The last update saw the HTC One rocket to the top spot, ahead of the ageing Samsung Galaxy S3. But now we've got the Samsung Galaxy S4 to shake things up, trying to claw its way to the top ahead of the likes of the supercheap but powerful Google Nexus 4 by LG? Or you could just sack off the new phones and plump for last year's Samsung Galaxy S3 - it's still good, you know.


But we probably shouldn't forget the Apple iPhone 5 as a viable option, and while the Nokia Lumia 900 used to be top dog in the Windows Phone 7 game, it's the Nokia Lumia 920 that's flying the flag for Windows Phone 8.

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 which new phone to buy (and checked out thebest mobile phone deal), 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.
20. Huawei Ascend G330




The Ascend G330 is a solid performer. It's smooth in use, has the power to run even the most demanding apps very well, and although not hugely exciting to look at and hold, the display's clear and bright enough to elevate it above some of the tattier budget models.

And it's definitely more capable than the old Ascend G300, with hardly any glitches when downloading/updating apps and navigating the phone at the same time.

It delivers a great smartphone experience for the money with hardly any obvious compromises.

Quick verdict

When deciding on a budget phone, it can be a nightmare trying to decide which one to go for. Is it power? Name? Specs? Or just a low price tag attached to a phone that doesn't go bananas when you prod it?

The latter applies to the Huawei - and it delivers well, especially for the £100 sticker whacked on it.
Huawei Ascend G330 review
19. Samsung Ativ S




Thanks to an excellent build, good specs, beefy storage and an open body design, the Ativ S is an excellent WP8 option.

While Windows Phone 8 is definitely wanting in the app department, it's still a rich enough eco-system for many, and the sleek lines of the Ativ S remind us nicely of other high-end Samsung phones.

Samsung has really one-upped the competition by including a removable battery, and more importantly, microSD storage. One of our biggest complaints with the HTC 8X was its paltry 16GB of space and lack of removable storage.

Quick verdict

It's not the ultimate Windows Phone device, and it can be tricky to get hold of in the UK - but if you're not up for Nokia's Lumia range of Microsoft-powered devices, this should definitely be next on your list.

18. Motorola Razr HD




Motorola might not be anywhere near the sharp end of the smartphone market these days (or, indeed, ever) but it still makes a half-decent fist of a mid-range smartphone.

While this phone lacks in some areas (let's be honest: a dual core processor doesn't get anyone's heart racing any more, despite being able to handle most tasks you can throw at it) it still has a clear screen, a simple OS and a really strong battery at its heart.
Many will be taken by the almost stock Android platform it uses, and the fact it's got an additional HDMI port means it's easy to sync your phone up to a big screen.

It doesn't cost the earth, which is a key consideration as well in these financially-addled times - although you can get a Galaxy S3 for the same money.

Quick verdict

With interchangeable covers, you can see enough of the younger market enjoying expressing themselves with this budget option. It's fast, fluid and brings enough of the WP8 experience without costing the earth.
17. Sony Xperia S


We used to love the Xperia Arc S - but we're a fickle bunch, and now Ericsson has been cast aside, we're all over the new brand like a cat on a fresh set of curtains.

The Xperia S almost has too many positive points to list, with a HD screen, 12MP camera and dual-core processor all combining to make one of the finest smartphones of 2012.


As you will gather from our review, the Sony Xperia S has both a quality screen and a dual-core processor that never slows down - plus that 12MP camera is still more than half-decent.

Sony has also very kindly bundled lots of software with the Xperia S out of the box, which saves you having to dash to Google Play as soon as you turn on to grab vital apps.

Battery life is the only slight wobble (if you don't mind a plastic casing), but it will generally last a day under normal conditions, and that's a solid enough benchmark for us.
Quick verdict

There are still some niggles with the Xperia S but we think it says a lot that when deciding on the pros and cons for the device, we really struggled with the cons section.

It's since been bested twice with the announcement of the Sony Xperia Tand then the Xperia Z with faster innards and a better screen - but that means the Xperia S has become more of a budget winner, so don't worry about the first Sony phone just yet.