Our list of the 10 best smartphones from 2012
Smartphones were easily one of the top gadgets of 2012 so we've put together a list of what we think were the top 10.
It's been a year dominated by smartphones and tablet with many key launches from big players like Apple, Google and Samsung. More and more users have been upgrading to and getting acquainted with smartphones. We're at the stage where there are handsets of all shapes and sizes to cater for many needs and budgets.
All year long smartphone vendors have been fighting for the top spot, trying to make the must-have device. With so many to choose from it's hard to whittle the list down to 10 handsets but here's our top smartphones of 2012 with our rating and what we think of them.
10. Nokia Lumia 920
Although Windows Phone isn't our recommended mobile operating system, we wanted to make this list diverse. There are a number of likable things about Windows Phone 8, especially in the case of the Lumia 920 with plenty of exclusive and high quality Nokia apps. Despite its bulky size, the Lumia 920 is a stunning smartphone with one of the best cameras of the year.
Our Verdict: The Lumia 920 is a very desirable smartphone. We love the fantastic screen, decent camera and it's jam packed with features. However, the downsides are the chunky design and somewhat spartan app store.
Our rating:
Read our full Nokia Lumia 920 review
9. Motorola Razr Maxx
The Razr Maxx might not be the most attractive phone of the year; the design quickly looked out of date. However, more importantly is the fact that Motorola achieved a rare combination of a high-end smartphone with great battery life. We also liked the very cool use of Kevlar on the rear of the handset.
Our verdict: Provided you like the slightly quirky design, the Razr Maxx is an excellent choice for a high performing smartphone. The decent specifications combined with exceptional battery life let it stand it out from the crowd. Software is dated but this situation may improve if Android 4.0 becomes available.
Our rating:
Read our full Motorola Razr Maxx review
8. Sony Xperia P
Like the One S, it was Sony's mid-range smartphone that we thought was its best effort. The Xperia P is like a mini version of the flagship Xperia S but minus the things that got under our skin. A decent all-rounder handset.
Our verdict: The Xperia P is a more user-friendly sized, better designed and more attractively priced version of the Xperia S. Although the specifications aren't astounding and the software is yet to be brought into 2012, we like the device. Highlights are the decent screen and excellent camera but if you have a bit more cash to spend, the HTC One S is a better option.
Our rating:
Read our full Sony Xperia P review
7. Samsung Galaxy Note 2
Samsung's second big launch of the year was the Galaxy Note 2, a hybrid smartphone and tablet dubbed as a 'phablet' which is more the prior than the latter. We liked that it provided something a bit different and a good option for those unable to afford and smartphone and a tablet separately.
Our verdict: Where the Galaxy S II and III were Samsung’s answer to the Apple iPhone, the Note II is a step in another direction for different users – those requiring something more like an old-school PDA, able to work with a stylus for reading handwriting input and for sketching. As a phone, it has the same kind of capabilities as the Galaxy S III, with slightly faster performance an added bonus to the increased screen size, at the expense of one-handed usability.
Our rating:
Read our full review of the Samsung Galaxy Note 2
6. Huawei Ascend G300
The Ascend G300 might not look like the most exciting phone but Huawei managed to do something that most other vendors failed at in 2012. That is to produce a smartphone for a bargain basement price of £100 and it not be complete rubbish. The G300 out-performed many more expensive alternative handsets.
Our verdict: The Huawei Ascend G 300 is a budget Android smartphone that outperforms everything in its price range.
Our rating:
Read our full Huawei Ascend G 300 review
5. HTC One S
For 2012 HTC focused on its One range of smartphones with the One X and One X+ its flagship handsets. However, it was the One S that stood out to us with an excellent balance of value for money, build quality and features.
Our verdict: The HTC One S is an excellent mid-range smartphone option. It might not have the headline specifications of the One X but it outdoes it on performance and battery life. It does this in a more user friendly size, better build quality and a cheaper price tag.
Our rating:
Read our full HTC One S review
4. Motorola Razr i
The Razr i was an important release for a couple of reasons. It was one of the first smartphones from Motorola since it was acquired by Google and the first out of its partnership with Intel. We were glad to get our hands on the Razr i after a long quiet spell from Motorola.
Our Verdict: The Motorola Razr i is a great all-rounder smartphone. It offers a great combination of design and performance for a reasonable price. It's worth a look for its price and worthy of our recommended award.
Our rating:
Read our full Motorola Razr i review
3. Samsung Galaxy S3
One of the biggest launches of the year was the Galaxy S3 which Samsung managed to create Apple-esque hype for, choosing to give it its own event in London rather than launch it amongst the competition at Mobile World Congress. The smartphone was one of the bestselling of the year with over 30 million units shifted.
Our verdict: The Galaxy S3 has turned out to be an excellent smartphone. It offers a good design and build quality, despite our small niggles. Samsung has put together an impressive set of hardware resulting in silky smooth performance and extensive software features.
Our rating:
Read our full Samsung Galaxy S3 review
2. Google Nexus 4
The Nexus 4 made a big impact to the smartphone market with its release in October. Google's announcement in New York was cancelled due to Hurricane Sandy but the launch, along with the Nexus 10 tablet, went ahead. Like the Nexus 7, Google is selling the handset for much less than it's worth causing huge demand and stock shortages.
Our verdict: As long as the storage capacities suffice, the Nexus 4 is the definition of a bargain. You quite simply get the performance and features of a high-end smartphone for half the price you would expect to pay. Unless you're set on an iPhone, the Nexus 4 is an unbeatable deal.
Our rating:
Read our full Google Nexus 4 review
1. Apple iPhone 5
There wasn't much we didn't know about the iPhone 5 before Apple launched it in September. It looks like the previous two generations of iPhone but for the first time the screen was 4in, not 3.5in. The phone came with a few upgrades and as expected the smaller Lightning dock connector meaning all older accessories required an expensive adaptor.
Our verdict: The iPhone 5 really is much more than a tall iPhone 4S with a new plug. The people may demand a revolution every upgrade season. But Apple may just have supplied what the people need, not what they say they want. And that's a powerful evolution on the theme of iPhone which is currently putting the competition back on the starting blocks.
Our rating:
Comments
ECLVI said: galaxy 4not worth itmy galaxy 3s works finewhy do I want a bigger cell in my pocket
Vinod Suthersan said: Where is LG Optimus G Check out its performance and response
Matt Egan said: Why
Xnerdz said: Alright Im responding to your comment This list is a joke
Tjbnz1 said: Just bought an SIII in boxing day sales seems pretty nice but miss my older HTC wildfire for its predictive text seemed much betterI think the HTC one x and apple iphone 5 and i hear the windows 8 phonesare very good probably pretty much on a par depends what system you are use to
Matt Egan said: If we had a pound for every time an imbecile with single-digit brain cells accused us of taking money to write biased reviews Id own Apple and a gold rocket car Sadly we are objective and unbiased and you are simply one in a long line of juvenile irritants Such is life
brenno_1023 said: Should have seen that one comingputting the competition back on the starting blocks you say despite its trivial upgrades over the 4S cheap build and its new connector rendering it useless for everybody with an existing peripheral or accessory unwilling to fork out for a 40 adaptorwhich to put into context is more than the price of some basic PHONES Thing is the competition is blazing ahead and Apple is still resting on the laurels it created back in 2007 Nice advertisement and theres even a BUY NOW ad that leads to the itunes store It seems less and less review sites are providing credible unbiased information and are now just giving in to the hype and marketing muscleThe number of pies Apple clearly has its fruity fingers in never ceases to amazeand disappoint
Matt Egan said: Im not sure what I have done to offend but I think it is important that we respond to comments
Gnv15 said: This guy Matt Egan is a joke Stop making knee jerk reactions to peoples comments Amateur at best Will stop subscribing to your stupid newsletters
Thegalib said: i sold my iphone and bought galaxy s3 few weeks ago its just amazing device more functionality than apple devices i can use bluetooth no need to sync with itunes use it as a usb device extended memory 1616 gb even i bought two batteries cos i use a lot wen one is down i replace it and many more facilities
James said: lumia 920 is no way behind note 2 and nexus 4 and other laggy stuffIOS may have 700000 apps does anyone have all these apps in their devicesAndroid may have 500000 apps large portion of them intended for battery optimization UI improvement and task killing purposeswindows 8 phones dont need UI customization and battery optimization and task killing also is done by itselfWP8 has all required apps
danny said: I just bought the HTC one x I tried to find the plus but in vain Anyway I think its brilliant this or the sIII are your best bets
Fonzy1984 said: Ridiculous list This guy is either bias or dumb I hope hes just dumb cause biased opinion to the non informed consumer could lead them to buy a lesser device as would a dumb reviewer with the same list but consumer wouldnt feel as angry once educated by someone who knows what they are talking about So ill just tell people this reviewer is handicapped and is doing the best he can
Matt Egan said: That may be the case but you tell it in a way no-one else Xbox understand
K-walter said: whats nonsense you did not say and what would you like me to seperate your blinkered view or the the truth about some of the phones that have commented on if nothing else i always tell it like it is
g52 said: Right now iphone is definitely NOT number 1 S3 or note 2 has everything and more Maybe 3rd or 4th Iphone IS just a tall iphone 4s Believe me
Matt Egan said: Thats nonsense How can you separate one from the other
captainblow said: dear Chris Martin it is no about the os but the phone so please take your blinkers off by the way my wife had a razor maxx sent it back as needed charging 3 times a day with little use and it got so hot it burnt the side o f hers and my head on checking the web it is a common problem she now has a xperia t and absolutly love it as for me i will stick with my xperia s
captainblow said: once again my favourite mag has opted to give the awful i-phone no1 spot on the gadget show they hit it right poor build quality horrible camera with loads of noise and paying a lot of money for a lot less phone apple has agood operating system every one goes on about the thousands of excellent apps just for the iphone how can you say they are all great as there is to many for any one to test only if you believe apple and everything they say yawn o sorry i nearly fell asleep counting apps good night
Matt Egan said: Any specific criticism or just an opinion different to your own