Updated: 20 best mobile phones in the world today
Our verdict on the best mobile phones, and best mobile phone deals, on the planet - constantly updated
We've all got at least one mobile phone each, right? The trouble is, how do you decide which is the best mobile phone for you?
Hopefully, TechRadar's extensive mobile phone reviews can help you with that. But if you're still stumped, you've come to the right place. Because here we have a constantly-updated list of the best mobile phones on the planet.
Whether you're after the best budget music phone or a high-end smartphone, the best ones are all here. And we've got in-depth reviews of all of them.
Here are our rankings for the best mobile phones in the world...
20. Samsung Genio Slide
Samsung has fused elements of both the Genio Touch and the Genio QWERTY to come up with a hybrid device – the Genio Slide.
Unlike its predecessors, the Genio Slide is a 3G-enabled handset, with high-speed HSDPA mobile data support (up to 7.2Mbps) and Wi-Fi connectivity built in.
It also has A-GPS satellite-based location finding onboard.
Pitched at the youth market, the Samsung Genio Slide certainly delivers a terrific feature package for a low-cost touchscreen handset, with a roll-call of functionality you'd expect of a higher-end model.
Our quick verdict: The Samsung Genio Slide was a surprise package - cheap, well equipped and while not really competing on tech, still perfectly usable. The QWERTY keyboard is excellent and shows Samsung is serious about capturing the social networking market.
Read: Samsung Genio Slide review
If you like the Samsung Genio Slide, you might also like:
| - INQ Chat 3G - | --- Samsung Genio Touch --- |
See all Samsung Genio Slide deals:
All deals | Pay monthly | Pay as you Go | SIM free
19. Sony Ericsson Elm
We've seen plenty of the recent razzle dazzle in the mobile phone market revolving around tech-loaded touchscreen smartphones like the HTC Desire and their eye-catching budget feature-phone stablemates like the Sony Ericsson Vivaz.
By contrast, handsets that are marketed primarily on their eco-friendliness have, so far, been a relatively low-key sideshow. And the few choices that have been available have mostly been worthy-but-unexciting designs with modest features, like the Nokia 3110.
Sony Ericsson has taken a step towards adding a bit of eco-appeal to its range with the release of the Elm. The Sony Ericsson Elm is part of Sony Ericsson's new GreenHeart portfolio of mobile phones that major on their green credentials.
Our quick verdict: The Elm is Sony Ericsson doing what it does best - making a phone that simply does well at calling, texting and a decent enough camera too. It's not going to set the world on fire, but offers good 'eco-credentials' as well as the right hardware package at an affordable price.
Read: Sony Ericsson Elm review
If you like the Sony Ericsson Elm, you might also like:
| - INQ Mini 3G - | ------- Sony Ericsson W995 ------ | ----- Nokia 3110 ----- |
See all Sony Ericsson Elm deals:
All deals | Pay monthly | Pay as you Go | SIM free
18. BlackBerry Bold 9700
Featuring an improved processor and latest UI, the Bold 9700 certainly has the specs but can it stop the iPhone and Android onslaught?
Well it's certainly a very good device, building on everything we've come to expect from the Canadian firm.
It's a little bit squished in comparison to the older device, but we don't think that's too much of an issue given the well designed chassis.
The sheer swiftness of the Bold 2 9700 is to be commended, as it's clearly a big effort from RIM to get that up to speed, and although App World isn't working for us yet thanks (probably) to T-Mobile, we're sure once that's up and running the Bold 9700 will be a very compelling business phone indeed.
Like the HD2, whether it's something the consumer will want/need, we don't know – it depends on the importance of easy to sync web mail we guess, as well as a stylish device to boot.
Our quick verdict: The BlackBerry Bold 9700 is still RIM's best device in the range, but it's starting to creak a bit as the OS is badly in need of an update. That said, it's still an excellent messaging device with the likes of a unified inbox for Tweets and Facebook messages offering a very nice experience that even the iPhone can't match.
Read: BlackBerry Bold 9700 review
If you like the BlacKberry Bold 9700, you might also like:
| ----- BlackBerry Storm 2 ---- | ---- HTC HD2 ----- | ----- Palm Pre ---- |
See all BlackBerry Bold 9700 deals:
All deals | Pay monthly | Pay as you Go | SIM free
17. Dell Streak
While a slew of Apple iPad rivals will try to beat Apple at its own game, blindly following its form factor into a fight for the other podium positions, Dell is taking a slightly different approach with its hotly-anticipated Streak tablet.
The sleek device, with its 5-inch multi-touch screen, boasts the processing power, functionality and the Android operating system necessary to take a run at 2010's top tablets, but also offers a good bit more than that.
Indeed, its real ace in the hole is where the lines are blurred into smartphone territory. It's the first gadget Dell has ever released in the UK to have voice calling and, along with the familiar phone-esque Android interface, text messaging, five-megapixel camera and removable battery, it appears to have a shot at muscling in on some of the main mobile players.
Our quick verdict: Out of all the phones we've reviewed this year, the Dell Streak was the only one where people actually came up to us and asked what it was. Sure, it doesn't really sit in a category very well - it's too small to be an iPad, too big to be a phone - but it just works, and when it's upgraded it could be a really smashing device. It's also remarkably pocket friendly for the size.
Read: Dell Streak review
If you like the Dell Streak, you might also like:
| ----- Apple iPad 3G ---- | ---- HTC HD2 ----- | ----- HTC Desire ---- |
See all Dell Streak deals:
All deals | Pay monthly | Pay as you Go | SIM free
16. Nokia E72
The Nokia E71 certainly hit the mark for its target business audience, so it's little surprise that its E72 successor reprises much of what was good about that QWERTY keyboard-packing Symbian S60 smartphone, while updating it with extra power and performance.
The E72 features a sleek business-like design, sporting a BlackBerry-style full QWERTY keyboard across its wide body. Some eye-catching chrome trim complements the classically understated bodywork that's aimed squarely at serious business users.
Smartphone technology may have moved on rapidly since the E71 first wowed us as a business tool, but it seems there's still strong demand for devices like the E72.
Our quick verdict: Nokia hasn't had much luck in all round smartphones recently, but its E-Series 'business range' is still going strong. The E72 is easy to set up, fast at retrieving emails and allows you to do all the things you want it to with aplomb. It's not going to rival today's top end touchscreen phones, but in its own niche its among the best.
Read: Nokia E72 review
If you like the Nokia E72, you might also like:
| ----- BlackBerry Bold 9700 ---- | ---- BlackBerry Pearl 3G ----- | ----- Palm Pre ---- |
See all Nokia E72 deals:
All deals | Pay monthly | Pay as you Go | SIM free
15. LG Pop GD510
Aimed at mobile buyers after some touch control action on a budget, the LG POP GD510 is the smallest, lightest and one of the cheapest 3-inch touchscreen phones around.
After LG's success with the cash-conscious Cookie KP500 – which notched up over 10 million sales in just over a year – LG must be hoping for similar things from this stylishly slimline device, which at launch is selling for under £100 on a pay as you go package.
The LG POP GD510 doesn't try to be a do-everything smartphone. The POP is instead pitched at delivering a fun package, with a friendly user experience and the sort of features its target audience are after.
And that's why it slots in nicely here at number 15.
Our quick verdict: As we've said, this phone manages to hit the right spots for a reasonable price, and it slimline chassis is something a lot of people like. There are always naysayers who believe phones like this are pointless, but while the experience is a little slow the overall functionality for less than £100 is tip top.
Read: LG Pop GD510 review
If you like the LG Pop GD510, you might also like:
| Samsung Tocco Lite | LG Cookie KP500 | Nokia 5530 XpressMusic |
See all LG Pop GD510 deals:
All deals | Pay monthly | Pay as you Go | SIM free
14. Nokia 6700 Classic
While the more meaty smartphones are dominating at the sharp end of the top 15, spare a thought for the excellent midrange handsets currently available.
The Nokia 6700 Classic may not be as feature-laden as the HTC Desire, but it's a brilliant candybar phone that may just surprise you.
While there are a few minor omissions in the handset, Nokia has largely included things that you actually need in a phone of this calibre (such as a decent camera and speedy internet browser), although a little more home-screen customisation would have been nice.
For the person who wants a decent phone at a reasonable price, and one that he or she can pull out without fear of it looking like the mobile equivalent of a woolly mammoth in three months time, they should seriously take a good hard look at the Nokia 6700 Classic.
Our quick verdict: The thing about the 6700 Classic is that it screams elegance - it's seriously weighty but that only adds to the premium feel. It's not too expensive, has a fast (if slightly lightweight) browser and a top notch camera - a real gem in the desert of 'and me' handsets.
Read: Nokia 6700 Classic review
If you like the Nokia 6700 Classic, you might also like:
| - Sony Ericsson Aino - | ------- INQ Mini 3G ------ | ----- Nokia 6303 ----- |
See all Nokia6700 Classic deals:
All deals | Pay monthly | Pay as you Go | SIM free
13. Google Nexus One
Google has created hype around its own phone to rival Apple with its iPhone - and it has better specs on nearly every feature with the Nexus One. But is it enough to sway public opinion?
In an attempt to show itself as a mobile manufacturer in its own right, Google has released the Nexus One, a handset built by HTC but branded solely as a Google phone.
Despite some well-publicised problems with customer support and keypad malfunctions - neither of which became an issue during our testing process - the Nexus One is actually a stellar smartphone, easily the match of its peers.
Our quick verdict: What's really odd about the Nexus One is how the experience is inferior to its twin, the HTC Desire. The interface lags a touch, the touch sensitive buttons are harder to use and the price is £5 higher a month - we're not sure we care about noise cancellation and voice search if it costs £120 more. It's strange that the Desire manages to do so much more with an overlay on top too - we find it really hard to recommend the Nexus One instead, unless you really hate Sense UI.
Read: Google Nexus One review
If you like the Google Nexus One, you might also like:
| - HTC Desire - | ------- Palm Pre Plus ------ | ----- Apple iPhone 4 ----- |
See all Google Nexus One deals:
All deals | Pay monthly | Pay as you Go | SIM free
12. HTC HD2
The HTC HD2's enormous 4.3-inch touchscreen is hugely impressive. And the HD2 is the first Windows Phone to come packing the HTC Sense overlay interface, as well as a capacitive multi-touch screen.
It smashes past the iPhone in terms of raw processing speed and the ability to handle Flash video.
And it dwarfs the Hero with a more responsive screen and its Wi-Fi routing ability too, and is far better than anything Samsung, LG or Nokia have come up with so far.
Our quick verdict: While it's a bit of a repetitive thing to say, we've not been impressed with Windows Mobile for years. However, the HTC HD2 does well at making it a little more relevant by packing it in with the best hardware. It's fast, the screen is massive and if you're after the benefits of the powerful WinMo OS then there aren't many other better experiences around.
Read: HTC HD2 review
If you like the HTC HD2, you might also like:
HTC Touch Diamond 2 ----- | ----- HTC Hero ----- | ----- Apple iPhone 3GS ---- |
See all HTC HD2 deals:
All deals | Pay monthly | Pay as you Go | SIM free
11. HTC Wildfire
The HTC Wildfire is one of the latest phones from the Taiwanese firm, and it's taking a slightly different tact to its bigger brothers.
It looks a lot like the HTC Desire, but it's got a better screen than the HTC Tattoo and it's packing the same processor as the HTC Hero... got all that?
The main thing to realise is that the Wildfire is a budget phone and will be priced accordingly.
Our quick verdict: We liked the HTC Tattoo for its decent Android rendition, but ultimately the hardware was flawed. The WIldfire makes up for that issue and packs the best of Android 2.1 into a very cheap little package.
Read: HTC Wildfire review
If you like the HTC Wildfire, you might also like:
| - HTC Tattoo - | --- Sony Ericsson X10 Mini --- | ----- LG Pop ----- |
See all HTC Wildfire deals:
All deals | Pay monthly | Pay as you Go | SIM free
10. Motorola Milestone XT720
Featuring a high end 8MP camera with 720p HD video recording, the Milestone XT720 is a phone we've seen rumoured for a very long time indeed.
It's essentially the Motorola Motoroi we showed you back in February at Mobile World Congress, but using a UK-friendly radio receiver and shedding the digital video tuner offered to the Korean market.
What's odd about the phone is that it's still packing the same hump on the right-hand side - we assumed that was to accommodate the TV antenna in the Motoroi, but it's still present in the Motorola Milestone XT720.
Our quick verdict: We must admit we were surprised by the Milestone XT720 - a phone that's all about the camera isn't much to write home about any more. But the use of Android 2.1 is as good as ever, and the odd chassis design is quite appealing in its own special way.
Read: Motorola Milestone XT720 review
If you like the Motorola Milestone XT720, you might also like:
| - Nokia N8 - | --- Sony Ericsson Satio --- | ----- iPhone 4 ----- |
See all Motorola Milestone XT720 deals:
All deals | Pay monthly | Pay as you Go | SIM free
9. Nokia N8
If you've been a Nokia fan for years, then you'll have noticed that the Finnish firm hasn't been competing at the sharp end of the game for a while now.
The likes of the N97 and X6 have both been trumpeted by Nokia over the last year or so, but neither has particularly won critical acclaim, mostly due to a sub-par OS when compared to the whizz-bang-iness of the iPhone and Android set, as well as taking a veritable age to start using the latest technology, like capacitive screens and slimmer lines.
Now though, the N8 is here, bringing all manner of high end features to a Nokia phone: 12MP camera, HD video recording, reams of internal storage and a high end media player, as well as the new Symbian^3 OS.
Our quick verdict: We're cautiously optimistic about the Nokia N8 - surely the Finns can't keep offering a poor smartphone experience. The hardware on this really is at the sharp end of every category, and the UI has come on leaps and bounds in a few short months - a little more tweaking and Nokia could have a much better phone on its hands than the X6.
Read: Nokia N8 review
If you like the Nokia N8, you might also like:
| - HTC Desire - | ----- Moto Milestone XT720 ---- | --- Apple iPhone 4 --- |
See all Nokia N8 deals:
All deals | Pay monthly | Pay as you Go | SIM free
8. Samsung Wave
Samsung has made the somewhat leftfield decision to launch its own OS and with the new Samsung Wave it gets a phone with top-notch hardware to debut it on.
This isn't just another 'and me' Samsung phone – it's crammed to the hilt with high end features, such as HD video recording, a 1GHz Samsung-own Hummingbird processor, a super-slim chassis, the latest Super AMOLED screen and multi-touch support right out of the box.
However, it's still rocking Samsung's TouchWiz overlay, which is great if you like Samsung phones, but a very different experience for those joining the Korean giant for the first time.
Our quick verdict: The screen is ace, the chassis feels slimmer than the iPhone 4 and the processor whips along at a nice pace. Sadly, the new Bada OS is too nascent to be seen as a contender, but this is a phone that more people will be hankering after than we previously thought.
Read: Samsung Wave review
If you like the Samsung Wave, you might also like:
| - Samsung Galaxy S - | --- HTC Desire --- | ----- iPhone 4 ----- |
See all Samsung Wave deals:
All deals | Pay monthly | Pay as you Go | SIM free
7. Palm Pixi Plus
The Palm Pixi Plus – the Pre's dinky sidekick – makes its UK debut and is the latest smartphone to offer a scaled down, affordable alternative to a premium handset.
The new and improved Pixi follows the Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 and HTC HD Mini into the arena, all of which boast most of the main features without the cumbersome size and cost. Can this be the handset to help web OS reach the masses?
The original Pixi was a US-only release, so we'll treat this as a brand new handset. Not that we have to go into too much detail, the improvements can be summed up in one word: Wi-Fi.
The Pixi earns its Plus by adding 802.11b/g Wi-Fi, but aside from that it's exactly the same handset.
Our quick verdict: It seems like aeons ago since we sat and watched the Palm Pre get announced in Vegas - 18 months ago and Palm hasn't really flourished since. However, we really like the Pixi Plus, with its weeny dimensions and fast processor - the keyboard is pretty snazzy too, much better than that on the Pre.
Read: Palm Pixi Plus review
If you like the Palm Pixi Plus, you might also like:
| - HTC Wildfire - | ----- HTC Hero ---- | --- Palm Pre Plus --- |
See all Palm Pixi Plus deals:
All deals | Pay monthly | Pay as you Go | SIM free
6. Apple iPhone 3GS
Well, there's just so much to like about this all rounder, isn't there? We could choose the excellent internet, the new camera that's almost is good enough to make us stop moaning about the iPhone always having a rubbish snapper (but not quite, though we do love the autofocus).
We could talk about the increase in speed or the great graphical processing power of the iPhone 3GS. We could even chat about the fact voice control is good, but a little bit pointless 90 per cent of time.
However, we think it's best to say that the best thing about the iPhone is it's an all rounder, the phone for every demographic. While it does some things wrong, it more than makes up for it with the things it does right.
Our quick verdict: Aside from video recording and a compass, the 3GS didn't add a huge amount to the family. That said, it's still benefiting from a big reduction in price after the launch of the iPhone 4, and if you don't want to shell out big bucks for an Apple phone this is still a good device.
Read: Apple iPhone 3GS review
If you like the Apple iPhone, you might also like:
| ------ HTC Legend ----- | ------ iPhone 4 ------ | ------ HTC HD2 ------ |
See all Apple iPhone 3GS deals:
16GB: All deals | Pay monthly | Pay as you Go | SIM free
32GB: All deals | Pay monthly | Pay as you Go | SIM free
5. HTC Legend
The HTC Legend is the follow-up to the super-successful HTC Hero. For many months, the Hero was the top dog in the Android world. But with the arrival of the HTC Legend and Desire, that was always going to change in 2010.
Featuring a high-res OLED screen, as well as the latest version of Android from Google, HTC is clearly looking to jostle its way to the front of the best-selling phone queue with the Legend. The phone also packs a sumptuous unibody aluminium chassis - taking more than a few visual cues from Apple's MacBook range.
It's a great device, and one that we have to say is probably a match for the Apple iPhone. The only problem is that with the weight of the Apple App Store behind it, the iPhone takes some beating.
Our quick verdict: The Legend might not have the press of the Desire, but that doesn't mean it doesn't shine in its own light. The aluminium unibody is brilliant and despite having a much 'slower' processor, the lag is minimal on this Android 2.1 device.
Read: HTC Legend review
If you like the HTC Legend, you might also like:
| ---- HTC Hero ---- | ---- Apple iPhone 3GS ---- | ---- HTC Desire ---- |
See all HTC Legend deals:
All deals | Pay monthly | Pay as you Go | SIM free
4. Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 Mini
The Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 Mini should be nothing more than a shrunken version of the Xperia X10 – but in reality it's a whole new phone that gives Android a complete makeover.
Oh yes, it's small. Sony Ericsson isn't joking when it says the Xperia X10 Mini is the same size as a credit card. Obviously it's a lot thicker, but the overall size and weight of the super-small Android phone is about equivalent to a packet of Swan matches. It is tiny.
The exterior is smooth with only three buttons on the face of the phone – Menu, Home and Back – and there's no D-pad or joystick whatsoever here.
For a phone so affordable – currently going for around £200 on PAYG deals – the X10 Mini has a remarkably high-class feel about it.
Our quick verdict: The clever implementation of Android with customisable corner icons and a simple yet effective keyboard means it's very easy to use this phone, and even the internet is still a good experience for the world's smallest smartphone.
Read: Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 Mini review
If you like the Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 Mini, you might also like:
| ---- LG Pop GD510 ---- | ---- Xperia X10 ---- | ---- HTC Wildfire ---- |
See all Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 Mini deals:
All deals | Pay monthly | Pay as you Go | SIM free
3. Samsung Galaxy S
The Samsung Galaxy S is the most tech-heavy phone the Samsung has ever made, and TechRadar got the chance to give it a good going over.
The Galaxy S represents a real milestone for both Samsung and Google, as it's the most powerful and feature-rich phone on the market at the moment, edging the HTC Desire plus adding the marketing clout of the Korean electronics giant.
But with Apple stepping up its game with the iPhone 4, Android and Samsung need a big hitter to step up and show the world that they can produce a phone that can take on the might of Jobs, so check out the Samsung Galaxy S and make up your own minds.
Our quick verdict: The Samsung Galaxy S is everything that's good about the Wave, but with Android power to back it up. The Super AMOLED screen is awe inspiring, and the 1GHz Hummingbird processor means the phone never misses a beat.
Read: Samsung Galaxy S review
If you like the Samsung Galaxy S, you might also like:
| ------ HTC Legend ----- | ------ iPhone 4 ------ | ------ HTC HD2 ------ |
See all Samsung Galaxy S deals:
All deals | Pay monthly | Pay as you Go | SIM free
2. Apple iPhone 4
The iPhone 4 is certainly the most impressive iPhone ever, and a big step up from the iPhone 3GS. The flat body is only 9.3 millimeters thick, 24 per cent thinner than the iPhone 3GS at its thickest. It feels great in the hand, and at the keynote Steve Jobs remarked, "Its closest kin is a beautiful old Leica camera."
By far the most in-your-face improvement is iPhone 4's 960x640 screen. It's got 326 pixels per inch, and we're talking tiny pixels, only 78 micrometers wide.
The Retina display, especially, is hands-down the clearest, most enjoyable screen we've seen on a handheld, and the sheer amount of technology packed into the device is surprising.
The iPhone 4 would definitely top our list, were it not for the fairly major flaw which sees 3G reception disappear when you hold the phone with your left hand. It's an embarassing problem which mars an otherwise brilliant handset.
Our quick verdict: We think people are making a little bit too much of a fuss about the reception issue - it shouldn't be there at all but a little shift of the hand sorts things right out. It's still a great phone, but we're really disappointed as this could have been an all time classic without the big flaw.
Read: Apple iPhone 4 review
If you like the Apple iPhone 4, you might also like:
| ---- Nokia N8 ---- | ---- Samsung Galaxy S ---- | ---- HTC Desire ---- |
See all Apple iPhone 4 deals:
16GB: All deals | Pay monthly | Pay as you Go | SIM free
32GB: All deals | Pay monthly | Pay as you Go | SIM free
1. HTC Desire
The HTC Desire is essentially the same phone as the Google Nexus One, only with HTC's Sense UI overlay and a reworked chassis. Read: it's like a Nexus One only better.
The Desire is a little on the large side thanks to its 3.7-inch OLED screen, but HTC has had a look at the few foibles the Nexus One has and sorted them out.
Messaging on the HTC Desire is a dream - despite not having a physical keyboard, the eerily responsive typing correction on this device is so sharp we could practically shut our eyes and mash our hands into the keyboard and still type a perfect message.
It's just a brilliant phone.
Our quick verdict: People will inevitably ask if we really think the Desire is better than the iPhone 4, and the truth is it both is and it isn't. It doesn't have the headline grabbing specs perhaps, but it doesn't have the notable flaws either, and that's a sign of a well made phone that won't frustrate users who 'take a punt' on their first HTC.
Read: HTC Desire review
If you like the HTC Desire, you might also like:
| ---- Samsung Galaxy S ---- | ---- Apple iPhone 4 ---- | ---- HTC Legend ---- |
See all HTC Desire deals:
All deals | Pay monthly | Pay as you Go | SIM free
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