The world of the Android phone is moving it a frightening pace. Where once we were bowled over by a 4.2-inch screen, we're now finding our pockets stretched to bursting by 5- and even 6-inch devices. Processors, too, now boast four cores instead of one, providing incredible amounts of power.
We've just updated our comprehensive roundup of the best of Android phones, which you should bookmark today if you're a conscientious 'droid fan. It's certainly easy to lose track if you're not paying close attention to the latest releases, so keep checking back, as we constantly update the roundup with new phones.
If, however, you just need to know which phones are most deserving of your cash at this particular moment time, hit play on the video above, or read on to let me take you through some of our best picks of the here and now.
Samsung Galaxy S3
Samsung's Galaxy S2 was hugely popular and the first smart phone to really offer any kind of competition to Apple's iPhone. The S3 built on that popularity resulting in Samsung recently announcing that the phone vaulted over the 40 million sales mark.
The Galaxy S3 improves on its predecessor in a number of ways. For one, it's much bigger, boasting a 4.8-inch display with a pleasing 720p resolution. Gone is the dual-core processor, which has been replaced with a burly quad-core affair and 1GB of RAM. It's unquestionably a powerhouse of a machine with a price tag to match. If you're looking for sleek styling and brute force, the S3 is a solid option.
Google Nexus 4
Google shook up the Android world with a phone that packs elite features at half the price of its competitors. The Nexus 4's 4.7-inch display packs in a 720p resolution. It's running on a quad-core processor with 2GB of RAM and uses the latest Android 4.2 Jelly Bean software full of nifty tricks.
It sounds too good to be true and in a way, it is. Stock levels have been virtually non-existent, with the Google Play store page reading 'out of stock' for nearly the whole time it's been on sale. Still, if more models ever show their face, make sure you're ready to click that 'add to cart' button.
HTC One S
HTC might not have the glitz and glamour to its name that Samsung and Apple have managed to achieve, but that doesn't mean it doesn't have some great kit to flog. The One S is the smaller sibling of the One X but packs a slightly more manageable 4.3-inch screen and a nippy dual-core processor into a delightfully slender chassis.
If the super-sized One X or S3 won't fit in your pocket, the One S could be a wise option, and one that definitely won't break the bank.
Samsung Galaxy Note 2
If pocket space isn't a problem and you have hands the size of planets then the Galaxy Note 2 might be right up your proverbial. With a 5.5-inch display it blurs the line between phone and tablet, but it packs enough pixels in to keep it pin sharp while still being bright and extremely bold.
You'll also find a stylus tucked into the bottom to let you write notes and use the packaged Samsung software to do some pretty neat tricks.
There's a quad-core processor inside and 2GB of RAM, making it something of a powerhouse but that does of course make it very expensive. If you're just after a phone it's not for you, but if you want something to help you get on with work when you're away from the desk it's definitely worth checking out.
Huawei Ascend G300
High-end phones tend to come with similarly high-end prices. If you want to taste Android goodness on the cheap then the G300 could be for you. Its 4-inch screen isn't as hi-res as its bigger rivals, but it's perfectly adequate and its 1GHz processor rattles along fine for the essentials.
If photo editing, heavy multi-tasking and the latest 3D games are on your agenda, it's not the phone for you, but the less demanding among you will appreciate its charms and, crucially, its £100 price tag.
There are of course a whole flock of Android phones flying about and plenty more joining them throughout the year -- many at Mobile World Congress next month. Full HD screens and 2GHz processors are just a couple of the trends we're expecting to see.
Be sure to keep it CNET UK for all the latest mobile news and the best buying information and make sure to pop your comments below and over on our Facebook page.
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Comments 19
Add your comment
Russell Shevlane 22 January, 2013 15:50
I have a Note 2, I cannot fault it at all.
To be honest I don't think I could ever go back to a "small" phone ever again.
Damien2501 22 January, 2013 16:08
BB10 will destroy Spamdroid if this is the best phones Android OEMs can come up with, snm.
Though this is a good list, I'm glad the Galaxy Note 2 was included. But why isn't the Galaxy S2 included, it's still one of the best selling phones in the UK, out selling all the phones on the list except for the S3.
anonymous 22 January, 2013 18:07
@Damien2501 dont tell me you're sarcastic now! Go sit on the toilet cause theres a lot of **** coming out if you're mouth! SNM
anonymous 22 January, 2013 18:36
@Anonymous 18.07 if the **** is coming out his mouth, SITTING on the toilet won't do much good!!!
anonymous 22 January, 2013 18:45
Don't listen to Damien2501 she nothing but a little ***** who knows nothing and there's not many people who like her on this site anyway, just ignore her and she might go away....
anonymous 22 January, 2013 20:04
@anonymous 18:36 yeah I just thought taking a **** might prevent it coming out of hef mouth!
Damien2501 22 January, 2013 20:18
I feel like I'm dreaming. Get off your computers, go outside, get a sense of humour, the lot of you! Except for the first commentor.
To clarify, BB10 is a joke to me, there is no way they'll beat Android and the word Spamdroid is just stuck in my head for some reason.
All previous CNET UK compilations of best phones ignored the original Galaxy Note and I'm glad they included the Note 2 on this list. The Samsung Galaxy S2 set a really high bar for all it's Android and Apple rivals to beat that it hasn't been beaten. Thanks to its excellent hardware and software it's one of the best selling phones of 2012 and it's sales in the UK haven't been topped by 80% of phones on the list.
anonymous 22 January, 2013 20:21
@Damien2501<br />
**** girl you don't have contradict yourself,very short memory you seem to forget what you say on other topics, and make your mind up, one minute BB10 is **** and the next BB10 is the best and going to destroy android, it ain't got no hope against android,BB has left it way to late android control 75% of the smartphone market with apple 14% and the rest is shared between whoever is left picking up the scraps, so Damien2501 **** off and go and **** **** ****** **** or something and stop wasting peoples time.....
Damien2501 22 January, 2013 20:49
If your upset by my comments, why don't you get off your computer and get on with your life?
Meleagru 22 January, 2013 21:53
People are so rude on the internet. I, for one, hope that BB10 actually does well. Competition can only bring good things to us consumers. If you think that Android/Apple crushing all the competition and claiming the smartphone market all to the themselves is a good thing, you are really out of touch with reality. Android/Apple aren't football clubs.
anonymous 23 January, 2013 00:34
So... four Android phones you can buy today... and the Nexus 4.
Matt Winston. 23 January, 2013 10:00
I think people got Damien2501 confused with damien2501. I agree with Damien2501 point about the Galaxy S2, I got one and it I love it, all my friends that have got 2012 phones are constantly complaining about battery life or size, the S2 is still a good phone and should be on this list.
leoevs44 23 January, 2013 11:16
Agree with Matt Wilson i to think people have Damien2501 mixed up with damien2501, and this site is for people to give their comments and reviews whether you agree or disagree but there is no reason to diss people this way its disgusting and i also agree with Damien2501 the S2 is still an awesome phone and can still go head to head with some of the newer and more powerfull phones out there....
CaptainPicard 23 January, 2013 16:52
I agree with the Leoevs44 and Matt, there are 3 Damiens on this page. And , Damien2501 has actually made a really good point. Im glad CNET see's the Galaxy Note 2 as a phone and not a tablet like the original Note. This is a really good list, covering all Android phone segments, though I think another phone priced £200 to £350 should be included in the list because people doubt the existence of the Nexus 4 - perhaps the HTC Desire X, Galaxy Ace 2, one of Huawei's or ZTE phones??
anonymous 24 January, 2013 11:06
S2 is one of the best selling phones on the market, hell that phone is a fighter
anonymous 24 January, 2013 22:47
These phones really show the best of Android, can't really argue with the results. As I scrolled to the comments, I thought people were gonna argue about the HTC One X+ and the Sony Xperia T not being on the list, but this is ridiculous. And its not even damien2501 or Damien2701...
anonymous 25 January, 2013 04:21
There are many types of Android Phones available in market today. You have sorted out excellent list of phones here.
anonymous 25 January, 2013 23:02
I think 2 more phones need to be added to this list. The dual core Ascend G330 and either the HTC Sensation or Galaxy S2 should be on this list because it covers every price point. And remove the expensive Nexus 4 and those childish comments, he actually made a good point.
anonymous 26 January, 2013 19:29
The very idea you left out the Xperia t shows how little research was done on this. The reviews probably just looked at spec sheets and went 'oh, that number is higher, so it's better'.
The dual core processor on the Xperia t has the Qualcomm s4 processor which has been out performing most quadcore phones in benchmark tests. The phone dosnt suffer from the over saturated colours of amoled screens. It's also a mini games console thanks to being able to sync up the phone to a ps3 pad while using the PlayStation store. The phone is even a £100+ cheaper than any of its rivals. I mean, how good does a phone have to be?