2012 turned out to be a very long year. As is often the case with technology, the industry evolved rapidly and what was hot towards the beginning of the year looked dated by the end. With more people purchasing smartphones than ever, that trend appears poised to continue. Only the strong survive in the smartphone world, and here are five devices that we think will be strong enough to leave a mark.
iPhone 5S:
There’s little doubt that that the next iPhone will be one of the best smartphones of the year. Every entry in Apple’s wildly popular series of smartphones has been lavished with praise from fans and critics. The next model is rumored to launch in the first half of 2013 and include NFC, as well as a variety of colors. Regardless of what Apple does or doesn’t include, the product is bound to sell millions.
Galaxy S4:
As it turns out, Apple isn’t the only company that can market and sell a smartphone with lineup with stunning effectiveness. The Galaxy S4 is presumed to be the successor to the Galaxy S3, one of 2012’s top selling smartphones. There isn’t much concrete information available for the S4 yet, and Samsung isn’t expected to announce it at CES. Given their track history with the S2 and S3, one can expect the Galaxy S4 to include an improved display and to push the limit specs-wise.
Nexus 5:
Six months ago, it might have seemed blasphemous to include a Nexus device on a list of best smartphones. The first three entries in the series, after all, were met with mixed responses from critics and the public. Google really seems to have gotten it right with the Nexus 4, gathering positive reviews from the media and being seemingly unable to keep up with demand. Indeed, the Nexus 4 was a success in almost every aspect. In 2013, we’re hoping to see the Nexus 5 include LTE that functions right out of the box and options for more memory.
HTC One X Successor:
HTC’s quarterly reports might not reflect this, but the company was behind one of the year’s most critically acclaimed smartphones. The One X didn’t shatter sales records, but it set the bar very early in the year. With sleek designs, displays that look clearer than real life and innovative Sense software, HTC knows how to build a smartphone. The follow-up to the HTC One X hasn’t been announced yet, but it’s sure to continue to push the standards for what a smartphone should look and feel like. Let’s just hope that the public takes more notice this time.
Galaxy Note III :
Samsung somehow manages to make the list twice. Although the originally Galaxy Note was intended to be a niche device only released in Europe, it surged in popularity when AT&T released it in the States. The Note II has been an even bigger success, both in terms of display and reception. It’s only logical that Samsung would release an improved one in 2013. Likely sporting a larger display and improved S Pen functionality, the Note III will continue to blur the line between smartphones and tablets. It will also test the limits of just how large of a device consumers are willing to carry around all day.
