ON THE MARKET TODAY: SMARTPHONES WITH FM RADIO CAPABILITIES

UPDATE - We received a very useful comment from Aaron Read about this topic:

Unless and until the iPhone comes with an FM enabled, then it doesn't matter...AT ALL...how many other phones do.

The iPhone might only command a comparatively small percentage of the total smartphone market (esp overseas, but even in the US it's only like 15%) but because the rest of the market is so fragmented across hundreds of different makes/models of Android phones (not to mention the incredible inconsistency between versions of the AndroidOS itself) it's still the iPhone that drives the conversation.

And, of course, Apple will NEVER NEVER NEVER NEVER NOT EVER put an FM radio in the iPhone. It makes absolutely no sense for them to do so, so they won't.

Accordingly, all the talk about FM radios in smartphones is basically mouse farts.

-- Aaron Read

ORIGINAL POST:
Everybody knows it is imperative that the maximum number of Smartphones be capable of receiving FM station program streams. Manufacturers and retailers have been  slow in including FM into many Smartphone menus.

However, there are quite a Smartphones on the market now that have FM radio access. Recently Slashgear [link], a digital media review and retail site, provided an overview of Smartphones to “get” FM. This is story is partially based on that report.

According to Slashgear many people already have Smartphones that can tune in FM.  The device owners just don’t know about it. The major reasons cited for this lack of knowledge are the perceived lack of interest by consumers and the lack of promotion for the feature. It would appear these reasons are directly related. The consumer has to bring it up.

If you wonder whether your device has FM radio capabilities, download the app NextRadio from Google Play and it’ll check for you.  Here are some of the devices and  add-ons that Slashgear recommends:

• BEST OF THE BUNCH #1: LG G Flex and G Flex 2

Amazon price: $259.00*

Other good choices are the LG G Stylo, LG Stylo 2, and LG Realm. The LG Tribute 5, LG Tribute HD, and LG X Power.

• BEST OF THE BUNCH #2: Samsung Galaxy Express Prime, Galaxy Express 3, and Galaxy Grand Prime 

Amazon price: $119.95*

Other good choices are the Galaxy J3, Galaxy J7, Galaxy MEGA on Boost Mobile and Sprint and The Galaxy ON5.

• Alcatel Idol 4S, ONETOUCH Conquest, ONETOUCH Elevate, and ONETOUCH Pixi 7

Amazon price: $349.00*

• HTC One M9, One M8, One M8 Harman/Kardon edition

Amazon price: $328.00*

• Huawei’s “Union” device is available at Sprint, Virgin Mobile, and Boost Mobile.

Amazon price: $599.99*

• Kyocera Hydro ICON, Hydro REACH, and Hydro VIBE

Price not available

• Motorola Moto G4, Moto G4 Plus, Moto G (XT1031 and XT 1548), Moto E (XT1526), and Moto G (3rd Gen)

Amazon price: $149.00*

Some Android devices also offer access to their FM Radio hardware, including those made by BLU: Studio G Plus, Energy M, Energy Diamond Mini, Grand 5.5, Diamond M, Studio C 8+8, Pure XR, Dash L2, Studio G HD, and Studio G. BLU also makes the following devices with FM radio activated and available: Studio C HD, Vivo 5, Vivo XL, Studio Selfie 2, Grand 5.5 HD, and the BLU Life XL 3G.

* Prices vary because of call-in plans and rebates