Best Smartphone Now?

[Marcsony]

Awesome man! I like the sound of what you are describing. What is the projected release date? I'm ready to give one a test drive!

28th Feb is what 3 are saying, Carphone and phones4u saying first week in March. Preordering most places online give the date as the 28th Feb.

[ps3freak18]

28th Feb is what 3 are saying, Carphone and phones4u saying first week in March. Preordering most places online give the date as the 28th Feb.

Cool thanks man! The S4 is projected to be some time in march as well isn't it?

[Marcsony]

Rumors say March 15 but again Rumor.

[PeanutButterMunky]

Cool thanks man! The S4 is projected to be some time in march as well isn't it?

Yes and it will sport a 10" screen.

[ps3freak18]

Yes and it will sport a 10" screen.

Lol! Nice one.

[Cyklops]

So guys after the Samsung S4, HTC One and Xperia Z have all been unveiled, would you guys still stick with your original choices? Just to get the discussion rolling again.

[PS3-The Ultimate Machine]

The HTC One is a good handset overall, it's just that the 4MP camera won't be as sharp as an 8 or 13 megapixel one, but it's good to see more digital camera technology bleeding into the mobile space.

My personal favorite is the Xperia Z though, it looks simply stunning, has a great 13MP camera (Don't let the reviews fool you, that Exmor RS sensor is far superior to the iphone 5 or any other competing 8MP cameras). Unfortunate that it has a regular TFT screen instead of IPS+ or SLCD3 (Which the One has) so it has poor viewing angles and a lower contrast ratio, but the Bravia Engine makes up for the latter in photos and videos.

I personally don't like how the One looks like a cross between a One X and an iPhone 5, segmented designs are really not my thing.

I don't include the Galaxy S4 mainly because of its cheap plastic and pentile display.

[ash91]

The HTC One is a good handset overall, it's just that the 4MP camera won't be as sharp as an 8 or 13 megapixel one, but it's good to see more digital camera technology bleeding into the mobile space.
My personal favorite is the Xperia Z though, it looks simply stunning, has a great 13MP camera (Don't let the reviews fool you, that Exmor RS sensor is far superior to the iphone 5 or any other competing 8MP cameras). Unfortunate that it has a regular TFT screen instead of IPS+ or SLCD3 (Which the One has) so it has poor viewing angles and a lower contrast ratio, but the Bravia Engine makes up for the latter in photos and videos.
I personally don't like how the One looks like a cross between a One X and an iPhone 5, segmented designs are really not my thing.
I don't include the Galaxy S4 mainly because of its cheap plastic and pentile display.

I don't get these reports about poor viewing angles on the Z. I can look at mine at 180 degrees and the screen looks the exact same.

[PS3-The Ultimate Machine]

I don't get these reports about poor viewing angles on the Z. I can look at mine at 180 degrees and the screen looks the exact same.

Just what I've read in the reviews mate, but most users have reported great experiences, so I'll gladly take your word for it. I can't remember the last time I was so excited for a phone, the way that I am for the Z, alas it's priced wayyyy out of my budget, man can dream though.
On a side note, have you done any HDR video capture on the Z? I know it makes a hell of a difference in low-lit photos, but most sites said that the difference isn't very pronounced in the videos.

[ps3freak18]

I don't get these reports about poor viewing angles on the Z. I can look at mine at 180 degrees and the screen looks the exact same.

I just wish Sony would get on the ball and release it here in the US. At least give us a date.

[Nitey]

Yeah the viewing angle complaint is a strange one, somewhat generic. I can understand it on a TV or a Monitor or something but for such a personal device like a phone who cares if screen quality dims at angles when you're going to look at it head on 95% of the time.

The contrast ratio complaint is fair enough though. If Bravia Engine worked throughout whatever was displayed on the screen then it'd be excellent but I guess it doesn't.

[ps3freak18]

Yeah that complaint I completely dismissed thinking to myself that I never have to turn my phone to the side to look at it. Don't know why in the hell that would qualify as a complaint.