Which are the best smartphones?
We’ve already given you our recommendations for smartphones on a budget, but what if you simply want the best smartphone experience possible?
Below are our favourite lab-tested smartphones that have received a Best Buy award. Clicking on the link will take you through to all our deals for that phone as well as a full review and specs summary.
If you’re new to smartphones and want some basic information about their features take a look at our essential smartphone guide.
The best smartphones
Apple iPhone 4S
The latest version of Apple’s smartphone not only sorts out the antenna problems that dogged the iPhone 4 (and denied it a Which? Best Buy award) but also introduces a much better camera and includes a huge boost to the device’s processing power.
In fact the improvements are so impressive that they make the iPhone 4S the best phone we have ever tested. Some will still argue that the restrictive app store, lack of removable memory card or battery and prohibitive price mean it isn’t the best choice – but it is definitely one of the finest (lots of) money can buy.
Take me to all the Apple iPhone 4S deals
Samsung Galaxy Nexus
The highest scoring Android smartphone we have ever tested, the Galaxy Nexus includes the latest version of the operating system – Ice Cream Sandwich – as well as some very impressive hardware.
A large – and curved – screen make the phone easy to use and give it a nice shape, while a decent camera and great web browser complete the package and make the Galaxy Nexus a very impressive smartphone indeed.
Take me to all the Samsung Galaxy Nexus deals
Samsung Galaxy S2
One of the highest scoring mobile phones we have ever tested, the Galaxy S2 is the follow-up to the hugely successful Samsung Galaxy S. Samsung has somehow squeezed in a 1.2GHz dual-core processor, 4.3-inch Super AMOLED Plus capacitive touchsceen and 8Mp camera, all into a phone just 8.5mm thick.
Running on the slightly dated Gingerbread version of Android – although this will be be updated to Ice Cream Sandwich soon – the Galaxy S2 has access to hundreds of thousands of apps on the Android Market and is also surprisingly easy-to-use. It excelled in our tests and scored particularly high scores for its camera and accessing the internet. Despite its incredible features the Samsung Galaxy S2 can be picked up free on mobile phone contracts of just £24 a month.
Take me to all the Samsung Galaxy S2 deals
BlackBerry Torch 9810
While some of the more recent BlackBerrys have struggled in our tests the Torch 9810 did brilliantly – showing off the new BlackBerry 7 OS and being the easiest to use smartphone from maker RIM we have ever seen.
Some good hardware and an especially long lasting battery also didn’t do it any harm and allowed it to take its place as clear Best Buy.
Take me to all the BlackBerry Torch 9810 deals
Motorola Razr
While the big selling point is its super slim case, the Razr is not all about style and has a hefty serving of substance as well.
It runs the slightly out-dated Gingerbread version of Android – although it will be updated to Ice Cream Sandwich soon – but it’s still powerful and easy to use, plus good performances from its web browser and camera make it a Best Buy – although we did find the quality of its video recording to be quite disappointing.
Take me to all the Motorola Razr deals
Please note, we’ll be regularly updating this page but retailers may change their deals at any time and phones may go out of stock.
Post a Comment
Your email is never published nor shared. Required fields are marked
Knight
I have had two iphone 4s since April and now am considering changing to another smartphone. The telephone function is not great, with the phone cutting out mid call, dialing other numbers while I am talking, and regularly going on mute – you are supposed to be able to lock the screen while on a call but half the time it just ends the call instead. Sound quality isn’t great either. But the main reason I am thinking of giving it up is that my hand and side of my face go numb if I use the phone for say 5 minutes or more on a call or texting, browsing etc. Its seems to be getting worse the more I use the phone and given that the external antenna surrounds the phone, even with a plastic cover, I feel uneasy about what exactly is causing this. Apple deny any knowledge of this as a fault, though they have now accepted that the antenna’s position is problematic in that holding it means your hand interferes with reception. There is a discussion thread on this on their website, and a number of people complaining of a similar effect on chat rooms on the net.