PhoneArena Reader Awards: Vote for the best of 2015

posted by PhoneArena Team / Dec 18, 2015, 9:22 AM

PhoneArena Reader Awards: Vote for the best of 2015

Regular readers might have noticed — okay, must have noticed — that while we're consistent in standing behind our expert opinion, we live in no ivory tower and actively labor to include you into the conversation. For the most part, we do this through surveys (or polls), which typically garner a lot of attention and occasionally spawn some very interesting discussions. It's a sort of a win-win, as it's beneficial for both sides: we all learn something new every week.

In a bid to keep this spirit alive, instead of limiting the obligatory year-end look back and awards process, we thought we'd garner them currently trending PhoneArena Awards series with a Reader Awards counterpart. So instead of the editorial team at PhoneArena calling the shots, this time around we concede the stage to you — if temporarily — and give YOU the opportunity to crowd-source 2015's best in tech. At the very least, subsequent comparisons with the two competing selections ('ours' and 'yours') will give you some extra ammo for 2016.

Let's start with the three most important categories: Best smartphones, Best large smarpthones, and Best value-for-money phones of 2015.

Smartphones

PhoneArena Reader Awards: Best smartphone of 2015

Apple iPhone 6s

15.97%

Asus ZenFone 2

1.02%

BlackBerry PRIV

2.74%

Google Nexus 5X

2.66%

HTC One M9

1.18%

HTC One A9

0.73%

Huawei P8

1.69%

LG G4

9.01%

OnePlus X

0.51%

Microsoft Lumia 950

3.63%

Motorola X Pure Edition (2015)

5.73%

Motorola DROID TURBO 2

2.34%

Motorola DROID MAXX 2

0.38%

Samsung Galaxy S6

16.26%

Samsung Galaxy S6 edge

25.59%

Sony Xperia Z5

7.93%

Sony Xperia Z5 Compact

2.63%

PhoneArena Reader Awards: Best large smartphone of 2015

Apple iPhone 6s Plus

9.85%

Huawei Mate S

1.98%

Google Nexus 6P

18.81%

LG V10

8.52%

Microsoft Lumia 950XL

4.51%

OnePlus 2

1.38%

Samsung Galaxy Note 5

35.86%

Samsung Galaxy S6 edge+

8.17%

Sony Xperia Z5 Premium

9.99%

Xiaomi Mi Note Pro

0.92%

PhoneArena Reader Awards: Best value-for-money phone of 2015

Alcatel OneTouch Idol 3

2.97%

Asus ZenFone 2

14.14%

BLU Pure XL

2.27%

Meizu m2 note

3.83%

Microsoft Lumia 640

7.16%

Motorola Moto G 2015

23.17%

Motorola Moto E 2015

1.99%

OnePlus 2

18.3%

OnePlus X

15.55%

Xiaomi Redmi Note 2

8.2%

ZTE Axon

2.42%

Tablets and smartwatches

The remaining two award categories aren't unimportant, of course, but are both relatively minor in comparison to the smartphone group: Best tablets and Best smartwatches of 2015. So they're part of the second wave.

With tablets, it's hard to argue against their declining relevancy in the market, with sales shriveling significantly as of late. There have been many proposed reasons for this drop in appeal, with their considerably longer life (you don't necessarily need the latest and greatest in order to simply consume media, which is what tablet users do most) and the rise of large-screened smartphones being central. Especially in terms of phablets, the line between a tablet and a really big phone have started blurring, and so people feel less and less inclined to invest extra money into dedicated devices that overlap in functionality with their handhelds.

As for smartwatches, even with most of the major players now part of the still nascent industry, demand is overall rather tepid. It'll be a while longer, perhaps, until manufacturers figure out some truly nifty use for these small wrist computers, or maybe they'll forever remain a tiny category that, ultimately, was over-hyped.

Our own musings aside, how do you vote?

PhoneArena Reader Awards: Best tablet of 2015

Apple iPad mini 4

7.56%

Apple iPad Pro

12.28%

Asus ZenPad S 8.0

1.06%

Google Pixel C

8.13%

Huawei MediaPad X2

2.43%

Lenovo YOGA Tab3 Pro

1.63%

LG G Pad X 8.3

1.24%

Microsoft Surface Pro 4

43.97%

Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 8-inch

3.54%

Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 9.7-inch

6.72%

Sony Xperia Z4 Tablet

11.44%

PhoneArena Reader Awards: Best smartwatch of 2015

Apple Watch

14.22%

Asus ZenWatch 2

2.4%

Huawei Watch

13.16%

LG Watch Urbane

8.82%

Motorola Moto 360 2015

21.7%

Pebble Time

2.77%

Samsung Gear S2

36.33%

Withings Activité

0.6%

FEATURED VIDEO

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123 Comments

1. Commentator

Posts: 3723; Member since: Aug 16, 2011

S6 Edge ; Nexus 6P ; Moto G ; iPad Mini 4, but only because I didn't see the Surface Pro 4 on the list... ; Gear S2

posted on Dec 18, 2015, 9:30 AM 6

2. Hexa-core

Posts: 2131; Member since: Aug 11, 2015

Best smartphone: LG V10 Best smartwatch: LG G Watch Urbane Hands down!

posted on Dec 18, 2015, 9:32 AM 3

3. Commentator

Posts: 3723; Member since: Aug 16, 2011

Eh, to each his own. Just tried out both at Best Buy last week. The V10 was cool but the Urbane just seemed so clunky. I prefer the Huawei Watch. Neither can touch the usability of the Gear S2 though. Android Wear has a UI problem.

posted on Dec 18, 2015, 9:35 AM 5

22. SamsungPhanboy

Posts: 765; Member since: Mar 31, 2015

So many paid Samsung employees in here. I love Samsung but the note 5 and s6 edge don't come close to being the best smartphones. Touchwiz is AWFUL. I'd give it to the Nexus 6P or iPhone 6s Plus. You know, phones that don't lag and stutter nearly as much as current Samsung phones.

posted on Dec 18, 2015, 10:13 AM 15

27. Pattyface

Posts: 1658; Member since: Aug 20, 2014

Why must they be paid? Are you paid to like the nexus 6p? The s6 edge plus is hands down one of the best phones to come out all year. Just because it doesn't align with your views doesn't mean they must be paid.. TW isn't at all awful like you hope it is..sorry

posted on Dec 18, 2015, 10:19 AM 25

32. maherk

Posts: 7029; Member since: Feb 10, 2012

Don't mind him man, he always starts his comments with I love Samsung, then goes ahead to bash their products. You know, hoping it will gain him a little bit more of credibility.

posted on Dec 18, 2015, 10:22 AM 29

37. SamsungPhanboy

Posts: 765; Member since: Mar 31, 2015

I'm not worried about gaining credibility from a 30 year old who used to troll phone arena all the time. Yes, you maherk.

posted on Dec 18, 2015, 10:24 AM 11

42. Hexa-core

Posts: 2131; Member since: Aug 11, 2015

Oh man, are you trolling maherk? *Oh well... I'm not involving myself in your issues with him.* Carry on...

posted on Dec 18, 2015, 10:29 AM 5

44. maherk

Posts: 7029; Member since: Feb 10, 2012

28** lol And why you lying buddy, if you didn't, you wouldn't have had dozens of other accounts. Come on, almost every one on this site knows you and your childish antics to get some attention.

posted on Dec 18, 2015, 10:30 AM 14

89. tedkord

Posts: 17489; Member since: Jun 17, 2009

Because his hatred demands that he rationalize results that don't jibe with his views. He hates Samsung, so therefore anyone who likes them must be paid to do so.

posted on Dec 18, 2015, 4:03 PM 4

30. maherk

Posts: 7029; Member since: Feb 10, 2012

You love Samsung? You think we still believe that? And for God's sake, how the hell do you get upvotes the moment your comment gets posted lol

posted on Dec 18, 2015, 10:21 AM 22

40. SamsungPhanboy

Posts: 765; Member since: Mar 31, 2015

http://s952.photobucket.com/user/Samsungphanboy/media/Mobile%20Uploads/Screenshot_20151218-102336_zpsshn9bqri.png.html See link above. You're one to talk. 1 minute in with an upvote.

posted on Dec 18, 2015, 10:28 AM 7

46. maherk

Posts: 7029; Member since: Feb 10, 2012

Ok, can the person who upvoted my comment after immediately posting my comment reveal himself? Lol You have so much free time to go screenshoting every comment, then uploaded it. Chill out man

posted on Dec 18, 2015, 10:32 AM 13

53. SamsungPhanboy

Posts: 765; Member since: Mar 31, 2015

Bro, you stated a false claim, insinuating I have multiple accounts because I received an upvote quick. Now I have evidence to void your ridiculous claim, since you see it's quite easy to simply get a quick upvote from someone. Just like you, getting a quick upvote doesn't mean that person has "dozens of other accounts." Don't tell me to chill out just because I made you look like an idiot.

posted on Dec 18, 2015, 10:40 AM 7

61. maherk

Posts: 7029; Member since: Feb 10, 2012

Nope, I stated a well known fact that almost everyone on this site know. You could say the stupidest thing ever and get multiple upvotes(just like now), and i could post dozens of comments that won't get noticed. Not that I care, but just stating the obvious. Like now for an instance, not a single comment on this thread had as many upvotes as yours, just saying that there is something fishy about you.

posted on Dec 18, 2015, 10:52 AM 16

64. SamsungPhanboy

Posts: 765; Member since: Mar 31, 2015

"i could post dozens of comments that won't get noticed" .....because half of the s**t you say is idiotic. But I'll give you an upvote, because you obviously care a lot about that. +1

posted on Dec 18, 2015, 10:57 AM 3

69. Hexa-core

Posts: 2131; Member since: Aug 11, 2015

Oh man! When will the war between you and maherk end? *Just kidding*

posted on Dec 18, 2015, 11:05 AM 1

70. SamsungPhanboy

Posts: 765; Member since: Mar 31, 2015

It ended. At the end of the day, we are buddies. But what's up with you hex? What phone you rocking these days..

posted on Dec 18, 2015, 11:07 AM 0

109. Hexa-core

Posts: 2131; Member since: Aug 11, 2015

Hey hey... Call me Hexa, nit. Do you know the meaning of a 'hex'? Google it. I ain't one!

posted on Dec 19, 2015, 2:01 AM 0

110. Hexa-core

Posts: 2131; Member since: Aug 11, 2015

Hey hey... Call me Hexa, NOT. Do you know the meaning of a 'hex'? I ain't one!!!

posted on Dec 19, 2015, 2:02 AM 0

111. Hexa-core

Posts: 2131; Member since: Aug 11, 2015

A hex is a curse, or magical badluck. It's related to sorcery. And I ain't it!!! Call me Hexa, or 6-core

posted on Dec 19, 2015, 2:05 AM 0

120. SuperMaoriBro

Posts: 533; Member since: Jun 23, 2012

what you both need is a life.

posted on Dec 19, 2015, 2:50 PM 1

31. Hexa-core

Posts: 2131; Member since: Aug 11, 2015

SammyPhanboy, so you did not jump on the Note5 bandwagon in this poll? Quite strange!

posted on Dec 18, 2015, 10:22 AM 3

84. xfire99

Posts: 1207; Member since: Mar 14, 2012

Best Smartphone. NOT BEST Mobile OS. Also u dont know how Android works. Hints: Launcher/custom ROM. Nexus 6P have large overheating problem with S810 and throttles most of the time. Best smartphones as best in throttling? IP6S/Plus or all Apple devices with latest iOS9 are causing lags/stutters/bugs/crashes. If TW is awful and iOS is total crap. With iphones, people are stucked with whatever lagging buggy iOS Apple are putting out. You know, do some researches first.

posted on Dec 18, 2015, 2:40 PM 5

87. tedkord

Posts: 17489; Member since: Jun 17, 2009

So many paid Samsung haters here. The Note 5 is clearly far and away the best large phone, and has no more lag or stutter than any other phone (I know, I have one). TouchWIZ isn't perfect, but no UI is. The Nexus 6P and iPhone 6s Plus are great devices, but the Note 5 is in a league by itself.

posted on Dec 18, 2015, 4:01 PM 5

106. chenski

Posts: 785; Member since: Mar 22, 2015

Me and my taiwanese friend both switched new phones at the same time, he bought note 5 and i bought nexus 6p

posted on Dec 18, 2015, 8:26 PM 1

102. ColinW

Posts: 413; Member since: Jun 04, 2014

The Note series has been the best larger phone for a long while and the Note 5 is still the best. You have obviously used a Note as the Touchwiz interface has improved immensely and the Note has many features that make using a larger screen phone more productive.

posted on Dec 18, 2015, 6:12 PM 2

105. Diezparda

Posts: 941; Member since: Oct 23, 2013

"Give credit where it's due, except for Samsung". LMAO we already know you are hater & probably never own Samsung device yet keep spamming every Samsung related article.

posted on Dec 18, 2015, 7:10 PM 2

118. Andrewtst

Posts: 697; Member since: Jan 25, 2009

Paid? No need paid because Samsung Galaxy Note5 and S6 Edge is the best for year 2015

posted on Dec 19, 2015, 9:10 AM 1

121. sgtdisturbed47

Posts: 970; Member since: Feb 02, 2012

Having owned a Note 4 and Note 5, as well as an iPhone 6, I have no idea where you're coming up with this nonsense about "lag and stutter". I've never witnessed this a single time on either Note, but I've seen lag and stutter on the iPhone. TouchWiz is AWFUL? You must have had a bad device, or no actual experience.

posted on Dec 19, 2015, 7:42 PM 1

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