The iPhone has always been clean and stylish, but Android phones have gone in a million different directions. Some of the designs over the years have been downright strange, and yet I find myself missing the days when phone makers weren't afraid to get weird.

I like to get the most bang for my buck, and there are plenty of Android brands that offer near-flagship specs at an affordable price. Yet, I'm inclined to buy and recommend Samsung's Galaxy A series phones, which often don't deliver the best value in the mid-range segment.