Best smartphones 2013: The best phones available to buy today

So, you want to buy a new phone? If you're looking for the best smartphone of 2013, you've come to the right place. We will guide you through the hottest mobile phones of the year to save you time when you go to your local phone shop. We've updated our Best smartphones 2013 feature to reflect recent launches, with some great mid-range devices shaking the list up quite a bit.
Our list of 17 great handsets covers all operating systems, all sizes, and prices, so you'll be armed with everything you need when choosing to buy your next smartphone. We'll be regularly updating this feature with the latest and greatest smartphones we review, so you can see where the smart money is heading.
Let us know what you think is the best smartphone in the comments below.

17. BlackBerry Q10

 

If it's a QWERTY communicator that you're after, then the BlackBerry Q10 should be your first port of call. Okay, maybe it's your only port of call, but it at least gives you the best physical keyboard experience you'll find in a modern smartphone.
The BB10 operating system is much refined and more competitive alongside other smartphone platforms, but still lacks in app availability and can be a little fiddly.
But what the BlackBerry Q10 delivers is a great messaging experience. If your time is spent making calls and tapping out messages, be that BBM, email, SMS, WhatsApp or Skype, then look no further.
QUICK VERDICT: The BlackBerry Q10 is our BlackBerry of choice, delivering a great communication experience. But it lacks alongside rival smartphone platforms in other areas.
FULL REVIEW: BlackBerry Q10 review

16. Huawei Ascend Mate

It's important to note that the Ascend Mate isn't for those who want the best gaming experience, as it's not well set up for that. Where it did win us over was in the usability, screen quality - despite having only a modest resolution - and the epic battery life. If you need a phone and general "internet" device, then the Mate can't really be bettered. Heavy users will get two days battery life and light users could see three or four days.
It's nicely designed, feels solid and generally gets the user interface customisations about right. It's got a reasonable pricetag too, at around £330. Just bear in mind that it's not a graphics powerhouse, and you'll be fine. For normal use, the quad-core processor makes it feel snappy and slick.
QUICK VERDICT: While its size will put most off, if you're keen on a big phone this offers loads. It might not have the pen features of the Note II, but if you can live without that, then this phone offers you many of the same advantages. Watching video on it is an absolute joy, and for browsing the web out and about, it feels like you've almost got a laptop with you. A solid effort from Huawei, and a phone we're very happy to recommend.
FULL REVIEW: Huawei Ascend Mate review

15. iPhone 4S

The iPhone 4S is getting old, but Apple has continued to support older devices and with prices coming down, this might be a great way to get in on the iOS action. It's an experience that's set to change when iOS 7 lands in September and although the iPhone 4S can be bettered, there's still a lot going for it, including great deals.
There are loads of accessories and apps galore for the iPhone and the sharp display and decent camera mean that the iPhone 4S is still a great performer. It's not as slick and fast as the iPhone 5, but then it's not as expensive either.
QUICK VERDICT: The iPhone 4S offers all the Apple iPhone experience in a wonderfully designed package. It might not have the performance or the display of the iPhone 5, but it offers access to the world of iPhone at a more affordable price and the update to iOS 7 will bring a newly refreshed experience with it.
FULL REVIEW: iPhone 4S review

14. Nokia Lumia 620

The Nokia Lumia 620 earns its place by delivering that Windows Phone experience without costing the earth. That's right, this budget WinPhone really delivers value for money whilst still retaining great design and build quality.
Of course some compromises have been made on the spec sheet to hit the low price point, but the Nokia Lumia 620 is a great performer for those looking for smartphone performance in a compact package. Consider this a great choice for your first smartphone.
QUICK VERDICT: The Lumia 620 has none of the problems of Nokia's 920 (size, high cost) and the 820 (high cost) but is a lovely, charming and pleasant phone to use. It might be a little small for some, especially those with bigger hands, but we had no problem with our above-average-sized-hands. This is, in short, a winner, and honestly probably just about the best WP8 device out there.
FULL REVIEW: Nokia Lumia 620 review

13. Nokia Lumia 1020

Nokia is chasing two things in smartphones: the best Windows Phone experience it can create and the best camera. If those align with your own needs, then the Nokia Lumia 1020 might be the perfect phone for you.
The highlight is very capable PureView camera on the back that brings options you simply don't get elsewhere in the smartphone world: it's a great performer. The compromise you have to accept however, is that this is a big phone, especially compared to Nokia's "other" flagship, the Lumia 925. The Nokia Lumia 1020 also struggles with battery life if you're using the camera a lot and can get hot when in use.
In many areas, the Lumia 1020 offers the same experience as the Lumia 925, with Windows Phone offering a great alternative to Android or iOS. There are still some holes in the app ecosystem, but Nokia is doing more than any manufacturer to plug them.
QUICK VERDICT: By far the best cameraphone on the market by a long shot. What's more, the 1020 can compete - at least to some degree - with cheaper compact cameras. Sure, there are some flaws, and Windows Phone still needs to develop as an operating system, but as things stand, this is a technological marvel, and a solid phone too.
FULL REVIEW: Nokia Lumia 1020 review

12. Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini

The Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini continues Samsung's trend to capitalising on a successful handset name. It's not a mini in the sense that it matches the specs, but in design and to some extent experience. There was a time that "mini" was "lesser" but with the latest wave of devices, the mid-range is more appealing than ever.
Samsung's customisation brings a huge change over Android, packing it with useful features and options. The display is great, if not quite matching the sharpness of teh HTC One mini, but here you have the advantage of microSD card expansion and access to the battery, should you wish to swap it on a busy day.
With plenty of power under the hood, slick design and all that software innovation, the Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini is cheaper and more compact than it's bigger brother, but still delivers a great smartphone experience.
QUICK VERDICT: All things considered, we really fell for the Mini. It's a powerful and well-designed phone that does everything you need in a nice compact device. It's still expensive, but it's a phone that will serve you well for a couple of years, assuming storage isn't an issue.
FULL REVIEW: Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini review

11. HTC One mini

The HTC One mini offers the lovely design of the HTC One, but doesn't stop there. It has a cracking 4.3-inch 720p display that's very capable and enough grunt under the hood to cope with pretty much everything you want to do with your phone on a day-to-day basis, but won't match the top handsets for sheer power.
THe HTC One mini takes a hit on the spec sheet, but offers the same UltraPixel camera of the HTC One, along with all the smart functions like Zoe and the highlight videos that bring your photography to life.
It's all wrapped into a nice mature bundle by HTC Sense 5 making for a mini experience that's really enjoyable.
QUICK VERDICT:The HTC One mini is a great Android smartphone. The design and build are outstanding, the user experience offered by HTC Sense 5 is commendable and the step back into mid-range specs isn't hugely to the phone's detriment.
FULL REVIEW: HTC One mini review

10. Motorola Moto X

Motorola has been in this business a long time and although it doesn't launch as aggressively as rivals like Samsung, there's still a great feeling of quality when you get your hands on the latest Motorola phone, the Moto X.
The Moto X doesn't go up against the flagship phones out there on the spec sheet, but it still delivers the essentials. The dual-core processor offers plenty of power, partnered with 2GB of RAM and the 4.7-inch display offers plenty of space to play, even if the resolution is a notch down at 720p. What you do get, however, is the option to customise the exterior of your phone, so you can design it to suit your own style with a choice of 252 different colour combinations.
The software offers a blend of Android Jelly Bean with a range of Motorola tweaks, which we think get the balance just about right. It's all you want of Android and not too heavily drawn off into unneccesary customisation. There's a generous 2,200mAh battery, that will see this phone out-lasting some rivals. It might have some mid-range specs, but it delivers an experience that impresses.
QUICK VERDICT: Priced at $199 on contract there are plenty of other similar-priced options out there such as the HTC One that bury the Moto X under mightier specs. But even so, and while it's not quite to that level, we've really enjoyed adopting the Moto X. It's smart and still powerful enough - plus it avoids too much bloatware as per the Samsung Galaxy S4. Motorola's customisation options will also tick the box for some - we think they're cool - and that gives this phone that middle-ground appeal that nothing else in the market has. It's not perfect, but we sure do rather like it.
FULL REVIEW: Motorola Moto X review

9. Nokia Lumia 925

The Nokia Lumia 925 rights the wrongs of the Lumia 920, whilst delivering much of the same goodness. Great design in a nice, slim, handset, brings together the best of Nokia and the best of Windows Phone 8.
The 4.7-inch display looks great, there's plenty of extras that have been added by Nokia and this phone also offers some of the latest upgrades to Windows Phone too. There's still some key apps missing, but if you're after a Windows Phone, the Lumia 925 is the handset it get.
QUICK VERDICT: The Nokia Lumia 925 is the best Windows Phone 8 handset you can buy, combining great design with plenty of additional enhancements from Nokia. There are still some ecosystem woes standing against WP8 and the closeness to the Lumia 920 and Nokia's next new phone might cause some to hold off committing to the 925 right away.
FULL REVIEW: Nokia Lumia 925 review

8. Samsung Galaxy SIII

One of the most successful smartphones ever, the Samsung Galaxy S III might be getting old, but it still has its place. As new devices appear, the venerable S3 gets more affordable, but still delivers on all fronts.
Slick design is paired with innovation and although the hardware is now a generation old, the SGS3 still delivers a premium Android experience with heaps of enhancement from Samsung's innovative features.
It offers good camera performance, a large 4.8-inch HD display and battery performance that's impressive for a device of this size. It's still one of our favourite phones and we still think it has some way to run.
QUICK VERDICT: Undoubtedly a great phone, the flexibility allowed by giving you memory expansion and battery access will make this popular. It's a phone that does little wrong, but isn't without its quirks.
FULL REVIEW: Samsung Galaxy S III review and Samsung Galaxy S III LTE (GT-I9305) review

7. Samsung Galaxy S4 Active

Where the Samsung Galaxy S4 Active really wins is in offering an experience that's really close to the Samsung Galaxy S4, in a slightly cheaper but water resistant package. That takes the pains out of dropping your phone in the toilet and gives you more freedom to use your device in all conditions.
There's plenty of power and an impressive full HD display, meaning that despite having something that's resistant to the elements, it won't cause a huge bulge in your pocket. Then there's all the customisation and all the features brought by Samsung's TouchWiz.
Some might not like the rugged looks, or the move to hardware buttons, but for those who want to get dirty with their phone, the Samsung Galaxy S4 Active is a natural choice.
QUICK VERDICT: The Samsung Galaxy S4 Active is a great handset, offering a flagship smartphone experience in a device that's happy to take a dunking in the bath. If you're accident prone or are always getting caught in the rain, then this is a viable alternative to the Samsung Galaxy S4.
FULL REVIEW: Samsung Galaxy S4 Active review

6. Samsung Galaxy Note 2

The Samsung Galaxy Note has taken the smartphone world by storm, crossing the divide between tablets and smartphones.
It might be too large for some, but the 5.5-inch display gives you room to play, without being too big for your pocket. Samsung's innovative features will help you get the most out of the size on offer from the Samsung Galaxy Note 2.
There's a stylus which might be more popular with those who prefer to note things down in writing, but you can equally just leave the stylus in place and never use it if it's the larger display that you're after. It's big and beautiful, and far from stupid.
QUICK VERDICT: We're in love. This phone may seem wildly illogical, but those fabulous Koreans have somehow managed to create a device that offers so much more than a smaller phone and almost makes tablets pointless. This phone won't be for everyone, but for us it's one of the best Android devices money can buy.
FULL REVIEW: Samsung Galaxy Note 2 review 

5. Nexus 4

The Nexus 4 is pure Google and is not only a well-designed and powerful handset, but comes in at around half the price of some of the rival devices. If you don't have the cash to splash, it's the LG-built Nexus 4 that you want.
The design is great, sandwiched in glass and there's plenty of power under the hood, as well as bringing with it the latest updates from Android before they arrive with other devices.
The camera isn't the best however and the screen, although HD, lacks the visual impact of the latest devices. We still love it though, it's the affordable star.
QUICK VERDICT: The Nexus 4 offers a native Android experience with plenty of power in a wonderfully designed phone at an affordable price. It's almost too good to be true, but the camera interface and performance falls well short of rivals and the battery could be better.
FULL REVIEW: Google Nexus 4 review

4. Sony Xperia Z

The Sony Xperia Z is the first Sony Mobile device of recent years that really gets it right. The design is sumptuous, a glass monolith that is distinctly different from everything else on the market.
Sony's take on Android is lighter than ever before, resulting in a device that doesn't feel inhibited, while still bringing plenty of power. We love that even though this handset is water resistant, you still get the option to expand the memory.
There's a huge 5-inch full HD display on the front, and although it's not as accomplished as that from the HTC One or Samsung Galaxy S4, it's still a pleasure to use. A great device from Sony.
QUICK VERDICT: The Xperia Z is Sony's best Android phone so far, combining sharp design with a great display, sensible software tweaks and attention to battery life. The camera feels pretty average though.
FULL REVIEW: Sony Xperia Z reviewed

3. Apple iPhone 5

With exquisite attention to detail and wonderful design, the iPhone 5 is master of the largest mobile ecosystem around. A larger 4-inch display gives the extensive range of apps more space than ever before.
Slick and seamless user experience is paired with the power to make everything skip along with pace. The operating system might be in need of a tweak or two, but this is still a premium smartphone experience, loved by many.
The iPhone 5 brings with it innovative features like Siri and a camera that just gets on and performs without the fuss, as well as often being the first destination for new apps and services. Little may have changed, but it the iPhone is still a firm favourite in smartphone circles.
QUICK VERDICT: The iPhone 5 is a phone that makes you feel safe. A phone that you know exactly how to use as soon as you take it out of the box and that is perfect for a wide range of people.
FULL REVIEW: iPhone 5 review

2. Samsung Galaxy S4

The Samsung Galaxy S4 brings more innovation to a phone that's already at the top of its game. The design offers flexibility where others don't with access to the battery and the option to expand the memory via microSD.
Samsung continues to introduce more features designed to make your life easier and the Samsung Galaxy S4 is undoubtly an Android powerhouse.
There may be a feature too many and the design might not inspire like some other devices, but if you opt for the Samsung Galaxy S4, you won't be disappointed. This is an Android smartphone top of its game, let down on being the top smartphone in the world, only because there is one phone that is better.
QUICK VERDICT: We love it, honestly. The new design might look the same as the old, but it isn't. New, more squared-off sides mean it feels nicer than the old model, and it's got so many new features that it's impossible not to love some of them. Battery life is still a major issue for Samsung though, and that's a big deal for most users.
FULL REVIEW: Samsung Galaxy S4 review

1. HTC One

The HTC One is a triumph of design, sumptuous to hold and wonderful to behold. There's a stunning 4.7-inch display on the front, with a full HD resolution, so Android looks pin sharp on this power house.
HTC Sense has been refined with a lot of the clutter removed to focus on the essential features. There's an elegance and sophistication to HTC's flagship phone for 2013, making it a pleasure to use.
The camera might not be the best for straight photos, but the unique features it offers are really fun. This is paired with stunning sound quality to result in a smartphone that covers all bases.
QUICK VERDICT: HTC has a history of making good phones, so the HTC One doesn't comes as a surprise to us. It's a fantastic Android smartphone and is well worthy of your consideration if you're in the market for a premium device.
FULL REVIEW: HTC One review