Buying a smartphone that’s right for you can be a major hassle. Everyone uses their smartphones differently and hence prioritize the features they want from their new phone. Here is a list of Top 10 Smartphones that have been released in 2013 to guide you through your journey of choosing and purchasing your next smartphone.
10. Sony Xperia z1
What makes this Xperia so famous is it’s waterproof and dust resistant casing, a first for smartphones. The high powered 20.7 megapixel camera, along with the 2.2 GHz quadcore processor, 2 GB RAM and 16 GB internal storage along with a microSD slot make this a heavy performer. The downside is the 5 inch display which could be of better quality considering the high-end nature of the phone. The Sony Xperia Z1 can be bought from a Sony Store without a contract for $649.99 and is available in black, white and purple colors.
You can get one here
Watch the review below:
9. Motorola Droid Maxx
With a 3500 mAh battery, the Droid Maxx is one of the longer lasting smartphones in terms of battery life. Some of the exclusive Motorola features found in this phone include active notifications, always-on listening and Motorola Assist. The Motorola X8 processor and 32 GB internal storage allow for heavy data usage and processing. The 5-inch AMOLED display and Qi wireless charging capability make it standout from the other smartphones and the 10 megapixel camera is adequate for everyday use. The cost of the phone without contract is $499.99, which means the Droid Maxx is reasonably priced too. You can get one here
8. Samsung Galaxy S4
The Samsung Galaxy is one of the most popular smartphones nowadays, and is an amazing all-rounder. The 5-inch display is amazing and huge yet the phone feels compact in one’s hand. Samsung have also offered flexibility by including a microSD slot and a removable battery. The S4 also has many software enhancements which make it standout from all the other android smartphones in the market. The popularity of the phone means there is a large variety of accessories available for the phone. The Samsung Galaxy S4 costs $627.99 without a contract. You can get one here
Check out the review for the S4:
7. LG G2
The G2 is slightly minimal, but the performance and the more than adequate camera make it a decent phone. The 5.2-inch 1080p IPS display looks amazing and the phone comes with Android 4.2.2 (a common software for LG phones nowadays). The downside of this phone is the placement of the power and volume keys on the backside of the phone which takes some time to get used to. The glossy finish of the phone may put off those of us who tend to have smudgy or sweaty hands. The LG G2 is available for $603.99 at full retail price. You can get one here
6. Moto X
The Moto X not only feels good in your hand, but it also has one of the best voice control functionality and active notifications display on the lock screen. The specifications for the Moto X are not the highest in today’s market and the camera had some issues at first (which were later fixed by an update). However, The Moto X has a very decent battery life and and feels good in your hands. The price of the 16 GB model without contract is $499, making it a great choice for those of us with a limited budget looking for a smartphone. You can get one here
5. Google Nexus 5
The Nexus 5 is the first phone to be released with the latest Android KitKat 4.4 software. With a Snapdragon 800 quadcore processor and 2 GB RAM, the Nexus 5’s performance is one of the best. The 8 megapixel camera with optical image stabilization means you can take decent photographs whenever needed. The phone comes with a lot of other features including Qi wireless charging. The price for all this performance is amazing value for money, with the the 16 GB version costing $349 and the 32 GB costing $399 (both prices are for SIM-unlocked phones). The Nexus 5 is amazing performance at a low price. You can get one here
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4. Nokia Lumia 1020
With the best camera in any mobile phone to date, the Lumia 1020 is the phone of choice for those of us who use their smartphones primarily for photography. The 41 (not 14) megapixel camera with enhanced Carl Zeiss optics allows you to take the most high definition pictures out of any phone on or off this list. The only drawback is that there are limitations when it comes to compatibility of certain devices with Windows Phones (such as smartwatches), but Nokia has provided its own host of apps in an attempt to make up for the shortcoming. The Lumia 1020 can be yours, without contract, for $851. You can get one here
The review can be seen below:
3. Samsung Galaxy Note 3
Samsung has put everything into the Galaxy Note 3, which is both incredible and frustrating at times. The Note 3 is the most powerful and capable Android device available in the market today with a 1.6 GHz quad-core Samsung Exynos processor and 3 GB RAM. The display is an amazing 5.7-inch Super AMOLED HD display. With a 13 megapixel camera, a storage capability of up to 64 GB (including microSD) and a 3200 mAh removable battery which allows you to go longer without having to charge, the Note 3 is a heavyweight in the world of smartphones. The non-contract price of the Note 3 is a reasonable $699.99. A small price for such a heavy performer. You can get one here
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2. HTC One
With Android 4.3 software and a beautiful, well-built body, the HTC One is one of the best phones to come out this year. The 4.7-inch Super LCD display is something other manufacturers have been trying to replicate for years. The phone can perform too, with a quad-core 1.7 GHz processor and 2GB of RAM. The phone comes in 32 and 64 GB versions with no microSD slot. Dual mics, front-facing speakers and a camera with optical image stabilization are just some of the features of the HTC One. The only downside to the phone is the lack of depth in the photos taken from the 4 megapixel camera (which is very low for such a high-end phone). The HTC One costs $550 at full price. You can get one here
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1. Apple iPhone 5S
The iPhone 5S has the same body as the iPhone 5, but comes with an improved 64-bit A7 processor and a home button which acts as a fingerprint reader. The Touch ID central home button makes it easy to unlock your phone and purchase apps. The already popular iPhone camera has been upgraded for the 5S along with improved iOS 7 software. The plus point of the iPhone is that most apps are released first for the iOS platform and with Apple’s hardware regulations, users are guaranteed consistent performance no matter which app they use. The high price is the only downside here, but with a non-contract cost of $849 for the top model, the iPhone 5S is well worth the extra dollars. You can get one here
See the review below: