What's the best mobile phone? Our verdict on the best smartphone / best phones - constantly updated
We've all got at least one mobile phone each, right? The trouble is, how do you decide which is the best one for you?
If you've read our list of the hottest pre-release new mobile phones and are still stumped, well, this is where we make it easy. Because here we have our continually-updated comparison of the top 20 best smartphones you can get in the UK.
The last update saw the Samsung Galaxy S2 nabbing the top spot - the combo of Android 2.3 and a beautiful screen in a tightly packaged body saw it head straight to the top of the pile.
But now Apple has finally brought out another version of the iPhone (see our iPhone 4S review) and the Nokia Lumia 800 suggests Windows Phone might have something to offer, so check out our list to discover the perfect phone for you.
If that still doesn't help, well, there's always our extensive mobile phone reviews pages as well - or check out our personally crafted smartphone buyer's guide:
And when you've decided what new phone to buy, why not cash in your old one with our phone recycling price comparison service?
Here are our rankings for the best mobile phones around, currently available in the UK.










Your comments (221) Click to add a new comment
deewanapom
Saturday at 08:12 UTC
221. Surprised not to find Moto Defy/Defy+ in the list. Beside being one of the toughest smartphones and providing excellent battery, they have some good specs and also priced reasonably.
I own both Defy and Wildfire S so I checked what Techradar mentioned in their reviews.
Surprisingly despite packing a 2GB internal memory, Techradar complained about that, however for Wildfire S there was no such complain for its 512mb internal storage! Sounds the reviews aren't objective enough.
Galaxy Ace has less than 200mb of ram and all three are in the same price range.
Any particular reason to ignore the Defy/Defy+? Just to mention Defy is not in 2.1 nemore.
Alert a moderator
garethtbeavis
January 31st
220. Thanks Surya! Updated :)
Alert a moderator
surya
January 29th
219. Weird how they still have the HTC sensation's picture despite it being the sensation XE. Many wouldn't notice but techradar itself revealing that the XE has red accents made it obvious
Alert a moderator
george.eisikovits
January 28th
218. In the past 6 months I've had the Galaxy S2, the Galaxy Nexus, HTC Sensation, HTC Sensation XE and HTC Sensation XL.
Even though specwise the Sensation XL is the least powerful it managed to outperform all the others overall. Sense 3.5 is great and very smooth compared with Sensation and Sensation XE. Sense is much more user friendly compared to vanilla ICS and T.WIZ4. Regarding battery life the SXL laughs at its opponents since I managed to squeeze a 3 day use on a single charge. The Nexus barely made it through 8 hrs with normal use. The screen is better compared to its Sensation brothers and is a lot brighter than what i've seen on the Sammys. Specwise its a lot worse but it doesnt quite show that yet. Quadrant displayed a hefty 2115 points making it middle ranged in the powerful smartphone section. For now the XL has offer the most out of the phones I mentioned earlier and I recommend it!
Alert a moderator
bobsm
January 28th
217. How can you describe the Galaxy Note as "even better" than the S2, and then slot it in at # 13? Makes no sense.
Alert a moderator
aloner
January 28th
216. The RAZR below the Lumia 800 or the Desire S???. The Sensation XE number 3???
Clearly your criteria is not objective. Trying to keep someone happy??
Alert a moderator
mtv2009
January 27th
215. Can't wait for the iphone 5 to be released.
It will deliver a heafty kick to the **** of every other phone out there.
All the Samsung boys will be crying into their plastic appleclone phones!
There...thats the bait thrown into the lake,now to wait for a bite;)
Alert a moderator
mtv2009
January 27th
214. @kermit don't be a numbnuts.
Alert a moderator
roz
January 27th
213. well the samsung galaxy s2 has my top vote and also the new samsung galaxy note. best phone out there streets ahead of apple. even wozniak of apple said the same and he owns an apple 4s and galaxy phone!
Alert a moderator
dhp190123
January 27th
212. Before this list got updated the hTC Sensation was at No3 above the Sony Arc, but now its not on the list at all???? does that mean all of a sudden its not a good phone???? you have the Iphone 4s & the Iphone 4 in the list but not the Sensations!!! this list is a load of ****!
Alert a moderator
djingonthenet
January 25th
211. Where's the Nokia Communicator 9210i? You could probably still get that on contract the last time this list was updated!
Alert a moderator
kermit
January 25th
210. mtvboy
didn't you just moan about whiny little fanboys
ya whiny little fanboy
Alert a moderator
mtv2009
January 14th
209. @bertmans well its your own fault for not doing your research before jumping from android to apple then isnt it.
Everyone knows that the iphone isnt that customisable and android is.
Also you didnt know you needed a credit card to use the app store...give me a break!!
I dont think you swapped at all i think you just wanted to ***** about apple like most people.
Alert a moderator
viper16
January 4th
208. Samsung GS2 is unstoppable for now.
if GS3 comes out with tegra 3...apple might as well abandon ship lol
Alert a moderator
viper16
January 4th
207. what iphone iphone iphone.....Android has beaten it to an inch of its life....all its got is its retina display(BEATEN) and siri(We got iris ready in 8 hours) and its so called original design which is shamelessly copied of the lg parada....
Alert a moderator
joshnumba1
December 16th 2011
206. this list is so wrong. it actually annoys me how amny mistakes they've made. a blackberry above an iphone? im a apple hater but its still better than bb. and why no galaxy nexus, galaxy note, droid razr, sensation xl and xe. the top of the website says updated 16 minutes ago. really? i dont think so. fix it
Alert a moderator
bobsm
December 12th 2011
205. Um, when will the list be updated to include the Galaxy Note? Enquiring minds need a Christmas present.
Alert a moderator
harsh_bb
December 12th 2011
204. I am shocked to see blackberry bold 9900 on 7th. i own one and not very much pleased with the performance. though its the best blackberry ever. iphone 4 deserves a better place than bb bold 9900.
there is also no new bb torch 2 in the list. bb are good for chatting and connectivity but not for apps. RIM should improve its bb app world so as to be comparable with android market and istore.
definitely doesn't deserve a 7th rank. i regret buying a bb bold 9900 instead of iphone 4 or galaxy s2
Alert a moderator
wdorey
December 1st 2011
203. No Lumia 800?
Alert a moderator
Tell us what you think
You need to Log in or register to post comments