Rating of the best music smartphones of 2020

Almost any smartphone on a modern hardware platform that supports On-the-Go technology (capable of operating in USB Host Mode) and, preferably, equipped with a capacious battery, can claim the position of a good music smartphone. It’s just that Redmi Note 8 Pro is mentioned more often than others in the context of “musicality” on specialized branches of audiophile forums. Ideological opponents of Xiaomi products are recommended to pay attention to the already proven new items of this year — OPPO A9 (2020) and iPhone SE (2020). The essence of the solution under consideration for high-quality mobile sound reproduction is to connect a portable DAC to a smartphone via USB. In addition to acquiring a suitable model of such a gadget, Android devices will need to install the “correct” player. There are several options, but the most popular are UaPP, Neutron and Onkyo HF. They directly interact with an external analog-to-digital converter, which ensures a minimum level of distortion of various nature. The elegance of the considered approach lies in the fact that it allows you to choose a «whistle» with the required feed feature: on Saber, Cirrus Logic or Asahi Kasei Microdevices DACs — as you like. The disadvantage is the need to carry an additional device.

A dedicated DAC is a desirable but not essential component of a good music smartphone. If your favorite player basically knows how to work with sound bypassing the Android system mixer, and also supports Hi-Res stream output, you can try to find a device compatible with it from any price category. A good example of this approach is the combination of the budget Max Pro M1 ZB602KL and the Neutron player. It is also good because it allows you to get a relatively high-quality audio stream not only through a 3.5 mm jack, but also through the USB interface. Keep in mind, after the next update of the operating system, the workaround may be closed. Either for a specific player (its version), or in general. Another point to consider when targeting a model without a powerful output amplifier is that it needs headphones with suitable sensitivity (in both directions).

Unlike LG, Vivo is strengthening its presence in the Russian market, although we have massively represented inexpensive and mid-budget models from this manufacturer, which are of little interest to true music lovers. Meanwhile, there are music smartphones in the Vivo range. At the time of writing the review (beginning of summer 2020), MTS stores are still selling the dual-sim version of the Nex S model, whose sound path is built using a dedicated AK4377A DAC. True, its integrated amplifier is not designed to connect full-size headphones, but with “plugs” the smartphone sounds great. Last fall, Nex 3 was announced, and in the spring of this it was already updated to 3S. However, with regard to the circuitry of the audio path, there are no big differences between them. Vivo also has an X line, and just the other day it was replenished with new products with the names X50 Pro and X50 Pro +. The first smartphone is equipped with the same AK4377A, but the second allegedly boasts the presence of CS43131 and universal “uncolored” sound.

Another «veteran» who has not even celebrated his first anniversary (at the time of writing these lines), but has already acquired two generations of descendants. But for fans of high-quality sound reproduction, they are not so uninteresting, since they were deprived of connectors for wired headphones, and at the same time dedicated DACs. Reno 2 is fine with this and the sound in it is processed using the AK4377A chip. As mentioned above, the latter is not able to unlock the potential of high-impedance headphones, which must be taken into account when choosing. The killer feature of this smartphone, of course, is the lifting front camera, associated with a shark fin. Yes, and the rear cameras deserve praise, if only for the fact that they do not protrude above the body at all. However, the shooting quality of the Reno 2 is also good, especially with regard to video. In large retail chains, the smartphone is still available and “thanks” for this should be solid price tags.

Our rating of the best musical smartphones Xiaomi Mi 10 continues. Xiaomi smartphones have never been a music lover’s dream, although the company has experience in using discrete DACs. Suffice it to recall the first Mi Note with the ESS ES9018K2M chip on board. Another thing is that the Chinese manufacturer did not develop this direction then, but returned to the sound quality of its smartphones last year, and this turn is most likely due to the growth of Xiaomi’s ambitions and the desire to play in the big leagues.

Actually, the developers of Mi 10 didn’t have to invent almost anything — a high-quality analog signal is provided by the flagship processor from Qualcomm, implementing the Direct Audio mode is as easy as shelling pears, the necessary adapter costs a penny (it was even included in the kit). The firmware only added support for TrueWireless Stereo technology from the same American chipmaker and installed advanced symmetrical stereo speakers. The main feature of TWS is that the technology allows you to keep abreast of the events of the surrounding reality, while remaining in the headphones. It is very convenient for sports jogging, for example.

It remains to be added that we recommend that music lovers wait for sales of the Mi 10 Pro.

Sony cannot be suspected of inability to work with sound, and its XZ generation smartphones were considered almost a reference in terms of playback quality through speakers. And yet, the favorite hobby of the Japanese should be recognized as the transmission of an audio stream via a wireless interface. Especially when combined with active Bluetooth headphones, ideally also from Sony. But even with a wired connection, the first Xperia sounds very decent, and it supports both Direct Audio and USB Host Mode, which allows you to connect both regular headphones and headphones with a built-in digital-to-sound converter or DAC adapters to your smartphone. The main thing is that in the first variant the resistance of the windings should be smaller. Preferably no higher than 32 ohms, since the output amplifiers of the integrated WCD9340 are good, but not powerful enough.

Next in the ranking of the best smartphones with good sound is the Apple iPhone 11. As mentioned in the introduction, iPhones are by no means a model of high-quality sound, no matter what fans of this brand claim. But such a statement is true only in relation to the traditional option for connecting headphones, and when using an external portable DAC, things are much more pleasant for Apple’s pride. For example, on one of the forums of American audiophiles, a bunch of iPhone SE (2020) + iFi Audio HIP-DAC is touted with might and main. The decision is controversial, insofar as the advantage in compactness is lost, but why not.

We consider the “simple” eleventh iPhone to be a more rational choice, since it is equipped with very decent stereo speakers, which finally appeared on communicators with an apple on the back. Well, he shoots better, although he definitely does not reach the level of the iPhone 11 Pro.

For music lovers, the ZTE brand is well known for its Axon music line. Its representatives lost their audio jack last year (starting from the ninth model), and the manufacturer offers to connect classic wired headphones using an adapter, which kindly complements the package. The recommended smartphone is good in both senses of audio transmission over the USB bus. Firstly, its processor contains an integrated WCD9340 DAC with output amplifiers, proprietary DTS:X Ultra technology allows you to adjust the sound over a very wide range, and the smartphone itself is ready to give an analog signal in Direct Audio mode. On the other hand, it supports OTG technology and works well with external digital-to-analog converters. Finally, the Axon 10 Pro has amazing stereo speakers. It is also worth noting that the updated version of this smartphone (which is 10S Pro) is no less interesting, but the eleventh generation of the line is noticeably inferior to the tenth.