Best phones of 2013

So, you want to buy a new phone? If you're looking for the best smartphone of 2013, you've come to the right place. We will guide you through the hottest mobile phones of the year to save you time when you go to your local phone shop. We've updated our Best smartphones 2013 feature to reflect recent launches, with some great mid-range devices shaking the list up quite a bit, falling prices and a hot new refresh from Apple.
Things are changing fast in the world of smartphones: slashed prices, ever-improving hardware and refreshed handsets arriving every few months means that things never stand still.
Our list of 18 great handsets covers all operating systems, all sizes, and prices, so you'll be armed with everything you need when choosing to buy your next smartphone. We'll be regularly updating this feature with the latest and greatest smartphones we review, so you can see where the smart money is heading.
Let us know what you think is the best smartphone in the comments below.

Iphone 5s

Apple iPhone 5s review

Apple announced the iPhone 5s on 10 September and I Tweeted that I was going to skip it since I love my HTC One and didn't see the need for another smartphone. I visited my local T-Mobile store last week and walked out with a 32GB Apple iPhone 5s.

Hardware

Of course the new iPhone 5s is the best iPhone Apple ever made, just like every new high end iPhone Apple releases each year. The iPhone 5s is difficult to distinguish from last year's iPhone 5 so if you liked that hardware you will like this one as well.

The iPhone 5s retains the 4 inch screen, which is quite small in comparison to Android and Windows Phones today. This was one area I was most apprehensive about and I do find text to be a bit small at times, but that may also be due to how light the fonts are in iOS 7. A reader pointed out I can change the font weight in the buried Accessibility options so it looks much better now.

The display looks fantastic though and having a phone that is so pocketable is handy. Apple still rules in touch responsiveness and that is another refreshing aspect of using an iPhone.

The new Touch ID home button is slick and works very well. I have programmed my two thumbs and an index finger to unlock my iPhone and it works nearly every time. In addition to unlocking the iPhone, it is very convenient for purchasing apps and I would love to see the ability to unlock websites with passwords or other apps, ewallet for example, via touch.

You do not press down on the home button, just place your finger over it. My wife kept pressing down to try to unlock it and I showed her you just rest it on the home button and the ring around it reads your fingerprint data. The HTC One Max I tried required that you swipe your finger in a very specific manner and that sensor rarely worked.

The new A7 chip is "future proof" due to the 64-bit architecture and I look forward to seeing what developers can do with it. Everything still flies on the iPhone and performance is outstanding.

There is a new M7 motion coprocessor in the iPhone 5s that allows developers access to the accelerometer, gyroscope, and compass. Runkeeper and Nike Fuelband apps are currently available to take advantage of this coprocessor and allow your iPhone to capture data similar to what a life tracker captures.

I ended up with a white/silver iPhone 5s since I wanted at least 32GB of storage. The front is white with the top and bottom back pieces being white plastic while the main part of the back is silver metal. The edges are beveled, like what HTC did with the One, and it really looks great.

There is only a mono speaker on the iPhone 5s, but Apple did a fabulous job with it and it sounds great with loud volume. The speaker performance is one reason the iPhone 5s is staying and the Nexus 5 is going back today. A good speaker is important to me for podcasts and phone calls.

Apple put an improved camera on the back that includes a new flash, called True Tone flash, tha adjust color and intensity for over 1,000 combinations. I am taking some comparison photos with other devices and so far like what I see in the iPhone 5s camera.

In addition to the improved camera hardware with f/2.2 aperture and a larger sensor with 1.5 micro pixels, the iPhone 5s has software to capture burst mode and slow motion video. Android devices have had these capabilities for a while so it is nice to see Apple adding them on the iPhone.

I like having a physical ringer switch too and the volume buttons on the iPhone 5s are easy to find and control.

The battery has gotten me through long days, but is not a multi-day performer for my usage. It may get better over time as I manage my notifications and figure out what I really need running in the background. It is better than the Nexus 5 and there are plenty of charging options available for the iPhone 5s.

Software

The iPhone 5s includes iOS 7, which has been covered quite a bit here on ZDNet. I won't repeat all the details and recommend you check out ZDNet's article written by Zack Whittaker.

I find the Control Center to be quite useful, LOVE the new webOS-like multi-tasking experience, enjoy the new notifications format, and am using Siri more and more every day.

After talking about the iPhone 5s with Kevin Tofel on MobileTechRoundup show #309 I conducted tests between the iPhone 5s and Nexus 5 using the updated Google Now app on iOS and found repeatedly that the iPhone 5s offers up an even faster experience than the Nexus 5.

The Google experience on iOS is arguably better than on Android. I have my email coming through the Gmail app, Google Now rocks with new hands-free search capability, and Google Maps performs very well too.

Usage and experiences

It's been a few months since I have had an iPhone and it honestly is refreshing to be back on iOS on a phone. I am very pleased with the touchscreen performance, speed and responsiveness of the device, speaker volume and clarity, camera functionality, and premium feel in my hand.

The smaller display bothers me at times, but the fact that I get the latest 3rd party apps and services first on an iPhone makes up for that. This is partly due to Apple's control over their hardware, including their Bluetooth radios.

Pros and Cons

To summarize my experiences with the Apple iPhone 5S, here are my pros and cons.

Pros

• Very high quality hardware
• Super fast performance
• Latest and greatest apps and services
• Good point and shoot camera replacement
• Useful fingerprint scanner

Cons

• Battery life could be better, give me iPad-like performance
• Display is small, by today's standards

Pricing and availability

Apple's iPhone products are expensive and the iPhone 5s starts at $199 for the 16GB with a 2-year contract up to $399 for the 64GB model with a 2-year contract.

To gauge the real cost of the iPhone 5s, you have to look to T-Mobile or the unlocked versions. The 16GB model is priced at $649.91 with the 64GB model priced at $849.91. When you look at the 32GB Nexus 5 at $399, that seems like quite a deal compared to the 32GB iPhone 5s at $749.91.

Availability varies, with most retail carrier stores carrying only the 16GB model in space gray or silver. There is an elusive gold model and higher capacities are generally available directly from Apple in 2-4 weeks. I lucked out and scored a 32GB model at my local T-Mobile store, but they only had two of them in the silver color.

The competition

I listed the competition in my top 10 smartphones for the 2013 holiday season post with the iPhone 5s in the number one position.

The best Android phones are either the Note 3 (if you want a large device with stylus support) or the HTC One (fantastic design and latest OS). The Nokia Lumia 1020 competes in the camera department and there are plenty of other worthy Android devices, such as the Nexus 5, Moto X, Galaxy S4, and more. All are priced less than the iPhone 5s too.

Specifications

• iOS 7 operating system
• Apple A7 64-bit processor with M7 motion coprocessor
• 1GB RAM and 16/32/64GB flash storage memory options
• 4 inch 1136x640 pixel resolution display at 326 ppi
• 8 megapixel rear camera with True Tone flash and five element lens
• 1.2 megapixel front facing camera
• Fingerprint sensor under the home button
• Estimated 1,570 mAh non-removable battery
• 802.11 a/b/g/n WiFi and Bluetooth 4.0 low energy
• Sensors include proximity, accelerometer, finger print, and gyroscope
• Dimensions of 123.8 x 58.6 x 7.6 mm and 112 grams (3.95 ounces)

There is quite an assortment of cellular SKUs for the iPhone 5s. The one I bought at T-Mobile is the A1533 (GSM) model that covers all UMTS/HSPA+/GSM/LTE bands needed in the US and throughout most of the world. To understand all the intricacies of the wireless bands and benchmarking results, I recommend you check out the Anandtech detailed review.

Conclusion

The iPhone 5s looks like last year's iPhone 5 and even works with most all of those accessories. However, the improved internal processor, Touch ID implementation, and improvements to the camera make it a device to consider even if you already have an iPhone 5.

It's an easy upgrade to make for 4s and earlier owners and may even bring over some Android users. I purchased one in large part because I am tired of seeing cools apps and services launching first on iOS and then not being able to test them until they come to Android. Android still doesn't have consistent radios and standards so many of them won't be getting support for services like Pebble or Fitbit.

The smaller display bothers me a bit, but Apple's hardware is stunning and the trade-off for apps and functionality is worth it to me. If the iPhone 5s had a 4.3 to 4.7 display, an IR port for remote control capability, and Qi wireless charging then I would have given it a 10 out of 10.

HTC Butterfly
HTC’s original J Butterfly was a phone of firsts for the company, most notably the 1080p display. It may not have been the only phone to feature Full HD resolution, but it pushed HTC back into the limelight and helped us forget devices like the Sensation XL, which got the big-display part right but then dropped the ball in terms of resolution. Of course, with limited Butterfly availability outside of Asia, we had to wait several months until the HTC One to get our fix of 1080p HTC. Now, just as One supplies are finally catching up, the Butterfly S comes along to show us that yes, HTC can fit it all into a single device, it just probably won’t sell it to you.

The One has been more than warmly received, proving to be perhaps the most wowing device from HTC’s line-up since the original Desire. Reviews – ours included – praised its beautifully-made aluminum unibody casing, its excellent Super LCD 3 display, and its innovative UltraPixel camera that, although undercutting rivals with a mere 4-megapixel resolution on paper, produced better low-light and action shots thanks to making those pixels physically bigger.

Most impressive of all, put next to Samsung’s Galaxy S 4, the One managed to more than hold its own. Where critics slammed the Samsung for being a polishing of the previous Galaxy S3, HTC had legitimately gone back to the drawing board and come up with something undeniably special (even if it lacked the marketing budget to properly tell people that fact).

Of course there were criticisms. The unibody casing is nice, but HTC left out a removable battery and a microSD slot (then subsequently addressed the latter with the Chinese version of the One, which also had dual-SIM support even if you still couldn’t remove its battery). HTC’s clever Zoe feature, which simultaneously grabs twenty burst frames and a short Full HD video clip, swiftly eats up storage, which makes the absence of expandable memory even more galling.

"Just when you think you can live with One compromises, HTC brings a new phone to really rub it in"

Just when you think you can live with the compromises though, HTC brings along a new phone to really rub it in. The Butterfly S nudges what we liked about the original phone further in the direction of the One: so, you now get UltraPixel tech and BoomSound speakers, but
HTC also one-ups the One in other ways, such as by accommodating a huge battery. Yes, it’s non-removable, but at 3,200 mAh – nearly 40-percent larger than what the One offers – that’s a whole lot easier to accept.

HTC has even managed to do all that (and still use a 5-inch display, versus the One’s 4.7-inch panel) while not making the Butterfly S ridiculously chunky. At 144.5 x 70.5 x 10.6 mm it’s not a tiny phone, true, but it’s also not obscenely larger than the One’s 137.4 x 68.2 x 9.3 mm chassis.

The Butterfly S isn’t perfect. There’s no LTE – it tops out at HSPA+ – and the UltraPixel camera lacks optical image stabilization, unlike on the One. Physically, the design has been fettled so that it’s more in line with the styling of the One, but it’s still made of plastic not metal. We know, from the Chinese version of the One, that HTC can do unibody-appearance and metal and still have a removable back cover, so we’d guess it was a weight and price issue that forced the Butterfly S to stick with plastic.

Nonetheless, it’s a highly appealing device, as evidenced by the number of people who, having seen the Butterfly S a few hours ago, immediately bemoaned the fact that they’d just spent their money on a One.

If there’s a fatal mistake, then HTC’s at least sticks to form: availability. The Butterfly S, so alluring to Western would-be users, is only to be available in “select markets in Asia” HTC tells us. Unlike Samsung, which has cornered the market in Android devices by thrusting localized variants of the same phone into every store it can, HTC continues to divide its range up and spend time it can’t really afford on broadly differentiated models for region-specific release.

In the process, it finds itself in the bizarre situation where it gets criticized for spreading itself too thinly with umpteen devices in its range, even though when it comes to individual markets it still has gaping holes in the line-up.

HTC has phones people want to buy. In some cases, like the One, they’re so popular that it can’t quite keep up with demand. Yet at times when it should strike out and be ambitious, bold, it holds off and loses potential sales in the process. The HTC Butterfly S is shaping up to be a brilliant handset, it’s just a shame HTC won’t put it in our hands.

Motorola droid maxx hd 
HARDWARE

In our review of the Droid Ultra, we concluded that there was no logical place for it in Verizon's lineup. Fortunately that's not the case with the Droid Maxx: it looks better, adds a few new components and just feels better-made. Where the Ultra featured a glossy, fingerprint-friendly plastic casing over a thin layer of Kevlar fiber, the Maxx makes use of a soft-touch finish instead. It's easier to grip, gives the phone more of a premium feel and masks fingerprints, to boot.

Just like the other two Maxx phones, this guy's distinguishing feature is its larger, 3,500mAh battery. It's a significant difference when you compare it to the 2,130mAh pack inside the Ultra, and yet it still fits neatly in an 8.5mm-thick frame. In fact, the Maxx is only a hair thicker up top than the Ultra, though it doesn't get much narrower as you approach the bottom, which is probably why Motorola was able to squeeze in that bigger cell. This gives us a lot more hope for battery life in future handsets; Moto has now proven that a thin phone can still deliver stellar runtime, so there's no reason other companies can't learn to do the same.

On the back, the Maxx borrows the same Kevlar pattern Motorola used in the RAZR Maxx HD. The rest of the phone's rear is arranged just like the Ultra: it has a 10MP ClearPixel camera near the top, with the LED flash on the left and speaker grille on the right. You'll also see the Droid logo just beneath, with the signature Verizon checkmark near the bottom, and the circular M logo closer to the middle. Flip the phone over and you'll once again be instantly reminded of the Ultra, as the two devices look identical from the front. The 5-inch AMOLED panel is there, along with a 2MP front-facing cam and earpiece on top, as well as three capacitive buttons and a small chin below the display. Unsurprisingly, the sides and edges all match up too: 3.5mm headphone jack on top, micro-USB port on the bottom and a volume rocker, nano-SIM tray and power button on the right. Curiously, this is the only part of the Maxx hardware that doesn't feel properly executed; the buttons jiggle more than they do on the Ultra.

In addition to the bigger battery and better feel, the Maxx also benefits from double the internal storage (32GB versus 16GB on the Ultra). The Maxx also supports Qi inductive charging, a feature that should have been included in the Ultra. Aside from these differences, the Maxx and the Ultra are otherwise identical. In other words, it's only worth forking over the extra $100 (over the Moto X and the Ultra) if you feel strongly about those few differentiators.

The display on the Maxx is the same size, panel type and resolution as on the Droid Ultra: this is a 5-inch, 720p AMOLED affair. This means you'll have more-saturated colors than a standard LCD and still have decent viewing angles, though screen brightness in daylight could be better. We'd prefer a 1080p panel on a $300 (on-contract) device, but the screen here is still acceptable, and we're guessing few people will care that it's not higher-res.

As for connectivity, the Droid Maxx comes with the usual set of CDMA and Verizon-friendly LTE bands (700 / AWS, to be specific), as well as quad-band 42 Mbps HSPA+ (850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100) and quad-band GSM / EDGE (850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900) for international travelers who want to use a local nano-SIM. The phone is unlocked, so we were able to use the Maxx on HSPA+ with an AT&T SIM.

SOFTWARE, CAMERA AND PERFORMANCE

While the Droid Maxx brings a few welcome hardware improvements, the software experience is identical to what we saw on the Droid Ultra, so check out our review of that device for a thorough rundown of the UI and added features. In fact, Active Display, Touchless Controls and Droid Zap are present on all three of the new Droid phones, ensuring you get the same user experience across the board. Yes, this means you'll have the usual Verizon-branded bloatware, but you can at least disable most of these programs and put them out of sight. In short, then, spending an extra hundred dollars won't get you any features not already offered on the Ultra.

The same can be said about the Maxx's camera and everyday performance, so we won't take up too much time discussing them here. To recap, though, this has the same 10MP ClearPixel camera, RGBC sensor, f/2.4 aperture and 1.4μ pixel size, and the whole setup is just as inconsistent here as on the Ultra and Moto X. Under the hood, the phone makes use of Motorola's X8 architecture, which features a 1.7GHz dual-core Snapdragon S4 Pro chip, a quad-core Adreno 320 GPU clocked at 400MHz and two additional cores for natural-language processing and contextual computing. In a nutshell, the Maxx is more than adequate for most people's needs; only demanding power users will feel like they need a Snapdragon 800 instead. Of course, we'll never turn down extra computing power, and a device this expensiveshould have top-of-the-line specs, but nonetheless, the X8 will be sufficient for 99 percent of potential users.

Lastly, Motorola has always been a leader in call quality, and the Droid Maxx is no exception. All of our conversations were clear, and we didn't suffer any dropped calls, either. Additionally, the audio here is impressively loud; we never needed to crank the volume up to its full capacity, even when we were listening from the other side of a large room.

BATTERY LIFE

Since the Droid Maxx's main differentiating factor is its battery life, we're dedicating a full section to it. To recap, the Maxx features a 3,500mAh cell, up from 3,300 in the two previous models, making it the largest battery currently offered on any smartphone. Motorola claims you can get up to 48 hours of "mixed usage," but we never take a manufacturer at its word -- not only do companies tend to offer best-case numbers, but also the term "mixed usage" isn't even well-defined. Because battery life is arguably the number one reason you might want to buy the Maxx, we ran a few extra tests in addition to the ones we usually do. For the sake of comparison, we also ran several of the same tests on Motorola's other new devices: the Droid Ultra, Droid Mini and Moto X.

Before we delve into hard numbers, though, we first want to share our experience using the Maxx in the real world. For the purposes of testing, we used the phone in two different ways. Our first test included a lighter weekend workload -- e.g., checking emails, watching a few YouTube videos, surfing the web, reading long-form content and using social media. With that kind of use, we hit the 48-hour mark with 4 percent charge remaining (that was with 4.5 hours of total screen-on time). Our second test pushed the Maxx at much heavier workloads. Basically, we relied solely on the Maxx for all our mobile needs, including mobile hotspot tethering for a couple hours, listening to Google Play All Access for three hours and navigating to several meetings in the city using GPS along the way. And, of course, there was constant email interaction and plenty of multitasking to keep the phone busy. After all this, the Maxx died after 18 hours and 54 minutes, with nearly five hours of screen-on time. This was a nice change from the Ultra, which cut off after 13 hours of heavy use.

Next we ran our standard video rundown test, which consists of looping an HD video at half-brightness. In that scenario, the Maxx held out for 13 hours and five minutes, a three-hour improvement over the RAZR Maxx HD. In contrast, the Droid Mini lasted 6:13; the Ultra lasted 7:50; and the Moto X only eked out 5:01. Talk time on the Droid Maxx lasted for 24 hours and 15 minutes; in comparison, the Droid Mini made it through 15 hours and 45 minutes. Finally, the Maxx lasted seven hours and six minutes through a browser test in which we cycled through several different popular websites -- this handily bested the others by no less than two hours.

These numbers are great, but does it hold the title for longest battery life in the market? We would have said yes until this past week, when we discovered that theLG G2 -- with its smaller, 3,000mAh battery -- actually lasts longer in real-world useand our standard video rundown test. Both deliver amazingly long runtime, so it's likely you'd be happy with either, but as you'll see, battery life isn't the only thing you should be considering as you make your decision.

19.Samsung GALAXY Note 3

Design

The Galaxy Note 3 continues the design of the Galaxy S 4, but the back cover differs very much. Samsung went with a “leather” look with faux stitching, but it’ not even faux leather. It’s still plastic. Now it’s not as glossy as past offerings, but the look doesn’t match with how it feels. When I first saw the Note 3 at the launch event, I was excited since I thought it was soft touch, but that soon turned to disappointment when I realized it was just plain old plastic. Other than the back cover, the rest of the phone looks just like a GS4, only bigger. You even get the faux metal trim around the edges.

What is most remarkable with the Note 3 is the size. It measures 5.95-inches tall by 3.1-inches wide and it’s 8.3mm thick. Considering the screen is larger than last year’s Note II (5.7-inches vs 5.5-inches), you would think the Note 3 would be much larger. Not the case here as the Note 3 is actually narrower by .06-inches and is 1.4mm thinner. On top of all this, the Note 3 weighs less, 168 grams as opposed to 180 grams for the Note II. Kudos to Samsung for giving their customers a little more screen real estate without adding any bulk.

At the top of the phone is the microphone jack to the left along with an IR blaster to the right. Along the right side, you will find the power button towards the top and the left side has the volume rocker, also towards the top. The bottom gets a micro-USB 3.0 port at the middle, followed by a speaker to the right along with the S Pen holder. The USB 3.0 port is something we haven’t seen in other smartphones. Don’t fear, you won’t have to travel with another cable if you don’t want to. You can still use a USB 2.0 cable, but if you utilize the USB 3.0, you will get faster charging when connected to your computer (assuming your computer has a 3.0 port) as well as faster data transfers (4 Gbps vs 280 Mbps).

Last but not least, that plasticy faux leather back is removable giving you access to your SIM card, microSD slot, and the removable battery.

The S Pen also continues to improve. It’s a little more sleeker and the button isn’t as easy to press by mistake like past editions.

If you’re already a user of previous Galaxy Note phones, the feel of the Note 3 will be familiar to you. If you’re thinking of getting into the phablet game for the first time, you definitely want to hold the phone at the store for a few minutes. It really depends on the size of your hands. Having the largest screen possible makes a lot of sense, but it has to be comfortable to hold and use. Other than the plasticy feel, the Note 3 gives you the best possible combination of screen size without the overall size of the device being too big.

Hardware

The Galaxy Note 3 has a 5.7-inch (1920 x 1080) Super AMOLED display (386 ppi), a 2.3GHz quad-core Snapdragon 800 processor (in this review) or 1.9GHz octa-core Exynos processor, 3GB of RAM, 32GB or 64GB of internal storage, microSD slot for up to 64GB of expanded storage, 13MP rear camera, 2MP front-facing camera, 3,200mAh battery, NFC, Bluetooth 4.0, MHL, HSPA+, and LTE-Advanced.

Performance

It’s starting to get really old saying that a phone runs really smooth and fast, at least when you’re talking about flagship phones with the latest and greatest hardware. The Galaxy Note 3 sports a quad-core Snapdragon 800, and just like the LG G2, things are fast and smooth. Anyone who is familiar with my past reviews knows I have no interest in benchmarks, but I always run an AnTuTu just for the heck of it. However, with all the controversy regarding Samsung and supposedly “fixing” benchmarks, I have even less interest. Still, I decided to run it with the normal AnTuTu app as well as the AnTuTu Benchmark X Editor to get a more realistic number. The normal AnTuTu came in at an inflated 36,257, while the X Editor came in at a more realistic 32,435. The bottomline is nobody is going to be able to tell the difference.

The display on the Note 3 is probably the best display I have seen on a Samsung phone. I have definitely favored LCD screens from HTC, and now LG, but this Super AMOLED full HD display with 386 ppi is right up there with deep blacks and fantastic colors. At this point in the game, you’re going to have to be a real display aficionado to tell the difference between all these flagship phones.

Battery

The Note 3 sports a 3,300mAh battery, which is huge, but also necessary when you consider the size of the display and quality. I ran my usual battery rundown test which entails looping a video from full charge to 0% while connected to LTE. I also leave WiFi (not connected), Bluetooth (not connected), and GPS turned on. Last but not least, I set the display at about 67% brightness. I was able to get 12 hours and 18 minutes, which is incredibly good. Now I know that you aren’t going to watch videos all day, so how does this translate to the real world? You can expect to get about 20 to 24 hours out of this bad boy, which is more than enough for the majority of people. The good news is that if you are a frequent traveler, you can still grab an extra battery since the Note 3 is one of the few phones available today that allows you to swap batteries.

Software

The Note 3 includes Android 4.3 as well as an updated version of TouchWiz. As much as Samsung likes to give us the best specs, it’s really about the software features for them. It’s what separates them from other Android manufacturers as well as Windows phone and the iPhone. As one would expect, most of the changes with this edition of TouchWiz revolve around the S Pen.

Air Command

By far the biggest change is the Air Command fan that gives you easy access to Action Memo, Scrapbook, Screen Write, S Finder, and Pen Window. It appears automatically when you pull out the S Pen or you can hover the S Pen close to the display (without touching) until you see a little dot appear. Then just press the button on the S Pen and it will appear.

18. Huawei Ascend Mate

It's important to note that the Ascend Mate isn't for those who want the best gaming experience, as it's not well set up for that. Where it did win us over was in the usability, screen quality - despite having only a modest resolution - and the epic battery life. If you need a phone and general "internet" device, then the Mate can't really be bettered. Heavy users will get two days battery life and light users could see three or four days.
It's nicely designed, feels solid and generally gets the user interface customisations about right. It's got a reasonable pricetag too, at around £330. Just bear in mind that it's not a graphics powerhouse, and you'll be fine. For normal use, the quad-core processor makes it feel snappy and slick.
QUICK VERDICT: While its size will put most off, if you're keen on a big phone this offers loads. It might not have the pen features of the Note II, but if you can live without that, then this phone offers you many of the same advantages. Watching video on it is an absolute joy, and for browsing the web out and about, it feels like you've almost got a laptop with you. A solid effort from Huawei, and a phone we're very happy to recommend.
FULL REVIEW: Huawei Ascend Mate review

17. Nokia Lumia 620

The Nokia Lumia 620 earns its place by delivering that Windows Phone experience without costing the earth. That's right, this budget WinPhone really delivers value for money while still retaining great design and build quality.
Of course some compromises have been made on the spec sheet to hit the low price point, but the Nokia Lumia 620 is a great performer for those looking for smartphone performance in a compact package. Consider this a great choice for your first smartphone.
QUICK VERDICT: The Lumia 620 has none of the problems of Nokia's 920 (size, high cost) and the 820 (high cost) but is a lovely, charming and pleasant phone to use. It might be a little small for some, especially those with bigger hands, but we had no problem with our above average sized hands.
FULL REVIEW: Nokia Lumia 620 review

16. Nokia Lumia 1020

Nokia is chasing two things in smartphones: the best Windows Phone experience it can create and the best camera. If those align with your own needs, then the Nokia Lumia 1020 might be the perfect phone for you.
The highlight is very capable PureView camera on the back that brings options you simply don't get elsewhere in the smartphone world: it's a great performer. The compromise you have to accept however, is that this is a big phone, especially compared to Nokia's "other" flagship, the Lumia 925, which we think is a better option for the average user. The Nokia Lumia 1020 also struggles with battery life if you're using the camera a lot and can get hot when in use.
In many areas, the Lumia 1020 offers the same experience as the Lumia 925, with Windows Phone offering a great alternative to Android or iOS. There are still some holes in the app ecosystem, but Nokia is doing more than any manufacturer to plug them.
QUICK VERDICT: By far the best cameraphone on the market by a long shot. What's more, the 1020 can compete - at least to some degree - with cheaper compact cameras. Sure, there are some flaws, and Windows Phone still needs to develop as an operating system, but as things stand, this is a technological marvel, and a solid phone too.
FULL REVIEW: Nokia Lumia 1020 review

15. Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini

The Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini continues Samsung's trend to capitalising on a successful handset name. It's not a mini in the sense that it matches the specs, but in design and to some extent experience. There was a time that "mini" was "lesser" but with the latest wave of devices, the mid-range is more appealing than ever.
Samsung's customisation brings a huge change over Android, packing it with useful features and options. The display is great, if not quite matching the sharpness of the HTC One mini, but here you have the advantage of microSD card expansion and access to the battery, should you wish to swap it on a busy day.
With plenty of power under the hood, slick design and all that software innovation, the Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini is cheaper and more compact than it's bigger brother, but still delivers a great smartphone experience.
QUICK VERDICT: All things considered, we really fell for the Mini. It's a powerful and well-designed phone that does everything you need in a nice compact device. It's still expensive, but it's a phone that will serve you well for a couple of years, assuming storage isn't an issue.
FULL REVIEW: Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini review

14. HTC One mini

The HTC One mini offers the lovely design of the HTC One, but doesn't stop there. It has a cracking 4.3-inch 720p display that's very capable and enough grunt under the hood to cope with pretty much everything you want to do with your phone on a day-to-day basis, but won't match the top handsets for sheer power.
THe HTC One mini takes a hit on the spec sheet, but offers the same UltraPixel camera of the HTC One, along with all the smart functions like Zoe and the highlight videos that bring your photography to life.
It's all wrapped into a nice mature bundle by HTC Sense 5 making for a mini experience that's really enjoyable.
QUICK VERDICT:The HTC One mini is a great Android smartphone. The design and build are outstanding, the user experience offered by HTC Sense 5 is commendable and the step back into mid-range specs isn't hugely to the phone's detriment.
FULL REVIEW: HTC One mini review

13. 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. It's all you want of Android and not too heavily drawn off into unneccesary customisation. There's a generous 2,200mAh battery, that will see this phone outlasting some rivals. It might have some mid-range specs, but it delivers an experience that impresses.
QUICK VERDICT: Priced at $199 (£124) on contract there are plenty of other similar-priced options out there such as the HTC One that bury the Moto X under mightier specs. But even so, and while it's not quite to that level, we've really enjoyed adopting the Moto X. It's smart and still powerful enough - plus it avoids too much bloatware as per the Samsung Galaxy S4. Motorola's customisation options will also tick the box for some - we think they're cool - and that gives this phone that middle-ground appeal that nothing else in the market has. It's not perfect, but we sure do rather like it.
FULL REVIEW: Motorola Moto X review

12. Nokia Lumia 925

The Nokia Lumia 925 rights the wrongs of the Lumia 920, while 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.
QUICK VERDICT: The Nokia Lumia 925 is the best Windows Phone 8 handset you can buy, combining great design with plenty of additional enhancements from Nokia. There are still some ecosystem woes standing against WP8 and the closeness to the Lumia 920 and Nokia's next new phone might cause some to hold off committing to the 925 right away.
FULL REVIEW: Nokia Lumia 925 review

11. 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.
QUICK VERDICT: Undoubtedly a great phone, the flexibility allowed by giving you memory expansion and battery access will make this popular. It's a phone that does little wrong, but isn't without its quirks.
FULL REVIEW: Samsung Galaxy S III review and Samsung Galaxy S III LTE (GT-I9305) review

10. Apple iPhone 5C

The iPhone 5C is Apple's "colourful" handset. It takes the innards of 2012's iPhone 5, adds a touch more 4G compatibility and a slightly improved battery life and wraps it in a colourful plastic casing.
Originally perceived as the "cheap" handset for those who couldn't afford the iPhone 5S, which offers better performance all round, the iPhone 5C still offers a great Apple experience, with access to everything the App Store has in offer. It lacks, slightly, because it doesn't have quite the same potential as the 5S and it could be seen as more expensive than it should be, given the older specs and plastic body.
However, for many, the iPhone 5C will offer a great choice of handset. It might not have the large display of some of the mid-range Android stars, but you still get a great experience.
QUICK VERDICT: As an upgrade to the iPhone 4S, the 5C is a perfect consideration, as it's an iPhone 5 refresh that makes it more fresh and fun than the original 5 ever was. But if you're after best of the best then only the also-released 5S will cut it.
FULL REVIEW: Apple iPhone 5C review

9. Sony Xperia Z1

The Sony Xperia Z1 refreshes the excellent Sony Xperia Z, bringing you a powerful handset, with waterproofing, a slick design and a large 5-inch display.
On paper the Z1 sounds like it will be king of all classes, but the boosting of the battery and the accommodation of a 20-megapixel camera, swells the body to larger than its rivals, with a bigger footprint than the Samsung Galaxy S4 and the LG G2, but note quite reaching into phablet territory. But if you can handle the size there are plenty of treats in store.
It's a veritable powerhouse, with great internal hardware, so everything is slick and fast. The waterproofed 3.5mm headphone jack is now more convenient than the original Xperia Z, but the previous phone is smaller and getting cheaper, so is definitely worth considering.
QUICK VERDICT: Sony has created a powerful and good-quality device in the Xperia Z1. It hits all the high points on the spec sheet, but that doesn't always lead to the best results.
FULL REVIEW: Sony Xperia Z1 review

8. Samsung Galaxy S4 Active

Where the Samsung Galaxy S4 Active 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. The Xperia Z1 is more powerful, but the Galaxy S4 Active makes better use of space, so it's more comfortable to use day to day.
QUICK VERDICT: The Samsung Galaxy S4 Active is a great handset, offering a flagship smartphone experience in a device that's happy to take a dunking in the bath. If you're accident prone or are always getting caught in the rain, then this is a viable alternative to the Samsung Galaxy S4.
FULL REVIEW: Samsung Galaxy S4 Active review

7. 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 down things 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. However, with the Note 3 recently announced and soon to be launched, we'd expect to see this model tumble in price, but be bettered by its replacement.
QUICK VERDICT: We're in love. This phone may seem wildly illogical, but those fabulous Koreans have somehow managed to create a device that offers so much more than a smaller phone and almost makes tablets pointless. This phone won't be for everyone, but for us it's one of the best Android devices money can buy.
FULL REVIEW: Samsung Galaxy Note 2 review 

6. Sony Xperia Z

The Sony Xperia Z offers a great design package that's distinctly different. Sony may have revised the Xperia Z with the Z1 and the new device is certainly more powerful. However, falling prices mean that Xperia Z is increasingly affordable.
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 of the HTC One or Samsung Galaxy S4, it's still a pleasure to use. A great device from Sony.
QUICK VERDICT: The Xperia Z combines sharp design with a great display, sensible software tweaks and attention to battery life. It might be out-classed in the specs department by it's Z1 brother, but here you get great design in a more compact package at a cheaper price.
FULL REVIEW: Sony Xperia Z reviewed

5. Nexus 4

The Nexus 4 is pure Google and is not only a well-designed and powerful handset, but also 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. If you can get it. It's one of the few Android 4.3 devices out there, but with dwindling stock in the approach to Nexus 5 launch, this is one handset that might be hard to find. If you do, it's an absolute bargain.
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 devices like the HTC One. We still love it though, it's the affordable star.
QUICK VERDICT: The Nexus 4 offers a native Android experience with plenty of power in a wonderfully designed phone at an affordable price. It's almost too good to be true, but the camera interface and performance falls well short of rivals and the battery could be better.
FULL REVIEW: Google Nexus 4 review

4. 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.
Some may say that there's a feature too many and the design isn't as inspiring as some other devices like the HTC One, but if you opt for the Samsung Galaxy S4, you won't be disappointed. Samsung crams a large 5-inch Full HD display into a handset that isn't overly large, so despite going large, the size is still managable.
Undoubted the Samsung Galaxy S4 will be the top smartphone choice for many, but recent launches bring more raw power. The Samsung Galaxy S4 will handle anything you throw at it, and beautifully so, but those looking for more power might be tempted by the LG G2.
QUICK VERDICT: We love it, honestly. The new design might look the same as the old, but it isn't. New, more squared-off sides mean it feels nicer than the old model, and it's got so many new features that it's impossible not to love some of them. Battery life is still a major issue for Samsung though, and that's a big deal for most users.
FULL REVIEW: Samsung Galaxy S4 review

3. LG G2

LG hasn't had the smoothest run of in the world of modern smartphones, but the LG G2 brings things back into focus. There's heaps of power on offer and a 5.2-inch display crammed into a body that's silly fairly compact: LG has banished bezels, so you get more space to play. It's an enormously powerful phone, and is rumoured by some to be the forerunner to the Nexus 5. The point is though, this phone competes brilliantly with the likes of the Samsung Galaxy S4 while offering a more "Android" experience, through a slightly less customised UI.  
Some have expressed dislike of the rear-mounted buttons, but they make sense when you're in a call and trying to adjust the volume - far more so, at least, than side mounted buttons do. The biggest problem we had was with the camera, which we just weren't all that impressed by. It's good enough, but the SGS4 beats it easily, and the iPhone is streets ahead. 
But best of all, the display is outstanding. LCDs have great detail, and accurate colours that OLEDs can't claim. And the high-quality audio system will blow you away if you plug in some high-quality music, and some decent headphones. What we like most is that LG hasn't just thrown features at the phone. It's thought about what is missing from current phones, and what customers might like to have, and done its best to incorporate those into the phone. We're sold. 
QUICK VERDICT: LG has done it. The G2 really is a compelling alternative to the Samsung Galaxy S4 and even the iPhone. We like LG's take on a phone, we think it has throughtfully and successfully made a handset that does everything we want, without overloading us with features we don't need. If you've after power and a big display, it's the LG G2 you want. We just wish that camera was better.
READ: LG G2 review

2. Apple iPhone 5S

With exquisite attention to detail and wonderful design, the iPhone 5S is master of the largest mobile ecosystem around. The design isn't a huge step over the previous addition, but the internal modifications, paired with a new refreshed OS, keeps Apple in the smartphone fight.
The iPhone 5S experience is very refined; it's mature, familiar and intuitive and supported by an App Store that's always first in line for the new apps, while you won't be left waiting for Apple's software updates.
The iPhone 5S sets itself up for future dominance: 64-bit support and a new coprocessor decated to handling the motion sensors provide the potential for new directions. The camera is as reliable as even, with a better flash unit and the addition of a fingerprint scanner provides for easy access.
Great battery life comes with this phone that is slick and fast in operation, it's just a shame that the display is one of the smallest around. At least it won't be making an unsightly bulge in yourn pocket, even if buying it might make a little hole.
QUICK VERDICT: The new iPhone 5S is a evolution, sticking to great hardware features and providing new grounds for innovative apps over the next year. It might be dwarfed by the hardware options you'll find elsewhere, but it still delivers a premium experience.
FULL REVIEW: iPhone 5S review

1. HTC One

The HTC One is a triumph of design and sumptuous to hold. It balances size with practicality, making it a great all-rounder: there's space to play, but you're not grappling with something that feels too large. There's a stunning 4.7-inch display on the front, with a Full HD resolution, so Android looks pin sharp, delivering some of the best quality visuals you'll find on a smartphone.
It might not have the most powerful hardware inside, but it still skips through daily tasks with ease, but if out-and-out power is what you're after, you might want to look at what's on offer elsewhere.
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 that's best-in-class to result in a smartphone that covers all bases.