Number 10: OnePlus One
Knowing the best smartphone you can buy right now is more than just a hunch for us. We test out the latest and - sometimes - greatest cell phones in comprehensive reviews.
To properly drill down to a list of our 10 favorites in the US, we based the rankings on a lot of geeked-out factors including hardware design, performance, battery life and camera quality.
Sure, your personal preference among iOS 8, Android Lollipop and Windows Phone 8 could sway you to another device besides our top-ranked phone.
Likewise, carrier availability via AT&T, Verizon, Sprint and T-Mobile is an outlier. The best phone for AT&T may not be available on-contract through Verizon and vice-versa.
But that's why we have more than just a No. 1 pick, which, spoiler alert, isn't Apple's iPhone 6 or iPhone 6 Plus. We're not that predictable.
Before you get locked into a two-year contract or spring for that expensive unlocked, SIM-free smartphone, consult our best of guide, updated regularly.
10. OnePlus One
OnePlus One was the surprise smartphone of 2014 thanks to the Chinese manufacturer that no one had ever heard of before this year. It's fast, large and, importantly, inexpensive.
Labeled a "flagship killer," this debut device from OnePlus has a super-customisable software that's a variant of the popular CyanogenMod, and it's backed up by powerful specs.
That includes a 5.5-inch 1080p display, a 2.5 GHz quad-core Snapdragon 801 processor, 3GB of LPDDR3 RAM and a healthy 3100 mAh Li-Po.
There's no microSD card slot or removable battery, and the 13-megapixel camera quality finishes in the middle of the pack with the same "pretty good" sensor as the new Nexus 6.
That's okay. At $300 unlocked, it's more than half of the starting price of Google's new 6-inch smartphone that is a more serious $650 without a contract.
Our only reservations are the pesky OnePlus One "invites" since it's not available through normal US carriers, and the fact that OnePlus One may equal One Plus Two in 2015.
Quick verdict
We love the fact that a new contender can maintain such a high place in the ranking of the best phones in the world - it means that it's not just a case of 'big budget means best phone'.
We were debating whether the OnePlus One could even have gone higher, but there's one big problem that you'll have if you want to get your hands on one: they're impossible to find.
Numbers won't ramp up for a while, and probably never to the level of availability of the better-known names.
But if you want a phone that offers supreme power at a really low cost: the OnePlus One is it. It's what the Nexus range used to be, and if Google ditches that program, then thankfully OnePlus has shown there will be brands to pick up the slack.
Number 9: Moto X (2014)
9. Moto X (2014)
Moto X is the most stylish and customizable smartphone within our best of list. That's thanks to Motorola's sophisticated Moto Maker website that made its debut with the Moto X 2013.
You can outfit this new Android device that has a 5.2-inch 1080p display with different backs and accent colors. Leather backs join the existing wood finish plastic color options in the rear.
Truth be told, our leather back choice got beat up within a few days, making iPhone 6 Plus' notorious BendGate look pretty by comparison. But the new powerful specs bump held up.
Its 2.5Ghz Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 quad-core processor, Adreno 330 GPU at 578 MHz and 2GB of RAM is spot-on for a one-handed smartphone.
But then you realize that Motorola's flagship for 2014 is cheaper than its direct rivals, including the better-marketed Samsung Galaxy S5.
Add the fact that it has pure Android and the handy infrared-sensing Moto Display on board, and Moto X seems like the ideal combination of fashionable, functional and nearly free on-contract if you catch the right deal.
Quick verdict
Don't think that just because the Moto X 2014 name didn't get much of a change that the phone is just a basic specs bump.
Motorola's new flagship smartphone proves that the reinvented company is listening to customer feedback with a bigger screen and aluminum metal frame, all for a price that's better than its competition.
It's not widely available yet in the UK, and it still could do with a microSD slot and a better camera, but for a phone that doesn't cost as much, allows you to customize nearly everything stylish about the design and works well, it's one of the best.
Number 8: Sony Xperia Z3
8. Sony Xperia Z3
Skip the on-contract Sony Xperia Z3V that's only available through Verizon if you can, and opt for the infinitely better Sony Xperia Z3.
Its the true upgrade to Sony Xperia Z2 that came out seven short months ago and is already outdated by the Z3's aluminium frame. Plastic is out and metal-and-glass design are in.
Thankfully, Xperia Z3 keeps the dedicated button for its 20.7-megapixel camera and Sony's IPS LCD screen technology makes it easier to read the 5.2-inch display, even in sunlight.
The biggest beneficiaries are going to be PS4 consoles owners who can take advantage of Remote Play, a feature it shares with the Z3V, Z3 Compact and Z3 Tablet Compact.
Z3's internal specs are a small step up from the Z2 and matched by the Z3V, but this is the best of what Sony has to offer in design. That is, until the Sony Xperia Z4 launches.
Quick verdict
The Z3 is a brilliant phone with a few rough edges - if you like a powerful camera that rewards learning the intricacies and want a really bright screen (with Remote Play on top) then the Z3 is very much worth looking at.
Number 7: Nexus 6
7. Nexus 6
The biggest smartphone on the list is the Nexus 6 from Google and Motorola. At a whopping 6 inches, the Nexus line finally pack a half-decent camera.
It also has room to compete with other flagships. The latest Snapdragon 805 processor, 3GB of RAM, all-day battery life, QuickCharge 2.0, and Android 5.0 KitKat.
Nexus 6 has a nearly bezel-free display, so the finger-stretching dimensions actually manage to be not too far off the size of the iPhone 6 Plus, which includes a physical home button.
It's an Android smartphone with very few compromises. Of course, that means the bumped up cost isn't as budget-friendly at $650 - more than double the $300 starting price of the Nexus 5.
Just make sure you can properly hold this two-handed phabet before entering into a two-year commitment or opting for the pricey no contract option.
Quick verdict
The death of the Google Nexus program has been greatly exaggerated, and this year's stock Android phone ironically resulted in an exaggerated Moto X. Its tremendous display, premium specs and debut of Android 5.0 Lollipop make one of the best phablets to date.
It's not cheap, but it's the best Nexus ever made. And, when you think about it, you're not going to need to hold onto your money, as you'll require both hands to grab onto this two-handed monster.
Number 6: Sony Xperia Z3 Compact
6. Sony Xperia Z3 Compact
Less powerful with a lower-res screen than its bigger brother? How exactly is the Sony Xperia Z3 Compact two places ahead in our best smartphones list?
Well, it's simple: this thing is all the power (well, mostly) of the larger model, with a smaller body. This means Remote Play for your PS4, a 20.7-megapixel camera, the clear IPS LCD screen... it's got it all and it's much, much nicer to hold.
The price is a lot lower too. The Xperia Z3 unlocked costs $508, according to the latest prices on Amazon. So unless you absolutely need the brightness of the Full HD screen, nearly every other feature is in this smaller phone.
Sony's miniaturized flagship has less impact on your pocket - both literally and figuratively. That's why we like it better. Just keep in mind that the SIM-free version means you can to pay for the device in full.
Quick verdict
The best of Sony in a smartphone - if that's what you're after, this is the phone to go from. It's the ergonomics and the price that impress, and while it's not quite got the spec sheet of the main Z3, it's a lot more polished for some reason.
On top of that it now packs Remote Play to make it a real winner if you're a PS4 owner - definitely one to check out if you fancy your power a bit more portable.
Number 5: iPhone 6 Plus
5. iPhone 6 Plus
iPhone 6 Plus is the only phablet-sized smartphone that runs iOS 8, so if you're tied into apps like iMessages and iCloud, this is your best and only bet for going big with Apple.
Its 5.5-inch Full HD display makes it almost as multimedia-friendly as the iPad mini 3. All of a sudden, there's even less reason to check out that tablet with its monir specs bump.
Simply put, it has the best specs within the iPhone lineup: a killer camera with optical image stabilization, a crisp 1080p screen and a much bigger battery.
All of this means that it's a tad expensive and harder to hold than the simultaneously launched iPhone 6 that we like slightly better.
It may be a little too wide (but not too pricey) for what Apple fans are used to when the 4.7-inch iPhone 6 is cheaper and just as powerful.
Quick verdict
While the ergonomics of this phone aren't brilliant, there's another reason it's below the LG G3 and others: the price. It's very, very expensive and you'll have to really be up for a phone of this calibre, and really want the extra space to merit a purchase.
Of course, if you're an Apple fan and want a bigger iPhone, then you should shut your laptop or throw down your tablet immediately and run down to buy one of these (providing you can afford it, of course). It's a great phone made larger, and improved along the way too.
Number 4: Samsung Galaxy Note 4
4. Samsung Galaxy Note 4
Samsung is back on the best smartphone list with the Samsung Galaxy Note 4, a better phablet than what both Apple and Google have to offer out of their own labs.
The 5.7-inch Super AMOLED display dials up the pixel count with a Quad HD resolution and it's sharper and brighter than other two-handed phones. Plus it comes with the S Pen.
The Note 4 camera also exhibits punchy colors on, and for the most part it works flawlessly. In fact, some scenes look a bit more dramatic than real life due to Samsung's image processing.
Under the Gorilla Glass 3 are powerful next-gen internals: a Snapdragon 801 processor, 3GB of RAM and a 3220mAh Fast Charging. It's hard to top these top-of-the-line specs.
Samsung's support of microSD cards and a removeable battery is also laudable. Just be warned, the best will cost you. It's $300 through a carrier's two-year contract in the US.
Quick verdict
While it's got a big hold over the LG G3 in many ways, it can't compete on price with the South Korean rival - and that's the big drawback for this phablet.
But it's the closest phablet to the 'average' smartphone we've seen so far, and it packs the most into that limited palm space. Well done Samsung - here's hoping the Galaxy S6 is even more impressive.
Number 3: LG G3
3. LG G3
The LG G3 needed to be good, as it was based on the hard work of the G2, which was a strong, well-made phone that didn't cost a huge amount of money.
So what does LG do with the G3? Goes and sticks the world's sharpest display on there (well, there are others now, but it was first).
It's a QHD screen, which means it's got four times the pixels of some phones on this list, and it also comes with a number of other enhancements too - although with those extra pixels packed in, the display is a tiny bit darker than others on the market.
Laser-based auto-focus? Check. Improved design? Check. Overhauled and simplified UI? Double check. It's going to be a little bit too big for some hands, as it's packing in a 5.5-inch screen, so we're verging on phablet territory.
But don't let that take away from a terrific phone, one that has a sleek, refined air about it and adds in fan favourite features like a removable battery and memory card slot, where both were missing on the predecessor.
Quick verdict
The screen on the LG G3, when used properly to display high-resolution content, is immense… LG knew that, and has been rightly making a big deal about it.
The overall design of the phone is vastly improved too, with the faux-metal cover not necessarily feeling great but certainly looks the part when laid on a table.
The camera is powerful too, leading to some great snaps and won't let you down when you need to just capture the moment here and there. And it's really dropping in price now, too.
In short, it's a necessary step on LG's quest to make the ultimate smartphone... if you want the best display out there with a good enough battery and strong camera, this is your next phone.
Number 2: iPhone 6
2. iPhone 6
iOS 8 is so easy to use that you can operate an iPhone with one hand. That's why we like the 4.7-inch iPhone 6 the best.
It puts everything at our fingertips reach without requiring that "reachability" feature (though, it does have it just like the larger iPhone 6 Plus), and it's $100 cheaper than Apple's phablet.
Easy to hold and easier to pay for. What doesn't it have? You miss out on the 6 Plus' camera OIS and the screen resolution isn't quite 1080p when most Androids are exhibiting Quad HD.
But shortfalls aren't dramatic. The simplicity of the iPhone interface and the still bright and beautiful 8-megapixel camera brings Apple's phone one spot shy of No. 1
Quick verdict
Why is the iPhone not number one? Simple: price, combined with a lower-res screen. It's $200 on contract unless you're nimble enough to score one of those iPhone 6 deals on Black Friday.
The phone that does everything well in a great package is brilliant, but not significantly more than anything out there, which means you can't justify the higher tag.
And if you are paying that much, we'd expect it to be a brilliant, top-spec phone, which it isn't when it comes to the display.
But don't let that put you off: if you're in the market for an iPhone, or just been tempted by one in the past: buy this one. It's excellent, a pure joy to use.
Number 1: HTC One M8
1. HTC One M8
What to say about the HTC One M8? They often say the second album is the hardest, but the follow up to the all-conquering HTC One takes the best of that phone and yet still re-invents things enough to make it a massive recommendation over the old model.
We love the speed of the camera, the Duo Camera is smart as a tack, the Boomsound upgrade is impressive and the design... well, you have to hold it.
The Snapdragon 801 processor has boosted battery dramatically compared to the 600 of last year, and that means that photos also process much more quickly as well - even the front-facing camera is much better.
Gaming, movies, photography, browsing all work really well, and in a phone that that's easily going to destroy whatever anyone else can design. LG ran it close with the G3, and the iPhone 6 still suffers on price and, inexplicably, a lower-res screen.
Quick Verdict
If we were to criticise the One M8, it would be the camera's lack of a megapixel upgrade, which means pictures are a little less sharp than they might otherwise be, and the bright light performance isn't top.
That said, it's a minor point in a phone that has barely any flaws. The lower megapixel camera means faster shutter speeds, and if you don't want to zoom in a lot, most will enjoy the depth perception and background de-focus ability to make some pro-looking snaps.
We urge you to hold this phone for a few seconds and try not to feel at least a small flicker of smartphone attraction. It's got great specs, a splendid design and some clever hardware innovation where the competition is relying on software to do the same thing.
The Samsung Galaxy S5 and the Xperia Z3 failed to take the top spot, and the iPhone 6 didn't manage the feat either - so the big question now is whether the HTC One M9 can actually get much better than this.
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