Original source : http://www.cnet.com
Posted : October 2013
Author : Jessica Dolcourt
The best smartphones make the best gifts
Looking for a deal on a red-hot smartphone? You've come to
the right season. Carriers and big-box stores like Best Buy, Target, and
Walmart slash prices to entice you to fill your shopping cart. For high-end
devices hat are typically backed by a lot of dollar signs, a seasonal buy-one,
get-one deal or other deep discount could be enough to put a smile on your
face, and a new smartphone in that lucky someone's pocket. That lucky someone
might even be you.
Samsung Galaxy S4, a study in mass appeal
It may not be the pinnacle of smartphone craftsmanship, but
what the approachable Samsung Galaxy S4 lacks in designer appeal, it makes up
for with...just about everything. A superpowered processor; large, bright
5-inch screen; and 13-megapixel camera that consistently churns out clear,
detailed photos makes this widely available superphone a real crowd-pleaser. As
a bonus, Samsung has crammed in enough software extras to make power users'
hearts skip a beat.
HTC One-der
The gorgeous, finely tuned HTC One has everything you'd want
in a smartphone, and then some: Android 4.2.2; a 5-inch, HD display; and the
same high-powered chipset that revs up the Galaxy S4. Like the Galaxy S4 and LG
G2, the One packs in an IR blaster to remotely control the TV. What's more, the
One doubles the GS4's storage, doling out 32GB instead of 16GB, for the same
on-contract price. In true HTC style, the classy, nimble One blows competitors
out of the water when it comes to the rich audio flowing through its large,
capable speakers.
Thumbs up for Apple's iPhone 5S
We expect understated elegance and a sophisticated color
palette when discussing Apple's flagship smartphone. Apple's iPhone 5S
delivers, coveted champagne gold shade included. Though not as groundbreaking
as previous models - in fact, Apple plays a little bit of catch-up here - the
house that Jobs built has still turned out a top-notch device that fires on all
cylinders...and gives security nuts a thrill with a home button that also
doubles as a fingerprint scanner.
Google Nexus 5's unbeatable price
The stylish Nexus 5 wins points not just for its specs
(which include a Snapdragon 800 processor, a 1080p screen, and the latest
Android 4.4 KitKat), but also for its value. At just $349 (16GB) or $399 (32GB)
unlocked, Google's flagship gives users a top-notch device for a killer
off-contract value.
Samsung Galaxy Note 3 wins the draw
You have to love either its gargantuan 5.7-inch display or
its sensitive stylus for Samsung's Galaxy Note 3 to float to the top of your
wishlist. But if you do yearn for the pricier Android 4.2.2 phablet, you're
rewarded with new multitasking smarts and a revamped note app that makes
freehand a lot more fun. Even if you brush aside the S Pen wand, top-tier
features that include an unprecedented 3GB of RAM align in a stellar smartphone
as philosophically opposite to the iPhone as you can get.
Nokia Lumia 1520
$200 on-contract with AT&T gets you Nokia's fastest
phone yet, the quad-core Lumia 1520. Outfitted with a 20-megapixel camera and a
6-inch HD phablet screen, this sumo-size smartphone delivers a lot more screen
real estate for the same price as a smaller premium handset.
Motorola Droid Maxx goes the distance
Long-lasting battery life isn't the Motorola Droid Maxx's
only claim to fame. The upscale Android handset gets its edge from touch-free
voice controls, a twist-to-start camera, and Kevlar vestments. A Verizon
exclusive, the battery-packed Maxx without a doubt lives up to its name.
Nokia Lumia 1020 pushes pictures further
From the mouth of CNET's camera editor Joshua Goldman to
your ears: the Nokia Lumia 1020's crazy 41-megapixel camera takes the
technically most proficient photos of any smartphone camera. Controls aren't
perfectly intuitive, and the 1020's camera module keeps it from being
exceptionally slim, but that large sensor makes smartphone photo artistry
shine.
Motorola Moto X: Built for comfort
It takes a lot to nail that elusive balance between software
features and comfortable design. While it isn't a superlative performer in any
category, the combination of Android features and an unapologetically contoured
form in Motorola's Moto X nevertheless get mighty close to that sweet spot.
Touch-free controls and a customizable color scheme (for AT&T) will bring
you even closer to crafting your Goldilocks phone.
HTC One Mini rounds on midrange perfection
Let's be clear about one thing: the next two entrants made
this top list not because they represent the pinnacle of smartphone
engineering, but because even at the middle range, they still put in an
impressive performance. The HTC One Mini is only slightly smaller than the one,
and has fewer aluminum elements, but it retains everything you love most about
the original, just on a more modest hardware scale across the board. Style, and
a rich, engrossing Android experience? Check and check.
iPhone 5C is priced to sell
Smaller, cheaper, but still plenty capable, Apple's colorful
iPhone 5C is poised to bring the essential iPhone experience to far more people
worldwide. This playful iOS 7-running reboot of the iPhone 5 is less expensive
(significantly so on-contract) without feeling cheap, and boosts the camera
experience.
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