There was a time when we didn't think much about the quality of speakers in smartphones. Now users of mobile devices have become very demanding and therefore manufacturers take into account all wishes. Now the current flagship smartphones have received such built-in stereos that even the most iconic audiophiles have nothing to say about the lack of sound quality.
Today, even an average smartphone sounds pretty decent. We've seen more and more models get front-facing speakers and no doubt this offers a great music listening experience.
This prompted me to make a selection of smartphones that have already appeared on the market this year and that have high-quality stereo speakers. After checking a fairly large database of smartphones, we got exactly the following list:
1.HTC One M8
Of course, the first on the list was the flagship HTC One M8. In the end, it was he who was noted in most reviews as the best premium smartphone with built-in stereo. Sound is reproduced loudly, clearly, with a noticeable presence of low frequencies. If you often listen to music on your smartphone, then this is the clear leader to buy.
2.HTC One mini 2
This smartphone is like a simplified version of the flagship One M8, but it retains most of the big brother's features, including design, construction, metal body, user interface and feature set, as well as front-facing stereo speakers.
3. Sony Xperia Z2
This is Sony's flagship smartphone that has a ton of positive features, including stereo speakers on the front. They sound great, though, though not enough to beat the HTC One M8.
4.HTC Desire 816
HTC Desire 816 is one of the best mid-range smartphones. It also has front-facing stereo speakers and a large screen, making it ideal for watching videos and playing games, but it doesn't cost enough to compete with flagships.
5. Amazon Fire Phone
Just a few weeks ago, Amazon unveiled its first smartphone, the Amazon Fire Phone. Users receive with it a unique 3D interface, a partially metal case, 24/7 service, front speakers. The device actually deserves attention, although we have yet to get to know it. The smartphone will appear on sale only on July 25.
6.HTC Desire 700
This is another smartphone that is struggling to dominate the middle class with a solid feature set at a reasonable price. It is also a Dual SIM smartphone, although not all users will need it. It has a pair of stereo speakers on the front, which sound rich when playing music, videos, games.
7.HTC Desire 610
And again we have before us a smartphone from HTC, which we got acquainted with at the beginning of this year along with the appearance of Desire 816. This is a colorful smartphone with good characteristics, which has rich multimedia capabilities. Naturally, there are stereo speakers on the front panel.
Well, you can see for yourself how strong HTC is in the smartphone market, if you choose them for sound quality. Hopefully Samsung will also release a flagship smartphone with stereo speakers very soon, as even I am looking forward to it.
A huge number of music lovers live in the world. Such people want the best possible sound from technology. They buy a home theater system with a receiver and a luxurious audio system. And when choosing a smartphone, they pay attention to whether it has a central audio processor or other technologies that separately handle sound processing and make it better and louder. If you also want to buy yourself a music smartphone, then be sure to take a look at our rating of such devices!
What determines good sound?
Many people believe that all portable devices are roughly the same in their audio qualities. Usually such users think that the differences lie only in the musical dynamics. But in fact, even on headphones, the sound is far from the same. It all depends on which component converts digital sound into analog (and you can't do without it, the headphones themselves have not yet learned how to solve such a problem). In most inexpensive smartphones, the sound is processed by a processor or a very simple audio processor. Both of these cases are not suitable for the music lover, since the following happens:
- The sound is quiet.
- The quality of the music is far from ideal, as the sampling rate is greatly reduced.
- It is impossible to connect large on-ear headphones - the signal does not have enough strength in order to overcome the increased impedance.
This is why some manufacturers build a separate audio processor into their products, and sometimes even supplement this with an audio amplifier. However, in 2019, engineers learned to improve sound in other ways. There are many technologies and different brands use their own methods. How different companies approached the issue and which smartphones are musical in 2019, read below.
Highscreen PowerFive Max 2
Price: from 12 590 rubles.
In addition, the phone has received a military grade of protection MIL-STD-810G and dust and moisture protection IP68. The device has a capacious 5400 mAh battery with fast charging, 6-inch IPS matrix with FHD + resolution. There are two memory options - 3/32 and 4/64 GB, NFC, Snapdragon 450 chipset.
Advantages:
- A classic case with a high class of protection against any threats.
- High quality IPS screen.
- NFC module.
- Clean and very loud sound.
- Good storage space.
- Excellent capacity.
- Supports fast charging.
Disadvantages:
- Not the best quality of shooting photos and videos.
- For its price, the device received a good, but still modest processor.
- Large thickness and weight - 12.6 mm and 216 g.
Meizu Pro 7
Price: from 15,000 rubles.
A fairly old model, released at the end of 2017, will appeal today to those who care about sound, and other parameters are not particularly interesting. However, everything is not bad there. The smartphone received a Cirrus Logic CS43130 DAC with a built-in headset amplifier. This audio chip is more designed for pumping monitor headphones and will suit those users who prefer large "paws" to earbuds.
For hardware - a small 5.2-inch FHD screen, made using AMOLED technology. The body is metal - on the back there is an additional 1.9-inch AMOLED screen for displaying notifications and taking selfies on the main camera. It is double - 12 + 12 Mp, color and monochrome modules. Front camera - 16 megapixels. Chipset - Helio P25, memory - 4/64 GB. Battery - 3000mAh with fast charging support.
Advantages:
- Great headphone sound.
- Small display.
- Good memory set.
- Fast charging.
- The modest battery lasts a full day under load.
- The body is made of metal.
Disadvantages:
- No NFC.
- Old OS - Android 7.0.
- The old chipset (already at the time of the release of the device, it was not the most relevant).
- Cameras are mediocre by 2019 standards.
- The location of the auxiliary display is not the best.
LG G7 ThinQ
Price: from 27 100 rubles.
The G7 ThinQ is the flagship from the Korean brand in 2018. The device did not become the top-end in the world and is inferior to competitors in some aspects, but in terms of sound it is considered one of the best. they always try to make high-quality sound and a decent result is obtained not only in flagships. This model received not only a dedicated Saber ES9218PC DAC, but also a resonance effect to increase the sound volume. Without going into details - the technology is based on the fact that the device uses the surface on which it lies for resonance, increasing the volume. It is worth noting that world-renowned audiophiles have highly appreciated the G7 ThinQ's music reproduction capabilities, and that means something.
Considering the fact that this device is a flagship, all other parameters are also at the same level - a powerful Snapdragon 845, NFC, a 16 + 16 MP dual camera, support for fast charging and other modern chips. However, the device also has disadvantages.
Advantages:
Disadvantages:
- Photo tier is not for premium tier smartphones.
- 4/64 GB is a modest set for a flagship, but overall worthy.
- Modest battery - 3000 mAh.
- Boring appearance.
- A separate button for launching Google Assistant is located very poorly and interferes with comfortable use.
LG V30 +
Price: from 25 600 rubles.
Slightly older by release date, but not much cheaper than the V30 +. The device appeared at the very end of 2017, but is hardly considered obsolete. It contains an ES9218 Saber DAC. The task of the chip is to convert sound with minimal loss and as close as possible to the source, that is, to the way it was intended by the creators. Another feature that hints at the “musicality” of the device is the bundled Bang & Olufsen headphones.
A significant difference from the G7 ThinQ is the older processor - Snadragon 835, memory - 4/128 GB, OLED matrix, 3300 mAh battery. The rest of the devices are similar - a dual camera (a usual module with a very large aperture and wide-angle, optical stabilization), NFC, fast charging, two Wi-Fi bands, military grade protection and dust and moisture resistance.
Advantages:
- High quality sound.
- Great headphones included.
- Protection against water, dust, shock.
- Excellent storage capacity.
- Fast and wireless charging.
- Nice camera.
- NFC availability.
Disadvantages:
- The processor is old, but powerful.
- Old OS - Android 7.0.
- The screen is not set up very well - the picture turns green at small angles.
Meizu 16th
Price: from 25 500 rubles.
The Chinese company Meizu, like the Koreans LG, among other things, rely on sound. The 16th is a device that hit the shelves in 2018 and was positioned as a flagship. As for the sound, the device is all right - 2 stereo speakers, support for aptX and LDAC, that is, high-quality sound in headphones, the SmarPA Cirrus Logic CS35L41 amplifier and the Aqstic WCD9341 digital-to-analog converter from Qualcomm. Listening to music, both with and without headphones, is very pleasant.
The rest of the model turned out to be no less worthy - a pretty glass body, frameless AMOLED display with FHD + resolution, Snapdragon 845, 6/8 and 64/128 GB of memory, a dual camera from Sony with laser and phase detection autofocus, optical stabilization and optical zoom, dual front camera , 3010 mAh battery (with low numbers shows excellent autonomy in difficult conditions) with fast charging mCharge.
Advantages:
- Frameless AMOLED display.
- Excellent autonomy.
- Very high quality sound.
- High performance and multitasking.
- Quality cameras in the back and front.
Disadvantages:
- No NFC.
HTC U12 +
Price: from 37,000 rubles.
The third brand that can be called an adept of quality sound along with Meizu and LG is the Taiwanese HTC. The previous model U11 + was one of the loudest on the market and U12 + decided to continue the good tradition. The device received a whole bunch of sound "enhancers". Two stereo speakers located above and below, called BoomSound Hi-Fi Edition, play very loud and clear. Supports aptX HD, USonic Active Noise Canceling Headphones. Another interesting feature of the device is the sound adjustment taking into account the shape of the ear. The user inserts a branded headset, the device plays music and calibrates based on the reflection of sound waves from the ear canal. In other words, the smartphone is truly musical.
In addition to the sound, there is a lot of interesting things - the original design with a transparent lid, HTC Sence technology - the side edges react to pressing and its force by launching this or that application, a 6-inch AMOLED display with AlwaysOn support, Snapdragon 845, 6 and 64/128 GB of memory, NFC, dual camera front and back, 3500mAh battery with fast charging, IP68 waterproof.
Advantages:
- Powerful filling.
- Great sound.
- Expensive and high quality headphones included.
- Moisture protection.
- NFC support.
- Great main camera.
Disadvantages:
- Not the best picture quality on the front camera.
- The battery is weak.
- You have to get used to the "touch" side faces and not everyone considers the technology useful or convenient.
Samsung Galaxy S9
Price: from 31 800 rubles.
There is no point in talking about Samsung's top smartphones, so it's worth mentioning what the brand has done to get high-quality sound. All previous Galaxy S series models were equipped with a single stereo speaker, which gave a pleasant sound, but not the best compared to the competition. In the S9, it is still not very good, but the level has become much higher.
First of all, 2 stereo speakers were installed, and this was done in a cunning way - no matter how the device is lying, it will sound equally loud, that is, the speakers are not muffled, as is the case with the devices listed above. Cooperation with AKG gave not only high-quality complete headphones, but also sound settings - in S9 it was tuned by AKG specialists, which gave high quality and volume. Compared to the S8, the device is 1.4 times louder.
The last important point is Dolby Atmos support with manual adjustment. To put it simply, this standard was created for filmmaking. Its essence lies in the fact that the sound is distributed not over the channels, but over the objects that emit it - each instrument in the song, as well as the voices of the vocalist and backing vocalists, will be reproduced separately, without merging into a single canvas. The technology is being actively implemented in televisions, cinemas and audio equipment.
There is no point in describing the pros and cons for this model, because the entire device can be attributed to the former, and the latter can only be found if you find fault with it. In general, any Samsung flagship is the choice of those people who are not embarrassed by the expensive price, and they do not know what to choose and do not want to make a mistake. Galaxy S is always a win-win.
Excluded from selection
Meizu MX4 Pro
- DAC: Saber ES9018K2M
- Amplifier: Texas Instruments OPA1612
Price: 11 900 rub.
The manufacturer of this smartphone has intelligently optimized the software for specific sound components. As a result, listening to music with this model is very pleasant. At the same time, the device can boast of other characteristics. For example, the resolution of the 5.5-inch display installed here is brought up to 1536 x 2560 pixels - individual pixels can only be seen under a microscope. The smartphone also has 3 GB of RAM and a 20-megapixel camera.
Advantages
disadvantages
- An old version of the operating system;
- The sound is loud only in headphones;
- It gets hot enough, thereby discharging the battery.
Highscreen Boost 3
- DAC: Saber ESS9018K2M
- Amplifier: ADA4897-2
Price: 13 990 rubles.
For unknown reasons, smartphones with music chips are very heavy. But Highscreen Boost 3 can be considered an exception to the rule - its weight does not exceed 140 g. This device has two slots for SIM-cards, a 5-inch display with Full HD resolution and a 4G-module with support for LTE-A networks of the fourth category. An eight-core product from MediaTek is used as a processor, and 2 GB of RAM are hidden under the case. A distinctive feature of the device is the package bundle - in the box you can find an additional 6000 mAh battery.
Advantages
- Long battery life;
- LTE-A support;
- Relatively good camera (13 megapixels, f / 2);
- Powerful processor and 2 GB of RAM;
- A pair of batteries included;
- The ability to install two SIM cards;
- Not very high cost.
disadvantages
- Decent sound only in high-quality headphones;
- The operating system has bugs;
- Not the best design.
HTC One M9
- DAC: there is no data
- Amplifier: there is no data
Price: 30 990 rub.
HTC does not say what kind of "stuffing" is located in its flagship. However, this does not negate the fact that the device sounds better than each of its competitors. We need to thank for this not only the components, but also the proprietary technology HTC BoomSound. The stereo speakers deliver clear and loud enough sound. And if you connect high-quality headphones to the device, the effect will be even more impressive! As for the technical specifications, they include Android 7.0 (it was originally the fifth version), Wi-Fi 802.11ac, LTE-A and 3 GB of RAM. A 20-megapixel camera is used for photography.
Advantages
- Loud stereo speakers;
- Powerful processor;
- High resolution display;
- Great rear camera
- LTE-A Category 9 support.
disadvantages
- Low resolution front camera;
- High price;
- No fingerprint scanner.
Lenovo Vibe X3
- DAC: ESS ES9018K2M DAC
- Amplifier: Lenovo 3xTIOPA1612
Price: 22 990 rub.
Lenovo has created its own amplifier specifically for this smartphone. Despite its diminutive size, this part allows you to output sound to large on-ear headphones. But the device is not positioned as a musical one. The Chinese rightly point out that their creation can easily cope with any other tasks. For example, a smartphone allows you to access the Internet at high speed, since there is an LTE module. It also delivers decent photos, for which the 21MP camera deserves credit. And if the best music smartphones have only one SIM card slot, the Lenovo Vibe X3 is free from this drawback.
Advantages
- 3 GB of RAM;
- Qualcomm six-core processor;
- The presence of a fingerprint sensor;
- Two slots for SIM cards;
- LTE and 802.11ac support;
- High resolution display;
- Excellent cameras (21 and 8 megapixels).
disadvantages
- Quite high cost.
LG V10
- DAC: 9018C2M
- Amplifier: ESS 9602C
Price: 27 800 rub.
When designing the LG V10, the South Koreans tried to introduce unusual technologies into their creation. In particular, the device received two screens. One of them is auxiliary - it can be found near the front camera. The device also received a central audio processor and amplifier, due to which it entered our top music smartphones. Customers also like the 5.7-inch display installed here, capable of boasting a resolution of 1440 x 2560 pixels. And the smartphone shoots pretty well - the 16-megapixel camera is responsible for this process.
Advantages
- The ability to use two SIM cards;
- There is an auxiliary display;
- Very high resolution of the main screen;
- Relatively good rear camera (16MP, f / 1.8)
- LTE-A support of the fourth category;
- Powerful processor;
- 4 GB of RAM;
- Dual front camera.
disadvantages
- The camera has no optical stabilization;
- Very high cost.
The resource AndroidAuthority has compiled the TOP smartphones with the best sound. The rating of the best sounding smartphones will be useful for both audiophiles and lovers of good sound!
TOP smartphones with the best sound from Android Authority were compiled on the basis of a list of 10 models that aroused the greatest interest among Android smartphone fans in 2016.
A similar top ten was featured in the previous Best of Android 2016 ratings (Battery, Performance and Display). Well, the rating itself "Best of Android 2016 Audio" was compiled on the basis of measurements of SNR (signal-to-noise ratio), headphone voltage and speaker volume level.
How does the signal make noise and why is it important?
Modern phones can play not only low quality compressed audio stored in mp3 files. The best-sounding smartphones operate on lossless tracks, reproducing studio-quality (or close to it) sound, delivered in files with FLAC resolution.
Low-quality mp3 audio is associated with a 16-bit audio standard that requires a relatively low SNR to play comfortably. The initially low quality of compressed audio does not require fiddling with the broadcast stream, forgiving both the presence of noise and loss of sampling frequency when decoding audio.
However, true Hi-Res Audio operates on 24-bit files that store uncompressed audio, for which it is necessary to restore the waveform with minimal loss or distortion. Therefore, a real smartphone for audiophiles in 2016 is equipped not only with software, but also with hardware converters (DAC), which increase the signal-to-noise ratio to a comfortable level.
As a result, trying to understand which smartphones have the best sound, AndroidAuthority specialists began their tests with SNR (signal to noise ratio) ratings. Measurements of this parameter allowed us to identify an unambiguous leader - HTC 10 (-105.5 dB) and a clear outsider - ZTE Axon 7 (-79.6 dB). Do not forget that the clear difference between mp3 and FLAC can only be heard by owners of devices with SNR below -96.3 dB.
Caution! Low voltage
The smartphone with the best sound in the 2016 headphones cannot have low voltage on the audio port pins. Therefore, the second test was based on measuring the voltage and showed the following results:
| Smartphone | Voltage | |
| 1 | Lenovo Moto Z Force Droid | 1.45 |
| 2 | ZTE Axon 7 | 1.21 |
| 3 | LG V20 | 1.009 |
| 4 | HTC 10 | 1.00 |
| 5 | Google Pixel XL | 0.99 |
| 6 | OnePlus 3T | 0.829 |
| 7 | Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge | 0.76 |
| 8 | Sony Xperia XZ | 0.382 |
| 9 | Huawei Mate 9 | 0.347 |
| 10 | Xiaomi Mi 5 | 0.18 |
The maximum voltage was demonstrated by the Lenovo Moto Z Force Droid, the minimum - by the Xiaomi Mi 5. Owners of the latter should not rely on too strong a signal in the headphones.
Who is louder?
Most people prefer loud and festive music, so the really best smartphones with good sound in 2016 should generate enough power from their speakers.
In an effort to determine the smartphone with the best speaker sound in 2016, AndroidAuthority tested it with a decibel meter installed 1 meter away from the devices. As a result, the following results were obtained:
The loudest sound came from Google Pixel XL (77.8 dB), the second place was taken by ZTE Axon 7 (76.6 dB), and the bronze medalist was the Xiaomi Mi 5 (75.6 dB). The worst results were shown by the Xperia XZ, which issued only 58.9 dB. Since the human hearing aid is designed in such a way that a 10 dB gain “doubles” the audible sound volume, a Sony product will transmit 4 times less “perceived” sound power than a Google product.
And the winner of the rating of smartphones with the best sound is ...
According to AndroidAuthority, the smartphone with the best sound is HTC 10. It will suit even spoiled music lovers and connoisseurs with a fine ear. Fans of loud and party music will surely love the Google Pixel XL and the 77.8dB generated by this phone's speakers.
Sony Xperia XZ should be recognized as an outsider in the Best of Android 2016 Audio rating - this smartphone is in eighth place in the sound quality rating, and its speakers sound quieter than the audio system of any device reviewed in this test.
If you have not yet decided what is better to buy a player or a smartphone with the best sound for playing your favorite music - we suggest that you familiarize yourself with the material "Player or Smartphone: An Honest Review".
You can compare prices and characteristics of smartphones (as well as any other phones) in the publication in one table in our catalog.
1. Go to the "Catalog" section (in the main menu). Enter the name of the model you are interested in in the search bar (in the Basic Filters block). Click the New Search button.
2. Next, in the search bar, enter the name of the model with which you want to compare. Click the Add button. The message "Data loaded into the table" appears.
3. Then you can add a third, fourth (and so on) phone for comparison, repeating the actions of the second paragraph.
4. To remove duplicate models (in different colors), put a checkmark in front of the smartphone name and click the "Compare" button under the table. Now you will see in one table only the characteristics of the models you are interested in without duplicates.
5. To compare smartphones by specific characteristics, put a checkmark in front of the corresponding characteristic in the "Table Settings" block.
6. Adding models can be performed at any stage - the table settings you have selected are saved, the selected models too.
Modern smartphones are used to consume a wide variety of content. Some just chat on social networks, others play, and still others watch videos. There are also people who cannot imagine a day without music. For those, the smartphone also acts as an MP3 player. Music lovers are looking for special formats to hear new notes in their favorite composition. However, not everyone suspects that much depends not even on the audio bitrate, but on the digital-to-analog converter installed in the mobile device, which improves the sound. We have compiled a rating of the best music smartphones to choose in 2019, dividing the models into several categories, which will make it easier to find the device you need.
The best music smartphones with DACs
The digital-to-analog converter is installed not only in smartphones, but also in laptops. The more effective it is, the better the sound quality both in headphones and through the speaker. Well, we have collected for you the 5 best smartphones with DACs that you should choose in 2019.
5th place - Highscreen Fest XL Pro
This limited edition smartphone comes in a box with a visualized rock musician performing. With all his appearance, he shows that his main purpose is listening to music.
However, it’s worth starting with something else. The fact is that the smartphone has very wide bezels, especially at the top and bottom. But the 5.5-inch AMOLED screen pleases with clarity and saturation. Nothing good can be said about the 4-core processor MediaTek MT6737T, since its power is far from that of modern mid-range smartphones. However, Highscreen Fest XL Pro is not made for games.
The company itself, presenting this smartphone, boasted that it had managed to equip the budget model with a Hi-Fi audio track. The built-in HI SOUND Lite DAC along with headphone amplifier and switcher ensure that your favorite tracks sound great through your headphones. Rich bass is felt as well as clear mids and highs. The multimedia speaker, unfortunately, cannot boast of stereo sound or at least high volume.
Strengths
- Musical orientation, which is noticeable even at the stage of getting to know the device;
- Nice screen;
- Excellent built-in DAC
- Low cost.
Weak sides
- Weak processor;
- Not the best quality multimedia speaker.
4th place - Meizu 16
Meizu was originally engaged in the production of MP3-players, so you can expect great achievements from a good smartphone in terms of the musical component. Meizu 16 is a simplified flagship model based on an 8-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 710 processor with a Super AMOLED screen of excellent quality and good cameras from Sony and Samsung. The front camera from the South Koreans is equipped with a 20 megapixel sensor, and the main one is a dual module of 12 and 20 megapixels. 
There is only one multimedia speaker in the presented model. Therefore, you should not rely on sound depth without using headphones. However, by connecting a wired headset, the user can enjoy clear and loud sound, thanks to the support of LDAC and aptXHD. The difference in sounding with the flagship cannot be detected. So you can safely put on, for example, Meizu Flow and listen to tracks in FLAC format.
Strengths
- Bright and rich display;
- Good cameras;
- LDAC and aptX HD support.
Weak sides
- Mono sound from multimedia speaker.
3rd place - Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus
Samsung's flagship 2018 is good in many ways. It has a great 1440p Super AMOLED screen, a powerful 8-core Exynos 9810 processor that can handle any task, and great cameras that shoot well both day and night. 
With music, the smartphone is also doing great. This is understandable, because the cost of the Galaxy S9 Plus is quite high. The presented flagship has two speakers: one is located above the screen, and the other is at the bottom. Both amplifiers have been tested by AKG, which stands for sound quality. The result is high volume and stereo sound. It is difficult to find an advantage over the same Meizu 16 in headphones, but the quality is still higher than that of the middle class.
Strengths
- Great screen;
- High quality pictures and videos;
- Powerful processor;
- Stereo speakers with support for Dolby Atmos settings.
Weak sides
- High price.
2nd place - Xiaomi Pocophone F1
Of course, this smartphone is primarily aimed at the audience of mobile gamers. Indeed, for a rather low cost, users get a device with a productive Snapdragon 845 chip and a capacious 4000 mAh battery. But music lovers will also find the Pocophone F1 a kind of outlet. 
Yes, the smartphone has only one multimedia speaker. But it gives out full stereo sound at high volume. Why? Yes, because the role of the second in playing music is played by the spoken one. As a result, the smartphone may well be used as a good portable speaker. The sound in the headphones also keeps its mark. There is support for aptX HD, and when a wired headset is connected, the smartphone itself offers to choose the type of headphones (in-ear or in-ear) to optimize the sound. In addition, Bluetooth 5.0 technology makes the sound in the wireless headset very clear and rich. The Xiaomi Pocophone F1 is an almost perfect music smartphone that can only disappoint with its plastic case.
Strengths
- Powerful processor;
- Stereo sound with solid volume;
- AptX HD support for high-quality sound in headphones;
- Attractive price.
Weak sides
- Plastic case.
1st place - LG G7 ThinQ
The best music smartphone with DAC, made especially for music lovers. Of course, this device can boast of other features. For example, a powerful Snapdragon 845 chip, IP68 protection and excellent 16 and 8 megapixel cameras. But we are attracted by other characteristics in the presented model. 
In its smartphone, LG used the resonance effect to increase the volume. In this case, the sound amplifier is the surface on which the device lies. If you put your smartphone on a table, the volume level will be an incredible 100 dB. As for the sound quality, it is better to evaluate it in headphones. The smartphone has a Saber ES9218PC DAC, thanks to which a wired headset transmits all facets of compositions. The developers also took care of the wireless headphones, equipping the smartphone with aptX HD support and Bluetooth 5.0 technology. You can even get a feel for the difference between MP3 and FLAC, so buying the LG G7 ThinQ as a music flagship looks perfect.
Strengths
- Productive hardware;
- Good cameras;
- There is an acoustic resonator to increase the volume;
- There is aptX HD support.
Weak sides
The best music smartphones under 20,000 rubles
You don't have to buy an expensive flagship to enjoy music, which in addition has a bunch of unnecessary features. Therefore, we have compiled a rating of the best music smartphones worth up to 20,000 rubles for 2019.
5th place - Sony Xperia XA1 Plus Dual
Stylish smartphone from Sony, made at the same time quite strictly, except for the presence of various colors. The device is equipped with a 5.5-inch FullHD screen, an 8-core Helio P20 processor and a good 23MP main camera. 
There are speakers at the top and bottom of the display. The combination creates decent stereo sound to fill the space. Smartphone functionality allows you to enable the ClearAudio + function, which provides the clearest possible sound without any interference. You will not be able to feel all the quality in wireless headphones, but a wired headset conveys the entire palette of instruments used in the composition. NFC will be a pleasant bonus for the owners of this smartphone.
Strengths
- Stylish design;
- Decent cameras;
- Stereo speakers;
- ClearAudio + function.
Weak sides
- Wide display bezels;
- Not the best sound quality in wireless headphones.
4th place - Xiaomi Mi Max 3
A very large smartphone that is inconvenient to use with one hand. But if you are a fan of phablets and good sound, then Xiaomi Mi Max 3 is a good choice. The smartphone has a 6.9-inch FullHD + screen, a mid-performance Snapdragon 636 processor, a dual main camera with 12 and 5 megapixels, and a 5500 mAh battery with support for fast charging. 
When playing music, sound is fed from two speakers at once, creating a stereo effect. The composition seems voluminous and literally surrounds the user. The truth about the high level of quality does not have to be said when compared with the flagships. Be that as it may, for its money Mi Max 3 plays decently. Plus, there is support for Bluetooth 5.0. The technology guarantees uninterrupted playback of songs through a wireless headset.
Strengths
- Capacious battery;
- Stereo sound;
- Good sound with wireless headphones.
Weak sides
- Obscenely large.
3rd place - Honor 10 Lite
A nice device, the target audience of which should be the younger generation. Smartphone affordable. It is made in a plastic case, in which the Hisilicon Kirin 710 processor is hiding, a dual main camera of 13 megapixels and 2 megapixels and a very cool 24 megapixel front camera. For those who are interested in contactless payments, it is worth noting that the model has an NFC module. 
The sound quality can be assessed by connecting headphones. The proprietary algorithms of Huawei Histen significantly expand the musical capabilities of the smartphone, allowing it to play songs with various effects. In addition to the usual surround sound, the modes "close", "frontal" and "maximum" are available. At its price point, the Honor 10 Lite has no equal with the aptX HD codec for wired headset sound quality. But with a conventional speaker, not everything is so smooth. It only plays mono sound. Yes, it doesn’t wheeze, but it doesn’t add musicality.
Strengths
- Stylish design;
- Excellent front camera
- Great sound in headphones;
- Profitable price.
Weak sides
- Mediocre multimedia speaker.
2nd place - HUAWEI P20 Lite
This smartphone is a bit like the previous model, as its design is quite typical for Huawei. This is perhaps his strong point. You can also highlight the widescreen FullHD + display with a diagonal of 5.84 inches, good cameras with a resolution of 16 megapixels and the presence of NFC. 
It is gratifying that the smartphone records video with stereo sound. True, you can feel all the beauty only if you are wearing headphones, since the multimedia speaker plays music and other audio files in mono mode. But it is precisely for headphones that this inexpensive smartphone is sharpened. The aptX codecs improve the sound, so a good headset like Meizu Flow will delight the user with deep bass and high volume. Of course, Huawei's proprietary equalizer settings are present.
Strengths
- Beautiful appearance;
- Decent cameras;
- Pre-installed codecs to improve the sound in headphones;
- There are all modern interfaces, including NFC.
Weak sides
- Simple mono speaker.
1st place - Xiaomi Mi8 Lite
The simplified Xiaomi flagship is the best music smartphone under 20,000 rubles for 2019. Of course, more expensive models are more impressive, but Mi8 Lite is able to please those who buy it. The smartphone looks stylish, runs on a nimble Snapdragon 660 processor, takes excellent selfies on a 24-megapixel front camera and charges pretty quickly. 
Making an almost ideal smartphone in terms of price-quality ratio, the developers did not endow their brainchild with a sterio-speaker. However, the existing one reproduces music loudly and very clearly. The speaker does not wheeze and how it can give out surround sound. The situation is even better in headphones. True, some still have to connect only a wireless headset, since there is no minijack. In this case, Bluetoth 5.0 technology will help for high-quality sound. Compared to Bluetooth 4.2, the user will experience high stability of the connection, so that the playback of the track will not be interrupted. It is also necessary to say about the built-in MIUI player. It is very user-friendly and allows you to use various musical effects, matching the accompanying atmosphere.
Strengths
- Stylish design;
- Great selfie camera
- Solid processor;
- Good sound quality in wireless headphones;
- One of the best price / quality ratio on the market.
Weak sides
- No audio jack.
Which music smartphone should you choose?
Here's our ranking of the best music smartphones and come to an end. Of course, the music component is just an addition to the wide functionality of the smartphone. However, its value is very high for many people. Therefore, anyone who wants to enjoy excellent music reproduction should think carefully about which device suits best.
- By far the best is the G7 ThinQ. It is able to resonate sound, thereby increasing the volume when the smartphone is lying on any surface. Plus, the device has all the necessary headphone codecs.
- The simpler option is Highscreen Fest XL Pro. It costs less, but the sound quality in headphones is higher than that of competitors in the class.
- And if you want to buy a good smartphone in terms of price and quality with a good speaker, then you can choose the Xiaomi Mi8 Lite. Not without drawbacks, of course, but affordable.
There are not so many smartphones on the market that can fully compete with portable audio players in sound quality. Manufacturers often go for marketing tricks and position this or that gadget as "musical", but compliance with this criterion is determined not by the presence of built-in sound enhancers in the firmware, which often spoil it, but by the presence of:
- dedicated DAC (digital-to-analog converter);
- amplifier;
- hi-Res audio support.
And if the last point is not mandatory, then a separate DAC and amplifier in a smartphone that claims to be of high quality sound should be in any case. We have prepared a selection of devices for you, which presents the best smartphones at the beginning of 2017 with good sound in headphones. Let's start.
Onkyo DP-CMX1
Our list opens with a gadget, which is more a Hi-Fi player with phone functions than an ordinary smartphone. The DP-CMX1 is the first attempt to enter the mobile market by one of the largest audiophile equipment manufacturers in China, Onkyo. 
In terms of technical characteristics, this is a good average peasant, powered by a Snapdragon 650 processor with 128 GB of internal and 3 GB of RAM, 16/8 MP cameras and a 5-inch FHD IPS display. The device stands out by the presence of two slots for memory cards that support flash drives up to 246 GB, and an unusual design. The DP-CMX1 has a separate volume control wheel, mechanical playback control buttons and two audio outputs - a standard 3.5 mm and a balanced port.
The audio capabilities of the DP-CMX1 can be considered reference. The device has on board two dedicated DACs ESS Saber ES9018K2M and two amplifiers Saber 9601K, the smartphone also supports MQA and DSD audio codecs. Such pleasure is not cheap - 48 thousand rubles.
iPhone 6S
Smartphones from the Cupertino corporation have always been famous for good sound in headphones thanks to the use of DACs from Cirrus Logic in them. We decided to include the 6S in our rating, since the last apple lacks a traditional 3.5 mm headphone jack, which causes certain inconveniences during its operation. However, the problem is not critical and can be solved with an adapter costing 800 rubles.
The iPhone 6S uses a Cirrus Logic 338S1201 DAC and a 30mW amplifier that can drive even professional headphones with ease. The only problem with iPhones is the chronic lack of Hi-Fi audio support, which was not even added to the iPhone 7. However, if you don't pretend to be an audiophile and just want a phone with good sound, Apple's smartphones will suit your needs.
Meizu Pro 6 Plus
Meizu has become known to the general public precisely as a manufacturer of portable players, and the company does not neglect sound quality in its smartphones. All phones of the Meizu MX and Pro lines are equipped with dedicated DACs, but we will add to the rating the latest flagship of the company, which is good in literally everything.
The cost of Pro 6 Plus starts at 31 thousand rubles. For this money, you get a smartphone with a 5.7 '' 2K AMOLED screen, 4 GB of RAM and 64/128 GB of internal memory, powered by an Exynos 8890 processor (similar to the Galaxy Edge 7 chip). The audio path of the smartphone is based on the ES901 DAC, ADI amplifier and Rubycon capacitors, there is support for Hi-Fi audio up to 24/192. With quality headphones, the smartphone sounds amazing and is one of the best solutions on the market.
ZTE Axon 7
ZTE Axon 7 can adequately compete with Meizu. This device not only plays well in headphones, but also has powerful stereo speakers, so it can be used as an average boom box. The smartphone uses a DAC from the cult Japanese company Asahi Kasei - AK4490 and an amplifier specially designed for it AK4961.
The Axon 7 price is comparable to the flagship from Meizu - 40 thousand rubles. In terms of hardware, smartphones are also direct competitors, Axon is powered by a Snapdragon 820 chip, has a 2K AMOLED screen, 20 and 8 MP cameras, and 64/4 GB of memory. The smartphone has already been updated to the 7th version of Android and the manufacturer promises long-term support for this model in the future.
HTC 10
Despite the fact that NTS has lost its position in the smartphone market, its latest flagship turned out to be first-class. In addition to top-end hardware, it is primarily of interest to the camera, which is used as a 12 MP sensor with unique Dual Pixel technology, and audio.
The smartphone is equipped with a 24-bit DAC with Hi-Res audio support, it copes with playback of 192/24 audio streams without any problems. The volume and quality of music reproduction from external speakers is also pleasing, the NTS 10 uses an unusual stereo pair of two speakers, one of which reproduces the high frequencies, the second - low and medium, while each of the speakers has its own amplifier.
The only significant drawback of NTS 10 is its price, which exceeds 50 thousand rubles. For this money, the flagships from Meizu and ZTE look more attractive options in terms of their characteristics.
Alcatel Idol 4S
Idol 4S, from Alcatel, which came under the wing of the Chinese from THL, for little money (23-25 \u200b\u200bthousand rubles) is able to offer the same audio capabilities as more expensive smartphones. The Idol has a Wolfson DAC and not the most powerful amplifier from an unnamed manufacturer, which, when paired, produce a very decent sound.
The main advantage of the Idol 4S is the stereo speakers developed by JBL, which sound loud, clear and spacious. Also included with the device are glasses for virtual reality, which greatly expands the possibility of using it for entertainment purposes. And the phone is not bad in terms of hardware - 2K AMOLED screen with a diagonal of 5.5 inches, 32/3 GB of memory expandable with cards up to 512 GB, 16 and 8 MP cameras. The only upset is not the most productive Snapdragon 652 processor, but for that kind of money, the compromises are quite expected.
Lenovo Vibe X3
In terms of sound / hardware / price, the Vibe X3 is one of the most balanced smartphones on the market. This is the Lenovo flagship of the last generation, now available for 15-18 thousand rubles. The Vibe X3 boasts an ESS Saber 9018K2M DAC and OPA1612 amplifier, Wolfson 8281 codec and Hi-Res 192/24 playback. In headphones, the phone delivers a bright, rich sound with a detailed and wide scene.
Like most good music smartphones, the Vibe X3 has quality stereo speakers. Here they support Dolby Atmos technology, which increases the surround sound. The rest of the characteristics did not disappoint either - Snapdragon 808, 32/3 memory + MicroSD, 20/8 MP cameras, 5.5 FHD IPS screen, thanks to which the phone will remain relevant for the next couple of years.
ZTE Nubia Z11
Z11 is not cheap, almost 30 thousand rubles, and the smartphone fully justifies its money. This is a beautiful gadget with a frameless display, in a thin metal case, and has top-end characteristics. The Z11 has a Snapdragon 820 on board, an FHT IPS 5.5 '' screen, 64/4 GB expandable memory, and an excellent 16MP camera.
ZTE engineers did not skimp on the audio path of the Nubia Z11. The phone is equipped with a dedicated AKM 4376 DAC supporting Hi-Res audio, which ensures detailed and clear sound in your headphones. The smartphone has only one speaker, of very good quality, but in terms of volume and volume of sound it is seriously inferior to stereo speakers in other devices.
LG V20
V20 repeated the sad fate of the previous generation of flagships from LG and failed to sell. However, the V20, in spite of everything, is a cool smartphone with an original, albeit controversial design, powerful hardware (820 dragon, 128/6 GB of memory) and a number of chips, the main one of which is an additional screen.
For lovers of high-quality sound, the V20 is of genuine interest, since it contains an ESS Saber ES9218 DAC, and the famous Bang & Olufsen company was engaged in the development of the software part of the audio path. The audio chip of the smartphone is capable of playing audio with a resolution of 32 Bits and supports the aptX codec, through which a digital signal is transmitted to Bluetooth headphones without loss of quality. Another advantage of the V20 is the presence of Android 7.0 out of the box, however LG's tarnished reputation with the totally defective G4 model adds to the doubts when choosing. Price - from 33 thousand rubles.
Highscreen Bost 3
Considering smartphones with good sound, one cannot fail to mention the Highscreen Bost 3, at the beginning of 2017 this is one of the most affordable audiophile gadgets. Bost 3 has rather modest specifications - MTK6753 processor, 2 GB of RAM, 5 '' FHD screen, mediocre 13 MP camera. However, it has everything you need for high-quality music reproduction - the Saber ESS9018K2M DAC, ADA4897 amplifier, Hi-Res audio support and the ability to expand memory with flash cards.
Bost 3 is capable of playing the heaviest Lossless formats, up to 384/32 bits, pumping high-impedance 500 Ohm headphones with a decent volume margin, and delighting in autonomy - the smartphone comes with 2 batteries, for 3000 and 6000 mAh, the latter is enough for 2 days extremely intensive smartphone use. In general, Bost 3 can be considered an excellent inexpensive phone if the sound quality is the priority selection criterion.
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