Top 10 Smartphones of 2013 (6-10)
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Number 6: Moto X
The Moto X has a great feel in your hand with excellent voice control functionality and active notifications on the lock screen.
Motorola took a while to get their Moto Maker customization out to all supported carriers, but that option went live today.
The specifications are not the highest in the current generation of smartphones, but the Moto X performs well and has a rather long battery life. The camera had some issues at launch, but a recent update fixed most of those issues.
You can purchase the Moto X starting at $99 on contract or $499 on T-Mobile with no contract, for the 16GB model. It's nice to see that it is assembled in the US and as a veteran that is something that had me seriously considering it even though it isn't the most powerful smartphone available.
Number 7: LG G2
LG continues to launch exciting smartphones. The minimal side bezel, long battery life, and solid camera experience are compelling on the LG G2.
The 5.2 inch 1080p IPS display looks great and the device flies. It comes with Android 4.2.2, which is common for devices from LG, Samsung, and HTC that have customized user experiences.
The LG G2 is available on all the major carriers for $199.99 with a 2-year contract. T-Mobile sells it for $99.99 down and $21/month for 24 months or $603.99 full retail price. It is available now on all carriers with some software differences and WiFi Calling support on T-Mobile.
Number 8: Samsung Galaxy S4
The Samsung Galaxy S4 is a very popular smartphone and a standard for many folks. It could easily have been put higher on the list, but there are other newer exciting smartphones I placed higher.
The Galaxy S4 has a 5 inch display and yet still feels great in your hand. Samsung provides some flexibility with a microSD card and removable battery too. They also include plenty of software enhancements that make the S4 unique compared to many other Android smartphones.
There are plenty of accessories available due to popularity of the S4 and it is a great alternative to consider. You can purchase the S4 on all carriers for $199.99 with 2-year contract. T-Mobile sells it with no contract for $627.99.
Number 9: Motorola Droid Maxx
The Motorola Droid Maxx has a longer battery life, thanks to the internal 3,500 mAh capacity battery, and many of the unique Motorola features found in the Moto X. These include active notifications, always-on listening, and Motorola Assist.
The Droid Maxx comes with a 5 inch Super AMOLED display, Motorola X8 processor, 32GB internal storage, 10 megapixel camera, Qi wireless charging, and more.
Again, the Droid Maxx suffers from carrier exclusivity and is only available on Verizon Wireless. The price dropped quickly after launch from $299.99 to $199.99 with a 2-year contract. The $499.99 no-contract price is quite good for a powerful smartphone.
Number 10: Sony Xperia Z1
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Sony's Honami phone, aka the Xperia Z1, was long rumored and desired by smartphone enthusiasts. It is now available as a SIM unlocked variant directly from Sony.
The Xperia Z1's claim to fame is the waterproof and dust resistant casing with a high-powered camera. Unfortunately, Sony still has some work to do on their smartphone displays before I will purchase one for myself.
The Xperia Z1 includes a Snapdragon 800 2.2 GHz quad-core processor, 2GB RAM, 16GB internal storage with a microSD card slot, 20.7 megapixel camera, and five inch HD display. You can purchase it without a contract for $649.99 from the Sony store in black, white, or purple.
source:zdnet
