Best mobile phone: Overview
What's the best mobile phone? Our verdict on the best smartphone/best phones - constantly updated
The past 12 months have been phenomenal for smartphone lovers. There have been so many great phones released, that deciding which one is best for you can be even more exhausting than running the Tough Mudder.
Well, this is where we here at TechRadar make it easy. Because here we have our continually updated comparison of the top 20 best smartphones you can get in Australia.
The last update saw the HTC One should to the top of the pack with a bullet, with the Xperia Z coming in second. Last year's champion the Samsung Galaxy S3 slipped, but still retain third spot
But now the competition has really started to heat up. Samsung's SGS3 successor, the Galaxy S4, has hit shelves and it poses a real threat to HTC's dominance.
Similarly, the Optimus G from LG looks like an impressively solid option, although it's delayed launch in Australia may work against it.
On top of the new phones, we probably shouldn't forget the Apple iPhone 4S and iPhone 5 as viable options, and the Nokia Lumia 920 is a great role model for the Windows Phone platform.
Make sure you make your way through the whole list to find the best phone for you
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 guides:
By OS:
Here are our rankings for the best mobile phones around, currently available in Australia.
FutTv : uST651wdM1VK5Number 20: Nokia Lumia 620
20. Nokia Lumia 620
The first batch of Windows Phone 8 handsets had a lot going for them, including a pretty premium price tag. Now, a few months later, Nokia has delivered an affordable Windows handset to the Australian market.
As you'd expect given the budget nature of the handset, some aspects of the phone have been sacrificed to hit the sub-$300 price point. The biggest sacrifice being battery life, with the smaller handset just not holding enough juice to get you through a day.
The smaller size of the phone also makes typing and messaging a little cramped. But what you do get is a responsive handset with expandable storage and a very underrated operating system.
Quick verdict
Make no mistake, there are better Windows Phone devices on the market. But at the price point the Nokia is selling at, it's still a solid offering for the budget conscious, and a great introduction to the Windows Phone platform.
Number 19: Samsung Galaxy Nexus
19. Samsung Galaxy Nexus
The first 'Google phone' to come without the search giant's branding, the Samsung Galaxy Nexus is meant to be the device that preaches the power of Ice Cream Sandwich to the awe-struck Android masses - and now it's now been updated to Android Jelly Bean.
Of course, now we have the quad core power of the Google Nexus 4 to marvel over, complete with Android 4.2 this is a phone that's not as interesting to us any more.
null : http://cms.techradar.com/article/eOd39Ttiohmr7The screen still looks fantastic though as it's 4.65-inches with a resolution of 720 x 1280, giving a ppi of 316. It really is super sharp. We would have expected nothing less, with Samsung's mobile displays among the best out there, but it's cracking for internet and video.
Quick verdict
The Samsung Galaxy Nexus is mostly buoyed by the presence of Jelly Bean, but the high-quality screen, slim chassis and fast processing speeds make it a top device in our eyes. It's starting to show its age now, despite the similarities with the Samsung Galaxy S3 - but it's still a darn good phone.
Number 18: Sony Xperia S
18. 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 new 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/nTvwTUjqv9D2eAs you will gather from our review, the Sony Xperia S has both an amazing screen and a dual-core processor that never slows down - plus that 12MP camera is really one of the best out there.
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.
This handset may not be the cheapest (although it still costs less than the likes of the iPhone 4S and Samsung Galaxy S2 when it launched) but we are really impressed with what Sony has done for its first solo foray.
That's now been improved with the arrival of the Sony Xperia TX and the premium Sony Xperia Z, with faster innards and a better screen - but that means the Xperia S will become a budget winner hopefully, so don't worry about the first Sony phone just yet.
Number 17: Samsung Galaxy S2
17. Samsung Galaxy S2
It's frankly amazing that on the eve of the Galaxy S4's announcement, the S2 still manages to hold a place in the top 15 phones
It's a testament to how great phone this really is. Even the design has moved from cool to iconic pretty quickly. Some variants of the phone have been promised an update to Jelly Bean as well, but there's no word on when Australian carriers will push those updates through (if at all).
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/GMc029a48EWbsThe dual-core 1.2GHz processor, the Super AMOLED plus screen and the excellent sonic performance of the media player all combine to make a real doozy of a mobile phone.
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 lower 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, many millions of units worldwide. Even though the Galaxy S3 smashed it out of top spot last year, it's still a great device.
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 a more powerful device.
Number 16: iPhone 4S
16. iPhone 4S
When Apple announced this phone, 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 very 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/3hKGBOfU3Sm2oWe 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.
Quick verdict
OK, so it doesn't feel different in the pocket, and the updates don't seem to be that groundbreaking - but that doesn't matter for Apple, and the amazing camera, slick iOS 6 platform and superb display are still the things we look for.
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 still a cheaper alternative.
Number 15: HTC One S
15. 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.
We'd have even settled for 32GB in the absence of an expansion card slot. If you're a music lover, you're much better off with the Samsung Galaxy S3.
Or check out the HTC One if you're after a little bit more bang for your buck... although you'll need to spend more bucks to actually get the HD screen and quad-core processor in your pocket.
null : http://cms.techradar.com/article/EkibniFAVfGU2But 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. The HTC One S is a beautiful handset blessed with beautiful capabilities and is already 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 Ice Cream Sandwich.
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.
Number 14: BlackBerry Z10
14. BlackBerry Z10
The Z10 was meant to be the phone that brought BlackBerry back from the brink of annihilation and made the Canadian smartphone company relevant in a world of iPhone 5s and Galaxy S3s
Running the brand new BlackBerry 10 operating system, the Z10 is a lovely piece of hardware that offers plenty of fresh and exciting features to the BlackBerry stable. The peek and flow UI is intuitive, although a fundamental shift from both iOS and Android, so expect a learning curve.
It's not the only BlackBerry 10 handset due out this year - the company is also bringing the QWERTY keypad Q10, as well as promising an update to the Playbook tablet to BB10.
The biggest challenge the company faces is the availability of apps. While there has been plenty of pushing for developers to jump over to the platform, at this early stage there is still a lack of truly premium, must have applications available to purchase.
Quick verdict
BlackBerry is definitely in a race for third with Microsoft at this stage of the platform's release, but it has certainly delivered a well-featured functioning product in the Z10.
The problem is that after five years, Android devices are finally reaching a comfortable level of maturity in both performance and usability, which BlackBerry doesn't have.
And given the Z10 costs around the same as the Sony Xperia Z, iPhone 5 and Samsung Galaxy S3, it's hard to recommend over those rivals.
Number 13: Motorola Razr HD
13. Motorola Razr HD
Exclusive to Telstra as a way to showcase its 4G network, the Razr HD is the bigger, higher-specced version of the Razr M.
The Razr HD gets its name from the 1280 x 720p resolution of the 4.7-inch screen. The LTE connectivity is paired with a 1.5GHz dual-core processor, while an update to Jelly Bean late last year gives the handset a buttery-smooth finish.
But despite the Google connection, the Razr HD still remains a step behind the leading Android handsets of last year, like the Galaxy S3 and HTC One XL.
While rumours promise the first Google-tastic handset to come from Motorola, the Motorola X, this is still the best the company has to offer, and it's nothing to ignore.
Quick verdict
Performing that constant juggle between battery life and LTE connection speeds, the Razr HD is yet another weapon in Telstra's arsenal to push its 4G network.
The phone is a good one, let down only by questionable battery life and copious amounts of Telstra bloatware. But it still feels undernourished compared to the top of the line handsets, which is why it fails to crack the top 10.
Number 12: Sony Xperia TX
12. Sony Xperia TX
Good enough for James Bond in Skyfall, the Xperia TX was Sony's flagship before the superb Xperia Z arrived
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.
Sony has produced another impressive smartphone that offers the functionality and performance we're looking for in a top-level handset.
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 TX is a very, very good phone. Everything about it is slick and well-executed and the performance is certainly what we expect from a $600 device.
However, the Xperia S was a very, very good phone. When a new model comes out, we look for it to improve upon the previous one and unfortunately, hand on heart; this doesn't improve on the last generation of smartphones as much as it should - so that's why it just pips the S, but doesn't challenge the leading pack in our top 20.
Number 11: Nokia Lumia 920
11. 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 8MP camera on the back of the Lumia 920 is one of the best we've used and for anyone looking to get a top end cameraphone you need to seriously consider this Nokia.
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: holograms. 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 Galaxy S3 just yet, but there's not doubt in our minds that the once-great brand is slowly getting closer to the summit.
Number 10: HTC One XL
10. HTC One XL
Telstra went on the offensive for its 4G network last year, taking the superb HTC One X and launching a 4G version in the shape of the One XL.
Packed into an identical shell as the One X, the One XL traded HSPA connectivity for LTE, and swapped out the quad core processor for a dual core one
Even though the LTE connectivity was a blow to the phone's battery life, the handset is still one of the best on the market and a perfect showcase for the benefits of LTE. At least it was until the HTC One came out, which kind of blew the One XL out of the water.
Mind you, if LTE isn't a necessary selling point, the One X is still a fantastic option. Alternatively, Samsung also released a 4G version of its award winning Galaxy S3, which combines LTE with a quad-core processor for even more power.
Quick verdict
With a recent upgrade to Jelly Bean, the One XL is a superb phone that showcases the benefits of Telstra's 4G network. It may not have the longest battery life, but with HTC Sense 4+ on board, and a stunning design, it's a great phone that has plenty to offer users.
Number 9: HTC One X
9. HTC One X
The HTC One X is 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.
The likes of the HTC Sensation and Salsa were seen as overly complicated, so HTC has taken things back to what it knows: making beautiful hardware fused with a top-end skin.
The polycarbonate shell is smooth and premium-feeling in the hand, and the large 4.7-inch HD screen might not be OLED but it's certainly crisp and clear - and we haven't even mentioned the quad-core processor beating at the heart of the One X.
null : http://cms.techradar.com/article/thsmrLR4WV5CFThere's only one downside - well, two if you're a fan of expandable storage, since this 32GB-imbued monster doesn't have a microSD slot - and that's the battery. It's OK, but many will find it doesn't last the full day in many usage scenarios, and that's a problem.
It's dropped a few spots with this update, thanks to the release of the brilliant HTC One and impressive Xperia Z, but it's still worth checking out, especially if you can grab it for a bargain.
Quick verdict
It's important not to judge the HTC One X on the battery life issue - make no mistake, this is a phone that is worthy of any pocket.
The design and software integration is enough to inspire lust in any phone buyer, and the range of included apps is superb - you won't regret owning a One X, especially if you're not a power user.
Number 8: LG Optimus G
8. LG Optimus G
LG spent the best part of 2012 focusing on capturing the Aussie prepaid smartphone market with cheap and cheerful smartphones for the budget conscious.
Of course, that affordability meant that none of them were overly good when compared to the top of the line handsets from Samsung and Apple.
This year, LG is hoping to tackle the top end with its Optimus G smartphone. While initially launched in Korea last year, the handset finally hit Australian shelves earlier this year.
Unfortunately, that delay has held the company back from cracking the top five handsets, with the likes of the HTC One and Xperia Z surpassing LG's best efforts.
Not only that, but the G launched after the Korean company announced its successor, the Optimus G Pro, at Mobile World Congress this year.
Quick verdict
All that aside, it's important to note that the Optimus G is far from a bad phone. It's just that it's not as good as the competition on the market.
Buying an Optimus G still gets you a powerful quad-core Android device, Its premium glass finish feels and looks great, and there are some genuinely remarkable experiences to be found under the operating system.
But ultimately we want more from LG, especially in a market dominated by the HTC One and SGS4.
Number 7: Samsung Galaxy S3
7. Samsung Galaxy S3
With the Samsung Galaxy S4 now launched, the S3 has predictably fallen down the rankings thanks to there being a better phone to recommend.
But don't worry: 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 only if you're trying to save money, as the S4 is a much better version of this phone indeed.
Price isn't the only reason the Samsung Galaxy S3 is worthy of consideration though. 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 proven popular enough for MILLIONS of you to have bought it thus far, showing that it's still a cutting edge smartphone for some.
With Android 4.2 on the way as well, there's still life in this once-leading phone - just make sure you check out the S4 first.
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 a number of newer phones too.
Number 6: Samsung Galaxy Note 2
6. Samsung Galaxy Note 2
It hasn't even been a year since the original Samsung Galaxy Note launched. Many (including us, we admit) were not convinced. 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), now takes the crown in our eyes as the perfect 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 the fact that it launches running Android Jelly Bean and has such grunt with that quad-core processor makes this a class-leading phone.
YouTube : youtubeurlv=HRA9EsH9-CoQuick verdict
As a phone, it's big, but once you get over that, if you can, it's great. As a media player, 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.
Number 5: Google Nexus 4
5. Google Nexus 4
Google and LG have worked together to bring to market a fantastic offering. We showed it to two friends who are both Apple fans. The kind of people who shower in holy water if they're exposed to Android. Both of them were smitten.
The fact of the matter is that this is a handset with world class specs – yet it's at a price 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 Telstra phone exchange and even excels in the simple matter of making telephone 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 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 stupidly 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 is seriously a contender for our best smartphone of 2012, although it's fallen just short ahead of intense competition. If you're due a new phone, you should check the Google Nexus 4 out without delay.
Number 4: iPhone 5
4. Apple iPhone 5
Did you see this one coming? The iPhone 5 in at fourth place in our rankings? Some thought higher, some thought lower - it depends on your level of Apple bias.
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 superbly high-res screen that's been extended to four inches and an efficient yet powerful core.
FutTv : uST651wdM1VK5The 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 its 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.
Sure, you'll get turn by turn directions, but given some places are listed incorrectly or missing, combined with some of the laughable 3D modelling in the flyover mode, it's not Apple's finest hour.
Plus the iPhone 5 is 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 one of the best 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... and if it wasn't for that and the Maps issue, the iPhone 5 might have been higher in our rankings.
Number 3: Sony Xperia Z
3. Sony Xperia Z
The Japanese technology giant needed to pull out the big guns this year if it was seriously going to compete in the smartphone race.
While handsets like the Xperia S and Xperia TX were solid, they never really threatened the market leaders thanks to irregular software updates and an overbearing UI.
The Xperia Z changes all that. Stunningly designed with a massive, gorgeous 1080p 5-inch screen, rocking a quad-core processor and squeezing in 2GB RAM and LTE connectivity, the Xperia Z is an amazingly well-specced device.
But it's also well designed. Water and dust resistant thanks to covered connection ports all over the device mean you can literally drop the phone in the fish tank and rescue it without fear of destroying the phone.
Quick verdict
The Xperia Z is the phone we've always wanted Sony to make. Stunningly crafted, packed full of the latest technology, and available at a reasonable price, the Xperia Z should help drive Sony back towards the top of marketshare mountain.
Unfortunately for Sony, it has timed its run back to the top tier at a time when Samsung is set to unveil its Galaxy S4 and HTC has just launched the HTC One.
Number 2: Samsung Galaxy S4
2. Samsung Galaxy S4
All change at the top! Samsung managed to hold off HTC at the top in 2012, but this year the supreme stylings of the HTC One proved too strong against a phone that's a slightly-better-version of its predecessor.
Well, that's not really fair - it's only in looks that it's too similar, and sadly that was one of the biggest issues most users had with the S3. It's not the world's biggest smartphone crime, but it's enough to keep it from the top spot.
There's a lot, a lot, to love with the Samsung Galaxy S4 though: whether it's a powerful camera, a brilliant screen, a long-lasting battery or just a fluid experience, there's everything you could want in a smartphone right here.
The cost is a tad higher than on other smartphones, but thankfully still cheaper than iPhone level. If only it was made out of something a little more premium...
Verdict
There's no doubt that this is one of the best smartphone ever made - it's clear, powerful and does everything we'd expect a flagship phone from Samsung to do.
It's just a shame that the perceived 'innovation' doesn't really add anything: motion gestures, smart scroll and it's other non-contact bedfellows didn't take smartphones to the next level, which is what we needed in the face of Ultrapixels and BoomSound.
Make no mistake though: you'll love the Samsung Galaxy S4 if you choose to go for it, as it's an amazing phone with some really cutting-edge features.
Number 1: HTC One
1. HTC One
With a less than stellar past couple of years, HTC has pulled out all the stops with its latest flagship.
While the name seems a little confusing given it has dropped a letter from last year's One X, inside is an all new phone packed full of awesome features designed to give the user a much fuller mobile experience.
From Zoe, the camera function that creates video highlight reels, and BoomSound, for better speaker performance. Sense has been given a complete overhaul as well.
It's not perfect - battery life is still rather lacking, as is the lack of expandable memory. Given these things were issues in the One X last year, we really hoped HTC would learn from its mistakes.
But the strength of the HTC One is that it still manages to overcome those obstacles to be the best phone currently on the market.
Quick verdict
The Nexus 4 may be cheaper, the iPhone 5 may be a little more Apple-friendly and the Galaxy S3 may be a litte sleeker in design, but ultimately the HTC One combines its strengths into a package that stands above all the others.
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