If you are planning to make the big gadget purchase to start the year 2014 right, then you might want to know more about the best smartphones out in the market today. We have compiled an official list or a shopping guide on the most cutting-edge devices out there including HTC One, Samsung Galaxy Note 3, the iPhone 5s, and many more. And the best part is we have highlighted the best features of each gadget to help you in reaching a final decision on your next smartphone purchase.
6. HTC One
It may be one of the not-so-new high-end smartphones in the market today but HTC One is just undeniably one of the most beautiful and appealing handset there is in the Android market. The first thing that we can recommend about this phone is its 4.7" 1080p screen which has a pixel density of 469. It runs on Android 4.3 and is packed with the very competitive Quad-core Krait 300.
HTC One made a lot of noise when HTC revealed that it only has a 4MP shooter. However, the company was quick to answer all the critics by claiming that it is an UltraPixel camera with optical image stabilization, which according to the company is already more than enough to cater to all of your phone camera needs. The only downside we found on this device is the absence of expandable storage.
5. Sony Xperia Z
Sony Xperia Z is perhaps one of the biggest revelations from Sony this year. With its outstanding 20.7MP shooter with 1/2.3" sensor. What's great about it is even though it is a head-to-head competitor against Samsung galaxy S$ Zoom's camera, Sony Xperia Z's shooter is encased in a much slender 8.5mm body.
Moreover, the Sony Xperia Z comes with the very pleasing glass-and-aluminium design Sony has been incorporating in its newest smartphones. The Snapdragon 800 chipset is also one of its best feats. But nothing compare to its ability to resist water despite its rather large build. This 5-incher with 1080p resolution with a pixel density of 441 ppi, also takes pride on its 3,000mAh battery that can outlast the longevity of other high-end devices.
4. Samsung Galaxy Note 3
Of course who can forget about Samsung's latest entry for its phablet series? The Galaxy Note 3 is still one of the hottest and trendiest smartphones in the market today. Its 5.7" 1080p super AMOLED screen is not only efficient, it is also way too excellent not to notice. Then, there's its S Pen feature that gives users the ease of accessing several of its multi-tasking and quick access feats. It comes with Android 4.3 and it's very obvious that this is one of the most powerful if not the most powerful smartphone in the market today. It houses a Snapdragon S800 chipset with 3GB of RAM.
Additionally, Samsung Galaxy Note 3 comes with a 13MP camera with 4K video recording capacity. The bigger size is proportional to its battery life and even more. The only issue we have is the absence of an Office Suite to complete its preinstalled apps.
3. Apple iPhone 5s
Apple's iPhones always get a spot in every review or shopping guide, but we are not really that pleased that the company is increasing the iPhone's price each passing year. But if spending much too much for this handset is all worth it. Not only is it one of the most beautiful phones with its thin and light aluminum body, but it also comes with very competitive specs and features. The 4" Retina Screen designed with a pixel density of 326ppi will surely blow you away if you have been an iPhone user for a long time now. The A7 chipset that powers this device ensures its stellar performance. And when it's Apple, you don't need to count the cores or clock speed since you are pretty much getting a device that runs on a different but second-to-none technology. The TouchID fingerprint sensor of this device is also one thing makes it stand out above the rest.
However, we have a lot of cons for this device. First is of course the insanely expensive price. Then, there is the non-expandable storage that is pretty much standard in all iPhones. The relatively smaller screen compared to those of other high-end devices will also be a bother if you are in for a much bigger viewing and playing experience. Finally, the 8MP shooter, although it's a big improvement for Apple's famous handsets throughout the years, still falls behind if compared with the likes of Sony Xperia Z and Nokia 1520.
2. Nokia Lumia 1520
The Nokia Lumia 1520 is absolutely the best WP8 phone in the market today. It has the makings of a superb smartphone that is very much comparable to top-of-the-line Android devices. First, it's a 6" phablet with a 1080p screen resolution with a pixel density of 367ppi, so it's obviously very competitive when it comes to screen display alone. The Lumia 1520 is anything but mediocre when it comes to performance and battery. It comes with a Snapdragon 800 chipset and a 3,400mAh battery that are just as good as any Android flagship.
If you are a big fan of phones with superb cameras, then the Nokia Lumia 1520 is one of the best picks for this holiday. It comes with a 20MP shooter with 1/2.5" sensor, OIS, and ZEISS optics and optical image stabilization. The proprietary camera apps also give you a "more than what you pay for" value. The only problem with this smartphone though is the fact that it certainly is bigger and heavier than any of the phablet entries in the market today.
1. LG G2
And yes! We are finally down to the last smartphone and this one is without a doubt the most impressive device LG has ever made. The LG G2 is an elegant, sophisticated, and powerful handset with a unique design you'll surely love. The compact build and the very minimal bezel of this device are just two things that sets it apart from the rest. Its 5.2" 1080p screen with a pixel density of 424 ppi is a stunner.
The LG G2 is powered by a Snapdragon 800 chipset that puts it a competitive entry level alongside the Galaxy S4 and the HTC One. Its 13MP camera is not the leading in the market today, but it speaks volumes when it comes to quality. Finally, the handset comes with Android 4.2 out of the box and with a lasting 3,000mAh battery. The only problem with this device though is the fact that LG has opted to follow Apple's footsteps and decided to create unrivalled smartphones with non-expandable storage.
