If you are looking to buy a new smartphone this month for cash, with a unlimited budget, the Samsung Galaxy S 4 has landed. For those who don't want an Android, it might want to wait for the next generation iPhone or for the price of BlackBerry Z10 to drop. There are other phones worth looking at other than the Galaxy S 4.
As in the past months, LTE is must to make it on the elite list.
All prices posted are for units covered by a manufacturers warranty.
1. Nokia Lumia 920 (Php22,600) - A price adjustment makes this phone attractive enough
There are two really good reasons to buy this phone. First, it is the best Windows Phone 8 in the world. Second, it has an excellent video camera.
The 8MP primary camera has Carl Zeiss Optics and optical image stabilization, the first for a smartphone. A gyroscope is used to detect the motion of the phone and the whole optical assembly moves in the opposite direction to cancel out the movement. That happens 500 times a second. This really does wonder for HD video capture, especially for the action junkies. The still image quality is not really up to par with the Apple iPhone 5 and Samsung Galaxy S4 and Note 2 camera, if you are an action junky, the video capture mode of the Lumia 920 will make you forget all that.
Quick specifications:
- Windows Phone 8
- 4.5-inch HD (768 x 1280) display
- 32 GB internal storage, not expandable
- 1 GB RAM
- 1.5 GHz dual core Qualcomm Krait processor
- Adreno 225 graphics
- 13 MP autofocus primary camera with LED Flash
- 1.3 MP front camera
- LTE/HSPA+
- WiFi
- Bluetooth
- A-GPS
- 2000 mAh battery
The price of the Nokia Lumia 920 dropped recently, and at its new price, it is spec'ed just right. If you cannot get a good price on it, I recommend you look at the other offerings.
2. LG Optimus G (Php24,500) - Nexus 4 with LTE
The LG Optimus G is the phone on which the Google Nexus 4 was based. Basically, think of it as a Nexus 4 with double the storage and LTE.
Quick specifications:
- Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean)
- 4.7-inch HD (768 x 1280) display
- 32 GB internal storage, not expandable
- 2 GB RAM
- 1.5 GHz quad core Qualcomm Krait processor
- Adreno 320 graphics
- 13 MP autofocus primary camera with LED Flash
- 1.3 MP front camera
- LTE/HSPA+
- WiFi
- Bluetooth
- A-GPS
- 2100 mAh battery
The LG Optimus G put together the best of 2012 technology. It won't stand up to the best 2013 offerings, still priced Php5K below the Samsung Galaxy S 4 it is worth a look. It is priced awfully close to the Sony Xperia ZL, though.
3. Sony Xperia ZL C6503 LTE (Php26,850) - By the skin of its teeth
The Sony Xperia ZL combines 2012 and 2013 technology. Basically, todays Full HD display tech, with last years quad core processor. Basically, at a bit over Php2K more than the LG Optimus G, the Full HD display is worth the additional money. It also comes with a dedicates camera button with a half press to focus function.It is also the most compact 5-inch smartphone in the world. By comparison, it is 5 mm shorter, and 0.5 mm narrower than the Samsung Galaxy S 4.
Quick specifications:
- Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean)
- 5-inch Full HD (1080 x 1920) display
- 32 GB internal storage, not expandable
- 2 GB RAM
- 1.5 GHz quad core Qualcomm Krait processor
- Adreno 320 graphics
- 13 MP autofocus primary camera with LED Flash
- 1.3 MP front camera
- LTE/HSPA+
- WiFi
- Bluetooth
- A-GPS
- 2370 mAh battery
About the caveat, when you go from spending Php24.5K for the Optimus G, to Php26.8K for the Xperia Z, you are getting awfully close to the Php29.9K for the Galaxy S 4.
4. Samsung Galaxy S 4 i9505 (Php29,990) - The best smartphone ever built
It is still made of plastic and it no longer has an FM radio. Oh yes, the software is being given so many features it is starting to look gimmicky. Those are about the only bad things you can say about the Samsung Galaxy S 4. The Galaxy S 4 is basically a Galaxy S III with a larger, higher resolution display, in a smaller case. It is also faster, comes with LTE, and the camera and battery life have been improved. Basically, it improves on everything.
Quick specifications:
- Android 4.2 (Jelly Bean)
- 5-inch Full HD (1080 x 1920) Super AMOLED display
- 16 GB internal storage, expandable via a MicroSD card
- 2 GB RAM
- 1.9 GHz quad core Qualcomm S600 processor
- Adreno 320 graphics
- 13 MP autofocus primary camera with LED Flash
- 1.3 MP front camera
- LTE/HSPA+
- WiFi
- Bluetooth
- A-GPS
- 2600 mAh battery
Get over the plastic. The phone has a user replaceable battery and is easy to repair because of it... and you are going to keep this phone in a plastic or leather case anyway.
Want to be really impressed, look at the battery life tests.
Want to be really impressed, look at the battery life tests.
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