While the size, display and specifications of the smartphones are the major driving reasons while picking up a device, there are a lot of secondary things that can sway the choices. One of the key choices that one has to make while picking up the phone is the color of the device. Most of the devices today come in a choice between black and white colors but gradually a third option of golden color has evolved especially after iPhone 5s virtually made it a must have. Since then, lots of devices have launched with golden accent or with a golden body. So, this year, if you are planning to pick up a smartphone specifically in golden color, these are your choices:
iPhone 6
The flagship device of this year from Apple, the iPhone 6 is a major design overhaul when compared to the iPhone 5s which it has succeeded. Apple continued its trend of making a golden variant available and while the golden back does not really suit the iPhone 6 as much as it did, when it came to the iPhone 5s, it is an option and once you totally must consider picking up if money is no objective.
iPhone 6 Plus
The larger of the two iPhones released in the year 2014, the iPhone 6 Plus is really a bloated iPhone 6 with additional features such as an OIS in camera as well as a completely rotatable desktop UI. The iPhone 6 really is a phablet and just like the iPhone 6, it does not really carry off the whole golden demeanor very well. Having said that, the iPhone 6 Plus is by far and away the best device we have tried when it comes to battery backup as well as flawless performance, so if those are your priorities, a golden iPhone 6 Plus would make sense given you clearly like the color.
Samsung Galaxy Note 4
Perhaps the last flagship device of the year with the Nexus 6, Samsung has for the first time made a Galaxy Note smartphone in a golden color. The device has a golden back, which in reality is very light and shiny brown sorts as well as a similarly colored S-Pen. The accents on the device are extremely light golden or bronze and that gives the phone a very premium and expensive feeling. The Galaxy Note 4 despite its size is a performance monster and if you are an artist on the move and want a display that can easily accommodate any content that you wish to throw at it, the Note 4 is a device you would not want to miss out on.
Micromax Canvas Knight A350
The Canvas Knight A350 is perhaps the most premium smartphone that Micromax has come up with. The device takes direct inspiration from the iPhone 5s with a similar box like sharp on the edges looks. The device has golden accents available both with black and white backs and fronts and that gives it a fine look. The golden accents on the side and not over the body gives it a very subtle and sober look. If you can go beyond slight performance hiccups and that bulging camera unit, the Canvas Knight A350 is a very decent pick in the mid budget segment.
Gionee Elife S5.1
Gionee is calling it the #SexiestPhone and Gionee Elife S5.1, to a point justifies the tag too. The phone was inducted in the World Records for being the slimmest phone in the world, before it was dethroned by Oppo R5 and Vivo X5 later on. The device has a golden-white variant that is one of the best looking devices we have seen. If Gionee can get over their software hiccups, hardware like that present on the Gionee Elife S5.1 would really sway the market into believing in the Chinese manufacturer more.
Samsung Galaxy S5
The Samsung Galaxy S5 had to have a golden variant simply cause the iPhone 5s did. The Galaxy S5 was the first Samsung major launch post the launch of the iPhone 5s and it made sense for Samsung to have a golden unit. The perforated back looks very much right out from the old Band Aid design, but in reality, the device is a true flagship and perhaps one of the most affordable flagships around as well. The golden color on the S5 is one of our favorite implementation of the color choice and if you are into flashy, trendy yet flagship stuff, you would love the Galaxy S5.
LG G3
The LG G3 had a big act to follow after the massive success of the LG G2. LG went ahead with several new features on the phone including a laser assisted focus and a Quad HD display, which at that point of time was one of the firsts. LG also introduced an all golden variant in the LG G3 which basically is an LG G3 with complete golden chassis. The bezels on the device are black and that does give the phone a classy look. The overall plastic build quality may push you towards picking up an iPhone 6 or 6 Plus, but the LG G3 is a very capable smartphone in itself.
Lenovo Vibe X2
Simply put, the Lenovo Vibe X2 was the most innovative smartphone in the mid budget category this year. The device comes with a layer by layer construction and allows you to add jackets to it for extra functionalities. For example, you can add a battery jacket to literally double the battery here. The Vibe X2 despite being powered by an MTK SoC (MediatTek MT6595m True8Core) was one of the best performers that we have come across in this segment. The golden unit here comes with black bezels and a triple layer construction with orange, copper and golden colors which not only makes the phone look innovative but also extremely attractive. Highly recommend you to pick up the phone.
Samsung Galaxy Alpha
The Samsung Galaxy Alpha was the smartphone that flagged off a major change in the design philosophy at Samsung. The phone comes with largely plastic backs but with metallic frames. In fact, it was the design of the Galaxy Alpha which was the heart and soul of the inspiration behind the Note 4. While the specifications of the device are fairly mediocre such as a 720 P display and a Exynos 5 Octa 5430 SoC, the device is certainly a looker. But at the price point that it sells, which is way beyond the Rs 30,000 mark, it is very difficult to recommend the Galaxy Alpha to someone just for its fantastic looks. And just so that you know it, the golden color on the Galaxy Alpha is a shade or two lighter than that on the Note 4.
Sony Xperia Z3
The golden variant of the Xperia Z3 is very similar to the golden variant of the LG G3. The device has a complete metal and glass construction with golden frames and back with black front bezels. Given the large size of the bezels on the Xperia Z3, the phone does struggle to make an impression when it comes to pure looks. But an excellent performance including a brilliant battery life that will make sure your phone is up and alive for at least a couple of days, makes the Xperia Z3 a fine device to own. Sony has also finally overcome its issues making good displays so if you are looking for an all rounder in performance, that is water and dust resistant, comes at a good price and looks pretty alright too, the Xperia Z3 is a great pick.
So, those were our picks of the ten devices that are available in golden color and were released in 2014. Which one of them is your favorite? Do let us know in the section below or our Social Media pages.
