If you are growing a little tired of the same old staple of Android device brands—namely Samsung, LG, and HTC—then you may be happy to learn that a handful of new brands have emerged. You may also be even more excited to learn that these brands take off from where the existing technology began and offer far more interesting and intriguing mobile devices than we have seen on the market of late.
Nextbit
Take Nextbit, for example. This company depends on cloud data storage more than, perhaps, any other brand on the market today. While users are likely getting accustomed to Google photos and Google Docs being stored in the cloud, Nextbit pretty much stores all of your apps there too.
With Nextbit’s “Robin” device, users have improved battery life and a new Web Client (in beta) that improves the management of cloud data. Of course, not everyone has consistent access to network coverage that can handle such high data demand so the device may be a bit premature.
Still, it is an innovative concept that could prove a worthy development in the very near future.
LeEco
LeEco is, perhaps, among the biggest Asian mobile device makers in Asia—on par with Huawei and Xiaomi—but you probably haven’t heard of them. And that is a good thing, because they are working to improve various technologies.
Much like Google, they are currently developing self-driving automobiles, but the company also already has their hands in a massive Chinese media empire that includes television, film, and sports broadcasting.
Fairphone
Fairphone is another company that is likely to continue growing in popularity over the next few years. Smartphone manufacturing has been under some scrutiny, of late, over fair practices and some users are looking for a platform more aligned with social and environmental justice.
A major component of Fairphone’s philosophy is keeping strict tabs on where their parts come from and how labor is regulated. This, of course, means their devices cost a little more; but a clear conscious is rarely an inexpensive venture.
The company has only released two Android devices over the past few years—only selling more than 100,000 units worldwide—but their ethical business model could keep them in business for a long time.
Conclusion
With growing use of mobile devices and falling development costs, it is easy to see how the market will expand. It is also encouraging to see how diversity will continue to create healthy competition, a big win for consumers and developers alike.