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Best smartphone
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1. HTC One
The HTC One is a triumph of design, sumptuous to hold and wonderful to behold. There's a stunning 4.7-inch display on the front, with a full HD resolution, so Android looks pin sharp on this power house.HTC Sense has been refined with a lot of the clutter removed to focus on the essential features. There's an elegance and sophistication to HTC's flagship phone for 2013, making it a pleasure to use.The camera might not be the best for straight photos, but the unique features it offers are really fun. This is paired with stunning sound quality to result in a smartphone that covers all bases.2. Samsung Galaxy S4
The Samsung Galaxy S4 brings more innovation to a phone that's already at the top of its game. The design offers flexibility where others don't with access to the battery and the option to expand the memory via microSD.Samsung continues to introduce more features designed to make your life easier and the Samsung Galaxy S4 is undoubtly an Android powerhouse.
There may be a feature too many and the design might not inspire like some other devices, but if you opt for theSamsung Galaxy S4, you won't be disappointed. This is an Android smartphone top of its game, let down on being the top smartphone in the world, only because there is one phone that is better.
3. Apple iPhone 5
With exquisite attention to detail and wonderful design, the iPhone 5 is master of the largest mobile ecosystem around. A larger 4-inch display gives the extensive range of apps more space than ever before.Slick and seamless user experience is paired with the power to make everything skip along with pace. The operating system might be in need of a tweak or two, but this is still a premium smartphone experience, loved by many.
he iPhone 5 brings with it innovative features like Siri and a camera that just gets on and performs without the fuss, as well as often being the first destination for new apps and services. Little may have changed, but it the iPhone is still a firm favourite in smartphone circles.
4. Sony Xperia Z
The Sony Xperia Z is the first Sony Mobile device of recent years that really gets it right. The design is sumptuous, a glass monolith that is distinctly different from everything else on the market.Sony's take on Android is lighter than ever before, resulting in a device that doesn't feel inhibited, while still bringing plenty of power. We love that even though this handset is water resistant, you still get the option to expand the memory.
There's a huge 5-inch full HD display on the front, and although it's not as accomplished as that from the HTC One or Samsung Galaxy S4, it's still a pleasure to use. A great device from Sony.
5. Nexus 4
The Nexus 4 is pure Google and is not only a well-designed and powerful handset, but comes in at around half the price of some of the rival devices. If you don't have the cash to splash, it's the LG-built Nexus 4 that you want.The design is great, sandwiched in glass and there's plenty of power under the hood, as well as bringing with it the latest updates from Android before they arrive with other devices.
The camera isn't the best however and the screen, although HD, lacks the visual impact of the latest devices. We still love it though, it's the affordable star.
6. Samsung Galaxy Note 2
The Samsung Galaxy Note has taken the smartphone world by storm, crossing the divide between tablets and smartphones.It might be too large for some, but the 5.5-inch display gives you room to play, without being too big for your pocket. Samsung's innovative features will help you get the most out of the size on offer from the Samsung Galaxy Note 2.
There's a stylus which might be more popular with those who prefer to note things down in writing, but you can equally just leave the stylus in place and never use it if it's the larger display that you're after. It's big and beautiful, and far from stupid.
7. Samsung Galaxy S4 Active
Where the Samsung Galaxy S4 Active really wins is in offering an experience that's really close to the Samsung Galaxy S4, in a slightly cheaper but water resistant package. That takes the pains out of dropping your phone in the toilet and gives you more freedom to use your device in all conditions.
There's plenty of power and an impressive full HD display, meaning that despite having something that's resistant to the elements, it won't cause a huge bulge in your pocket. Then there's all the customisation and all the features brought by Samsung's TouchWiz.
Some might not like the rugged looks, or the move to hardware buttons, but for those who want to get dirty with their phone, the Samsung Galaxy S4 Active is a natural choice.
Slick design is paired with innovation and although the hardware is now a generation old, the SGS3 still delivers a premium Android experience with heaps of enhancement from Samsung's innovative features.
It offers good camera performance, a large 4.8-inch HD display and battery performance that's impressive for a device of this size. It's still one of our favourite phones and we still think it has some way to run.
The 4.7-inch display looks great, there's plenty of extras that have been added by Nokia and this phone also offers some of the latest upgrades to Windows Phone too. There's still some key apps missing, but if you're after a Windows Phone, the Lumia 925 is the handset it get.
Motorola has been in this business a long time and although it doesn't launch as aggressively as rivals like Samsung, there's still a great feeling of quality when you get your hands on the latest Motorola phone, the Moto X.
The Moto X doesn't go up against the flagship phones out there on the spec sheet, but it still delivers the essentials. The dual-core processor offers plenty of power, partnered with 2GB of RAM and the 4.7-inch display offers plenty of space to play, even if the resolution is a notch down at 720p. What you do get, however, is the option to customise the exterior of your phone, so you can design it to suit your own style with a choice of 252 different colour combinations.
The software offers a blend of Android Jelly Bean with a range of Motorola tweaks, which we think get the balance just about right. There's a generous 2,200mAh battery.
Some might not like the rugged looks, or the move to hardware buttons, but for those who want to get dirty with their phone, the Samsung Galaxy S4 Active is a natural choice.
8. Samsung Galaxy SIII
One of the most successful smartphones ever, the Samsung Galaxy S III might be getting old, but it still has its place. As new devices appear, the venerable S3 gets more affordable, but still delivers on all fronts.Slick design is paired with innovation and although the hardware is now a generation old, the SGS3 still delivers a premium Android experience with heaps of enhancement from Samsung's innovative features.
It offers good camera performance, a large 4.8-inch HD display and battery performance that's impressive for a device of this size. It's still one of our favourite phones and we still think it has some way to run.
9. Nokia Lumia 925
The Nokia Lumia 925 rights the wrongs of the Lumia 920, whilst delivering much of the same goodness. Great design in a nice, slim, handset, brings together the best of Nokia and the best of Windows Phone 8.The 4.7-inch display looks great, there's plenty of extras that have been added by Nokia and this phone also offers some of the latest upgrades to Windows Phone too. There's still some key apps missing, but if you're after a Windows Phone, the Lumia 925 is the handset it get.
10. Motorola Moto X
Motorola has been in this business a long time and although it doesn't launch as aggressively as rivals like Samsung, there's still a great feeling of quality when you get your hands on the latest Motorola phone, the Moto X.The Moto X doesn't go up against the flagship phones out there on the spec sheet, but it still delivers the essentials. The dual-core processor offers plenty of power, partnered with 2GB of RAM and the 4.7-inch display offers plenty of space to play, even if the resolution is a notch down at 720p. What you do get, however, is the option to customise the exterior of your phone, so you can design it to suit your own style with a choice of 252 different colour combinations.
The software offers a blend of Android Jelly Bean with a range of Motorola tweaks, which we think get the balance just about right. There's a generous 2,200mAh battery.
