What's the best mobile phone? Our verdict on the best smartphone/best phones - constantly updated
We've all got at least one mobile phone each, right? The trouble is, how do you decide which is the best one for you?
Well, this is where we make it easy. Because here we have our continually updated comparison of the top 20 best smartphones you can get in the UK.
The last update saw the Samsung Galaxy S3 take the top spot most people thought it deserved... but with the iPhone 5 now upon us, has the Korean brand held off ANOTHER onslaught from the Cupertino powerhouse? And what of the supercheap but ultra-powerful Google Nexus 4 by LG? Does price matter over software?
But we probably shouldn't forget the Apple iPhone 4S as a viable option, and while the Nokia Lumia 900 used to be top dog in the Windows Phone 7 game, it's the Nokia Lumia 920 that's flying the flag for Windows Phone 8.
If that still doesn't help, well, there's always our extensive mobile phone reviews pages as well - or check out our personally crafted smartphone buyer's guide:
And when you've decided which new phone to buy (and checked out the best mobile phone deal), why not cash in your old one with our phone recycling price comparison service?
Here are our rankings for the best mobile phones around, currently available in the UK.
Samsung has got on the Windows 8 boat earlier than many, releasing one of the first tablets to sport the new Windows RT operating system. Aside from being one of the first out the gate, the Samsung Ativ Tab looks to be a strong contender in its own right, with a slim build and solid specs.
Shorn of the keyboard of its Samsung Ativ Smart PC brethren, the Samsung Ativ Tab hasn't been released in a vacuum - the Microsoft Surface RT is already out in the wild. Microsoft's flagship iPad 4 rival is also cheaper than the stomach-turningly expensive Samsung Ativ Tab, which starts at £549.99/US$649.99 (around AU$836).
For that kind of money you'd expect a whole lot of tablet, and with a premium build quality, a thickness of just 8.9mm (0.35 inches) and coming in at a surprisingly light 570g (20.1oz) - compared to the 680.4g (24oz) Microsoft Surface - the Samsung Ativ Tab certainly makes a promising first impression.
The specs are fairly impressive too. Under that slender shell there's a 1.5GHz dual-core processor, 2GB of RAM and either 32GB or 64GB of internal storage, with room for expansion via a microSD card.
The Samsung Ativ Tab's 10.1-inch 1366 x 768 display may only have a 155ppi, but in use it's not too bad - jaggies are noticeable but not distracting. It also pips the Microsoft Surface, which has the same resolution but a slightly bigger 10.6-inch screen, leading to a 148ppi.
Rounding out the package there's a 5 megapixel main camera capable of shooting 720p video, along with a 1.9 megapixel front-facing one.
Buying Guide 10 best tablet PCs in the world today
It's a decent list of specs, but it's still hard to get past that price tag, particularly for a tablet running a new and largely untested operating system.
Samsung has set its sights squarely on the top end of the market, but with competition from other Windows 8 tablets, the iPad 4, Google Nexus 10 and other Android tablets, it's going to take a lot to convince us that it's worth taking the plunge on a Samsung Ativ Tab.
Features
On paper the Samsung Ativ Tab sounds pretty decent, but certainly not like the god among tablets that the price tag might lead you to expect. Its dual-core processor is clocked at a respectable 1.5 GHz, but with many tablets - including close rivals such as the Microsoft Surface - now rocking quad-core processors, it doesn't seem that impressive.
On the flip side, each core in the Microsoft Surface is clocked at a slightly lower 1.3GHz, while on the Android front the Google Nexus 10 also only has a dual-core processor (albeit clocked at 1.7GHz). But both of these tablets cost less than the Samsung Ativ Tab.
The Samsung Ativ Tab has 2GB of RAM to call upon, which is exactly what we'd expect from a top-end tablet right now, since it's become pretty standard. The 10.1-inch PLS TFT capacitive touchscreen has a Microsoft Surface-matching resolution of 1366 x 768, which for the size isn't terribly impressive, giving it just 155 pixels per inch.
In layman's terms this means it's not all that sharp. Pixels are often visible, giving things a slightly ugly jagged edge. It could be a whole lot worse, and you quickly get used to it, but we'd expect better from a premium tablet.
Viewing angles are reasonable, unsurprisingly the screen is at its best when viewed square on, but viewing it from a distance or other angles is still perfectly possible - the image is just slightly darker.
There's a generous 32GB or 64GB of built-in storage, and in both cases that can be supplemented by microSD cards of up to 64GB, so storage is one thing that shouldn't be a problem here at all.
The Samsung Ativ Tab is Wi-Fi only, so it's not as useful as some tablets when out and about. But free Wi-Fi is available all over the place these days, so unless you're out in the sticks it's not such an issue.
Finally there's a 5 megapixel camera on the back capable of shooting 720p video at 30fps and a 1.9 megapixel snapper on the front. Neither is particularly impressive, but they should be more than adequate for a tablet, because, after all, who even uses a tablet to take photos?
The main camera is also substantially better than the 1.2 megapixel offering on the Microsoft Surface.
All of that is kept going by an 8200 mAh battery, which on paper at any rate is a pretty decent size, though it's dwarfed by the iPad 4's 11,560 mAh battery.
Looks-wise it's not too shabby either, it's a tiny 8.9mm (0.35 inches) thick, and though the shell is plastic through and through, the rear is painted to look like brushed aluminium. It pulls it off, looking metallic and expensive. Unfortunately the illusion is shattered as soon as you touch the Samsung Ativ Tab, since it feels unmistakably like plastic in the hand. Still, it does at least feel like sturdy, expensive plastic.
What you need to knowWindows Phone 8
Beyond the faux-metallic finish the back of the tablet is pretty plain. Samsung's logo is written in fairly small lettering across the middle, while at the top you'll find the main 5 megapixel camera and flash. The back is ever so slightly curved too, which makes it comfortable to hold.
The front is plainer still, with the 10.1-inch screen taking up most of the space, while around that there's a black border.
At the top you'll find the 1.9 megapixel front-facing camera, along with an indicator light, which turns on when the tablet is charging, and a light sensor to automatically dim the screen.
Just below that there's another Samsung logo, while at the bottom there's a start button, which will turn the screen on or return you to the start menu if you're on any other screen.
To the left and right of the screen there is a pair of narrow speakers, running down the top half of the tablet.
The edges of the tablet share the brushed aluminium sheen of the back. On the top edge of the tablet you'll find a 3.5mm headphone port at the far left, a power button just to the right and a volume rocker to the right of that.
Buying guide20 best mobile phones in the world today
It strikes us as a slightly unusual position for a volume rocker - we'd be more comfortable with it being on the left or right edge, but perhaps that's just from the familiarity of having it there on many other devices.
Near the centre of the top edge there's a pin prick-sized microphone, while to the right of that there's an HDMI port, a full-sized USB port (which supports USB 2.0) and a microSD card slot, all of which are hidden behind little fold-away covers when not in use, keeping the edge uncluttered and elegant.
On the bottom edge there's a keyboard dock port and a pair of keyboard dock pin connectors, the keyboard itself being an optional extra. You'll also find the DC jack down here.
The left and right edges of the tablet are free of any buttons or ports, which make them comfortable to hold, though you need to make sure not to grip too high on the tablet or you'll obstruct the speakers.
Its light weight means the Samsung Ativ Tab is very comfortable to hold for long periods, without feeling off-puttingly light. The curved edges also aid in the comfort stakes, and there's enough grip to it that there's no fear of it slipping out of your hands.
LG didn't come out swinging at CES 2013 with a new phone, but the Korean company is still gearing up for a record year of sales.
According to a report from the Korea Times, LG plans to sell 75 million phones, 20 million more than 2012, over the next 349 days.
Of those handsets, 45 million are expected to be smartphones with budget and feature phones filling out the rest. So many phones sales would be a new high for the company.
To boost its phone numbers in the new year, LG apparently has designs to enter into the Window Phone 8 game, an unnamed exec at an LG partner company told the Times. Coupled with a few new Optimuses (or Optimusi?), and LG could hit that many-million mark.
Things get murky
The presumed next-in-line phone for LG is the Optimus G2, which is said to sport a screen measuring at least 5 inches, if not 5.5 inches.
There's also talk that the phone could sport one of Qualcomm's new processors, the Snapdragon 600, which could give it speeds of 1.9GHz while granting markedly better performance and a longer lasting battery, though we could see the 2.3GHz Snapdragon 800 make a G2 run in the fall as well.
Many signs pointed to a CES debut for the phone but none of those nods panned out.
LG did reveal during its press conference that it plans to announce at least one top-tier phone during next month's Mobile World Congress, though it might not be the Optimus G2.
Reports surfaced earlier this week that the new G won't see the light of day until the fall, coming at around the same time the first iteration turns 1-year old.
Instead, LG might introduce a "stopgap" device at the Barcelona gathering.
That phone, codenamed "GK," is said to have a 5.5-inch display and quad-core processor, though few other details exist.
The hold up on the G2 could be LG's desire to pack it with Android: Key Lime Pie while still wanting to get the jump on Samsung's Galaxy S4 and Apple's next iPhone, whether it's the iPhone 5S, iPhone 6 or a budget handset.
If guessing is LG's game, it's certainly proving good at it. We're sure to hear more rumors and reports in the weeks leading up to MWC, but with that 75 million figure in mind, LG has some momentum going into the year with hopes of new flagships and Windows Phone 8 handsets.
TechRadar asked LG for comment on its 2013 phone plans and were told by a company spokesperson that it doesn't comment on rumors or speculation.
Reports from Samsung's Korean homeland have claimed that the company is planning an even larger version of its Galaxy Note smartphone-cum-tablet.
According to the Korea Times, the Galaxy Note 3 will have a whopping 6.3-inch display, compared with the already-massive 5.5-inch screen on the popular Galaxy Note 2 phablet.
The report also suggests that the world's leading smartphone manufacturer will use the device to introduce its next-generation eight-core Exynos Octa processor later this year.
The Note 2 packs a quad-core Exynos chip, which is by no means a slouch, but the new unit would provide even more power and, importantly considering the larger screen, enhanced battery life.
China-bound
Interesting, the Korea Times report also revealed that Samsung is pitching its processing products to smartphone manufacturers in China, in order to lessen its reliance on Apple.
The company has already reached out to the likes of Huawei and ZTE who're beginning to make strides in the west.
A senior Samsung official is reported to have said at CES: "We have introduced the Exynos 5 Octa to appeal to Chinese clients and diversify our client base in China with better pricing and output commitment."
An unnamed Huawei official confirmed the companies are in talks. He said: "Yes, we were approached by Samsung. If the firm offers favorable conditions, there's no reason to deny the new business."
Samsung is believed to be concerned that its legal squabbles with Apple may result in the company looking elsewhere for the chips that power its iOS gadgets.
Reports from Samsung's Korean homeland have claimed that the company is planning an even larger version of its Galaxy Note smartphone-cum-tablet.
According to the Korea Times, the Galaxy Note 3 will have a whopping 6.3-inch display, compared with the already-massive 5.5-inch screen on the popular Galaxy Note 2 phablet.
The report also suggests that the world's leading smartphone manufacturer will use the device to introduce its next-generation eight-core Exynos Octa processor later this year.
The Note 2 packs a quad-core Exynos chip, which is by no means a slouch, but the new unit would provide even more power and, importantly considering the larger screen, enhanced battery life.
China-bound
Interesting, the Korea Times report also revealed that Samsung is pitching its processing products to smartphone manufacturers in China, in order to lessen its reliance on Apple.
The company has already reached out to the likes of Huawei and ZTE who're beginning to make strides in the west.
A senior Samsung official is reported to have said at CES: "We have introduced the Exynos 5 Octa to appeal to Chinese clients and diversify our client base in China with better pricing and output commitment."
An unnamed Huawei official confirmed the companies are in talks. He said: "Yes, we were approached by Samsung. If the firm offers favorable conditions, there's no reason to deny the new business."
Samsung is believed to be concerned that its legal squabbles with Apple may result in the company looking elsewhere for the chips that power its iOS gadgets.
The HTC M7 isn't even official yet, but it's been garnering a few headlines of late. This is the closest we've come to a decent look at it.
The pic isn't a bonafide snap though. Rather it's a render from a "short animation clip instructing new owners on first-time SIM card installation," according to Unwired View. It comes from a trusted source with access to an early version of the firmware, the site says.
Considering the lack of branding and screen borders, it doesn't look like the finished design. Unless HTC is taking its handsets in a new minimalist direction.
Set for Barcelona
The M7 is widely tipped to be unveiled at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona in February. It's said to be HTC's new flagship, taking over from the One X, with a 4.7-inch HD display and 1.7GHz quad-core processor.
That screen should have a higher pixel-per-inch density than the iPhone 5 too, so should be plenty sharp.
The device is said to have a 13-megapixel camera, equipped with a new sensor capable of super slow-motion and video HDR, too.
The M7 is expected to come with the Jelly Bean version of Android. The handset was rumoured to make its debut at CES, but that didn't happen.
Apple has gone where we never thought it would, with the iPad mini bringing the Apple tablet experience to a brave new budget world.
The new tablet comes in at a wallet-friendly £279 for the basic version, with 16GB of storage on offer for the Wi-Fi version. You can supplement the mini-slate with up to 64GB of space to chuck movies and music, as well as 4G LTE connectivity, but that will set you back an eye-watering £529 for the top model.
But then again, the iPad mini release isn't about the top end specs with a whopping price tag – it's about beating the likes of the Google Nexus 7 and Amazon Kindle Fire HD in the budget stakes.
The two competitors have been getting many column inches so far thanks to the super cheap prices and the impressive specs on board – although with both only offering a 7-inch screen compared to Apple's 7.9-inch offering, the Cupertino board is confident its device will win the day when it comes to capturing consumers' hearts.
However, the more frugal shopper, and especially one buying for a loved one, may not agree with this idea, as the Nexus 7 or Kindle Fire HD costs around 40% less and when faced with a choice between the three might opt for the familiar Amazon brand or the sheer power of the Nexus 7, with its mightily impressive spec list and legions of Google apps.
That said, Apple fans need not worry too much when it comes to whether the iPad mini is a worthy addition to the iBrand, as it comes with enough power and reams of Ive-inspired design to make it a worthwhile addition to the range – this isn't a shrunken down iPad, it's a whole new product again.
Be it the larger screen size, the impressively low weight or the alternative design compared to the competition there's a lot to chew over with the iPad mini – but is it worth spending your hard-earned when more cash will get you a fully-fledged version of Apple's tablet, especially when rumours are touting an iPad mini 2 for a launch in Q2 this year?
iPad mini 2: release date, news and rumours
In fairness, this is unlikely to happen, but there's every chance Apple will want to sync the mini and the new iPad on the same launch cycles, which would mean compressing the shelf life of the iPad mini but delivering a Retina display on the mini 2.
The iPad has been a roaring success so unsurprisingly every manufacturer out there has looked to match Apple's tablet in terms of style, functionality and most importantly popularity.
The next young pretender to the iPad's crown comes in the form of the Archos 97 Titanium and after all the legal shenanigans with Samsung we're surprised this tablet bares so much of a resemblance to Apple's slate.
As with the smaller 80 Titanium, Archos has emblazoned the front of the 97 Titanium with its logo and a front facing camera positioned in the top corner in an attempt to give the tablet an air of originality.
The tablet itself looks relatively premium with the version we got our hands on actually the 97b Titanium – a plastic-rear clad variant destined for the US market, while Europe will be treated to the 97 Titanium, sporting a smarter aluminium rear.
Picking up the 97 Titanium we noticed it had quite a weight about it which made one-handed use a strain on the wrist, so you'll need to use both mitts or rest the tablet on your lap for extended periods of usage.
As the name suggests there's a 9.7-inch display present with boasts a Retina-like 2048x1536 Super HD IPS resolution, providing a bright and crisp image.
This meant that Android Jelly Bean looked impressive on the 97 Titanium's screen, and Archos has not meddled with Google's platform giving you full access to the highly flexible operating system.
With a 1.6GHz dual-core processor and quad-core GPU the Archos 97 Titanium is modestly powered, although Jelly Bean wasn't the slickest operation we'd experienced.
The tablet did take a second or so here and there to load what we had requested and while the 97 Titanium is still running a development build we were hoping for the performance to come close to that of the iPad.
We found that the screen often got confused when it came to rotating, with us going from portrait to landscape sometimes leading to the screen being upside down.
This is something we hope gets fixed before it goes on sale next month, as it would be highly frustrating for any user if it doesn't.
Of course video playback on the 9.7-inch Super HD IPS display is impressive with vibrant colours and a high level of detail, and the dual speakers round the back of the 97 Titanium produce a decent audio volume although it's not the crispest sound.
The 97 Titanium release date will be before March this year, while its price is an exceedingly competitive £199/$249 (around AU$300) which makes it far more affordable than the iPad 4 to which Archos believes it rivals.
This is the only price band for the Archos 97 Titanium as it's only available in its 8GB, Wi-Fi only guise – a big disappointment for anyone who likes a large amount of storage in their tablet or the ability to access the web on the move.
An ace up the 97 Titanium's sleeve though is the inclusion a microSD port allowing you to build on the pitful storage inside – something a lot of 10-inch tablets don't support these days.
Archos has also provided metal power/lock and volume keys on the 97 Titanium it give it more of a premium look and feel, setting it apart from the plastic buttons found on the smaller 70 Titanium and 80 Titanium.
The Archos 97 Titanium provides a dual camera offering with a 2MP lens on its rear and a VGA snapper on the front.
The camera app and shutter speed are not particularly quick, but at least the system is intuitive thanks to the stock Android software in play.
As you'd expect from a 2MP camera image quality isn't great but the Archos 97 Titanium isn't a device made for taking pictures, it just has cameras to tick another box on the spec sheet.
Early Verdict
Archos want the 97 Titanium to be seen as an iPad on a shoe-string and while it does have a decent display the overall experience left us a bit empty.
Sure it's got the various bells and whistles of most tablets these days but it lacked the polish of Apple's creations and other Android tablets are faster, smoother and feel nicer in the hand.
The price point is certainly competitive and you get a decent chunk of tablet for your money, but if you're looking for something which is going to rival the iPad then you've come to the wrong place.
