List of Top Smartphones with High-res Audio, Stereo Speakers, Dolby Sound
While some brands have already started phasing out the 3.5mm audio jack in favor of USB Type-C, there are still others, however, improving the audio features by adding a high bit rate, Hi-Fi (high fidelity), and richer audio features including stereo speakers and Dolby Sound Surround system.
See also Budget Waterproof Smartphones
Two of the prominent features include a dedicated DAC and amp (amplifier), which are combined and coupled with loudspeaker chips for some. Both are filed under the hardware category but backed up by software enhancements like an equalizer and presets to somehow satisfy most audiophiles.
So what are the top Android smartphones that feature these rich audio specs such as the stereo speakers, 24 or 32bit DAC for headsets and headphones, and amp? Let’s take a look at the top phones below.
Top Smartphones with 24-bit or 32-bit DAC
LG is a known mobile brand for Android users and audiophiles because of the high bit rate audio features on their flagship G Series like the LG G3, LG G4, and LG G5–all with 24-bit DAC. The LG V10 is a phablet with a 32-bit DAC built-in, though LG G5 support it too by using the Bang&Olufsen module (B&O Play) for an extra cash.
LG G4 specs, features, price, release
- Display: 5.5-inch QHD IPS LCD
- CPU: Snapdragon 808 processor
- Memory: 3GB RAM, 32GB storage, microSD card
- Camera: 16MP, 8MP selfie
- Port: microUSB, 3.5mm audio jack
- Audio: 24-bit DAC / 192KHz
- Speaker: Single or mono loudspeaker
- Battery: 3000mAh
- Price: $350 – 400 / P17,000+
- Release: April 2015
LG V10 specs, features, price, release
- Display: 5.7-inch QHD IPS LCD + 2.1 inch secondary
- CPU: Snapdragon 808 processor
- Memory: 3GB RAM, 32GB storage, microSD card
- Camera: 16MP, 8MP selfie
- Port: microUSB, 3.5mm audio jack
- Audio: 32-bit DAC / 192KHz
- Speaker: single or mono loudspeaker
- Battery: 3000mAh
- Price: $500 – 600 / P23, 000 – P28k
- Release: October 2015
LG G5 specs, features, price, release
- Display: 5.3-inch QHD IPS LCD
- Design: Semi Modular
- CPU: Snapdragon 820 processor
- Memory: 4GB RAM, 32GB storage, microSD
- Camera: 16MP + 8MP dual camera, 8MP selfie
- Port: reversible Type-C, 3.5mm audio jack
- Audio: 24-bit DAC / 192KHz
- Speaker: single or mono
- Battery: 2800
- Price: $550 – 700 / P25,000 to 34k
- Release: April 2016
Asus’ new trio: Zenfone 3, Zenfone 3 Deluxe, and Zenfone 3 Ultra boast 24-bit High-res audio and dedicated loudspeaker amp while the Ultra has dual stereo speakers and Dolby True Surround Sound. All of these new Android phones will be released and become available starting on July in the Philippines.
Asus Zenfone 3 specs, features, price, release
- Display: 5.5-inch 1080p IPS LCD or 5.2-inch FHD
- CPU: Snapdragon 625 processor
- Memory: 3GB RAM, 32GB storage, microSD card
- Camera: 16MP, 8MP selfie
- Port: USB type-c, 3.5mm audio jack
- Audio: 24-bit DAC / 192KHz
- Speaker: single loudspeaker with NXP amp drive
- Battery: 3000mAh
- Price: $250 / P12,000
- Release: July or August 2016
Asus Zenfone 3 Ultra specs, features, price, release
- Display: 6.4-inch 1080p IPS LCD
- CPU: Snapdragon 652 processor
- Memory: 3GB RAM, 32GB storage, microSD card
- Camera: 23MP, 8MP selfie
- Port: USB type-c, 3.5mm audio jack
- Audio: 24-bit DAC / 192KHz, Dolby True Surround up to 7.1
- Speaker: dual stereo speakers with 5 magnet drive
- Battery: 4600mAh
- Price: $550 / P25,000
- Release: July or August 2016
Asus Zenfone 3 Deluxe specs, features, price, release
- Display: 5.7-inch 1080p Super AMOLED
- CPU: Snapdragon 823 or 820 processor
- Memory: 4/6GB RAM, 32GB storage, microSD card
- Camera: 23MP, 8MP selfie
- Port: USB type-c, 3.5mm audio jack
- Audio: 24-bit DAC / 192KHz
- Speaker: single or mono loudspeaker with NXP amp
- Battery: 3000mAh
- Price: $600 / P27,000
- Release: July or August 2016
Dolby Atmos and Stereo Speakers
Lenovo has started offering Dolby Atmos Surround Sound experience and stereo speakers with its Lenovo Vibe X and K series. One of the first phones to offer is the Lenovo Vibe K4 Note, which is a budget mid-range Android followed by the Vibe X3 and Vibe X3 Lite.
Lenovo Vibe K4 Note specs, features, price, release
- Display: 5.5-inch 1080p IPS LCD
- CPU: MediaTek 6753 processor
- Memory: 3GB RAM, 16GB storage, microSD card
- Camera: 13MP, 5MP selfie
- Port: microUSB, 3.5mm audio jack
- Audio: Dolby Atmos
- Speaker: front-facing stereo speakers
- Battery: 3300mAh
- Price: $200 / P10,000
- Release: February 2016
Front-firing Stereo Speakers
Among the popular stereo speakers-equipped smartphones are the Sony Xperia Z series. The latest Sony entries with dual speakers are the Xperia Z3+, Xperia Z5, Xperia Z5 Compact, and Xperia Z5 Premium.
Sony Xperia Z3+ Plus specs, features, price, release
- Display: 5.2-inch 1080p IPS LCD
- Design: Waterproof and dustproof (water resistant at 1.5m for 30min)
- CPU: Snapdragon 810 processor
- Memory: 3GB RAM, 32GB storage, microSD card
- Camera: 20MP, 5MP selfie
- Port: microUSB, 3.5mm audio jack
- Audio: standard, aptX, FM Radio with RDS
- Speaker: stereo speakers
- Battery: 2930mAh
- Price: $350 / P16,000
- Release: May 2015
Sony Xperia Z5 Compact, Z5 Classic, Z5 Premium specs, features, price, release
- Display: 4.6-inch 1080p IPS LCD, 5.2-inch 1080p, 5.5-inch UHD 4K display
- Design: Waterproof and dust resistance
- CPU: Snapdragon 810 processor
- Memory: 2GB (Z5C), 3GB RAM, 32GB storage, microSD card
- Camera: 23MP, 5MP selfie
- Port: microUSB, 3.5mm audio jack
- Audio: standard, aptX, FM Radio with RDS
- Speaker: stereo speakers
- Battery: 2600mAh / 2900mAh / 3430mAh
- Price: $400 / P19,000+ for Z5 Compact, $450 / P21,000 for Z5 Classic, $550 / P25k for Z5 Premium
- Release: October to November 2015
Motorola has also set of Moto phones with stereo speakers including the budget Moto G2 and the high-end Nexus 6. Meanwhile, the Huawei Nexus 6P is also equipped with front-facing stereo speakers.
Huawei Nexus 6P specs, price, release, features
- Display: 5.7-inch QHD AMOLED
- CPU: Snapdragon 810 processor
- Memory: 3GB RAM, 32GB storage, microSD card
- Camera: 12MP main, 8MP selfie
- Ports: UBS type-C, 3.5mm audio jack
- Audio: standard
- Speaker: stereo speakers
- Battery: 3450mAh
- Price: $500 / P24,000
- Release: October 2015
Motorola Nexus 6 specs, features, release, price
- Display: 6-inch QHD AMOLED
- CPU: Snapdragon 805 processor
- Memory: 3GB RAM, 32GB storage, microSD card
- Camera: 13MP main, 82MP selfie
- Ports: microUSB, 3.5mm audio jack
- Audio: standard
- Speaker: stereo speakers
- Battery: 3220mAh
- Price: $400 / P18,000
- Release date: October 2014
Motorola Moto G2 (2nd gen) specs, features, price, release
- Display: 5-inch HD AMOLED
- CPU: Snapdragon 400
- Memory: 2GB RAM, 16GB storage, microSD
- Camera: 8MP main, 2MP selfie
- Ports: microUSB, 3.5mm audio jack
- Audio: standard
- Speaker: stereo loudspeakers
- Battery: 2070mAh
- Price: $180 / P8,000
- Release date: October 2014
So that’s our list of rich audio-equipped Android smartphones. If you have anything to add, please drop your comment below.
amb3cog says:
HTC??? The HTC 10 is an amazing phone for music. DAC check, amps check, dual speakers check. I show people how it sounds with headphones, and they can’t believe how good it sounds. Then I crank it up, and they are in shock at how loud it is.
don t says:
Add the ZTE axon7 to your list. Ive tried many of your listed devices and settled on the v10. It was ok, but not great. And very cumbersome to carry. When the axon7 came out I tried one and never looked back. The sound through speakers and headphones blows all others away. And its a damn great phone right up their with the best. Now I dont have to carry my onkyo dp x1 with me also.
mario says:
bullshit it is a lot of Chinese phones with same or better audio ………
willireed says:
hey dude, do you have an update on our local brand phones that offers hi res bit if not those with good DAC
Jade Jardinico says:
Sorry, that feature is very rare for a local branded phone. Try going to Zenfone 3 or Huawei P9 Lite.
James says:
The ZTE Axon 7 has a 32 bit DAC from AKM which, from what I have read, is a direct competitor to the ESS and their sabre DAC found in the LG v10, and G5 audio module. I find it hard to get concrete reviews which aren’t opinion based, so you may be able to dig up better information on how well the Axon 7 DAC performs.
Cosaa? says:
yolo.