A smartphone is an essential part of everyday life in our fast-moving world; but there are so many to choose from that a decision can be hard to come to. If you’re an Apple fan-boy you’ll probably be wanting the latest offering; if you want something more substantial with a larger screen then you might look to Samsung and Google. If you’re new to the smartphone market or you’re just looking for an upgrade, check out this list of the latest offerings.
Samsung Galaxy Note 2
The next generation of the massively popular original is every bit as good and a perfect choice if you don’t want to buy a Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 10.1. Its size means it sits somewhere in between smartphone and tablet (‘phablet’) with a luscious 5.5-inch AMOLED screen. It has super-fast processing power and a fantastic camera. For more on the latest Samsung Galaxy Note 2, follow the link.
HTC One
What more could you want in a phone? The beautiful aluminium exterior, the 1080p screen, and the Snapdragon processor make the One a sure-fire contender for best phone in class. And it delivers excellent battery life.
Google Nexus 4
This handset sold out in 15 minutes when it went on sale. It’s priced significantly below its rivals from Apple and Samsung, making it a great choice for the budget-conscious. It’s no slouch, however, with the latest version of Android and great hardware from LG.
Apple iPhone 5
No list would be complete without an iPhone. It’s lighter, slimmer, with a higher-resolution screen than previous versions. The sheer range of apps available and ease of use has always ensured the iPhone’s popularity – but Google Play is not far behind. It’ll cost you an arm and a leg though.
Nokia Lumia 620
If you’re in the market for that’s not going to cost the earth, the Lumia 620 is one of the cheaper Windows 8 smartphones on the scene. It’s not got the most high-def of screens but it outperforms many of its Android rivals and has exceptional build quality.
Samsung Galaxy S4
Another offering from Samsung and a great option if the Note 2 is too big for your purposes. The S4’s quad-core processor and the TouchWiz software make it lightning fast and its 5” Full HD screen makes for beautiful visuals of the latest Samsung Galaxy Note 2. It leaves most of its rivals eating dust. update: check the rumours of samsung galaxy s7.
Sony Xperia Z
Undoubtedly, Sony’s best Android phone so far. Its distinctive design sets it apart from the rest and its superb display, while not as perfect as the HTC One or the Galaxy S4, is still stunning. The camera lets it down however.
Motorola RAZR i
This is a decent mid-range offering from a brand that’s been surpassed by most of its rivals. It only packs a single core Intel processor so it’s not going to win any awards in the power stakes but it does have impressive battery life and it won’t break the bank.
