Android Nougat officially came out earlier this year and started showing up on varied number of premium smartphones, featuring an upgraded design coupled with a reiterated effort to become even more user-friendly that ever.
Nougat is the 7.0 version of the operating system, and it packs features such as multi-language typing, more emojis, multi-window view, enhanced app switching, and the Vulkan API technology for 3D graphics.
The latest Android OS also makes the leap to virtual reality on Daydream-ready phones and will come with updated battery-saving features, better customization, direct reply design, bundled notifications, and other characteristics that aim to make Android more efficient and personal.
Here are seven of the best phones currently running Nougat:
1. Pixel and Pixel XL
- Manufacturer: Google
- Price: Starts at $650
- Where to get it: Google’s official store, Amazon, Ebay, and other official retailers.
- Nougat version: 7.1
- Release date: October 2016
The Pixel phones come with 4GB of RAM accompanied by a Snapdragon 821 processor, the fastest battery charging time currently in the market, a solid build with solid internal functioning and a great OS. The Pixel phones are now topping the charts as the smartphone king of 2016.
2. Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge
- Manufacturer: Samsung
- Price: Starts at $670
- Where to get it: Most online and physical retailers.
- Nougat version: Currently running 7.0 in the Galaxy Beta Program
- Release date: March 2016.
The Pixel’s closest contender, only with a slightly less powerful processor, an 820. The S7 has received much praise for its design, features, and VR capabilities. In keeping with its effort to innovate, it will get Nougat officially very soon, but current owners can already sign for the beta testing program.
3. LG’s V20
- Manufacturer: LG
- Price: Around $800
- Where to get it: LG’s official store, Amazon, other online retailers
- Nougat version: 7.0 (“right out of the box”).
- Release date: October 2016.
The LG V20 was the first phone that featured a pre-installed version of Nougat, and that is how Android advertised it on their official website. Another Snapdragon 820/4GB combo with a dual wide-angle camera, excellent audio features, and a solid build.
4. Moto X Pure Edition
- Manufacturer: Motorola
- Price: currently $289 on the official website.
- Where to get it: Motorola, Amazon.
- Nougat version: 7.0
- Release date: September 2015.
The Moto X Pure Edition will update to Nougat next year, and even though there is no official date for this change, it deserves a spot on the list. It has 3GB of RAM coupled with a Snapdragon 808, great storage capacity, prominent display, and even a water-repellent nano-coating.
5. Huawei’s P9
- Manufacturer: Huawei
- Price: About $465
- Where to get it: Amazon
- Nougat version: 7.0
- Release date: April 2016.
The P9 sports 4GB RAM and a HiSilicon Kirin 955 processor. Fast battery charging and most premium perks (including a fingerprint scanner). It is currently Huawei’s flagship device, the top of the list. Will get Nougat in the first quarter of 2017.
6. HTC 10
- Manufacturer: HTC
- Price: Currently $499 on HTC’s official store
- Where to get it: HTC, Amazon.
- Nougat version: 7.0
- Release date: May 2016
The HTC 10 has a snapdragon 820 and 4GB RAM with an impressive price tag for an unlocked phone. 12MP camera, dual speakers, a decent HD resolution, and competitive features. A great perk: Most of these devices already updated officially to a preliminary version of Nougat.
7. Xiamoi’s Mi5
- Manufacturer: Xiaomi
- Price: Starting at $305
- Where to get it: Ebay, Xiaomi, international online retailers.
- Nougat version: 7.0
- Release date: April 2016.
Another one that is already running Nougat and coupling it with the Xiaomi particular user experience. The Mi5 comes with a snapdragon 820 and 4GB of RAM, three different models including one with a 128GB internal storage, 16MP state-of-the-art camera, and a unique metallic design.