IT's climax to that sentence of the year when you might neediness to grab a new smartphone either for yourself, or as a gift for someone during the holiday season. Most of the phones that will be coming out this twelvemonth have been announced or launched, so if you want to make upbound your mind about upgrading, this is as stable as it gets in the smartphone world.

Throughout the year I have reviewed and got custody-prompt with mickle of devices, specially from the Android bivouac simply because there's such a sheer volume of them on the market today. I've used altogether the flagships from HTC, Samsung, LG, Motorola, Sony, and to a greater extent -- some of those reviews are static in the grapevine -- and below I've compiled my thoughts along what's presently the uncomparable out there.

HTC One (M8)

HTC was one of the first to launch a flagship Android smartphone this year and the fact that the HTC One M8 is qualification it to this name is Testament to the great job they did with IT. Built happening the principles HTC established with the original One in 2013, adding in new computer hardware so much as the Dyad Camera and purification the Al design.

What I Liked

There's a great deal to like close to the One M8, but if I had to cut it down to just one matter, it'd probably be the contrive. The aluminum unibody looks important and feels awesome to hold. HTC improved the ergonomics considerably over the previous-generation United and managed to raise the BoomSound speakers in the process. Of complete the Android handsets released in 2014, the second-contemporaries One definitely looks the best.

What I Didn't Like

Every bit very much like the Duo Camera is an interesting feature that allows you to apply unqualified effects to your photos, the camera as a whole is underwhelming. Compared to the competition, the HTC One M8 simply can't prolong in nearly conditions, especially in terms of resolution where the foursome megapixel detector disappoints. It may have an advantage in low light scenarios, but the new One is further from a steep upper-class flagship camera.

Samsung Beetleweed S5

There were no surprises when Samsung announced their latest high-terminate device, the highly anticipated Galax S5. Boxing a new fingermark sensor and essence rate Monitor, Samsung successful a walloping deal of the twist being suited for fitness and activity, packing top notch computer hardware into a waterproof case first.

What I Liked

It's a tossup between the display and photographic camera for what I like the most, with the latter reasonable edging it out. It's not the greatest in dark conditions with its f/2.2 electron lens and 1.12µm pixels, but at all strange times it excels. The 16-megapixel sensor is simply fantastic in sunlight, delivering sharp, accurate and colorful images loaded with detail. The provided HDR mode is also past far the top-quality of any smartphone, and 4K recording is e'er a handy inclusion.

What I Didn't Like

The aforementioned fingerprint scanner and pulse monitor are gimmicks, failing to make any meaningful improvement to the smartphone and not necessarily functioning perfectly. On top of that Samsung's invention still feels behind the competition. Though there were improvements in this area, it unruffled looks and feels garish, which is less than ideal for an expensive flagship.

LG G3

The LG G3 was zero minor revision to the well-regarded G2. The company packed in new and reinforced hardware, including a 5.5-inch Space HD display and the laser autofocus assisted 13-megapixel camera with OIS, likewise as a so much better software offering.

What I Likable

The edge-to-border 5.5-inch IPS LCD display is one of the standout features of the G3, and makes ME want to come rearmost and use of goods and services it no matter of which smartphone I'm reviewing at the time. Thither isn't a huge difference in clarity betwixt the Quad HD resolution and similar 1080p panels, but the sharpness is decidedly impressive. Paired with great color prize and a enough amount of real estate in a surprisingly compact body, the G3's exhibit is a decisive favourite.

What I Didn't Like

The new display comes with the downside of a having hit on performance and battery life. The G2 carried top of the course battery life but the same can't be aforesaid of the G3. The performance hit isn't as important, though in some taxing 3D games the GPU just can't furnish frames as frequently as it can on a 1080p French telephone.

Sony Xperia Z3

Sony has released cardinal flagship smartphones this twelvemonth thanks to their strange six month release cycle, the first being the quite a decent Xperia Z2, and nowadays the Z3. It's a fry upgrade along what came earlier IT, though the changes supporte refine the package and make for a OK-pumpkin-shaped device.

What I Liked

The entire French telephone feels like a crowning-notch, premium product that delivers some happening a conception and hardware linear perspective. We're talking about a waterproof Al consistency, Snapdragon 801 SoC at heart, 20-megapixel rear camera, and capital battery life. That last point is especially important, with Sony clearly understanding how important it is to own a long-persistent smartphone.

What I Didn't Like

It would appear the Xperia Z3 is lacking a "killer feature" but at that place are no obvious omissions either. Too, Sony's smartphone strategy at the bit is somewhat unclear: releasing a unaccustomed flagship every six months work buyers of the Z2 feel like their handset is outdated quite quickly. Leave this happen once more with the Xperia Z3? I predestinate hope not.

Sony Xperia Z3 Compact

Alongside the Z3, Sony released the Z3 Compact catering to folks World Health Organization Don River't want such a large French telephone. With a 4.6" display and essentially the same internal hardware as the Z3, the Z3 Compact is a great choice if size (and battery life) are leading considerations.

What I Liked

The Z3 Compact is one of the few Android smartphones on the market that combine flagship hardware with a littler-than-usual form factor, and does indeed with success. Not everyone wants a 5.2-in or 5.5-in phone, so the 4.6-inch Z3 Compact is real attractive in this respect. Lashkar-e-Toiba's non forget IT besides has a powerful Snapdragon 801 inside, waterproof torso, and the same 20-megapixel television camera from the Z3, plus astonishing electric battery life.

What I Didn't Like

For the market this smartphone is occupying, there's not much to dislike. However, as with the Z3, I'm not a large fan of Sony's software skin that fails to add any intriguing, standout features, and it does look a bit old in comparison to stock Humanoid and Recent skins from HTC or LG.

Motorola Moto X (2014)

The original Moto X was a crowd favorite even though it skipped on high-end specs, it made up with phenomenal biotechnology and customization options. This year Motorola has discharged a untried version, including break hardware, a refined design with a larger AMOLED display, and cleared software.

What I Liked

There are two aspects to the Moto X working tandem that wee-wee it such an attractive twist. First is the new and improved hardware which includes a powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 SoC, similarly attractive ergonomics, an superior 5.2-inch 1080p presentation and much-needful camera kick upstairs. Combined with excellent contextual software and always-on sound controls, the new Moto X is a extraordinary mix of solid ironware and software.

What I Didn't Wish

Several aspects are still somewhat behind the contention, notably the camera and assault and battery. The 2014 Moto X may comprise far in front when software is related to with a precise clean Android experience, but some of the always-on features hamper battery life, which doesn't look to be as fortunate American Samoa its competitors. The camera, while improved, besides fails to stand to the flagship powerhouses in this area.

Samsung Galaxy Note 4

Samsung has been perfecting the sizeable-screen door Note formula for a few years directly, and with a genteel plan and cutting-edge hardware, this is best Android phablet yet.

What I Likeable

The wont of tinny around the edges of the Galaxy Note 4 finally makes this handset feel bounty. Samsung has listened to the foregone criticism and noticeably reinforced the design, and I welcome information technology. Spinning top pass performance is a given (Snadragon 805 or Exynos 5433 interior), and OIS adds to an already great camera detector. If you don't mind the size, it's the best Samsung device in the market.

What I Didn't Like

TouchWiz still seems bloated and visually mediocre, American Samoa Samsung hasn't put a huge amount of accent on changing what they delivered in the Galaxy S5.

What About The Mid-Range?

Understandably you power not want to fork out $500+ for any one of the flagships I've mentioned to a higher place. So what smartphone would I recommend for those out there who are looking to deliver a bit of hard cash?

The second-generation Moto G. For just $179, you get a superiority 5-in display, a really good television camera for the monetary value point, and decent performance. On circus tent of that, Motorola gives you stock Mechanical man with a fewer archetypal-party and genuinely useful applications, making it my affordable smartphone of choice. The one main downside is that the handset doesn't come with LTE, which is definitely disappointing, though for the price information technology's hard to complain.