New releases
2012 was a big year for smartphones - beginning with a steady stream of Android smartphones delivering bigger displays and greater connectivity - followed by months of anticipation leading up to the launch of the Apple iPhone 5.
iOS
The iPhone 5 display at 4 inches is a significant increase on the comparatively small 3.5 inch display on every iPhone for the last six years. However, the iPhone 5's 4-inch display still only places it in the middle of the pack as far as screen size for smartphones is concerned, with several smartphones now available with 4.5-inches screens or larger. The introduction of the new Lightning connector may be an issue for anyone who has invested in accessories such as audio docks or chargers using the current iPod 30-pin connector.
Our tests found overall performance results for the iPhone 5 to be good, however the GPS performance is not as good as the iPhone 4S using iOS5, due to mapping inconsistencies. While improvements in the mapping data for the iPhone would be expected to occur, the fact that Google Maps is available again as an app on iOS may also be a plus for those wanting to find their way from A to B without first going through D, E and F.
CHOICE will start its next round of GPS navigation app tests early in 2013 and this will include the latest iOS Maps and Google Maps, as well as the latest from Navigon, TomTom, Sygic and Metroview on iOS and Android and the latest Drive app on Windows Phone 8.
Android
Samsung continue to dominate the Android space as far as sales are concerned and our testers judged the Samsung Galaxy S III as the best smartphone of the latest batch. New mobiles from HTC, Motorola, LG and Sony (no longer Sony Ericsson) throughout 2012 also offered a wide variety of smartphone choices in terms of size, price and features.
Alternatives
Blackberry and Nokia have had a disappointing year, largely due to the inability to offer a compelling alternative to Apple’s iPhone or Android smartphones - and will be looking forward to new models that use the Blackberry 10 or Windows Phone 8 OS to help them compete in 2013.
The HTC Windows Phone 8X recently arrived on our test bench and while it didn't topple any of the top-performing models as far as overall performance goes, we were happy enough with the results to add it to our What to buy list, making it the first Windows Phone of any version that we would be happy to recommend. Look to see more Windows Phone 8 mobiles from LG, Samsung and Nokia in 2013.
3G capabilities
All 56 models tested work on a 3G network and many provide support for Telstra NextG or Optus, while some such as the Samsung Galaxy S III, latest iPhones and some other models offer support for both Telstra's 850MHz band and Optus' 900MHz band in the same phone.
Read our free article on smartphone data usage to make sure you're not paying more than you need to. And see our article on smartphone operating systems to help you decide on the software, a factor to consider for your overall experience on the OS.
Models coming up in our next test
The following models are currently being tested and couldn't be included in this update, but we should have the results for you early in the new year.
- Samsung Galaxy Note II GT-N7100
- Samsung Galaxy S Duos GT-S7562
- Samsung Galaxy S III mini GT-I8190
- Sony Xperia J ST26i
- Sony Xperia T LT30p
- Nokia Lumia 920
Brands tested
- Apple
- BlackBerry
- Huawei
- HTC
- LG
- Motorola
- Nokia
- Samsung
- Sony Ericsson
Models tested
* Newly tested models
- Apple iPhone 5
- Apple iPhone 4S
- Apple iPhone 4 (8GB)
- BlackBerry Torch 9810
- BlackBerry Torch 9860
- BlackBerry Bold 9900
- BlackBerry Bold 9790
- BlackBerry Curve 9320
- BlackBerry Curve 9360
- HTC One X
- HTC One XL *
- HTC One S
- HTC Velocity 4G
- HTC One V
- HTC 7 Pro
- HTC Radar
- HTC Desire C
- HTC Desire X *
- HTC Wildfire S
- HTC Windows Phone 8X *
- HTC Explorer
- Huawei Ideos X3 U8510
- LG Optimus L7 P700
- LG Prada 3.0 P940
- LG Optimus L3 E400
- Motorola Razr XT910
- Motorola RAZR Maxx *
- Motorola Atrix
- Motorola Motoluxe XT615
- Motorola Defy+
- Motorola Defy Mini XT320
- Nokia 808 PureView
- Nokia Lumia 900
- Nokia Lumia 800
- Nokia Lumia 710
- Nokia N9
- Nokia Lumia 610
- Panasonic Eluga dL1
- Samsung Galaxy S III
- Samsung Galaxy Note
- Samsung Galaxy Nexus
- Samsung Galaxy S II 4G
- Samsung Galaxy Beam
- Samsung Galaxy W
- Samsung Galaxy Ace 2
- Samsung Galaxy Ace Plus
- Samsung Galaxy mini 2
- Samsung Galaxy Gio
- Sony Xperia P
- Sony Xperia S
- Sony Xperia Sola
- Sony Xperia tipo dual ST21i2 *
- Sony Xperia Go
- Sony Xperia miro ST23i *
- Sony Xperia U
- Sony Xperia tipo
How we test
Our testers rate the following aspects of each phone:
Web browser performance is scored on how easy it is to start the browser, navigate to sites, enter addresses and use favourites and bookmarks. A practical test on content downloads is also carried out, and extra points are awarded for Wi-Fi connectivity.
Sound quality For both incoming and outgoing calls, our testers carry out a number of acoustic measurements, such as frequency response. In addition, a user panel subjectively rates the sound quality of calls.
Email Our testers check how easy it is to set up an email account as well as send, retrieve and read emails.
Camera score Our testers assess the phone’s digital camera capabilities to produce an image in different lighting situations. The resulting photo images are then printed and rated for resolution, colour reproduction and noise. They also look at how easy the phone is to use in picture-taking mode.
Music quality Our testers measure the ability of the phone to perform as a music player. They test the phones with the headphones supplied as well as a set of reference headphones. They also assess how easy it is to navigate through playlists, music transfers, volume control and available memory.
Reception They measure the phones’ receiving sensitivity and sending power (particularly important in areas with poor network coverage) in both the 900MHz and 1800MHz bands for GSM networks and on 2100MHz for the 3G network.
Handling Our testers assess the keypad, touchscreen and keyboard, as well as general handling and menu controls when using the phone.
Touchscreen quality is examined, including the speed of refresh and accuracy of operation.
Battery life This is mainly based on the time-in-use result, but testers also consider the charging time and battery-status warning.
GPS performance is measured for accuracy and speed.
Synchronisation This score is based on how easy the phone is to use when working with contacts and information stored on another computer or online to keep contacts and messages up to date.
SMS use is examined by writing and receiving an SMS and checking the suitability of the display for texting.
Display score Our testers look at the size of the display as well as quality of the image with regard to sharpness and colour clarity.
Durability Our testers simulate falls from a table or out of a shirt pocket up to 25 times, as well as storing the phones in hot, damp conditions and carrying out a rain test.
