The top 10 smartphone of 2012 (all operating systems)
10. LG Optimous G
LG really made a great phone with the G. They brought their hardware up to top-notch levels, same with software. Most consumers haven't (and still won't) noticed LG's emergence into the premium phone market - they have traditionally made affordable phones that honestly really sucked.
Key points: Snapdragon S4 PRO quad core processor, neat design.
9. Asus Padphone 2
Asus doesn't get near enough credit for their Padphones. Yes, they are really expensive - but you get both a beast phone, and a tablet in one. The Padphone 2 comes with an optional 'dumb tablet' that is useless until you put your phone into the dock. Once the connection is made, the tablet uses the phone's brains to operate.
Key points: Snapdragon S4 PRO quad core processor, optional tablet.
8. Samsung Galaxy S 3
I honestly think that the S3 has been over-hyped. Yes, it is good all around, but it lacks anything to set it aside from the rest (besides its marketing which is stellar in comparison to other manufacturers). It has Samsung's plastic design, a decent processor, OK screen...the only reason it is on this list is because of TouchWiz. Many hate Samsung's UI, but none can argue it adds a ton of features.
Key Points: So many features (your gaurenteed to use at least one)
7. HTC 8X
HTC's flagship Windows Phone 8 device, the 8X is interesting. The design is refreshing, and is much thinner and lighter than the Lumia 920 - but about on par with the average flagship android phone. It has a really nice LCD2 screen, and is only 4.3" making it the smallest non-iPhone phone on this list.
Key Points: smallest flagship WP8 device, refreshing design, great screen.
6. HTC One X+
HTC had a good phone in the One X, but improved it with the X+. It has an amazing screen, great camera, but it suffers a bit from it's battery life. It is important to note that it comes with 64GB of internal storage, which means you get tons more storage for the price of the phone. This phone is also quite snappy with it's 1.7GHz Tegra 3 quad core processor
Key Points: huge storage, great screen, pretty fast.
5. HTC Droid DNA
The DNA hands down has the best screen on any phone anywhere. With it's 1080p LCD3 screen, it blows everything out of the water. It also has a great processor and camera, and one of the best designs of any android phone. It is held back by it's 16GB of non-expandable storage however.
Key Points: Snapdragon S4 PRO quad core processor, 1080p LCD3 screen, great camera.
4. Nokia Lumia 920
This 4.5" phone is the thickest, and heaviest flagship smartphone by quite a bit - but it doesn't feel chunky...it feels like the most premium well made device you've ever touched. It is super quick and has epic battery life (mostly thanks to it's WP8 OS). The physical and software designs are both top-notch, and this phone would be top of the list...if WP8 was caught up to Android or iOS (the app gap is still annoying).
Key Features: nice design, undying battery, feels premium, has all the benefits of WP8.
3. Nexus 4
LG did it twice this year: it surprised everybody with both the Optimus G, and the Nexus 4. Google made some sacrifices with the Nexus 4: it lacks LTE, and a microSD card slot. It also has sub-par battery life and also a subpar camera (although more than usable for most consumers). However, you know that if you buy the Nexus 4 you get a great processor, design, and you will be laughing at all your friend's android phones when they're running 2 versions of android behind you. Despite it's downfalls, it has enough going for it that it made it into the top 3.
Key features: timely updates, price, Snapdragon S4 PRO processor, stock android UI.
2. Apple iPhone 5
While many were disappointed with the iPhone 5, it is still an amazing phone. Sure, your going to pay top dollar, but you get one of the thinnest, lightest, fastest phones on the market. Everything "just works", and apps are plentiful and of very high quality. To some, iOS has become stagnant (every other OS had a major refresh recently, but iOS has mostly remained the same since 2007).
Key Features: super thin, light, with a manageable 4" screen, fast, feels premium.
1. Samsung Galaxy Note 2
The Note 2 is a beast in every way. With a 5.5" screen, it's 1.6GHz quad core Exynos processor, all of TouchWiz's features...you can't call it anything besides a complete brute (unfortunately, that includes the price). As mentioned with the S3, TouchWiz has it's haters, and other UIs are set up much nicer. You can always modify it, but 80% of android users won't. There is nothing on a phone that is better than the Note 2. It's got one of the fastest processors, best battery life, cameras, biggest screen, and it's still relatively thin and light. Because nothing is better than it, it grabs top spot.
Key Features: massive screen, great processor, really good battery life, missing nothing.
If you'd like to complain about this list, you can email me at qandandroid@gmail.com, tweet me on twitter (@qandandroid), or bombard my inbox on reddit (qandandroid).
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