Top 10 smartphones to kick off 2013
Summary: I post my top 10 lists of smartphones a couple times a year and now that the HTC One has been revealed I can provide you with my current top 10. I've had the iPhone at the top of my lists for quite a while, but not this time.
Number 4: LG's Google Nexus 4
LG gets their first shot at a Nexus device and all indications are that the Nexus 4 is a hot commodity. There have been limited supplies so it has been tough for people to purchase, which I think has also led to more demand for it in the smartphone space. I never bought one because I am so incredibly happy with my Note II, but it is the latest pure Google experience Android so should be considered.
The Nexus 4 is SIM unlocked and contract free with a very low $299 (8GB) and $349 (16GB) price point. For comparison, most contract free phones are $500 to $700 and even then they are not always SIM unlocked. You can use the Nexus 4 with T-Mobile or AT&T in the US and around the world. It supports HSPA+, but is not a 4G LTE device so that is one reason I don't have it ranked higher.
The Nexus 4 has a 4.7 inch display with a 1280x768 resolution, 8 megapixel camera with cool Photo Sphere functionality, 2GB RAM, latest version of Android (always), and non-expandable 8GB or 16GB memory. It is a fairly basic high end Android device, but the attraction is the pure Google experience with chances for getting the latest version of Android before any other device.
Number 5: Nokia Lumia 920
The Nokia Lumia 920 launched exclusively on AT&T, but I still ended up buying one because I found the optical image stabilization in the camera too compelling to pass up. You can still only pick it up on one carrier, unlike all the rest of the phones in my top five list. The Lumia 920 offers more than the HTC 8X when you compare the device and software. It also comes in a variety of bold colors that are attractive and unique.
Nokia has always excelled at imaging and provides the best low light experience with PureView on the 920. They also offer helpful camera lenses (utilities), wireless charging, Nokia Drive turn-by-turn voice navigation, Nokia Music (free streaming and offline music service), and other Nokia exclusive apps.
The Lumia 920 is a bit heavy when compared to the 8X, but it is even better constructed than the Lumia 900 and brings back the feel of the Lumia 800. The display looks great and the PureMotion+ technology -- which lets you control it with your fingernail and gloved finger -- is amazing.
Number 6: BlackBerry Z10
I went to my first every BlackBerry launch event last month when they launched the BlackBerry Z10 and I've been using it for a few weeks. It is definitely a major step forward for BlackBerry and gives them a slick new OS on solid hardware.
The BlackBerry Z10 is a solid piece of hardware with a 4.2 inch display at 1280 x 768 pixels resolution, 8 megapixel rear camera, 16GB internal storage with a microSD card that supports up to 64GB microSD cards, dual core 1.5 GHz processor, 2GB RAM, microHDMI port, 1800 mAh removable battery, NFC and more. The display is smaller than most Android and Windows Phone device, but still larger than the latest iPhone. I like that you can easily expand the memory and the removable battery is appealing for enterprise users who are out and on the go.
Initially I was quite concerned about the app story, but we are seeing new apps appear in BlackBerry World on a regular basis. There are still a couple weeks before we see the Z10 appear in the US and I think people will be impressed with the hardware and software. Initial pricing from carriers indicates it will launch at $199.99, but we may see better pricing when official announcements from all carriers are made.
Number 7: Samsung Galaxy S III
The Samsung Galaxy S III remains the best Android smartphone available on all major US wireless carriers today. It is likely that a new version will be announced in the next few months that will likely enjoy the same kind of success.
In addition to high end specifications, the Galaxy S III has some of the same software enhancements seen on the Note II. The camera takes great photos, the device works well as both a phone and a data device, the form factor is sleek and attractive, and it is priced competitively on all carriers.
Even with a 4.8-inch Super AMOLED display, the Galaxy S III feels good in your hand and doesn't feel that big. The Android and Samsung ecosystem is greatly improving and you can now easily find movies to rent or purchase on Google or Samsung, books to purchase, music to purchase and stream, and much more. You can find the Galaxy S III in various colors and priced in the typical $200 price range.
Keep clicking through to see numbers 8 through 10.
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Talkback
Seriously you are doing a smart phone top 10 now?
Don't expect anything at MWC
+1
various odds and ins
new Nokia phone
Other various WP8 phones
Samsung Galaxy Note 3
Samsung Galaxy 4
I could see either the Note or the SG4 but not both coming out for MWC. Nokia will have something new. hopefully it is not a mid tiered/lowend phone.
Maybe a WP8 HTC One?
It is just a really strange time to do a "top 10" right before a "major" industry event.
Nokia maybe, but not Samsung
Nokia Lumia 7xx
So I would expect that midrange phone (250$-300$) to be announced pretty soon.
Also a aluminium limited edition of the Lumia 920 might be on the cards if romours are to be believed.
Seriously you are doing a smart phone top 10 now?
Blackberry
not long ago, Blackberry is set to make a strong comeback. Since almost everybody hates
Microsoft, they are in the most jeopardy from the new Blackberry Line. Windows 8 blows,
by the way.
I can see why you're well sought after in the cell phone world.
Re: Blackberry
The best = 7th place?
Because
My List
2. LG Nexus 4
3. LG Nexus 4
4. LG Nexus 4
5. LG Nexus 4
6. LG Nexus 4
7. LG Nexus 4
8. LG Nexus 4
9. LG Nexus 4
10. LG Nexus 4
$350 for the phone and with $30 unlimited data per month with T-Mobile. Nothing beats that, Life is GOOD. Thank You!
Nexus 4 has worst camera and microphones of all ten phones
It's camera and microphones are by far the worst of all the phones in this top ten. At least ten high end phones not in this list can have better camera and microphones than the Nexus 4.
It is fairly cheap but this is not a list of cheap phones but of the best phones.
I agree with most of the choices, except for the Galaxy Note II
Too bad HTC is trying to be Apple
If you're Apple....
Scoop on battery
If you're less of a power user, or recharge during the day, it probably lasts out your contract. And that's pretty much what Apple's counting on. In fact, some new phones offer your choice of maximum runtime or maximum battery life. Choose the later, and the phone won't discharge all the way, and will tell you its full when it's not. That's the same thing hybrid cars do... NiMh and Lithium cells lose most of their life near the charging extremes. Eliminate those extremes and you extend the life of the cell.
That's completely in normal use. Lithium cells have a secondary problem; if they're ever discharged too much, they slowly self-destruct. Systems protect against this... this is different than the aging mechanisms.
No Sony?
Its just that I was contemplating getting one...