Even before its arrival, analysts have been forecasting that the iPhone 6 is a mammoth force to reckon with and will easily chalk up record sales numbers shortly after it September 19 release date.

However, Android hero phones will surely get in Apple's way and slow down or even prevent the iPhone maker from realizing its goal of finally neutralizing the competition with the latest iPhone edition.

At present, there are seven solid candidates from the Android sphere that boast of the chops to frustrate Apple's newest efforts to achieve total rule in the global smartphone market.

Samsung's Galaxy S5

The first Samsung 2014 flagship is the default chief rival for the iPhone 6 as the former's high-end specs and feature match that of the latter. True enough, when the GS5 landed in April it quickly rocketed to the top.

Pitted against the new iPhones, the GS5 meets squarely with the 4.7-inch variant, tussling inch by inch with what the Apple device is capable of. For the most part, what the iPhone 6 has is found too on the Galaxy S5 but the latter has qualities that are completely absent from Apple's pride.

Among them are water- and dust-proof feature and native support for wireless charging.

LG G3

South Korea's LG has created a monster with its G2 sequel, the LG G3. Reviewers have been pouring praises on the device that is packed with top-notch components, which translate to powerful, stable and fast mobile computing experience.

The G3 is so high-specced that owners and would-be buyers of the device are somehow assured that the handset will readily handle even the upcoming 2015 flagships and remain at the top of its game.

Another plus going for the LG G3 is its unique Android rendition that is straightforward and free of the bloats normally found on most Android devices.

The Galaxy Note 4

The biggest selling point of Samsung's second upcoming flagship is its overwhelming 5.7-inch screen that is housed by premium metal framing - welcome change from the previous iteration. The Note 4 is a regular upscale smartphone that relies heavily on its big screen and core features - S-Pen stylus and multitasking among them, which please both the average consumers and corporate users.

HTC One M8

Android fans regard the One M8 as both a beauty and a beast. The device is packed with significant muscle that it can take on any nemesis with ease while not compromising on the aesthetic department.

Reviewers have crowned the One M8 as the best Android smartphone in circulation - inside and out. The outer appeal of the HTC One M8 is said to be comparable to that of the iPhone, thanks to the former's curvy unibody aluminium chassis that makes use of HTC's zero-gap body design.

Sony Xperia Z3

For its 2014 flagship, Sony will continue its tradition of making elegant-looking devices that is supported by an ecosystem that emphasizes premium mobile communication and entertainment experience.

So apart from the usual smartphone functions and features, the Xperia Z3 will again highlight gaming and quality media playback services. Additional come-on for Sony's 2014 thrust is the Z3's 20MP main shooter and its ability to be paired with the PlayStation 4 that will extend PS4 games on the phone in real time.

Moto X 2014

The first Moto X was unpretentiously mid-range when it came out in 2013 but consumers embraced the Motorola packaging and device slugged it out with the flagships and made its presence felt. For the 2014 edition, significant hardware upgrades bumped up the Moto X to flagship status.

But really what attracts users to the Moto X is its near stock Android wrapping that is laced with unique features, which the Android crowd instantly loved.

The Nexus 6 or X

This Google signature smartphone remains a mystery but the latest chatter points to the Moto X as the likely base-model for the Nexus 6 or Nexus X. The Nexus line of devices is known for its mix high-end components and native Android environment.

Tech experts view the Nexus 6 or X as the rightful arch foe of the iPhone 6 as the two device colliding will unfold a grand battle of iOS 8 and Android 5.0 on their purest forms.