The year’s not over yet, but 2014 has already been a huge one for mobile phone sales. There have been some hotly anticipated launches and exciting innovations in the world of smartphone technology, and the handsets are flying off the shelves faster than ever before.
These are the top five mobile phones according to mobilephonedeals.uk that have been making a big splash in the UK this year, and a quick round up of what’s making them so popular.
1. Apple iPhone 5S
The newest flagship smartphone from Californian tech giant Apple was launched all the way back in September of 2013, but it’s still selling in huge numbers across the world. In the UK, it’s currently the top selling smartphone on the market, and its sister handset, the colourful polycarbonate iPhone 5c has done almost as well.
The iPhone 5s may look similar to its predecessor, the hugely popular iPhone 5, but this device saw a major leap forward in mobile technology and raised the stakes for premium smartphones. Aside from its glossy good looks, this flagship phone packs powerful specs and plenty of exciting new features.
The 5s launched with Touch ID technology, which lets users unlock their home screen and make purchases from the Apple Store through a fingerprint sensor that recognises the user’s unique print, securing the phone without forcing the user to type a pin code in frequently throughout the day. Although this technology had been attempted before on other phones, Apple was the first to really get it right on the iPhone 5s.
The phone also features a super-lightweight design that fits comfortably in the hand, excellent dislay quality with bright, bold colours and contrasts, and a powerful dual-core processor that keeps everything running along smoothly. There’s very little to complain about from the iPhone 5s, so it’s no surprise that it has topped UK sales all year.
2. Samsung Galaxy S5
Samsung’s latest flagship phone has been hot on Apple’s tail all year, putting up some stiff competition to the dominance of the iPhone. While the Galaxy S5 has plenty of similarities to the Galaxy S4, it’s a smartphone that’s more refined and a little more powerful than its predecessor, and one of the world’s most popular handsets.
In terms of its design, the Galaxy S5 looks roughly the same as the S4, with small dimples added to the back of the phone for a slightly more sophisticated look. The phone is also slightly larger than the S4, with a display screen that’s been boosted by 0.1 inches and an image quality that’s sharper and brighter than ever, just what you’d expect from a premium Galaxy device.
Samsung has boosted its S Health software suite to help its users track and manage their fitness and nutrition more effectively, and Kids Mode can be enabled to allow children to play and explore on the S5 without running into any inappropriate material. This is really just a snippet of the vast range of exciting features and software updates on offer on the Galaxy S5- it’s definitely one of the most user-friendly phones out there and has plenty to offer any mobile fan.
3. HTC One M8
This hotly anticipated mobile phone from HTC came along in 2014 to a fanfare of critical acclaim, and the praise was certainly well deserved. The HTC One M8 offers sleek, stylish design, powerful performance and a range of great features, making it one of the 2014’s best and most sought after smartphones.
The HTC One M8 is a seriously impressive device. It comes packing Ultrapixel camera technology to create perfect shots with intricate detail and depth, BoomSound technology with 25% more volume than the HTC One, and a massive 2,600mAh battery that will keep your phone running easily into the evening.
The HTC One M8 improves on its predecessor in every way, even improving the already stellar display quality on the HTC One to get even better viewing angles and full HD 1080p resolution, so your viewing experience will never be anything short of perfect.
4. LG G3
The LG G3 hit shelves earlier this year and made an immediate impression, with an overwhelmingly positive critical reception and strong sales figures. The phone has an amazing 76.4% screen-to-body ratio with a 5.5-inch screen and a 1440 x 2660 Quad HD display, making the LG G3 one of the best phones around if you’re after top quality display technology.
Aside from its beautiful display, the LG G3 shipped with a 13-megapixel camera with laser beam auto focus, gesture control technology, 4K resolution video capabilities and some exciting new software features, including a personal assistant feature called “Smart Notice.”
All of the LG G3’s impressive features and powerful specs are packed into a light 149g, slim body with beautiful, glossy looks.
5. Samsung Galaxy Note 3
2014 has been a huge year for Samsung so far, with several different handsets hitting the top seller lists. The Galaxy Note 3 is Samsung’s top selling “phablet”, a larger smartphone that doubles up as a tablet, eliminating the need for a second device. This Android device made a big splash in 2014 and shows no signs of slowing down.
The Galaxy Note 3 has many of the design features you’d expect from a Galaxy phone, including the plastic body and metal frame, but it also comes with a soft faux-leather back that improves the overall aesthetic of the handset. The Galaxy Note 3 has stronger specs and more features than its predecessor but weighs less and fits more comfortably in the hand.
The real highlight of the Galaxy Note 3 is its screen. The 5.7-inch full HD display is bright and bold thanks to its Super AMOLED technology, and with a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels, this is one of the best phones around for viewing videos and displaying text.
Photograph by Kārlis Dambrāns