Review TechRadar: Phone and communications news 04-20-2013

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Week in Science: The batteries that charge 1,000 times quicker and last 10 times longer Apr 20th 2013, 13:00 Batteries have been shoved well and truly into the spotlight this week. From sulphur and voltage spikes, to a battery technology breakthrough that could produce cells which fully charge in minutes and last for days rather than hours. If that wasn't exciting enough, we've got black holes, super nanosuits, and the real reason we love beer, all waiting for you in another exciting Week in Science. Microarray batteries could charge 1,000 times quicker -- Scientists may have finally made the massive breakthrough in battery technology we've all been waiting for. Miniaturisation is the key here; essentially researchers have created ranks of microbatteries, producing many, many 3D electrodes combining intertwined anodes and cathodes at the microscale. That creates a much higher surface area to volume ratio, and means that electrons don't have far to flow to complete the circuit and therefore output power quicker to where it's needed. The result is a battery that fully charges in minutes and lasts 10 times longer than current lithium-ion cells, something that would certainly boost battery life by miles in our smartphones. Unfortunately, the battery isn't quite ready for primetime, given a few safety concerns including a flammable electrolyte, but this could be the breakthrough that finally brings batteries up to scratch with the rest modern technology. [Nature Communications] Next-generation batteries could stink like rotten eggs -- Miniaturisation may be the next hot battery technology, but sulphur might be the new material to boost it even further. A new technique called inverse vulcanisation creates new polymers out of a liquid sulphur mix, creating a new material for the potential construction of cathodes. Current generation sulphur-based batteries, although they provide good power density and low rates of self-discharge, quickly eat up their sulphur cathodes. The hope is that this new cathode sulphur polymer will solve that issue, beating lithium-ion batteries in almost all respects. While more research is clearly needed, soon your batteries could be sulphur-powered as well as being tiny. [Nature Chemistry] Spikes throw your sensors for six -- If leaps in battery tech weren't enough this week, it seems the way you charge you current cell could make a difference to its life after all. Unlike nickel-cadmium or nickel-hydride batteries, lithium-ion batteries are meant to be able to be topped up whenever -- they don't have a memory of charge. However, new research suggests that incomplete charging and discharging does have an effect on battery life. Surprising spikes in voltage were seen from incomplete charges of batteries, meaning capacity sensors were thrown way off. That could result in your phone, or more importantly, your car, thinking you have more juice than you do in your battery, running flat without warning before you get home. Thankfully, now that we know it's going on, battery capacity sensors can be adapted, something that's obviously pretty pressing and crucial for the burgeoning electric car market. [Nature Materials] Microneedles could be the new staples -- Modern medicine really isn't all that modern sometimes -- we still use what are essentially staples to hold skin grafts and wounds together. But taking a bite out of nature, a new patch littered with microneedles could be the next generation of wound repair patch. Mimicking the spiny head of a parasitic worm, the patch's needles penetrate the surrounding skin to hold things in place. A thin hydrogel coating then swells to anchor all the needles and flesh together when in contact with water. The patches proved to have three times the adhesion strength of surgical staples, and could have far-reaching medical applications. Soon you could be patched up by something derived from a parasite, which could even deliver drugs into your system. [Nature Communications] The first ever-lab grown kidney actually works -- Medical science made a huge breakthrough this week with the first ever working transplant of a kidney wholly grown. It was grown in just two weeks in a lab from a combination of human stem cells and rat kidney cells. The kidney was inserted into a rat where it was capable of filtering urine just like a natural kidney could. Unfortunately, it only managed 10 per cent efficiency, but it's a start. The next step is to try the same thing in pigs, which have very similar vascular systems to our own, and to get the efficiency up. It's a little while away yet, but kidneys grown to order might soon be available for human transplant, and that really will be revolutionary. [Nature] Anti-cancer scientist jailed for faking results -- The first scientist to be convicted in the UK for breach of scientific safety laws, has just been jailed for three months. Steven Eaton, who worked for pharmaceutical firm Aptuit, was prosecuted under the 1999 Good Laboratory Practice Regulations for falsifying test results from an in-research anti-cancer drug. By selectively reporting results, he was able to show that the drug had passed tests, when indeed it had failed. The court was told that the drug could have easily caused irreparable damage to cancer patients if it had been cleared for sale. It just goes to show that there's greed and dishonesty within science, just as there is within any other industry. [BBC] Pleasure and beer go hand-in-hand -- The reason why so many of us love beer has finally been unearthed. It's been known for a long time that alcohol releases dopamine to tickle our pleasure centres, but now the mere taste of beer has been proven to produce a similar, but totally separate response. A study that sprayed just 15ml of beer onto the tongues of volunteers showed large spikes in dopamine levels within minutes of tasting the beer. That triggers our reward response, the same one that's also initiated when you sleep or have sex, and is one of the reasons why you get cravings for beer. The researchers also discovered that people with a history of alcoholism in the family got a much bigger surge in dopamine levels in the brain when tasting beer. That might explain why some people are predisposed to alcoholism, and find it much harder to kick the habit. [Neuropsychopharmacology] Nano-suits could be the new spacesuits -- What if you could be protected from the harsh vacuous environment of space by just an impossibly thin layer, like an invisible micro spacesuit. That's what researchers accidentally discovered when they bombarded a worm with electrons in the vacuum of an electron microscope. The electrons imparted energy onto the outside skin of the worm, causing it to polymerise into a nanoscopic protective layer, allowing the worm to move and survive normally in a vacuum. Researchers then found they could create artificial nano-suits using compounds coated onto the outside of insects in a similar manner. Scientists think that this kind of nano-suit technology could be adapted to create new spacesuits and other protective gear against the deadly environment of space. An invisible shield, barely the width of a human hair, sounds like something out of a sci-fi movie, but could turn out to be a very real possibility. [Science] Flash, and a black hole is born -- Black holes are so named because you can't actually see them. They're black, appearing invisible in space, because they absorb all light and other electromagnetic waves, as well as all matter. However, it seems a burst of neutrinos given off by the formation of a new singularity, as a star simply implodes, might be the key to spotting them. As the neutrinos are ejected, the core of the star suddenly becomes lighter, which in turn fires a shockwave through the star's outer layers. This sends them flying off into space, glowing brightly as they do so. That process creates enough of a flash of light for us to see back here on Earth, allowing us to witness the birth of a new all-consuming black hole. [New Scientist] Fancy eating a tree for dinner? -- Scientists have managed to transform indigestible cellulose, what you might call fibre in your diet, into one of our staple foods, starch. Cellulose and starch are both made of chains of glucose, differing only in the way the chains are constructed. Using synthetic enzymes, researchers were able to essentially convert cellulose into starch, which is a far harder prospect than it sounds. The resulting material can then be process into all sorts of things, potentially including food, or a new source of biofuel to keep our engines running. [PNAS] Review Roundup: This week's hottest reviews on TechRadar Apr 20th 2013, 07:00 This week we've looked at the HTC First, the first phone with Facebook Home pre-installed as well as Nokia's bottom-rung Lumia, the 520. We've also got hands on with the new Kobo reader as well as TomTom's brand new Sport watch. So let's get stuck in. Here's our round-up of the hottest tech we've played with this week. Nokia Lumia 520 The Nokia Lumia 520 is Nokia's fifth Windows Phone 8 handset. It's a phone which slots into the very bottom end of the range, just below the Nokia Lumia 620. And we do mean just below - the specs of the 520 and 620 are remarkably similar, meaning that Nokia's main competition at the bottom end of the market is itself. Otherwise, its biggest rival is likely to be the recently launched Huawei Ascend W1 - a low-end handset that we're rather fond of. Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0 review With the Galaxy Note 8.0, which bridges the space between the Note 2 and Tab 2 10.1, it's clear that Samsung is continuing its approach of throwing out as many devices as it can in an effort to catch as many consumers as it can. The question is, do the customers care about all this subtle differentiation, or is Samsung just creating confusion in an oversaturated market? A scaled up Samsung Galaxy Note 2 it may be, but there are a lot of positives on offer thanks to that larger screen. HTC First review Facebook is so big, so everywhere, so omnipresent that it's already on everyone's phone, but apparently that's not enough for the sharing mogul. Now Facebook has decided to completely take over devices with Facebook Home, and has collaborated with HTC to create the HTC First, a phone meant to show just what that experience can be. The First moniker comes from being the first phone with Facebook Home preloaded. It's a well built, unassuming little handset, nowhere near as big, flashy or as fast as the quad-core HTC One. Hands on: TomTom Multi-Sport GPS Watch review TomTom has always been about getting from A to B in the fastest, simplest way. So the announcement that it would be focusing more on the space in between those points was a surprise to many, despite the fact that TomTom's mapping system makes its GPS watch feel like a no-brainer in many ways. But with wearable tech the current hot topic of discussion, the initial surprise around TomTom's sports watch has rapidly turned into intrigue. So TechRadar got wrist-on and personal to see whether TomTom could bring its solid reputation as a mapping service to the realm of sports tech. Nikon Coolpix P520 review Competition in the bridge camera market at the moment is pretty fierce. It's one of the only growing segments in the compact camera market, as users look for something much more advanced than their phone, especially in regards to zoom functionality. It's a bit of an oxymoron that bridge cameras are lumped into the compact genre when, in actuality, many of them are roughly the same size as entry-level DSLRs. Where the difference lies, however, is in the size of the sensor. The Nikon P520 houses an 18 million pixel, 1/2.3-inch CMOS sensor. This is the same size as those found in many "normal" compact cameras. However, where this camera, and other cameras of its type, trumps the larger sensored DSLR is the zoom flexibility. This week's other reviews Cameras Nikon Coolpix A review Panasonic Lumix GF6 review Nikon Coolpix P330 review Ricoh GR review Accessories Thrustmaster Y-250C review Klipsch Image ONE (II) review Chrome Sentinel Laptop Backpack review SteelSeries World of Warcraft Wireless MMO Mouse review Mobile phones Motorola Razr HD review Samsung Galaxy Mega review Networking kit Archos TV Connect review Devolo dLAN 500 AV Wireless+ review Speakers Edifier e10 Exclaim review Storage LaCie Blade Runner 4TB review Transcend Wi-Fi SD Card review Tablets and ereaders Archos ChildPad review Amazon Kindle Fire HD review Kobo Aura HD review Nexus 4 with LTE said to debut at Google IO 2013 Apr 19th 2013, 21:04 In roughly one month, Google is expected showcase some new Android wares at the annual Google IO in San Francisco. While most of the pre-show hype has been focused on Google Glass, a possible new Nexus 7 and the (fingers crossed) reveal of the Nexus 5, that's not all supposedly Google has in store. A new report from SIDHTech indicates there also might be a new version of the extremely popular Nexus 4 at IO, complete with new networking capabilities and improved storage. Not only that, but the site also said this updated Nexus 4 will feature Android 5.0, and could be arriving as early as this summer. Who's got Nexus? Let's break down the rumor, which is definitely just that. According to the site, Google might be planning a 32GB Nexus 4 with LTE and CDMA support during the conference. The CDMA part is particularly intriguing for U.S. carriers Sprint and Verizon, which require compatibility with the radio waves to a support phones on their LTE networks. The rumored boost of 32GB of storage coming in this new and improved Nexus 4 should also go a long way in alleviating concerns of the original model. The original Nexus 4 only arrived in November 2012, so the announcement of a Nexus 5 so soon after its release may seem a bit counter-intuitive. Announcing a slightly revamped version of last year's model on carriers that call for LTE does make a bit more sense given the timing, but we can't really know for sure until Google decides to tell us the facts. Interview: What more will we see from the One's camera? HTC says a good deal Apr 19th 2013, 19:44 When the One was first announced, HTC highlighted a particular feature as markedly different from competitors' offerings: its camera. Instead of cramming eight, 13 or 16 megapixels in the sensor, HTC declared war on pixel count when it decided to inject the One's snapper with a unique Ultrapixel sensor that's home to four large megapixels, a count that's decidedly low for a flagship phone. The idea is to produce high quality images in even the lowest of light settings as bigger pixels (2.0 micrometer versus 1.1 micrometers found in 13MP sensors) take in more photons. "I've heard people say we've created the best Instagram food camera," Symon Whitehorn, director of special projects at HTC, told TechRadar in a recent interview, drawing attention to the exact type of real-world situation HTC says most consumers use their cell phone cameras in nowadays. We chatted with Whitehorn on the cusp of the One's U.S. availability, available at American carriers and retailers starting today, and touched on a number of topics related to the phone's camera tech and HTC's future imaging plans. Camera issues The One's release was marred by an initial delay, ironically caused by the very part that HTC is so keen on promoting. The hiccup, which HTC's PR team insisted couldn't be commented on, was a public relations smudge and an issue that led to HTC's worst financial slump to date. But with the phone finally becoming widely available, HTC and Whitehorn are setting out to remind people why they should bother with the One and its spec-defying camera technology. "We're anti-useless megapixels," Whitehorn explained about HTC's thinking in choosing "just" 4MP. "There's this unhealthy motivation with spec wars. Phones are reaching an ever-greater number in specs without that meaning anything. "For too long the industry has been burdening the consumer with a meaningless metric. It's become the de facto measurement to judge quality in a camera." This is a credo we've heard Whitehorn wax about before, and though the phone has garnered largely enthusiastic reviews despite its low pixel total, a few questions remain about what HTC plans to do with the tech moving forward. We were curious about whether the company could add more megapixels yet still maintain low light quality should customers ask for a higher number to decrease image noise, an issue we encountered when we reviewed the One. "The problem is you have to increase the sensor size, which means that changes the relationship with your lens," he explained about increasing MPs. "You have to get a bigger lens and other components and it makes the phone very big and heavy. "We find our consumers want to have a slimmer product, and we'd have to look at those tradeoffs. We'd have to start reconsidering what we want to do if the phone becomes too bulky. "We're not seeing a lot of need for [more pixels], but if we see a change take place, such as an uptake in 4K, we'll reconsider," he continued. "We're not wedded to any technology. We're not ruling that out, but we don't want to give the Ultrapixel up easily." It certainly doesn't: According to Whitehorn, HTC wants Ultrapixel around for as long as possible. "We're currently into the Ultrapixel technology," he said. "Will we use the same sensor in future phones? Probably most likely. We're also examining other types of sensors, but we're tied to this one for the time being." Highs and lows We learned last month that the One's camera tech could one day make it to lower-end HTC phones, and Whitehorn said expanding Ultrapixel across the company's product line is "of course down the road." There's even evidence such a phone is in the works as we speak. As for whether competitors are taking notice of what HTC's done and might also break out of the spec arms race, Whitehorn took a somewhat altruistic view. "I don't think they'll copy it directly, but it starts to give the whole industry a lot more freedom to break away from this metric and explore," he mused. "Frankly, when you start getting to these super big pixel counts you get so much noise, you might start cutting out some wavelengths of light, so we decided to go radically in the other direction. I hope that gives the industry some freedom." One drawback consumers might take issue with is the amount of space Zoe video highlights consume, which in our review we found could amount to 0.5GB in photos. Users can turn to the Zoe Share server to save excess images generated by Zoe clip production, but those expire after one month. Dropbox or similar services are another option, but that's yet another step and not the ideal for many. "I think it's a perennial worry about all technology, but it does make that slightly more of a concern," Whitehorn said about the One's storage issues. "We are starting to provide more management terms and we are working on more elegant solutions then what we have now. We'll bring updates and more services and we'll want to get more elegant solutions out once we start to hit that curve. "People will find their own solutions as well," he added. "I have 10-plus years of digital photos and I've never thrown anything away." Consumers put out by having to come up with their own image-saving solutions will likely welcome whatever HTC can cook up, though when those answers will be available isn't yet known. What we do know is that while the One has launched with six highlight film themes, the company expects to up that number in the U.S. sooner rather than later. "We're building a more dynamic engine for those, so watch for continuing development in that space," Whitehorn said of themes, which range from Avalon to Vegas and create different mixed and matched compositions of images as music plays in the background. On follow-up, HTC couldn't nail down whether those themes will come to global devices, but we'll provide details as we learn more. All eyes will be on the One's sales as it reaches full release ramp up, though Whitehorn seems pleased with the phone he's helped produced. Now, it's just a matter of whether customers start buying. "Overall I think this product signals from us even more commitment to imaging, and it's only gathering momentum," Whitehorn said. "We're about optimization, and that's for all the technology, not just the camera. Everything [in the phone] is in balance, and I think it's only going to get more exciting." Related Stories Now Larry Page is talking up Motorola's upcoming products Nokia's Elop reveals new Lumia will be a hero, more top handsets on the way Siri shares all your secrets with Apple for two years UPDATED: Ultimate guide to Australian 4G Vodafone 4G speed test shows the benefit of bandwidth EE's new 4G mobile hotspot can handle 150Mbps download speeds Apr 19th 2013, 17:16 EE, the UK's only 4G LTE network, has launched a new mobile hotspot, allowing up to 10 devices to connect at one time. The new Huawei E5776 is available free on a two-year contract from the network, and will facilitate 4G speeds on Wi-Fi enabled smartphones, laptops and tablets. The hotspot is the first CAT4 4G device to arrive in the UK and is capable of offering download speeds of up to 150Mbps and upload speeds of 50Mbps. Of course, that doesn't mean buyers will be rocking along at those speeds as they're currently way beyond what the 4G EE network can offer. Doubling speeds The network has promised to double its maximum 4G LTE download speeds to 80Mbps in June and it's customers can expect to receive 20Mbps on average after that. The Huawei E5776 mobile hotspot is available to pre-order now with customers able to get a 1GB data allowance for £12.99 a month. More realistic offerings include £15.99 for 3GB of data, £20.99 for 5GB and £25.99 for 8GB with a 30 day trial or 30 days free also available. EE director of products and devices Paul Jevons said: "We're pleased to be launching our first next generation 4G device. With this device, not only will customers get amazing Superfast 4GEE speeds today, but they'll also benefit from an even greater experience when we double the speeds in our network, which will be rolling out this summer." Updated: 20 best mobile phones in the world today Apr 19th 2013, 17:05 Best mobile phone: 20-16 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, HTC One and Sony Xperia Z now upon us, has the Korean brand held off ANOTHER onslaught from the Cupertino, Taiwanese and Japanese powerhouses? And what of the supercheap but powerful Google Nexus 4 by LG? Does price matter over software? And what of the impending Samsung Galaxy S4? 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: null : http://cms.techradar.com/article/y61JYYiFwbk36 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. 20. iPhone 4S When Apple announced the iPhone 4S, it's testament to the power of the rumour mill that people were angry it wasn't called the iPhone 5, which is now a real device. Predictably the iPhone 4S is no longer the iOS handset we recommend, but it's still a worthy choice in the smartphone game thanks to some decent upgrades through iOS 6 (although the less said about Maps, the better...). Siri voice recognition has shown itself to be slightly more than a novelty and has been upgraded to actually become useful with the new OS, and the screen technology is still top notch. null : http://cms.techradar.com/article/3hKGBOfU3Sm2o We were hoping for a larger display (which we now have with the iPhone 5), and things such as a lack of Bluetooth transfer, no Flash integration with the internet browser and an uninspiring contacts app still grate - but they're no match for the sheer ease of use and general operation of Apple's OS if you're talking to one of the fans. The only reason this phone is so low in the rankings is the fact it still costs so much to buy, despite being years old now. Quick verdict A decent camera, slick platform and superb display are still the things we look for in a phone, and the iPhone 4S delivers that. It was one of the most expensive phones on the market but sadly hasn't dropped much in price (otherwise we would have kept it higher up the rankings) so think about whether you really want its high-end features, since the iPhone 4 is a cheaper alternative still. iPhone 4S review Compare the best iPhone 4S deals 19. Huawei Ascend G330 The Ascend G330 is a solid performer. It's smooth in use, has the power to run even the most demanding apps very well, and although not hugely exciting to look at and hold, the display's clear and bright enough to elevate it above some of the tattier budget models. And it's definitely more capable than the old Ascend G300, with hardly any glitches when downloading/updating apps and navigating the phone at the same time. It delivers a great smartphone experience for the money with hardly any obvious compromises. Quick verdict When deciding on a budget phone, it can be a nightmare trying to decide which one to go for. Is it power? Name? Specs? Or just a low price tag attached to a phone that doesn't go bananas when you prod it? The latter applies to the Huawei - and it delivers well, especially for the £100 sticker whacked on it. Huawei Ascend G330 review 18. Samsung Ativ S Thanks to an excellent build, good specs, beefy storage and an open body design, the Ativ S is an excellent WP8 option. While Windows Phone 8 is definitely wanting in the app department, it's still a rich enough eco-system for many, and the sleek lines of the Ativ S remind us nicely of other high-end Samsung phones. Samsung has really one-upped the competition by including a removable battery, and more importantly, microSD storage. One of our biggest complaints with the HTC 8X was its paltry 16GB of space and lack of removable storage. Quick verdict It's not the ultimate Windows Phone device, and it can be tricky to get hold of in the UK - but if you're not up for Nokia's Lumia range of Microsoft-powered devices, this should definitely be next on your list. Samsung Ativ S review See the best Samsung Ativ S deals 17. Motorola Razr HD Motorola might not be anywhere near the sharp end of the smartphone market these days (or, indeed, ever) but it still makes a half-decent fist of a mid-range smartphone. While this phone lacks in some areas (let's be honest: a dual core processor doesn't get anyone's heart racing any more, despite being able to handle most tasks you can throw at it) it still has a clear screen, a simple OS and a really strong battery at its heart. Many will be taken by the almost stock Android platform it uses, and the fact it's got an additional HDMI port means it's easy to sync your phone up to a big screen. It doesn't cost the earth, which is a key consideration as well in these financially-addled times - although you can get a Galaxy S3 for the same money. Quick verdict With interchangeable covers, you can see enough of the younger market enjoying expressing themselves with this budget option. It's fast, fluid and brings enough of the WP8 experience without costing the earth. Motorola Razr HD review See the best Motorola Razr HD deals 16. Sony Xperia S We used to love the Xperia Arc S - but we're a fickle bunch, and now Ericsson has been cast aside, we're all over the new brand like a cat on a fresh set of curtains. The Xperia S almost has too many positive points to list, with a HD screen, 12MP camera and dual-core processor all combining to make one of the finest smartphones of 2012. null : http://cms.techradar.com/article/nTvwTUjqv9D2e As you will gather from our review, the Sony Xperia S has both a quality screen and a dual-core processor that never slows down - plus that 12MP camera is still more than half-decent. Sony has also very kindly bundled lots of software with the Xperia S out of the box, which saves you having to dash to Google Play as soon as you turn on to grab vital apps. Battery life is the only slight wobble (if you don't mind a plastic casing), but it will generally last a day under normal conditions, and that's a solid enough benchmark for us. Quick verdict There are still some niggles with the Xperia S but we think it says a lot that when deciding on the pros and cons for the device, we really struggled with the cons section. It's since been bested twice with the announcement of the Sony Xperia T and then the Xperia Z with faster innards and a better screen - but that means the Xperia S has become more of a budget winner, so don't worry about the first Sony phone just yet. Sony Xperia S review Compare the best Sony Xperia S deals Best Mobile phone: 15-11 15. Motorola Razr i Motorola's done a good job with the Razr i. It's taken a line that refuses to die quietly, injected it with a little bit of pizzaz and thrown it right out there for all and sundry. The fact that you can expand the storage by up to 64GB makes this an attractive option. And it's an easy phone to use without too much customisation to confuse Android newbies. Plus, it works well as a phone, with good signal, and provides you with a top notch, fast internet service. And let's not forget about that screen: with the edge to edge display, it really pops and fizzes in the palm, with the Super AMOLED display impressing. Quick verdict Would we recommend the Motorola Razr i to friends and family? Yes, without a second's hesitation. Because not everyone wants a phone that will drop the kids off at school, bake you a cake and give you a massage in the evening. Some want a device with little pocket imprint, with fantastic specs at a reasonable - rather than stupid - price. And that's what you're getting here. It's got a lovely small footprint and a gorgeous display, so if you're not bothered by reams of high-end specs, then you're onto a winner with the Razr i - it's only the higher price bracket that keeps it out the top ten. Motorola Razr i review Compare the best Motorola Razr i deals 14. Samsung Galaxy S2 This former number one phone in the world continues to slide down the rankings, despite still being a decent piece of hardware. That's not to take anything away from a cracking phone that is getting to a really low price these days, but it's nothing compared to its successor (and subsequent sequel). Make no mistake - this is still a great phone, thanks to the Ice Cream Sandwich update, and the design has moved from cool to iconic pretty quickly. On top of that the Jelly Bean update is rolling out apace for this ageing phone, which means for the money you can buy it for, it's still a decent choice. Don't go for a two year contract though - you could end up using a phone that's nearing hald-a-decade old. What we love about the Samsung Galaxy S II is the sheer amount of stuff that's packed in under the chassis - but more important is the way Samsung has used all that tech to create a phone that just works near-flawlessly. null : http://cms.techradar.com/article/GMc029a48EWbs The dual-core 1.2GHz processor, the Super AMOLED plus screen and the excellent sonic performance of the media player are still good enough for use, if you're not bothered about bleeding-edge speed. Recording in 1080p is a nice touch (given that it actually works most of the time) and the camera is more than enough to take great shots in a short space of time - although we suggest you check out the phones higher in this list for more powerful snappers. In short, be it internet browsing, navigation, media, or social networking- the Samsung Galaxy S2 is still more than good enough for all those functions in one phone. Quick verdict The Samsung Galaxy S2 has sold many millions of units worldwide - and It's a cracking media mobile, still next generation in web browsing thanks to slick Flash integration, a very good replacement for a pocket camcorder and, goshdarnit, it makes calls pretty well too. The Samsung Galaxy S II not only set a new bar for smartphones in 2011; it smashed the bar, recreated it in its own image and even managed to see off the competition of an Apple smartphone that doesn't drop signal all over the place - but now it's been usurped by more powerful devices. Samsung Galaxy S2 review Compare the best Samsung Galaxy S2 deals 13. Sony Xperia T The Sony Xperia T took over from the Sony Xperia S as the Japanese company's new flagship device, but borrows the design found on the popular, but now aging Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc and Arc S. Now the Xperia Z has emerged as the first 'true' Sony phone, there's no doubt this handset's time in the sun is setting, but as 007's phone of choice it still one to check out, thanks to sweet design and innards. It runs Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich and is powered by a 1.5GHz dual-core processor, with a 4.6-inch display boasting Sony's Bravia TV technology and on the back of the handset you'll find the 13MP camera – one of this phone's best features. FutTv : 13CpTLixf4v5K Jelly Bean is being delivered for this phone in the near future too, so you won't end up with last year's software if you still fancy spending on Sony. That being said, when compared with the earlier Sony Xperia S, or some of the other flagship Android handsets, the difference is negligible. Quick verdict The Sony Xperia T is a very, very good phone. Everything about it is slick and well-executed and the performance is certainly what we expect from the Japanese firm. Despite opting for a dual-core processor over a quad-core option, the Xperia T doesn't lag and navigating the interface is smooth and easy - one to watch if you like a decent Bravia screen but aren't bothered about it being waterproof, like the newer model. Sony Xperia T review Compare the best Sony Xperia T deals 12. HTC One X+ The HTC One X was an odd handset - not in the design (lovely) or the features (top-end) - but that it's seen as a 'renaissance' phone for the firm, despite its success in such a short time. It took that design, threw out the bits that don't work and had another go... while adding a '+' on the end to show it's all new and shiny. It's addressed storage concerns and improved web browser efficiency and the always reliable HTC keyboard – although the battery is still a bit of a sore point. Obviously now the HTC One has popped up, this phone is much less relevant than it once was... but camera and design aside it's not a million miles away from the impressive force of the One. The beefed up processor along with the Android 4.1 and Sense 4+ UI updates makes the One X+ an even slicker, smoother and more powerful customer than its older brother. The already excellent HTC keyboard has once again been given further improvements making it even better and for the first time we didn't feel the need to download an alternative from Google Play – kudos HTC - and LOOK! It comes in red and black with 64GB of storage. Quick verdict There are so many things to love about the One X+ and it really is a great smartphone. It's fallen down thanks to no longer being HTC's new child, but it's still worthy of its place among the greats. However, we urge you to look at the HTC One before deciding on the One X+ - if you're not enamoured by the fancy new features, then you'll still get a very good phone here. HTC One X+ review Compare the best HTC One X+ deals 11. BlackBerry Z10 BlackBerry is back - there's no doubt about that after the huge launch of the BlackBerry Z10 and it's new BB10 operating system. The lateness of said launch caused some to question the relevance of the phones, but there's no doubt it's still a phone that ticks a lot of boxes. The BlackBerry Z10's Peek function, interesting camera features and ability to offer you a work and life balance, which will appeal to a lot of people who struggle to carry around two handsets when the office won't let you bring the iPhone in. The Z10 has a quality finish as well as a clever interface, and the expandable storage, removable battery and Adobe Flash support are all small wins for the Z10 and will help as it tries to stand out in a crowded market. Quick verdict The Z10 is a decent smartphone offering up a strong range of features and a fancy new operating system that may catch the eye of the technologically adventurous. It does pretty much everything we'd expect from a high-end device and there are no major flaws to go running to the presses about. It's only the lack of any real cutting-edge features to mark it out that keeps it from going higher in our list, so if you're all about BlackBerry, then this phone won't disappoint. BlackBerry Z10 review See the best BlackBerry Z10 deals Number 10: LG Optimus 4X HD 10. LG Optimus 4X HD If it hadn't been for the Galaxy S3 and the HTC One X, there is no doubt about it – the LG Optimus 4X HD would be one of the best phones out there, once upon a time. Its specs are fantastic. The trouble is, LG has released this handset just too late, which means it doesn't offer anything mind-blowing or really that alternative. null : http://cms.techradar.com/article/m9ggKn1nDH73G However, it's a media powerhouse, has sleek lines and has power in spades - plus a better battery than the One X, with the same chipset. In summary, we do recommend it – it's a cracking piece of kit. And if you can get it on a good deal (of which there are many right now), we say 'go for it', but there's no real reason to pick this over a Samsung Galaxy SIII, an HTC One X or even a One S, with the last option impressing hugely on the design front. Quick verdict A fantastic phone that really joins the benchmark level set a few months ago, rather than breaking new ground. It's been usurped by the much-cheaper Google Nexus 4, so unless you're a massive fan of the user interface (which is pretty good) you'll probably enjoy the stock Android experience more. LG Optimus 4X HD review Compare the best LG Optimus 4X HD deals Number 9: Nokia Lumia 920 9. Nokia Lumia 920 What's better than a top Windows Phone 7 handset? A Windows Phone 8 one, and we've got no qualms about telling you this is the best Windows Phone out there. Simplicity is the key here, the Lumia 920 does the basics well, from contact integration and calling, to web browsing and messaging. The camera is market-leading, and offers excellent performance from low-light to jumpy videos. The 8MP camera on the back of the Lumia 920 is actually one of the best we've used, and for anyone looking to get a top end cameraphone: you need to seriously consider this Nokia, although the HTC One is encroaching on its territory. The 4.5-inch display is also a good'un, crisp and clear it makes watching movies, surfing the web or Facebook stalking an enjoyable experience, thanks to the PureMotion HD technology on offer. And you can even use it with gloves on... what more could you want? You're right: hologram messages. But they don't exist yet. Quick verdict The Nokia Lumia 920 is a worthy ambassador for Windows Phone 8 and if the Finnish firm continue to build and improve on this handset, it could well make a glorious return to the mobile market. It's not got the clout to take on the likes of the HTC One and Galaxy S4 just yet, but there's not doubt in our minds that the once-great brand is slowly getting closer to the summit. Nokia Lumia 920 review Compare the best Lumia 920 deals Number 8: HTC One S 8. HTC One S There are few phones we play with where we think that we have the complete package and would happily give five stars. The HTC One S would have had five stars had it not been for the 16GB memory cap and non-HD screen. Of course, it's getting on a bit in smartphone terms now, but it goes ahead of the HTC One X+ thanks to a) a lower price, b) a new Jelly Bean update and a design that we think betters even the HTC One. It's micro-arc oxidisation, and we challenge you to find one person who owns this phone who doesn't love the feel of the back. It's not got a superbly high resolution screen, the internal memory isn't good enough for many and it probably won't go above Jelly Bean in terms of software. But let's not get caught up with negativity here: if you're not bothered about a massive memory (which most people aren't), you probably can't do much better now for a mid-range phone. The HTC One S is a beautiful handset blessed with beautiful capabilities and is available at very palatable price points. Quick verdict HTC could have launched the One S and not bothered with the One X in many ways - it's a beautiful handset blessed with a nice skin and the latest version of Android in the shape of Jelly Bean. It's more of an evolution of the HTC Sensation range: slimmed down, nicer finish and far more feature-rich - and you will struggle to put it down once you've popped it in your hand. HTC One S review Compare the best HTC One S deals Number 7: Nokia Lumia 520 7. Nokia Lumia 520 The Nokia Lumia 520, much like its big brother the Nokia Lumia 620, is a jack of all trades and a master of none - although it really manages to make a good fist of everything it tries, for the price. It looks good, it's got a decent screen both in terms of size and resolution, it rarely stutters or slows down, it's great for calls and messaging, reasonable for media and okay for photos. To achieve a lower price point the 520 has had to strip away a few things - there's no NFC, compass, camera flash or front facing camera here. But on the other hand it's also got a bigger screen, a larger battery, a sleeker, slimmer, lighter build and the same processor and RAM as the Nokia Lumia 620, so in many ways it's actually better. Combine that with a lower price tag and we reckon that this just might be the best entry level Windows Phone 8 handset that you can buy and certainly the best value. Quick verdict The Nokia Lumia 520 certainly isn't an iPhone or Samsung Galaxy beater - but it's a sueprb Windows Phone device that you can pick up for under £100. If you're a fan of a simple interface with some quality add-ons, then you should definitely look at Nokia's latest attempt to win over the smartphone naysayers. Number 6: Samsung Galaxy Note 2 6. Samsung Galaxy Note 2 Many (including us, we admit) were not convinced when the original Samsung Galaxy Note launched. Who on earth would want something so big to make their calls and surf the internet, even with a glorified stylus? Cue awkward silence. Millions of you, it would appear. The Galaxy Note sold by the bucketload, so how do you follow that up? With something better, of course - the Samsung Galaxy Note 2. Faster, stronger, better looking, and more functional, the Galaxy Note 2 is better connected than ever, and thanks to that increased screen size (up to an eye-bulging 5.5-inches), is, among many things, a quality media player. Samsung has achieved something special here, because it has made the Galaxy Note 2 bigger than the original, but pulls it off so that you don't notice it too much and anyway, it's the features that make it so amazing. Air View, Multi-window, a dock that can turn it into a fully-fledged computer - it's all here, people, and while the Galaxy S4 builds on top of it nicely, for the larger-screened range this is the king. FutTv : EGW24NiNhq6ly Quick verdict As a phone, it's big, but once you get over that, if you can, it's great. As a PMP, it really does excel, and as a web communicator, it is almost second to none (though we can't fully get the taste of Flash absence out of our mouth). Ultimately, there's no getting away from the fact that the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 is a niche device. But it does almost everything it sets out to do perfectly, with grace, class and maximum functionality. And if you're in the market for a larger smartphone or a small tablet, there really is no better device. Samsung Galaxy Note 2 review Compare the best Samsung Galaxy Note 2 deals Number 5: Google Nexus 4 5. Google Nexus 4 Google and LG have worked together to bring to market a fantastic offering, one that even Apple fans can't help but coo over when they hear the price. The fact of the matter is that this is a handset with world class specs – yet it's at a cost you'd expect to get a budget phone for. Sure, there are a few things that could have been done better, but the positives definitely outweigh the negatives. The Nexus 4 is beautifully designed with a stunning display and rocking the latest version of Android. It has more connectivity than a telephone exchange and even excels in the simple matter of making calls. We're not fans of the lower memory allowance, and it's not got the best screen on the market, and there will be a few that see stock Android 4.2 as too stripped-down to consider it a valid phone OS choice; more a platform for the big hitters to build on. But that doesn't mean it's not a fantastic handset - it would have competed even without the insanely low price tag. Quick verdict Make no mistake – this is the best Nexus handset so far by a long shot. We love it and can't recommend it highly enough. It was a contender for the top spot at launch, although it's fallen just short ahead of intense competition. If you're due a new phone and aren't willing to spend the big bucks, you should check the Google Nexus 4 out without delay. Nexus 4 review Compare the best Google Nexus 4 deals Number 4: iPhone 5 4. iPhone 5 Did you see this one coming? The iPhone 5 now behind three other Android phones in our rankings? Some think it should be higher, some think lower - it depends on your level of Apple love. Never has a company polarised opinion in the smartphone world like Apple - and with the iPhone 5, so many are quick to decry it while others know it to be the smartphone they've been waiting for. And let's make no bones about it: this is a stunning phone, with a gorgeous two-tone finish, a high-res screen that's been extended to four inches and an efficient yet powerful core. FutTv : uST651wdM1VK5 The iOS 6 update is a good one, and while some feel it to be ageing slightly, many see it as doing exactly what they want... and given Apple has built it smartphone reputation on simplicity, this makes sense. However, it's not all cookies and cream for Apple, as it's ditched the Google Maps app for something that's not as slick or well-stocked in its own Maps app, which had some issues at birth. However, it's certainly picked up more recently, and you can just download Google Maps anyway if you don't want to take the risk. The main problem we have with this phone, spec list aside, is the fact the iPhone 5 is STILL very expensive... we're not sure how such sky high prices can be charged when equivalent smartphones are available on the market. Quick verdict Let's not beat around the bush here: the iPhone 5 is still one of the great smartphones in the world thanks to a great package of technology, design and UI intuition. iOS definitely needs an update, and we'll always hope for a price decrease soon... but there's no doubt the competition is starting to outstrip Apple's bullet-proof reliability and simplicity of use. iPhone 5 review Compare the best iPhone 5 deals Number 3: Sony Xperia Z 3. Sony Xperia Z Sony's new handset is most definitely the most impressive the firm has launched either in its current guise or as Sony Ericsson. The latest handset should always be the best, obviously, but the Xperia Z is a real, real step forward. You can see the Sony influence throughout the handset as it oozes quality and build from the large screen, which fits close to the edges of the bezel, to the intelligent camera that allows you to snap some really premium photos without needing to fiddle about with the settings. And it's water and dust resistant too, which makes it excellent for general life business. There's a certain freedom that comes from knowing that the heart-stopping moment of your phone falling in a pint of beer is gone for good. It's also packing a microSD card slot in an impossibly thin chassis, for which we laud the phone even higher. Add to that the Bravia Engine 2, which can upscale standard definition movies and bring your content to life, and you've got a real matchwinning phone in your hands. There will be an outcry from many that wonder how it's managed to climb above the iPhone - we deliberated for a long time between the two, but the fact is that spec for spec, the Xperia Z beats the iPhone 5 down. It's not all about the numbers though, which is why the fact the Xperia Z uses those specs so well - a crisper video experience, a more powerful camera, being waterproof, expandable memory - gives it the boost it needed to enter the top three. Quick verdict While it doesn't quite pack the clout of the phones from HTC and Samsung, the Xperia Z is a phone that says Sony is definitely back at the sharp end of the smartphone game. There's still (a small amount of) room for improvement, as the screen can look a bit washed out from some angles, but there's no doubt that if Sony keeps us this pace it will be vying for the top spot in no time at all - we just don't know what Sony will call it. Number 2: Samsung Galaxy S3 2. Samsung Galaxy S3 What's happened here? Samsung off the top spot? Surely not! Your eyes aren't deceiving you: the HTC One is a better phone - although we haven't had the Samsung Galaxy S4 in for review yet. The S3 is still a wondrous phone: it's got every kind of feature we could ask for and more, and raised the bar once again in terms of what consumers should be expecting in terms of battery life, processor speed and media management. Would we recommend you buy one if you're hankering for a spot of Samsung? Yes, but we would urge you to wait a bit to see what the S4 will do for you. If you're torn between this and an HTC One, it's a very difficult one to call – but the latter has a crisper screen, better design and superior camera for the general user, which is what you get for your extra wonga. It still bests the iPhone 5 - for starters, Google Maps works properly. And it's nearly £130 cheaper. And it has a bigger screen, which we think is winning. That's not the only reason the Samsung Galaxy S3 is worthy of consideration. Smart Stay, Super AMOLED HD screen, up to 128GB storage, Music Hub, removable battery, quick camera... we're getting tired listing all the great things it does. The design didn't impress us as much as when we first laid eyes on the S2, but that's the only big issue we could find - and it's enough for us to get very excited about the Galaxy S4 as the next round in the smartphone battle begins. Quick verdict If you waited feverishly for the Samsung Galaxy S3, you won't be disappointed. It's fast, it's sleek and it packs the latest technology that will get your pulse racing. Samsung faced an almost impossible task in trying to create a worthy sequel to the Galaxy S2, and while it's not longer top dog, it's at least getting more palatable in terms of price - plus is nimble enough to take down the newer and better-specified Sony Xperia Z. Samsung Galaxy S3 review Compare the best Samsung Galaxy S3 deals Number 1: HTC One 1. HTC One Well, here's something of a shock if you're a Samsung fan – after nearly two years of dominance, the Korean brand has fallen from the top spot. It's nothing to do with the quality of the S3 – it's still an outstanding phone – but more the fact HTC has managed to bring out a smartphone that's worthy of any user's consideration. The supreme aluminium chassis, the Full HD screen and the simplified version of Sense 5.0 sitting on top of Android Jelly Bean means it's a pleasure to use and recommend this handset. The new innovations are also pleasingly more than just marketing gimmicks; Zoe functionality allows the creation of delightful video highlight reels, and the Ultrapixel camera means you've got a much wider range of shots available thanks to being stunning in low light. The only reason this isn't a five star phone is the slightly off-key battery, which can leak juice if you're power-creating videos or watching reams of video, but for day to day use it will be acceptable for most. Of course, this could be a rather short lived time at the top, depending on what Samsung offers with the Galaxy S4, but for now we're standing up and applauding HTC for showing it knows how to make a market-leading smartphone. Quick Verdict With power, poise and beauty all combined in this innovative phone, HTC has proved it can more than still cut it with the big boys when it comes to bringing out a lust-worthy flagship smartphone. HTC One review See the best HTC One deals You might also like... If a phone isn't in the top 20 best phones in the world list, that doesn't mean it's not worth giving two hoots about. Here's a few handsets you might want to think about should none of the above tickle your fancy... although you're clearly VERY hard to please: Samsung Galaxy S3 Mini 'Proper' S3 too big for you? Want to spend a little less each month on something smartphone-y? Then check out the S3 Mini, friend, as it's got a lot of the key features of the bigger brother. You're getting S Beam, a powerful camera with burst mode, Super AMOLED screen, NFC and 1GB of RAM. Yeah, we know. It's not bad. It pales in comparison to the bigger model, but then again, the smaller-handed don't want all that heft in their pocket or bag. In which case, this is a winner. Samsung Galaxy S3 Mini review HTC Desire C The HTC Desire C is better than the handsets it's come in to replace, but not by much. The intuitive interface, attractive design and competitive price tag means the Desire C certainly has the opportunity to do well at the low end of the market – especially against the likes of the Samsung Galaxy Y and LG Optimus L3. But for those who need a little more bang for their buck, you might want to see what the Ascend G300 or BlackBerry Curve 9320 have to offer. HTC Desire C review Samsung Galaxy Ace 2 A warning signal to its handset competitors, Samsung's reign of power is quickly moving away from the one-off flagship Galaxy S devices, with the Ace 2 firmly rooting itself as a mid-market challenger with a near budget price point that will appeal to many. Not the most media savvy of devices on the market, the Ace 2 makes up for small niggles and limited features by mastering what it offers. Exceeding expectation on multiple fronts, the second-generation would be a wise buy for any first time or returning smartphone owner. Samsung Galaxy Ace 2 review Compare the best Samsung Galaxy Ace 2 deals Sony Xperia J In true budget handset fashion, the Sony Xperia J comes with a £200 price tag but with a boatload of features on top of that. We're fans of the design of the Sony Xperia J, bringing back the look from the old Sony Ericssons and updating it with a smooth, stylish finish that sits nicely in the hand. Battery life is also impressive, as more and more smartphones struggle to get through a day the Xperia J will happily chug through at least two, if not more with careful use. It's also got the Android Jelly Bean update on the way too, which is going to improve things such as lag in the interface and camera, so perhaps wait for that before shelling out. Sony Xperia J review BlackBerry Curve 9320 What we like about the BlackBerry Curve 9320 is that it's honest. It's not trying to be better than it is and is quite happy to portray itself as a budget smartphone with a few little extras. And for the people it's aimed at - those who want a phone that makes calls, sends texts/emails and has a good battery - it comes up trumps. Web browsers and cameras are nice to have, but won't swing a sale here. So on that basis, it gets a thumbs up. The only problem we had when it came out was value for money, since it was fairly expensive for what it offered. The BlackBerry Curve 9320 has now come down to a much more reasonable price of around £99 - and given BlackBerry 10 isn't coming to this segment of the smartphone market any time soon, it's still worth looking at if you can't handle not having a keyboard. BlackBerry Curve 9320 review New mobile phones 2013 - what's coming up? Of course, there's always a chance you don't give two hoots about the phones we've listed here, and want to know what shining lights are set to glimmer into focus in 2013. With MWC 2013 out of the way, we've got a pretty clear picture of how the mobile landscape is shaping up, and with many of you months away from your contract upgrade, here's a selection of new phones to whet your appetite: Samsung Galaxy S4 The Samsung Galaxy S4. The phone everyone wants to check out, and then probably buy. The most pre-registered phone ever with some retailers. And the handset that brings a hugely impressive screen in a phone that's SMALLER than its predecessor. We loved our short time with it at its launch in New York, and while it's an incremental update that doesn't add anything that we haven't seen on other phones in terms of features, the overall packaging is hugely impressive. We can't wait to get this beauty in our labs for more in-depth testing, as the internet, media, camera and more all offer so much to play with. Let's hope that battery holds up, eh? Hands on: Samsung Galaxy S4 review Nokia Lumia 720 The Lumia 720 doesn't have the high end features we've come to expect from the more expensive Lumias but it does have a decent spec sheet for something that's bound to be available on next-to-nothing contracts. When it comes to making affordable smartphones, Nokia is still the daddy here - and while it doesn't seem like the 720 has a place between the 620 and 820, at least choice is still on the table for users. Hands on: Nokia Lumia 720 review LG Optimus L7 2 The LG Optimus L7 2 is a surprisingly capable budget smartphone which offers up plenty of features for not a lot of cash - although the naming of it will confuse potential buyers aplenty. We were impressed with its 8MP camera, stylish design and smooth operation, although web surfing could do with a bit of a boost. Out of the three new L-Series 2 handsets the LG Optimus L7 2 is our favourite and we reckon it will offer consumers pretty decent value for money when it lands later this year. Hands on: LG Optimus L7 2 review Nokia Lumia 520 We rather like the Lumia 520 - Nokia clearly has a market in mind for the device and has given it a price point to match, and it sits happily at the bottom of the smartphone pile, for a low-end price of around £200 at the moment. It's not a handset for those who really want a decent Windows Phone, but rather it's one for those who want a budget smartphone that has a half-decent OS. For that type of purchaser, the cheap and cheerful nature of the 520 will surely appeal. Hands on: Nokia Lumia 520 review Samsung Galaxy Young The Samsung Galaxy Young is a phone that you can imagine the younger teenager who wants a modern smartphone asking for at their birthday. It won't cost that much money to pick up without a contract, and with the ability to set data limits on the phone, parents will be happy that they won't be hit with whopping bills. It's an uninspiring phone for the spec-hungry fan, but it copies the Samsung Galaxy S3 styling and for that reason alone we can see a few skirt hems being tugged as children give their parents the big eyes when looking for a new phone Hands on: Samsung Galaxy Young review. Samsung Galaxy Xcover 2 The Samsung Galaxy Xcover 2 is one of the better phones we saw at MWC 2013, simply because it was a different proposition to the rest of the identikit Samsung Galaxy family. We didn't get to dunk it underwater, which is still a favourite test of all mobile phone reviewers, but we're pretty confident it can stand the heat. Also literally. If you're in the market for a tough, attractive next-gen smartphone, the Samsung Galaxy Xcover 2 could certainly be worth checking out. Hands on: Samsung Galaxy Xcover 2 review Sony Xperia SP Although not blessed with the looks or specs of the Xperia Z, the Sony Xperia SP is a phone that still deserves a raised eyebrow of appreciation thanks to the combination of spec list and likely price. The body is smooth and feels quality in the hand, and with an impressive screen, Android 4.1 and an 8MP camera, alongside NFC and 4G, this spec list wouldn't look too out of place on a new flagship phone from another firm right now – and with a lower price, that's an ace notion. Hands on: Sony Xperia SP review ZTE Grand S Taking a look at the specs the ZTE Grand S looks to be a blockbuster of a phone and one which could easily trump the big boys of the mobile market, with a full HD 5-inch display, 1.7GHz quad-core processor, 2GB of RAM, 13MP camera, 4Gconnectivity and Android Jelly Bean The reality however is not so great, with a sluggish interface and disappointing screen quality seriously wounding the Grand S.. Perhaps ZTE will be able to iron out the kinks before the handset hit shelves, but we're not holding our breath. The Grand S will need a pretty special price tag if it's going to succeed. Hands on: ZTE Grand S review Huawei Ascend Mate The line between smartphone and tablet continues to blur and the Huawei Ascend Mate does nothing to help the situation. Huawei wants you to ditch your tablet in favour of the Ascend Mate, which in its eyes can double as both a slate and a phone. We're not completely sold on that philosophy and tend to sway towards the theory that a 6.1-inch phone is pretty mad – verging on unnecessary. Hands on: Huawei Ascend Mate review Related Stories Archos prepping an awesome foursome of smartphones The tide may be changing for Nokia as it sees best ever Lumia sales Updated: Samsung Galaxy S4 release date and price: When can I get it? ZTE's Tegra 4 powerhouse has impressive spec sheet leaked LG Optimus G2 confirmed and set to do battle with Galaxy S4 Siri shares all your secrets with Apple for two years Apr 19th 2013, 15:35 Apple has confirmed that Siri hangs on to all your voice-commanded data for two years after privacy concerns were raised. However, Apple says the data is anonymised after six months so Apple doesn't know exactly who asked what. Apple spokeswoman Trudy Muller explained to Wired: "Apple may keep anonymised Siri data for up to two years. If a user turns Siri off, both identifiers are deleted immediately along with any associated data." Traitor When you speak to Siri, it squirrels your voice data off to Apple so the company can analyse it - but associates it with a randomly generated identifying number rather than your Apple user ID or your email address. After six months, your data files are disconnected from this random number, and after another eighteen months the voice file is deleted. The company says it uses your voice data to test features and make upgrades - but if you've been telling Siri all your secret hopes and fears (or just revealing your otherwise-hidden love for fried chicken or something more embarrassing) then it may come as a shock to know that some Apple engineer could have listened in. Siri is only just now approaching its second birthday, so everything you've ever confided in it is still accessible. Related Stories Now Larry Page is talking up Motorola's upcoming products Nokia's Elop reveals new Lumia will be a hero, more top handsets on the way Interview: What more will we see from the One's camera? HTC says a good deal UPDATED: Ultimate guide to Australian 4G Vodafone 4G speed test shows the benefit of bandwidth UPDATED: Ultimate guide to Australian 4G Apr 19th 2013, 01:50 Introduction LTE has quickly gone from a pipedream to an everyday feature in Australia. Roughly 18 months since Telstra flicked the switch, Optus has rolled out its own 4G network, while Vodafone's LTE coverage will arrive in June this year. But what exactly is 4G? How do you get it? How is it different between networks? And is it worth the money? This is TechRadar's ultimate guide to 4G in Australia. What is 4G? Simply put, 4G stands for 4th generation. It's the fourth major technology in mobile telecommunications, and delivers faster data speeds than the 3G technologies it's replacing. Confusingly, 4G can refer to two different technologies - WiMax and LTE. In Australia though, it's almost exclusively used to refer to LTE, or what's known as Long Term Evolution. Australia did have a WiMax operator in the form of Vividwireless, right up until the point they were bought out by Optus in early 2012. Optus plans on using the spectrum gained through the acquisition to enhance its own LTE network, meaning that WiMax is, for all intends and purposes, obsolete in Australia. Like previous generations of mobile technology 4G LTE works across a number of different frequencies depending on where you are in the world. In Australia, the current LTE networks use the 1800MHz spectrum. When Apple launched the new iPad and claimed it offered 4G, it was only available on the 700MHz and 2100MHz spectrums. Because no Australian carrier offers those frequencies for LTE, the ACCC took Apple to task, forcing them to change the name to "Wi-Fi + Cellular". Telstra 4G Australia's largest telco was the first to jump on the LTE train, launching its first services in October 2011. Initially only available to customers who purchased 4G dongles on 24 month contracts, the network immediately impressed pundits across the country for its speed. The Telstra LTE network uses the 1800MHz spectrum. Previously, this network was used to transmit 2G services, but with the rise of 3G-enabled devices, demand for 2G dropped enough that Telstra was able to repurpose the network for 4G. That said, earlier this year Telstra announced it would expand its LTE network using the 900MHz frequency for greater regional coverage. Telstra claims its LTE network delivers download speeds between 2Mbps and 40Mbps, while upload speeds between 1Mbps and 10Mbps. In the real world, those lofty numbers will elude you, although we've regularly experienced speeds upwards of 20Mbps. In Perth, where Telstra has access to a bit more spectrum, Telstra plans on rolling out 20MHz services that promise even faster speeds later in 2013. Perhaps the most surprising part of Telstra's 4G rollout is the fact that it doesn't charge any extra for the service. If you have a 4G-enabled device that supports the 1800MHz spectrum for LTE, you will automatically connect when you hit the coverage area. Speaking of coverage, Telstra makes a big deal out of the fact its LTE network already hits 40 per cent of the population. It's also announced plans to expand that to about 66 per cent by the middle of 2013. That said, Telstra isn't looking to retire NextG just yet, the the HSPA+ network still delivering high speed services to 99 per cent of the population. Getting connected Telstra offers a couple of dongle options for connecting PCs and wireless devices to its 4G network. There's a USB dongle, and a wireless dongle, which takes the LTE signal and converts it to a wireless hotspot for multiple devices to connect to. Telstra also offers a collection of 4G-nabled handsets to purchase on a contract or outright. In addition to the much-publicised iPhone 5, Telstra also sells a 4G version of the Samsung Galaxy S3, the HTC One, Sony Xperia Z, BlackBerry Z10, Nokia Lumia 920 and the Samsung Galaxy Note 2. Telstra has announced that it has already got over 1.5 million LTE-enabled devices connected to its network. That number is set to grow as more and more 4G networks hit Australia over the coming 12 months. Optus 4G Optus has been driving excitement for its 4G network for a while, previewing a demo of an LTE network to media early in 2011. It was only in early September of 2012 that Optus officially opened its LTE network for business, despite months of trials earlier in the year. The footprint of Optus' 4G network at launch was significantly smaller than Telstra's, only available in Sydney, Perth and Newcastle. Two weeks later, Optus added Melbourne to that list, before later expanding to Brisbane, Adelaide and the Gold Coast. Optus doesn't offer a theoretical minimum or maximum speed from its LTE network, but testing shows it easily as well as Telstra's network, if not better. That could have a lot to do with fewer users being signed up to the LTE network though. Using Optus 4G As the Optus 4G network has expanded, so too has the number of devices available to use it. Apple's iPhone 5 is Optus LTE compatible, and the network is also offering a 4G version of the Samsung Galaxy S3. They've also got 4G handsets like the Galaxy Note II and the HTC One SV, Nokia Lumia 820, and the BlackBerry Z10, HTC One and Sony Xperia Z. Other than that, it's just a USB or wireless dongle for connecting your computing devices to the network. One area that Optus does boast a big advantage over its competitors is in the extra spectrum it acquired as part of Vividwireless. The network has already confirmed its plans to roll out a TD-LTE network across the country, which will promise theoretical speeds of over 200Mbps and practical download speeds between 25Mbps and 87Mbps. Expected to begin rolling out in 2013, the TD-LTE network will run on the 2.3GHz spectrum, although how it interacts with the current 1800Mhz spectrum is yet to be seen. Vodafone, Virgin mobile and other 4G It's been a rough couple of years for Vodafone, but the mobile operator is hoping that the next 12 months will see it bounce back. A big part of that is the launch of its LTE network. For a long time, Vodafone has kept quiet on its plans for 4G, even going so far as to say it was waiting for the right time to launch the network, despite rolling out 4G equipment to its network towers since the start of 2011. Of course, that dormant equipment has done little to change the network's fortunes, so it's no surprise that Vodafone has put a time frame on its LTE rollout. Voda's 4G network will be switched on for consumers in June 2013. Like Telstra and Optus, Vodafone is planning on using the 1800MHz spectrum for its LTE network. The advantage of this frequency for Vodafone is that it has a lot of it, courtesy of its merger with Hutchison's Three network in 2009. In an interview on with Alan Kohler from the ABC's Inside Business program, Vodafone boss Bill Morrow confirmed that the network has about 30Mhz of spectrum in the 1800MHz band it can use for 4G. During a recent speed test using up just 20MHz of spectrum, LTE versions of the SGS3 and HTC One were able to get download speeds around the 100Mbps mark, although admittedly without any network congestion. Because it hasn't launched yet, Vodafone hasn't announced any 4G products yet, although the iPhone 5 will undoubtedly work on the network. As Vodafone rolls out the network, expect to see more in the handset department. What other options are there? Richard Branson's Australian mobile network, Virgin Mobile, has also started offering 4G services. Because Virgin Mobile just packages up Optus's network and sticks its own plans over the top, it is naturally limited to Optus' network coverage map. Similarly, iiNet has announced its plans using the Optus wholesale 4G network. But while Virgin is offering the Samsung Galaxy S3 4G handset - plus the iPhone 5 - iiNet is currently sticking to mobile data in the form of a USB and wireless dongle. Other MVNOs have joined the 3G party as well, with Vaya offering 4G plans using Optus' network, while Exetel made headlines by charging a 4G premium The 700MHz Digital Dividend spectrum In April 2013, the government will be auctioning off a chunk of spectrum from the 700MHz and the 2500MHz ranges. This spectrum will become available following the shut down of the Australian analogue television networks at the end of 2014. Wireless spectrum is pretty hard to come by, so there's plenty of interest in this, especially from telcos looking to beef up their LTE networks. The Digital Dividend spectrum, as it is known, offers the mobile carriers a vehicle in which they can not only expand their current wireless offerings, but also keep up with the rapid consumption of data that having a 4G network provides. It's expected that the amount of data consumed over mobile networks will rise by 300 per cent between now and the end of 2014. Making sure there's enough bandwidth for customers is one of the biggest challenges faced by mobile network operators, and this extra spectrum will go a long way to solving those problems. Both Telstra and Optus have publicly stated their interest in the auction, although interestingly Vodafone CEO Bill Morrow has said that his network will take a look, but probably won't bother bidding given the high prices the spectrum is expected to reach. Naturally, TechRadar will be following developments in the Digital Dividend Spectrum auction closely, so stay tuned for more. Related Stories Now Larry Page is talking up Motorola's upcoming products Nokia's Elop reveals new Lumia will be a hero, more top handsets on the way Siri shares all your secrets with Apple for two years Interview: What more will we see from the One's camera? HTC says a good deal Vodafone 4G speed test shows the benefit of bandwidth Vodafone 4G speed test shows the benefit of bandwidth Apr 19th 2013, 00:31 Vodafone is a little late to the 4G arms race. After Telstra launched LTE in 2011, and Optus followed suit with its 4G network last year, Vodafone customers are stuck waiting until June this year before they can access Vodafone's LTE network. But at a 4G speed test for journalists in Bondi this week, Vodafone showed the ace it had been hiding up its sleeve. That ace is called bandwidth. While Telstra has been offering between 10-15 MHz of bandwidth on its 4G network and Optus has been offering 10MHz, Vodafone has the capacity to offer 20MHz. This extra bandwidth can see download speeds approaching (and occasionally exceeding) 100Mbps. Feeling the need, the need for speed Using an LTE-enabled Samsung Galaxy S3 and a 4G HTC One, Vodafone first showed speeds running with 10MHz of bandwidth. While it's important to note that there was no congestion whatsoever on the service, a typical test gave us download speeds of 66 Mbps and upload speeds of 25Mbps. By comparison, we tested our Sony Xperia Z's speed using Telstra's LTE network to get download speeds of about 38Mbps and upload speeds of 16Mbps. Of course, there were other people using the Telstra 4G network, which could account for the difference. After the initial 10MHz testing, Vodafone ramped things up to 20MHz in the back end. Using the same devices, speeds increased dramatically. Download speeds regularly sat around the 95Mbps mark, while upload speeds hovered around the 50Mbps mark. On one occasion, a rival journalist even managed to crack the 100Mbps download mark. A whole new category Both the HTC One and the SGS3 are what are classed as Category 3 devices, which essentially means that they can only really hit a theoretical maximum speed of around 100Mbps. Vodafone also demoed a Category 4 device, a USB modem from Huawei, using its 4G network. Transferring a large FTP file, the modem hovered around the 150Mbps download speed. To exemplify this, the company showed four high definition movie trailers streaming over a single connection at the same time. While it was hardly a scientific example of the network's capabilities, it was impressive nonetheless. Obviously, these tests are going to be quite different to the results seen when people actually start connecting to the Vodafone 4G network. But that extra bit of bandwidth Vodafone holds could help the company regather momentum after the difficulties of the past few years. Related Stories Now Larry Page is talking up Motorola's upcoming products Nokia's Elop reveals new Lumia will be a hero, more top handsets on the way Siri shares all your secrets with Apple for two years Interview: What more will we see from the One's camera? HTC says a good deal UPDATED: Ultimate guide to Australian 4G

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