Photos: The most secure Android smartphones

Android has managed to get a bad reputation when it comes to security -- but that's perhaps more to do with the vast array of versions of the mobile operating system used across more than a billion devices and the slow pace at which many are updated. But a small set of companies have taken Android and fitted it out to be much more secure in order to hold snoopers at bay.

Sirin Labs claims its Solarin handset, seen above, is the "most secure phone ever made". Featuring end-to-end encrypted VoIP calls and messages using military-grade encryption, it's probably one of the most expensive smartphones too, starting at £9,500/$14,800.

A GSMK CryptoPhone handset can cost you €2,450, and features a heavily stripped-down version of Android that lacks some common smartphone features that you might expect, in order to harden security. Customers include investment banks and government agencies.

The Priv is a BlackBerry, but is doesn't run BlackBerry 10 like the rest of the BlackBerry's handsets: it runs Android instead, with additional security built-in. BlackBerry claims that its policy of rapidly addressing any Android flaws (and issuing 'hot fixes' when needed) keeps it ahead of other Android makers.

The Silent Circle Blackphone 2 is built on Silent OS, the company's own version of Android. The company says its policy of patching flaws fast and offering a bug-bounty help keep its devices secured.

The Boeing Black is a secure smartphone for defence and security customers. Boeing said it sees encryption and other security measures "significantly reducing the risk of mission compromise due to data loss".

BlackBerry has just released what it claims is the 'world's most secure Android smartphone'.

Among the security features in its arsenal are the DTEK by BlackBerry app, Android OS hardening, and FIPS-compliant encryption.