The best smartphones to listen to music in 2018

The possibilities of a modern smartphone are such that the device has long ceased to perform the utilitarian functions of communication and a notebook. Today, the phone is becoming a real center of multimedia entertainment. You can watch movies on it, especially if you use a model with stereo speakers.

It is easy to buy a model with a good sound in headphones or opt for a device with good autonomy, considering long-playing smartphones. A separate category are products for the music lover. Such smartphones are equipped with special hardware to produce sound without distortion.

Modern quality sound format

A long time ago, there appeared a data coding standard for digital devices with stereo sound, which described the quality of reproduction of records on compact discs. It meant 16-bit sound depth and 44,100 Hz sampling rate. The most inexpensive smartphone for music will meet this standard.

However, the current standard exceeds the level of SD-quality requirements. The specific sound quality in modern smartphones is not subject to clear categorization. Accepted Hi-Res Audio (HRA) describes only the minimum parameters. Their list is as follows:

• sound depth is 24 bit;
• sampling frequency of at least 48000 Hz.

As a result, the average budget smartphone with good sound, with a price of up to 15000r, today offers 24 bits of depth at a sampling frequency of 96 kHz.

Important! It should be noted that MP3 files can not be a guideline in assessing the quality of playback of a device. This encoding format immediately implies a large data loss. In this case, channels in the stereo image can be forcibly mixed (partially merged) to reduce the file size.

To evaluate the best smartphone for music in headphones in 2018, we need the so-called losless filescontaining lossless audio data. For example, this requirement corresponds to FLAC format. If you can play such files without installing a separate player, you can immediately determine the most musical smartphone.

How does the operating system affect the sound quality

Apple Corporation continuously announces the improvement of the sound quality of its phones. This happens at the exit of each new item. The next iPhone is necessarily positioned as a smartphone with the best sound. However, in practice it is not.

Apple devices, even the most advanced, show significant distortion of the sound image - this is due to the peculiarities of the operating system. When working with data, at least double conversion is used to obtain an analog signal curve. Distortions generated by the amplification system end paths are superimposed on the resulting data loss. As a result, no iPhone is able to enter the top 2018 music smartphones.

The picture is slightly different in devices running the Android operating system. The software environment is fully open.The developers of new models of the phone are open to any control over the hardware audio components. As a result, the rating of music smartphones 2018 entirely consists of models for Android.

These are high-level DAC devices with separate power amplifiers, hardware adjustments. In addition, some manufacturers offer their own technology to improve sound quality. For example, HTC uses back reaction scheme. The model with music chips focuses on the sound picture in the headphones, receiving data from the microphones built into them. By independently changing the equalizer settings and the gain system, the smartphone selects the best sound parameters.

Rating of smartphones to listen to music

In favor of smartphones on Android, says that the manufacturers of processors for solutions on this platform offer embedded sound processing chips. The Qualcomm Snapdragon 821 is the first CPU to use this technology. Here is installed the module working with audio Qualcomm Aqustic, which allows:

• get a sound depth of 24 bits;
• work with sampling rate up to 192 kHz;
• receive power on one channel in 4W.

Such opportunities allowed developers without the use of separate DAC modules and amplifiers create devices to listen to music with an attractive price. As a result, even a 5-inch budget smartphone with a sophisticated sound processing system is suitable for a music lover.

10. LEECO LE MAX2

As an example of good work with the built-in coprocessor, you need to bring LEECO LE MAX2. Smartphones of this brand are called Chinese iPhones. There are no audio connectors, devices are made in thin cases and offer the maximum level of hardware solutions. Built on a Qualcomm Snapdragon 821, LEECO LE MAX2 issues great sound in all modes. It works great with headphones, wireless headsets.

On a note! It is proposed to connect wired devices via the USB Type C interface, however, a 3.5 mm mini-jack adapter is supplied with the smartphone.

LEECO LE MAX2 on Yandex Market

9. Highscreen Boost 3 SE Pro

Highscreen is a Chinese manufacturer confidently conquering the Russian market. Consumer attracts not only acceptable price, but also the technical characteristics of the proposed devices. The model Boost 3 SE Pro has got an ESS Saber 9018K2M DAC. This solution is installed on top models of foreign manufacturers. There are no problems with the sound quality of the smartphone.

High output power Provided by a quality amplifier Analog Devices AD4897-2. Even with the use of high-impedance professional monitors (with a resistance of about 150 Ohms), there is simply no sound problem for the smartphone. In addition, the model automatically adjusts to the impedance of the connected headphones.

Highscreen Boost 3 SE Pro on Yandex Market

8. LG G7 ThinQ

This phone has got an excellent sound processing system.Here is a four-channel digital-to-analog converter. There are branded sound processing technology. Separately forms on himself speaker with a large air chamber. It is called Boombox Speaker and provides low distortion at any volume level.

On a note! In addition, the mechanics of this loudspeaker is enough for the emergence of the phenomenon of vibrational sound. The phone can be put on the tabletop, and the latter will begin to strengthen the bass with its vibrations.

With the installed ES9218PC DAC, there are no problems with the sound quality. In addition, the model is able to independently adapt to the connected headphones, including high impedance.

LG G7 ThinQ on Yandex Market

7. ZTE AXON 7 MINI

This smartphone will appreciate the capabilities of an expensive, top-end player. It has a separate sound processing system built on the Asahi Kasei AK4962 DAC. On the front of the device are located two large speakers operating in a stereo pair.

The sound in the headphones is very high quality and clear. The picture is worked out over the entire frequency range. It has everything: powerful bass, shades and clear recognition of any instruments. It should be noted that high-quality sound is provided at any volume. To customize according to individual preferences Dolby Atmos technology.

ZTE AXON 7 MINI on Yandex Market

6. ASUS ZenFone 5 ZE620KL

This smartphone is a great example of a combination of hardware solutions. His strongest side is high-quality front speakers. They are large, made on a five-magnetic circuit, work in a wide frequency band with minimal distortion. As a result, ASUS ZenFone 5 ZE620KL sounds very good in any conditions, the sound is rich and powerful.

The model does not have a separate DAC to form an analog signal. However, the capabilities of the module built into the CPU are used to the full. The aptX HD codec is used in data processing, as well as the proprietary sound quality enhancement technology DTS HeadPhone X. Guaranteed good power output: the model is equipped with amplifiers from the brand NXP.

ASUS ZenFone 5 ZE620KL on Yandex Market

5. LG V20 (H990DS)

The peculiarity of this model is the use of a separate sound processing system. It is built on the ESS Saber ES9218 DAC. A separate amplifier chip is used to obtain good output power. Despite the similarity of the implementation scheme with the leader of the rating LG V20 (H990DS), this smartphone is still inferior in the wealth of possibilities due to the simplified implementation.

On a note! In an effort to stand out in the market, the manufacturer installed a dual rear camera in the model. But, according to user feedback, the proposed features do not look convincing.

LG V20 (H990DS) on Yandex Market

4. ALCATEL IDOL 4S

This model with speakers in front will please the owner with a powerful sound. Indeed, the smartphone sounds several times louder than the competitors, the same common models Xiaomi. At the same time, there are practically no complaints about the quality of reproduction. Some music lovers say that this smartphone with good sound speakers swallows a few bass. But such a distortion of the sound is not critical for most users.

The ALCATEL IDOL 4S has an undeniable advantage: the model implements the scheme of tuning the parameters of the audio system for specific headphones. The Waves MaxxAudio technology allows you to get crystal clear sound on any speaker. Another feature of the model: the control circuit parameters of the audio system guarantees the quality of playback at any volume level.

ALCATEL IDOL 4S on Yandex Market

3. SAMSUNG S9

Rating the best music smartphones can not do without the participation of the flagship from South Korea. Announced in the spring of 2018, SAMSUNG S9 immediately draws attention to itself with a new external loudspeaker circuit. Unlike previous ones, this model with two speakers in the ends, working in a stereo pair.

Samsung has a high-quality audio system. The flagship 2018 installed Loudspeakers from the Austrian brand AKG. Headphones from the same company is equipped with a phone in the standard package. You can get positive emotions from listening to music in any variant.

SAMSUNG S9 sounds great when playing on the front speakers. Maximum pleasure can be obtained by connecting headphones. This smartphone with high-quality sound forms the purest sound image that can be further improved using Dolby Atmos technology.

SAMSUNG S9 on Yandex Market

2. HTC U Ultra

This model is representative of devices using proprietary sound processing technologies. This somewhat limits its use. However, the sophisticated hardware allows you to put this product in the category of music smartphones in 2018.

HTC U Ultra is a model with two speakers working in stereo. Their size does not allow to hope for a deep bass, but the phone sounds very decent. Complete headphones are equipped with microphones that continuously transmit the characteristics of the sound image to the sound processing system. As a result, the user gets a crystal clear sound.

Important! When you connect conventional headphones for listening to music, all the benefits of USonic technology disappear. However, the capabilities of the DAC can be opened by installing a separate player or by purchasing a branded adapter.

HTC U Ultra on Yandex Market

1. ONKYO DP-CMX1

First place was the product of a famous Chinese brand. Actually, the manufacturer explicitly declares that its product is the best music smartphone of 2018, a sound playback device, to which the phone functions have been added. Features of the hardware platform is the presence of two separate professional-grade ESS Saber DACs.

The phone has two headphone outputs at once. One is suitable for hiking wire models, familiar vacuum droplets and similar products. With the help of the second balanced with power adjustment, this smartphone with high-quality sound will allow you to enjoy music in high-impedance head monitors. To enhance power, professional chips SABER 9601K are used.

ONKYO DP-CMX1 on Yandex Market