The average refund for US taxpayers this year is nearly $3,000. There are some fantastic smartphones available or coming soon that you can purchase with some of this refund, as you can see in this gallery.
It has been a few years since I put together a tax refund special. Yesterday was tax day, and with the current fantastic smartphone lineup, changing carrier landscape , and average tax refund in 2013 of around $3,000, it's time to look at what is available now or coming in the next few weeks.
In the past, it was easy to give a recommendation or two for each carrier, but we are now seeing more of the same phones appear across carriers, so consumers have the best options available. I always tell people who ask me what phone to buy to first figure out which carrier or two works best for where they live, work, and play. After that, you can then look at what the carrier offers and choose the best phone.
A couple of months ago, I posted my top 10 smartphones to kick off 2013 , and since then, I have had more time with many of these devices. The Samsung Galaxy S IV is not yet available, but will be by the time people submitting their tax forms yesterday will be receiving their refund.
I wrote that the HTC One was the best smartphone I have ever used , that I think both BlackBerry and Nokia have solid phones and strategies for success, that the Samsung Galaxy Note II was one of the best Android smartphones available, and that the Apple iPhone 5 is a keeper.
Check out the following images in my gallery, showing my top picks for mid-April 2013, with the knowledge that announced devices are coming soon.
Caption by: Matthew Miller
ESR HaloLock MagSafe stands for Apple iPhone 12 review: Affordable, functional accessories
MagSafe is one of the best Apple technologies that combines wireless charging with the ability to easily and securely mount your Apple iPhone. The latest accessories from ESR and ...
When phone brands meet photo brands
The combinations of companies known for imaging excellence and those known for covering every base in a smartphone can be a picture perfect match or ruined exposure. ...
Apple's new iPhone 12 devices have some cool color options and the best way to enjoy the colors is with a clear case. Speck also offers a compelling glass screen protector so together ...
Diamond Dog screen protector for Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max: Affordable, clear, and easy to install
While today's modern glass displays are designed to handle more abuse than in the past, they can still scratch or break so the first thing I do with a new phone is to install a screen protector. ...
Mous cases for the Samsung Galaxy S21: Drop protection and magnetic accessory features
Mous has a couple of case options for the Samsung Galaxy S21 lineup. Both models offer AiroShock drop protection while the Limitless 3.0 case includes strategically placed magnets ...
Incipio and Survivor cases for Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra: Dual-layer and compostable options
Wrapping your expensive phone in a case is a good way to provide extra protection. Dual-layers, enhanced grip, and even cases you can easily recycle are available from Incipio and ...
Gear4 and InvisibleShield for Galaxy S21 Ultra: Impact protection and anti-microbial treatment
ZAGG has Gear4 case options and InvisibleShield screen protection for the new Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G. Various levels of drop protection are provided in different case models. ...
Join Discussion