The iPhone's once-unassailable position at the tip top of the smartphone tree has more challengers now than ever, with a range of Android handsets now promising more power, better cameras, superior screens and more varied features than even Apple's latest baby can manage.
We reviewed the iPhone 5s very favourably, but what else is out there instead?
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Samsung Galaxy S4
Thinner, lighter and more powerful than its S3 predecessor, with a better screen and more features, what's not to like about the S4? Well, the £600 price tag for a start...
It may not be cheap, but you can see what you're paying for. The 4.7-inch super Amoled screen offers a pin-sharp HD resolution of 1,080x1,920 pixels and the quad-core 1.9Ghz processor races through menus and apps if not quite at the speed of thought, then at least somewhere close. Samsung's TouchWiz interface offers additional menus and picture-in-picture views to help you work and play more efficiently too.
The gesture and eye-tracking features may be more of a gimmick than strictly useful at the moment, but they're fun to play with and the 13 megapixel camera is a peach. If you're prepared to splash the cash, there's so much on this phone that you'll still be exploring its corners by the time the S5 comes out.
Wired: Slim and light, terrific screen, powerful processor, very good camera, loads of features
Tired: Possibly too many features, mono (not stereo) speaker, not cheap £600
9/10
Read our full Samsung Galaxy S4 review
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HTC One
HTC has a string of One handsets (including the One mini, which is another worthy alternative to the iPhone), but the simple One is the one to go for, if you see what we mean.
The metallic casing gives it the feel of a high quality product -- more so than the more expensive, but plasticky S4 for instance.
The 4.7-inch LCD touchscreen offers the same HD resolution of 1,080x1,920 as the S4 (and which works out at the same 326ppi as the 5s's smaller screen) but it's not quite so vibrant and the colours seem a bit more natural. The quad-core 1.7GHz processor is fast too, and doesn't appear too constrained by HTC's busy Sense interface.
HTC is gradually losing its reputation for below-par cameras but it's still not out in front. This one features a large aperture, four "Ultra Pixels", but it's capable of taking much better snaps than its four megapixels would suggest.
Wired: Full 1080p HD screen, very fast processor, solid build quality, HTC Sense 5.0
Tired: No expandable storage, no removable battery, not cheap £520
8/10
Read our full HTC One review
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Sony Xperia Z1
The Z1 is just about as good as it gets in Sony's Xperia universe, with a super-powerful quad-core processor, improved HD screen, 20-megapixel camera and waterproof glass body. The waterproof thing is something that other manufacturers have been slow to catch on to, but it makes Sony's handsets sturdier and less prone to accidental damage than most.
The 5-inch screen offers the same HD 1,920x1,080-pixel resolution as others here but manages the trick of natural-looking colours with super-sharpness. The quad-core 2.2GHz processor does a superb job of everything from browsing to HD gaming and the 20 megapixel camera is capable of producing some superb snaps.
Wired: Terrific screen, powerful processor, fine camera, waterproof, dust resistant
Tired: A bit bulky, not cheap, battery life not great £599
9/10
Read our full Sony Xperia Z1 review
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Acer Liquid S1
It doesn't have the big brand name, but Acer's star turn does what a lot of other premium smartphones can do for around half the price.
The plastic casing feels a bit flimsy, but then, so does the S4's. The 5.7-inch screen delivers a less than full HD resolution of 1,280x720 pixels but it still looks very fine indeed -- bright, vibrant and clear, no matter how small the print. The Float UI allows you to overlay certain apps over each other, as you can with the Sony or the Samsung, though in this case they tend to look less cramped on the larger screen.
The quad-core 1.5GHz processor does a sturdy job and doesn't disgrace itself among this company, as does the 8-megapixel camera, which may not be among the very best (take a bow Sony) but can deliver some very good snaps with a bit of care.
Wired: Large screen, decent camera, good battery life, sensible price
Tired: Cheap casing, not the fastest £280
7/10
Read our full Acer Liquid S1 review
This article was originally published by WIRED UK
