With Black Friday breathing down your neck and the holiday shopping season in full swing, now is the time that a lot of people are considering a smartphone upgrade. Buying a new device can be a fun endeavor. But, for some folks, the idea of picking out a new handset may be a little more difficult.
Which is the newest phone? What is the best phone? Which is the one that’s going to give me exactly what I need? We’re here to help you dig through the clutter.
We’ve put together a list of the top 10 Android smartphones you should consider for Verizon this November. Here, in no particular order, are ten Android handsets that you should consider for Verizon if you’re currently shopping around.
Droid Turbo 2
As the first phone to feature a shatterproof display, much can be said about the new Droid Turbo 2. Not only does this one give you peace of mind in knowing that it can fall out of your pocket or desk without shattering, the phone also features some pretty impressive hardware.
Powered by Android 5.1 Lollipop, the Turbo 2 features a 5.4-inch display at 2560×1440 resolution and a 21-megapixel camera. Quick charging ensures that the phone never runs low on juice; moreover, the 3760mAh battery gets you two days of use. In other words it’s built to be used and somewhat abused.
In a first for the Droid series, buyers can head to the Moto Maker tool to design their own unique version of the phone. There are more than 1,000 combinations of colors and materials to choose from.
Motorola Droid Turbo 2 at Verizon
Customized Droid Turbo 2 at Verizon
LG V10
The newest phone of the bunch, this LG features two displays. Indeed, there is the 5.7-inch quad HD screen which looks gorgeous on its own. However, up at the top you will find a small secondary display which offers quick access to favourite contacts, apps, media player buttons , or an at-a-glance view of your schedule.
But, as if that were not enough, you will also find 64 gigabytes of internal storage with a microSD card that allows for another 200GB of space. The removable 3,000mAh battery is more than enough to get you a day or two of life. The rear offers up a 16-megapixel camera while the front houses a pair of 5-megapixel shooters. One works for close-ups while the other has a wide angle lens for group shots.
Motorola Droid Maxx 2
Another relative newbie, this Motorola packs a 5.5-inch 1080p HD display, 21-megapixel rear camera, and 16GB internal storage. Toss in the 3630mAh battery with Turbo Charging and you’ve got a device that should never run low on power. Other specifications include Android 5.1.1 Lollipop, microSD expansion card slot for more storage, and a water-repellent coating.
Motorola Droid Maxx 2 at Verizon
Samsung Galaxy Note 5
The fifth generation of Samsung’s plus-sized smartphone experience boasts a gorgeous metal and glass design. The S Pen digital stylus is smarter than ever and works without even powering on the display. Up from previous models, storage options are now 32GB and 64GB. The battery, which comes in at a commendable 3000mAh capacity, allows for fast charging, wireless charging, and even fast wireless charging.
Samsung Galaxy Note 5 at Verizon
Samsung Galaxy Note 5 at Amazon
Samsung Galaxy S6
Announced in the spring, it’s hard to beat the annual Samsung flagship smartphone. The 5.1-inch Quad HD screen is a stunner and feels oh-so-right in our hands and the premium design includes glass and metal. It’s the first Galaxy S model we’ve wanted to coddle and protect in a long time. It doesn’t hurt that it runs Android 5.0 Lollipop (with an expected 6.0 update), comes with at least 32GB storage, and has 3GB RAM to boost performance.
Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge+
An almost identical sibling to the aforementioned Galaxy Note 5, this one trades out the stylus for the dual curved display. If you don’t need to jot down notes or mark up documents, consider grabbing the more sexy counterpart.
Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge+ at Verizon
LG G4
LG continues to impress with a steady stream of flagship models that demand attention. We long ago fell in love with the rear button layout and this year’s version has one of the best camera experiences we’ve ever seen on a smartphone. The specs are top-notch and the screen is a real looker.
Google Nexus 6
Running an untouched version of Android Lollipop, the Nexus 6 is among the first to receive an update to the 6.0 Marshmallow build. The 6-inch screen might be a little bigger than you’re familiar with but the reviews and feedback have been solid. Internal storage is tapped at 32GB with no microSD expansion card slot but it should be enough for those who live in the cloud.
HTC One M9
The lone HTC model here is also one of the oldest flagship models to make this list. Don’t let that concern you, though, it’s still a kick-ass phone with a great build.  The 5-inch screen looks great and fits well in the hand while the 20-megapixel camera snaps excellent photos. The microSD card keeps media lovers content with room for up to 200GB of external storage.
Motorola Moto X (2nd Generation)
As an ancestor to the Droid Turbo 2 and Droid Maxx 2, the Moto X (2nd Generation) doesn’t have a ton of Verizon customization. In other words, it’s closer to a stock Android experience than most other phones with only a few added touches. We love what Motorola adds to the user interface: twist to open camera, chop to activate flashlight, and voice actions. Pick yours up in Black, White Bamboo, or Football Leather.
Motorola Moto X (2nd Generation) at Verizon
Motorola Moto X (2nd Generation) at Amazon