means that any mobile you buy now has the potential to last you 3+ years without feeling like an abacus so if you want to save more for your travel budget with less on electronics purchases, here are the best phones for your pocket.
1. Moto X 2014
The Moto X is a piece of technology that has gotten me excited about phones again. The Touchless Controls (called Moto Voice) let you send text messages, listen to emails, open Skype and make calls (plus a lot more) without having to physically interact with your phone. Apple fans listen up, Moto Voice is a smarter Siri that doesn’t require you to hit the home button every time you want to speak to it. Another feature, Moto Assist, automatically detects when you’re driving, letting you answer calls, listen to texts, reply, and more – again, without touching the device.
There are a number of other really neat features that have me giddy like I was after the first iPhone announcement. Small things I wish iOS could do, like light up the screen when I take the phone out of my pocket or wake the camera up with a shake of the device. I’m sure Apple will incorporate some of these features (cough, cough touchless Siri) by the end of 2015 – though given what I’ve read in the Steve Jobs biography, the company that once led is now following without the strong influence of its stubborn innovator.
Motorola Moto X – 2nd Generation, Black Resin 16GB (Verizon Wireless)
2. iPhone 5s And (Reluctantly iPhone 6)
Alternatively, the best “small” phone you can get right now is the iPhone 5s. A year old but now discounted, it’s a worthy purchase if you want to rebel against large screens. (The iPhone 5 in case you’re wondering is cheaper but a lot older on the inside.) The iPhone 6 is a good phone but not the innovative leader that Apple is when it comes to the best travel laptops of 2014.
If you’re on the fence about iOS or Android, it’s a debate much like asking whether you should buy a Mac or Windows laptop for your travels, except that mobile platforms try to lock you in more. Apple’s iOS gives you iMessage and Facetime, which you’ll lose if you go Android. Most respectable apps (like recently reviewed TunnelBear) are on Google Play and iTunes though with the latter, purchased movies won’t be available on your Android.
iPhone 6 is great if you’re committed to iOS, have or will purchase a Macbook 2011 or later (as OS X Yosemite will bring these features), or want one of the best cameras on a mobile. Keep in mind, you’ll pay a premium for all of it. The iPhone 5s is good choice for small (hell, normal I would say) hands less likely to drop a device this size.
3. HTC One M8
If you want the genetically spliced combination of the two phones above, seriously consider the HTC One M8. It’s got the body of an iPhone 6 with the heart of an Android named Data. The HTC One M8 feels great in the hand and some of its coolest features can be found in its camera app, which takes advantage of its dual lenses that add depth to images.
Two More To Consider
Why I’m (Mostly) Not Mentioning Specs
Primarily because phone guts these days aren’t going to set them apart in any discernible way for the average user. Screen resolutions are at qualities our eyes can’t see beyond so for the most part, unless you’re seriously gaming on your phone; besides, a faster chip isn’t going to make reddit load any quicker. No matter what phone you end up with make sure it’s unlocked for international travel (which is legal by the way) and turn your mobile phone into a better digital camera if you don’t own one of these best point and shoot cameras for travelers.