5 best smartphones to buy

1.HTC One (M8)
The HTC One (M8) comprehensively betters the HTC One, taking the design and user experience of the former and refining it in many areas. There's no doubt that this is a premium device at the top of the Android pile. It's slick and fast and the refinement of the new Sense 6.0 user interface adds plenty to Android 4.4 KitKat.
The design is excellent, with a premium metal body offering a great feel in the hand. But this handset isn't only good looking, it offers a great 5-inch full HD display with some of the nicest visuals you'll find on a device at this size.
With size and power, you might expect the 2800mAh battery to be something of a concern, but the HTC One (M8) offers all-day battery life, along with an extreme power saver mode if you need to last longer.
The camera offers some clever features. Thanks to the Duo Camera you can easily refocus images, as well as apply a number of effects after shooting. They add interest, but if camera performance is the most critical feature you want then you might want to look elsewhere. The HTC One M8 is slick and fast and daily use is a pleasure. It will cost you £549.

2.LG G3
The LG G2 was a great handset and the G3 ups the ante. This is one of the best smartphones out there, fusing the appeal of a large display with a body that's only just larger than other devices at the top of this list.
It's also one of the first mainstream devices to step out of the door with a Quad HD display, or 2560 x 1440, pushing the pixels further than its rivals. It's capable of incredibly sharp details at 538ppi, but be warned - little content really makes use of that resolution, yet.
Although the G3 doesn't offer the same build quality as the HTC One, it's a good looking phone. The design keeps things simple, avoiding some of the kitsch design of the Samsung Galaxy S5. It's easy to grip, although might be a little too large for some.
LG has added plenty of smart functionality to the G3. There's gestures and shortcuts to make your life easier, as well as a range of functions to make use of all the display space, like dual app views.
There's also a really impressive camera on the back which is slick and fast and performs well in most conditions. Add 4K video capture to the list and you've a smartphone package that sees you ready for the future. You also don't pay over the odds for it at £479.

3.Apple Iphone 5S
With exquisite attention to detail and wonderful design, the iPhone 5S is master of the largest mobile ecosystem around. The design isn't a huge step over the previous edition, but the internal modifications, paired with a new refreshed OS, keeps Apple in the smartphone fight.
The iPhone 5S experience is very refined; it's mature, familiar and intuitive and supported by an App Store that's always first in line for the new apps, while you won't be left waiting for Apple's software updates. This is the handset that iOS 7 was built for and where it performs the best, with Apple pointing to changes in iOS 8 expected in October.
The iPhone 5S sets itself up for future dominance: 64-bit support and a new coprocessor dedicated to handling the motion sensors provide the potential for new directions. The camera is as reliable as ever, with a better flash unit and the addition of a fingerprint scanner provides for easy access with a layer of security, and more effectively implemented than rivals.
Great battery life comes with this phone that is slick and fast in operation, it's just a shame that the display is one of the smallest around. At least it won't be making an unsightly bulge in your pocket, even if buying it might make a little hole in your finances at £549. A late launch in 2013 means the iPhone is unlikely to see a newer version until late 2014.
For many, the iPhone 5S will be the device of choice, hooking into a wider system of devices that work together with minimal fuss.

4.Samsung Galaxy S5
The Samsung Galaxy S5 refines much of what the SGS4 offered. The design is similar, as is the interface, but there's refinement at every level. This is still the Samsung smartphone you know and love, but it's slick and fast, with plenty of power, and offers a stunning 5.1-inch full HD display.
The build offers the same flexibility as previous devices, so you can remove the back of the phone to switch out the battery which gives you all-day performance. The build might be mostly plastic, lacking the premium sheen of some rivals, but that makes for a device that's lighter and more compact.
The addition of a heart rate scanner is one element of a new focus on fitness from Samsung, even if the implementation of the fingerprint scanner is a little awkward. The camera produces great results, and is a good performer in all conditions.
There are perhaps a number of features packed into the Samsung Galaxy S5 that you won't use, but there's no lack of choices. Things like the download booster and user interface features that make use of the larger display give you plenty of useful elements to enhance the day-to-day experience.

We expect the SGS5 to be one of the top selling devices of 2014, such is the success of Samsung's machine, and for many, it will be the phone of choice. It will cost you £549.

5.Sony Xperia Z1 Compact
The Sony Xperia Z1 Compact is the phone where Sony Mobile got it right. It blends power with performance and design in a handset that will slip into any pocket. There's no shortage of devices at this size, but the Z1 Compact is the best performer by a considerable margin.
Although this handset doesn't have a full HD display, the 4.3-inch 720p screen is packed with detail and it doesn't feel lacking. It also offers better colours and better viewing angles than other Sony phones. There's a Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 chipset with 2GB of RAM and 16GB of storage with the option to expand with microSD, all sealed into a water resistant package.
Although it launched on Android 4.3, a KitKat upgrade arrived swiftly. There's plenty of refinement in the software, but a hefty amount of Sony bloat too.
We really love the power controls, which brings day-long performance to the Z1 Compact, easily outlasting many of the devices on this list. Sony's Stamina mode offers granular control over the apps and services, giving you much more control over data and battery use.
The result is a handset that should be seriously considered. It's fairly unique, making it a phone that we'd happily recommend to those looking for a powerful, yet compact, Android handset. It's also priced cheaper than many flagship devices at £399.