[maxjstern]

  Hi guys, I'm interested in a cellphone with a good DAC. Not looking at iPhones, HTCs or Samsungs because being a father to a 3-year-old means I'm after a not-too-expensive phone that can take a few drops.
 
I'm looking for one with 5 inches display (or 5.2 max, will never go 5.5 and above), SD card slot and reasonably good battery life. Meizu's MX4 and 5 (non-pro) were eliminated bcos they don't have card slots, which leaves Vivo X5 or Pro. Or maybe, the HTC M8 (much cheaper than the current M9).
 
Would be playing FLACs and MP3s and connecting the cellphone to IEMs, so I'm not fussy about the amp component. Would like Spotify premium or Tidal lossless too, however I've heard that they will only use the stock phone DAC and not the Hifi DAC. Has this been rectified yet?
 
Any suggestions would be welcome. Thanks in advance.

You listed almost every option by yourself.
 
In the case of the V10 the Hi-Fi Dac is used with Tidal. Spotify is just MP3s... I would go solely with Tidal.
 
Get a M8,install soundmod (DragonFi) and/or Viper4Android...
 
The Z3(compact or not) would be another option, as it sounds good, but is not that loud, which is not a problem, as you are using IEMs...And the player (software) is extremely good - subjectively, I know!
 
Hope, I could help a little...

 

[TrucknHemi]

 
You listed almost every option by yourself.
 
In the case of the V10 the Hi-Fi Dac is used with Tidal. Spotify is just MP3s... I would go solely with Tidal.
 
Get a M8,install soundmod (DragonFi) and/or Viper4Android...
 
The Z3(compact or not) would be another option, as it sounds good, but is not that loud, which is not a problem, as you are using IEMs...And the player (software) is extremely good - subjectively, I know!
 
Hope, I could help a little...

 
The Z3 couple sound good? Didn't know, I only use iems so they should serve me well and I can buy one from a friend this year yet. There is a lot of cool smartphones around to choose lol

 

[leasedeb]

so did the thread found a answer to what are the best audiophile smartphones?

 

[Whitigir]

so did the thread found a answer to what are the best audiophile smartphones?

It would never be answered, because the market is always changing

 

[dragion]

At this current moment...in my opinion, the LG V10 has my vote! 

 

[ezekiel77]

 
You listed almost every option by yourself.
 
In the case of the V10 the Hi-Fi Dac is used with Tidal. Spotify is just MP3s... I would go solely with Tidal.
 
Get a M8,install soundmod (DragonFi) and/or Viper4Android...
 
The Z3(compact or not) would be another option, as it sounds good, but is not that loud, which is not a problem, as you are using IEMs...And the player (software) is extremely good - subjectively, I know!
 
Hope, I could help a little...

 
Thanks dude. I thought maybe there'd be some hidden gems I've not heard of, like those LeTV fellas.

 

[ezekiel77]

  At this current moment...in my opinion, the LG V10 has my vote! 

 
I'd love the V10 too, not really in my price bracket and I'm worried if I like it too much I'd buy it on the spot!

 

[artpiggo]

Unfortunately that you would not like 5.5" phone, I would vote for Letv pro or max. Hifi is activated thru all apps. Very smooth sound. I would say it is DX80 jr version.
 
However, in 5.2" I vote for meizu pro 5 mini (still not available but soon.)

 

[ezekiel77]

  Unfortunately that you would not like 5.5" phone, I would vote for Letv pro or max. Hifi is activated thru all apps. Very smooth sound. I would say it is DX80 jr version.
 
However, in 5.2" I vote for meizu pro 5 mini (still not available but soon.)

 
I'll look out for the Meizu thanks!
 
My average-sized hands still prefer one-handed use.

 

[desutruction]

Is there some sort of a summary post regarding which phones are great? I don't think I can read through all 120+ pages 

 

[artpiggo]

From my perspective and experience thru phones...
 

 

[TrucknHemi]

No, there is not. But we can list a bunch like high end Meizus, a lot of Vivos, LG V10, HTC M8 and M9, Marshall London, Xperias Z3, Xiaomi Mi Note and Note Pro, Lenovo Vibe X3, etc

 

[Koolpep]

  From my perspective and experience thru phones...
 

Wow, you have all these phones and DAPs?

 

[artpiggo]

 
Wow, you have all these phones and DAPs?

 
For phones, I HAD all of them. I am a gadget player. buy, try and sell cycle. Now using mi note(with Full mod) and Letv max
 
For DAPs, I just tried at the shop. still no DAPs that ever touch my interest after good old DX100.

 

[SmOgER]

Is there some sort of a summary post regarding which phones are great? I don't think I can read through all 120+ pages 

What's your budget?