Tuesday, February 18, 2014

Best smartphones 2014: The best phones available to buy today


So, you want to buy a new phone? If you're looking for the best smartphone of 2014, 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 continually update our best smartphones feature to reflect recent launches, putting 2014's latest devices alongside the best of 2013, but all the listed devices have been fully reviewed by us.
Things are changing fast in the world of smartphones: slashed prices, ever-improving hardware, software updates and refreshed handsets arriving every few months means that things never stand still.
Our best smartphones list covers all operating systems, all sizes, and prices, so you'll be armed with everything you need to consider when choosing to buy your next device. Of course, the most important factor in buying a new device is making sure you have the best smartphone for you. The best for your budget, the features you need, the size that feels right and platform that suits you best.
Be sure to let us know what you think is the best smartphone in the comments below.

20. Nokia Lumia 620

The Nokia Lumia 620 earns its place by delivering that Windows Phone experience without costing the earth at around £150. That's right, this budget WinPhone really delivers value for money while still retaining great design and build quality. It's getting a little old now, however, and its position is hotly contested by the Lumia 520.
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 choice for those looking for smartphone performance in a compact package.
Buy the Nokia Lumia 620 if you want a cheap, compact, but competent Windows Phone.

19. 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.
Samsung's customisation brings a huge change over Android, packing it with useful features and options, although some might find that over the top. 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 enough 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. It sounds a little expensive in light of devices like the Moto G however, costing £379.
Buy the Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini because you want the Samsung experience in a compact package.

18. 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 or speed.
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. It's pretty costly compared to a phone like the Moto G however, costing you £325.
Buy the HTC One mini if you want that rich HTC Sense experience in a nicely designed, but pocketable handset.
FULL REVIEW: HTC One mini review

17. 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 very capable PureView camera on the back 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 and the recent Lumia Black update brought improvements and features to the experience, although this is a costly handset at £519.
Buy the Nokia Lumia 1020 if you want the best smartphone camera available.

16. 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 are plenty of extras that have been added by Nokia and this phone also offers some of the latest upgrades to Windows Phone too, with the recent Lumia Black update making this device more impressive and compelling.
It's also available for not a lot of cash, costing only £275.
Buy the Nokia Lumia 925 if you want a wonderfully designed, great value for money, Windows Phone that's a good all-rounder.

15. 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 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 and the £469 price tag.
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.
Buy the iPhone 5C if you want the iPhone experience on a tighter budget.

14. Samsung Galaxy S4 Active

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 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, although some might think there's just too much distracting you from the pure goodness of Android.
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.
However, while the SGS4 cousin has dropped in price, the Active hasn't moved down so far at £499.
Buy the Samsung Galaxy S4 Active if you want the S4 experience with added protection.

13. Samsung Galaxy Note 2

The Samsung Galaxy Note took 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.
The Note 2 is bettered by its replacement, the Note 3, and the price of £479 now sounds a little on the high side for a device that's getting old.
Buy the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 because you want a great phablet, but can't stretch to the Note 3.

12. 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 Motorola 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 (for those in the US), 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 KitKat 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 unnecessary 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 at £399.
Buy the Motorola Moto X if you want an experience close to raw Android, with some clever customisation.

11. 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 not 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. The Xperia Z1 will cost you £469.
Buy the Sony Xperia Z1 if you want big power in a big phone.
FULL REVIEW: Sony Xperia Z1 review

10. 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 a lot more powerful, but we think the size of the original Z makes it more appealing.
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 talk that an Android 4.4 KitKat update will bring the Z uptodate.
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. The price has really fallen too, sitting at £349.
Buy the Sony Xperia Z because you want a slick design and big display at a great price.

9. Nokia Lumia 1520

Nokia Lumia 1520
The Nokia Lumia 1520 is the best Lumia to date. It brings Windows Phone into the realm of the phablet, but it does it with aplomb, giving you a device that offers size, power and a great camera performance.
Nokia's commitment to the platform, dragging apps - kicking and screaming - over to Windows Phone really enhances what's on offer, but also pouring home-grown features in too.
We've been critical of some of the moves of Windows Phone, and of Nokia, in the recent past, but the Lumia 1520 feels like the hero device that Nokia needed. It's powerful, it's wonderful to use and it's the rival of Android peers that rule the big-screen phone world. It's also fairly affordable for a device of this size, priced at £530.
Buy the Nokia Lumia 1520 if you want the biggest and best Windows Phone experience.

8. Nexus 5

Nexus 5
The Nexus 5 plays out the pure Google dream, debuting Android 4.4 KitKat and bringing you plenty of power for your money. There's also a brilliant display, which gives you plenty of detail and performance to rival some of the top phones out there.
There are downsides, however. We don't think it's the best designed phone around, perhaps less interesting than the Nexus 4 which came before it and as is typical of Nexus devices, the camera isn't so good and neither is the battery, which is the biggest downside.
However, the Nexus 5 delivers plenty in it's aggressively priced package at £299, especially if power and display are top of your list and you have the reassurance of knowing you'll be at the front of the Android upgrade queue too.
For some, however, the refinement added by other manufacturers will bring attractive features out of the box that the Nexus 5 lacks.
Buy the Nexus 5 for the pure Android experience and plenty of power in an affordable package.
FULL REVIEW: Google Nexus 5 review

7. 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 big, the size is still manageable.
Undoubtedly the Samsung Galaxy S4 will be the top smartphone choice for many and sell by the bucketload, but recent launches bring more raw power and a more refeshing user interface. SGS4 users are awaiting an update to Android 4.4 KitKat and it looks like the Samsung Galaxy S5 will be announced before it arrives.
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 cheaper LG G2. The SGS4 will cost you around £469.
Buy the Samsung Galaxy S4 to get flagship performance, with the option to change battery and expand the storage.

6. Samsung Galaxy Note 3

Samsung Galaxy Note 3
The Samsung Galaxy Note 3 takes the large device format and continues to refine it. In this 2013 model, there's a cracking 5.7-inch display offering a 1920 x 1080 pixel resolution, giving you 386ppi. It's packed into a frame that measures 151.2 x 79.2 x 8.3mm, making it one of the most compact devices with such an expansive display.
Some might not like the faux leather back, but you can peel that off and swap it out: as well as access the internals to expand the storage or change the battery.
There's plenty of power, thanks to the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 chipset and 3GB of RAM, meaning that everything is slick and smooth. Samsung hasn't ignored the screen space on offer, giving you innovative features through the S Pen to help keep you productive.
You get a lot with the Note 3, but it's also going to cost you a lot at £579. Arguably you can get bigger displays for the same money, but in the Note 3 the blend just feels right. It might be just too big for some.
Buy the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 for the best phablet experience.

5. 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 still fairly compact: LG has banished bezels, so you get more space to play.
It's a powerful phone with the latest hardware. 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. The camera isn't the best; the SGS4 beats it easily, and the iPhone is streets ahead.
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.
But best of all, the display is outstanding. LCD screens have great detail, and accurate colours that AMOLED screens 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 LG G2. It will cost you around £439.
Buy the LG G2 for it's impressive performance, slick design and thoughtful software tweaks.

4. Motorola Moto G

The Motorola Moto G has taken a lot of people by surprise. We've heard the sentiments plenty of times before: performance at a price, without compromise. Motorola, however, went ahead and got it right. The Moto G is a fantastic smartphone and incredible value for money that's difficult to ignore. With a price as low as £130, if you're on a budget, this is the handset to choose.
Take the price out of the equation and you don't feel let down, however. The design is great, the display is excellent and there's plenty of power too. Yes, it will be out-performed by any number of handsets, but those are handsets that will cost you twice as much.
We're really impressed with what you get in the Moto G. It's a great handset and no matter what your budget, if you're after a smartphone for daily use, then this phone pretty much does it. It's fast, the display is lovely and the camera will give you some decent shots too.
Better still, the Motorola Moto G was one of the first non-Nexus devices to be upgraded to Android 4.4 KitKat.
Buy the Motorola Moto G for the best Android experience in a budget handset.

3. Sony Xperia Z1 Compact

The Sony Xperia Z1 Compact is the phone where Sony Mobile got it right. It blends power with performance and design in a handset that will slip into any pocket. There's no shortage of devices at this size, but the Z1 Compact is the best performer by a considerable margin.
Although this handset doesn't have a full HD display, the 4.3-inch 720p screen is packed with detail and it doesn't feel lacking. It also offers better colours and better viewing angles than other Sony phones. There's a Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 chipset with 2GB of RAM and 16GB or storage with the option to expand with microSD, all sealed into a water resistant package.
Although it launches on Android 4.3, a KitKat upgrade is promised and we'll be expecting Sony to deliver this swiftly, or the Z1 Compact will be eclipsed by newer launches with more uptodate software. That said, there's plenty of refinement in the software, but a hefty amount of Sony bloat too.
We really love the power controls, which brings day-long performance to the Z1 Compact, easily outlasting many of the devices on this list. Sony's Stamina mode offers granular control over the apps and services, giving you much more control over data and battery use.
The result is a handset that's should be seriously considered. It's the first of the latest breed, and a phone that we'd happily recommend to those looking for a compact Android handset. It's also priced cheaper than many flagship devices at £449.
Buy the Sony Xperia Z1 Compact for the best flagship Android experience in a compact device.

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 edition, 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. This is the handset that iOS 7 was built for and where it performs the best.
The iPhone 5S sets itself up for future dominance: 64-bit support and a new coprocessor dedicated to handling the motion sensors provide the potential for new directions. The camera is as reliable as ever, with a better flash unit and the addition of a fingerprint scanner provides for easy access with a layer of security.
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 your pocket, even if buying it might make a little hole in your finances at £549. A late launch in 2013 means the iPhone is unlikely to see a newer version until late 2014.
Buy the iPhone 5S to get the best Apple 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, paired with sound quality from the front speakers that's unmatched.
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, and the update to Android 4.4 KitKat has been reletively prompt, but is still ongoing for some regions.
The camera might not be the best for straight photos, but the unique features it offers are really fun.
It might not now 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. The battery life can be a little on the short side, but overall, the HTC One still delivers a great experience.
The HTC One was awarded Best Smartphone 2013 in the 10th Annual Pocket-lint Awards. The price hasn't dropped as fast as some rivals, now sitting at £499, but the HTC One has stood the test of time. With new handsets around the corner, however, things may be just about to change.
Buy the HTC One for its outstanding design, the great display, excellent sound and mature user interface.
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