There have been few new phones come to market in the last month, but what has happened is the market has settled and now we are getting reviewers and user feedback on these handsets, giving a better reflection of how good the phones really are.
As we have said before and will say again, a top 10 list is influenced by many factions. What ranks at number 1 for us may well be someone else’s number 10.
The following is our top 10 for November 2013 based on demand, feedback and our own personal hands on time.
10. Nokia Lumia 625
Big screen performances on a small screen budget best sums up the 625. Prices at around £250 inclusive of VAT, there is a great deal of value to be had from this device. A 4.7” screen is great for movie playback and web browsing, whilst a strong chassis and reasonable camera make this a bit more of an all round performer.
With Nokia build quality you can be assured of excellent audio and call quality.
9.Samsung Galaxy S4 Zoom
I really like this product personally and I think it deserves more credit but it isn’t getting it currently.Samsung are marketing this quite heavily now. Despite the slightly clunky look it has a lot to offer. Particularly for those who like to Instagram or want to share images quickly online.
The S4 Zoom isn’t going to be everyone’s cup of tea, but incorporating a phone and a camera with 10x optical zoom into one is ideal for some.
It is unique but is without doubt one of the leaders in the evolving trend of camera phones.
8. Sony Xperia SP
The SP is like an old faithful for many of us here at Clove. It is in the shadows of the Z1 and Z Ultra but has a lot to offer.
The spec list is certainly admirable and offers a lot of product for it’s price.
With video out, PlayStation Certified and an illuminating notification bar the SP is without doubt a solid smartphone.
The HTC One is still an exceptional handset. Its aluminium shell has to be one of it’s strongest selling points. It may have a fixed battery and a lack of expansion but it has the connectivity options and appeal to almost forget about these.
Small features like HTC Zoe that could on the face of it be seen as gimmicky; are very compelling when you want a brief summary or reminder of an occasion or event you may have recorded via images and video on the HTC One.
6. Nokia Lumia 1020
Falling down the list ever so slightly, the 1020 is one of the more bulky handsets, not helped by the large camera module. It is however this camera module that brings this phone up the pack.
Quite possibly the closest thing to the S4 Zoom (when you attach the camera grip), the 1020 takes pictures that 99% of phones simply can not.
The Windows Phone OS does not get the credit it deserves, most notably due to the lack of app support and we all know how important apps are today.
The additional accessories for wireless charging and came grip enhance the capability and practicality but the additional cost of these features will likely put many off.
That said the 1020 stands strong in a crowded field of devices.
5. Sony Xperia Z Ultra
Falling a couple of placed, the Sony Z Ultra is still an incredible device but the smaller and more practical handsets knock this down a couple of places
It might be a big phone with a 6.4” display, but it is very thin at 6.5mm thick.
Being able to write on screen with a pen or a pencil may not be everyone’s ideal for taking notes, but the Z Ultra takes the old school yet reliable pen and paper approach and combines it to bring it right up into the 21st Century. If you are an artist, this too could be a handy feature.
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4. Sony Xperia Z1
Knocked down to 4th due to user reviews coming out on other handsets, it may have been not much more than 6 months ago that the Xperia Z came to the market, but the demand for the Z1 is still very high
Our own hands on and user feedback tells us just how good this phone is. Whilst it is not all about megapixels, the camera is excellent (thanks to a software update) and the optional add on accessories of the QX lens really gives scope for the budding photographers. The removal of the cover over the headphone jack is to a big winner for existing Sony Xperia Z users.
The IP rating may not be a necessity for many, but it is a bonus and the Z1 puts up a good fight against the HTC One & Samsung S4.
3.Samsung Galaxy Note 3
Hands on time, most notably around battery life has pushed this back up the list. The Note series has won the hearts of many and the Note 3 goes to the next level to just about make it a worthwhile upgrade for Note 2 users.
Whilst still big in hand, its profile is such that it really does feel smaller and more comfortable in the hand than one would expect.
Samsung have done away with the plastic back in place, is a faux leather back plate. It will not meet everyone’s desires, but we think it is an improvement.
The big screen, big specs and functionality make this the must have device for selected users.
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2. Google Nexus 5
It offers the pure Google experience and what and experience it is. It may have been on the market for less than a week at the time of writing but it is super slick and feels better than the Nexus 4.
Google manage to improve considerably every version of Android and always bring it in at a competitive price.
What lets the Nexus 5 down though is a poor speaker quality and a relatively poor camera results considering the push for point and shoot cameras and the sharing of images on social networks, we are not convinced of a number 1 spot on the list.
1. LG G2
A worth top place spot. It is a gem of a device. I would personally swap my S4 for this.
There are few niggles or gripes but what device hasn’t. The button placement is unusual and takes some getting used to.
It is snappy and looks the part with some nice UI features. Lots of user control and it certainly feels smaller than the likes of the Z1 in the hand, despite the bigger screen.
LG have learnt from the Nexus and made the G2 that bit better.
Top 10 smartphones of November 2013