1. Samsung Galaxy S2
The Samsung Galaxy was a stellar handset and its sequel, the Galaxy S II, is even more impressive. A dual-core 1.2GHz processor means apps and web browsers run at warp speed on the Android 2.3 OS. The bright and colourful 4.3-inch Super AMOLED Plus screen makes movies and games gorgeous to behold. Throw in an 8MP camera, 1080p video recording and a super sleek (8.49mm) and light (116g) design.
2. Apple iPhone 4S
Some say the iPhone 4S is merely a bridge phone, designed to prop up sales of Apple's handsets before the iPhone 5 is released next year. Even if that turns out to be true, the 4S is still a great handset in its own right. Although its identical to a regular iPhone 4 on the outside, a number of tweaks and improvements have been made under the hood. The camera, for instance, has been bumped up from five to eight megapixels, the processor is faster, and Siri, a virtual personal assistant, is now built-in. The easy-to-use iOS and the pin-sharp Retina Display still make it a good choice.
3. HTC Sensation XE
HTC has quickly established itself as one of the top players in the smartphone market. The HTC Sensation is currently their flagship 1.2Ghz dual-core device - the XE edition ups the processor speed, extends the battery life and adds Beats Audio software and stylings. Looks-wise it's certainly a head-turner: solid yet classy, slim but packing a massive 4.3-inch screen. The HTC Sense 3.0 interface is highly customizable too, and an 8MP camera on the rear can capture 1080p video too.
4. Samsung Galaxy Nexus
The Samsung Galaxy Nexus is one hot handset. Although the screen is 4.65-inches, the resolution is 1280 x 720, meaning it's both massive and pin-sharp. But although the Nexus' hardware is certainly note-worthy, it's more remarkable for its software at the moment. The Galaxy Nexus is the first phone to feature Ice Cream Sandwich, otherwise known as Android 4.0. This, when coupled with an NFC chip, facial recognition unlock feature and amazing synchronisation with Google services, makes the Nexus a very impressive package.
5. BlackBerry Bold 9900
BlackBerry sold more smartphones in the UK last year than any other manufacturer, and the Bold 9900 will only cement their position. It's their thinnest phone yet at only 10.5mm and the superb BlackBerry keyboard has also been married with a responsive touchscreen, making the phone perfect for both business and pleasure. The design is pure class as well, featuring a brushed stainless steel frame. Built-in Near Field Communications (NFC) technology will also keep this handset cutting-edge for some time to come.
6. Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc S
The Xperia Arc S builds upon Sony Ericsson's smartphone strengths - fantastic cameras and distinctive design - delivering an Android 2.3 experience in a thin (8.7mm) and attractive body. Sony Ericsson claim its 1.4Ghz processor delivers a 25% faster experience compared to the original Xperia Arc, a phone that was none too shabby itself in the speed department. The Arc S also has the same bright Reality Display and Mobile BRAVIA Engine under the hood, and any images you capture with 8.1MP camera will look stunning on the large high-res screen. The f/2.4 lens even allows for passable low-light captures.
7. Nokia Lumia 800
The Nokia Lumia 800 design is the culmination of decades of Nokia development - unfussy and attractive, functional yet also fun (the 800 Lumia comes in several soda-pop colours). The Carl Zeiss camera is a great feature, and the 3.7-inch ClearBlack curved display has fantastic depth and contrast. All this hardware is coupled with the wonderfully intuitive Windows Phone 7.5 (Mango) - the best version of Microsoft's smartphone OS yet.
8. Motorola Razr
The new Razr is absurdly thin at just 7.7mm, and a beautiful Kelvar fibre shell alongside a Corning Gorilla Glass screen help make it every inch the equal of its popular ancestor. The phone's dual-core 1.2Ghz processor blows away the original Razr's tech, however, and back in 2004 8MP cameras were dedicated snappers, rather than smartphone components. A hefty amount of memory and some excellent multimedia features are also on board.
9. HTC Sensation XL
HTC are obviously hoping to repeat the trick for phones by slapping the Beats logo on their new super-sized handset, the Sensation XL. However, the tie-up with the Beats line is more than just a cosmetic one - the phone features some unique audio tuning features and a bundled set of specially designed urBeats earphones. Throw a 4.7-inch display, single-piece aluminum chassis and 8MP camera into the mix as well.
10. BlackBerry Curve 9360
The Curve range has proved to be a big success for BlackBerry. The latest in the line, the Curve 9360, looks set to continue the trend, offering customers all the email and QWERTY keyboard goodness of the BlackBerry brand. It runs on the BlackBerry 7 operating system, and a cutting-edge near field communication chip is housed somewhere beneath its slim and classy casing for making mobile payments. The bundled web browser performs admirably too, with web pages looking bright and crisp on the superb screen. However, some lackluster photography capabilities and a rather paltry processor nod towards its budget roots.
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