Phone reviewers get asked the question "what mobile should I get?" all the time. The reason is simple - choosing is really hard if you haven't seen every contender and had a play with it.
Fear not though, Wise Words for You is here to help. Below is my list of the 10 best buys in the mobile market.
1. Samsung Galaxy Note 4
Pros: Premium build quality, high quality screen, great new features
Cons: High price, fingerprint scanner isn't as good as the iPhone
Just launched, the Note 4 is truly Samsung's greatest phone yet. The company has toned down the faux leather back, added metal edges painted to match the colour of the phone and included some great new features.
We love the new health app, and while the heart rate monitor, UV scanner and o2 saturation tests might be a little superfluous, they do bring the phone in line with the Galaxy S5 in terms of features. But with that high resolution, 1440x2560 resolution AMOLED screen, the Note 4 is a monster for media and everything else that makes smartphones great.
But... It is expensive and the fingerprint scanner isn't as good as the one in the iPhone. Even so, the Note 4 is our tip, as long as you can handle the size.
2. Apple iPhone 6
Pros: Thin and light, top-notch design, strong imaging
Cons: High price, lack of 32GB model
The new iPhone is thin, light and beautifully designed. It has a fresh operating system that has been updated with exiting new features to manage your health and soon, home.
Apple still does amazing things with its camera too, which produces very impressive results. Don't be fooled by its relatively low spec compared to other phones, Apple invests a lot of time making its imaging as strong as possible. Video also gets an amazing boost with the new 240fps slow motion mode.
The biggest beef we have with Apple is the price, and lack of 32GB model. If you can handle the cost, then go for it.
3. LG G3
Pros: Good camera and display
Cons: Build quality falls short of some competitors
One of the best phones on the market today. The LG G2 was a great phone, the G3 is even better. Everything on this phone seems perfectly integrated.
The back power and volume controls divide some, but we have found them to be great once you get used to them. The camera has laser autofocus, which LG says is super-quick, we didn't notice much improvement, but the camera is good and you can get some really nice shots out of the LG. The display is also something to drool over, and the 1440x2560 quad-HD LCD is, without doubt, better than any other display on any other phone.
On the downside, the case doesn't have quite the same build quality as Apple, or even LG's own Nexus 5, but it's not a total letdown. The colour options could do with more choice, but the gold G3 is actually surprisingly tasteful, and can be combined with a black circle view cover to make the phone look very cool indeed.
4. Sony Xperia Z3
Pros: Super camera and image quality
Cons: Not much of an upgrade from the Z2
Sony made a bold choice, and that was to avoid the move towards higher resolution screens. Instead it stuck with 1080x1920 in the Z3. That has two advantages, it reduces costs and it helps maintain a longer battery life. It's also not strictly necessary to have a higher resolution screen, especially when - as Sony does - you have better processing and higher quality LCDs in your phones.
The camera is Sony's proudest moment for the Z3. And it is very good, and has been getting better since the 20.3-megapixel sensor was first introduced in the Z1. Images look great, and in the Z3 Sony has greatly improved the sensitivity in low light. Imaging has always been strong for Sony - it makes sensors for Nikon - so this isn't a huge surprise.
Not so great, the Z3 is replacing the Z2 after just six months. It's likely that there will be a Z4 in the new year some time. Sony says this is because it entered the larger smartphone market a bit later than most. Even so, it has continued to support its phone with software updates.
5. Apple iPhone 6 Plus
Pros: Gorgeous display and improved camera
Cons: Price versus competing devices
Much larger than the iPhone 6, the Plus adds some other nice features in addition to its larger display. For one, it has a full HD 1080x1920 screen. While this is modest in resolution compared to the displays on some phones, it's still an utterly gorgeous display that is far more than the sum of its specs.
The camera is improved too, and the biggest advantage is the addition of an optical image stabilizer that keeps images blur-free. That's crucial in low light conditions, where Apple says it gives you a huge advantage over the previous generation. The iPhone 6 has to rely on a purely electronic stabilizer too, giving the Plus a real advantage.
On the downside, it's back to price, with the iPhone 6 Plus costing more than the 6, and more than almost any other phone on the market. It has some amazing features, and the size should mean you won't need to invest in an iPad Mini, but it will put many off, as will the rear cover design, which lacks the sophistication of the 5S.
6. Motorola Moto X
Pros: Superb performance and quality, great battery life
Cons: Screen quality falls behind its competitors
Motorola has had a run of amazing handsets. Buy the X, G or 4G version of the G and you'll be getting the best phones for the money. The company has expanded the X now from last year, and is finally bringing the case customisation to the UK, known as Moto Maker, that allows you to design a phone that suits you.
Power and performance are stunning, and Motorola has enough unique features to make its phones stand out. For example, it can respond to "ok Google Now" in standby mode, something no other phone can do at the moment. What's more, its battery life is long and impressive.
Motorola is about to be sold to Lenovo, and while this isn't in itself a problem, it means the firm's close ties to Google might be coming to an end. This might see some of the things that makes its current crop of phones so appealing come to an end, but we do hope not.
7. HTC One (M8)
Pros: Well-built device and solid UI
Cons: Camera quality falls behind competitors
HTC makes some lovely hardware. For one, it's got a metal-bodied phone, which is still something of a rarity. It's well-built, and will survive a lot of punishment. HTC also has the cool dot cover cases which show you information through a fancy mesh design, that's unique in phones.
The One M8 has also had a lot of care lavished on its user interface. HTC is one of the few companies that still ploughs a lot of time and effort into customising Android, and it does show. Some may hate its unique look, but no one could ever call HTC a "me too" phone company.
HTC's bad points congregate around the camera mainly. The company wanted to do something clever with imaging, so it included a dual camera which allows you to take photos and then adjust the focus later. The problem is, this has largely been achieved on other phones - and even Google's Android camera app - through software methods. What that leaves you with is an under-specced camera. Even so, the One M8 produces good, if not exceptional, images.
8. Google Nexus 5
Pros: Great build and display, one of first devices in the queue for Android updates
Cons: No expandable storage, relatively poor battery life against the competition
The Nexus 5 is old now, by far the oldest phone on this list, which makes its inclusion even more impressive. Introduced slightly before LG's G2, it has much of the same hardware, but there's something about this phone that just impresses every time you pick it up. The case feels great, the size is just right, and the display is great.
What you also get is an untouched version of Android. This is how Google intended its OS to look, and there's a lot of advantages to that, for one, the Nexus 5 is always one of the first devices to get updated to the newest version of Android.
On the negative side, there's no microSD card for extra music storage and the battery is pretty bad, and will last far less time than most of the handsets on this list. Early problems with the camera were addressed with a software update, and while it's never going to be the best phone for photos, it has improved enormously.
9. Samsung Galaxy Note 3
Pros: Powerful phone with high-quality display
Cons: Battery life is on the weak side
No, your eyes aren't wrong, we have indeed listed both the Note 4 and Note 3 here. Why? Well, because the Note 4 is out now, the Note 3 will be cheaper while still offering bundles of features. You won't get the heart rate monitor or fingerprint scanner, but what you do get is a massively powerful phone with a gorgeous 1080x1920 AMOLED display.
The S Pen means that you can doodle on your phone, make notes and even write text messages with handwriting recognition. The camera on the Note 3 is pretty much as good as in its successor, and it can produce surprisingly crisp and detailed shots. As a phone, it's large, but it's very usable and once you become a Note user, it's hard to use anything else.
Less impressively, the battery has always been weaker than we'd like, and power users will find themselves having to recharge it part of the way through the day. Even so, this isn't uncommon in phones, and you can work around it.
10. Nokia Lumia 830
Pros: Solid build quality, crisp and clear screen, camera capabilities
Cons: Windows Phone slightly behind competition with apps - but this is improving
Badged as "the affordable flagship", Microsoft has hit on something here. While under-powered by Android standards, on Windows Phone everything is a little bit lighter and the power difference isn't an issue at all. What you do get is a crisp and clear 720x1280 screen and a rock solid handset built in the sturdy manner for which Nokia has always been famous.
Then there's the camera. Here Nokia and Microsoft have nailed it. There are plug-in cameras which expand the capabilities of the phone, as well as a really nicely-designed camera app that produces amazing results. An update coming later this year will also add in some clever modes for flash photography that could make this the most capable indoor and low-light shooter on the market.
The only major problem with the Lumia is that Windows Phone has been the slowest off the blocks for apps, but that is less and less of a problem these days. Most of the big name tools are available on Microsoft's OS and they run beautifully. Games might be less well supported than on Android and iOS, but that changes on a weekly basis.
Fear not though, Wise Words for You is here to help. Below is my list of the 10 best buys in the mobile market.
1. Samsung Galaxy Note 4
© Wise Words for You
Pros: Premium build quality, high quality screen, great new features
Cons: High price, fingerprint scanner isn't as good as the iPhone
Just launched, the Note 4 is truly Samsung's greatest phone yet. The company has toned down the faux leather back, added metal edges painted to match the colour of the phone and included some great new features.
We love the new health app, and while the heart rate monitor, UV scanner and o2 saturation tests might be a little superfluous, they do bring the phone in line with the Galaxy S5 in terms of features. But with that high resolution, 1440x2560 resolution AMOLED screen, the Note 4 is a monster for media and everything else that makes smartphones great.
But... It is expensive and the fingerprint scanner isn't as good as the one in the iPhone. Even so, the Note 4 is our tip, as long as you can handle the size.
2. Apple iPhone 6
Pros: Thin and light, top-notch design, strong imaging
Cons: High price, lack of 32GB model
The new iPhone is thin, light and beautifully designed. It has a fresh operating system that has been updated with exiting new features to manage your health and soon, home.
Apple still does amazing things with its camera too, which produces very impressive results. Don't be fooled by its relatively low spec compared to other phones, Apple invests a lot of time making its imaging as strong as possible. Video also gets an amazing boost with the new 240fps slow motion mode.
The biggest beef we have with Apple is the price, and lack of 32GB model. If you can handle the cost, then go for it.
3. LG G3
© LG
Pros: Good camera and display
Cons: Build quality falls short of some competitors
One of the best phones on the market today. The LG G2 was a great phone, the G3 is even better. Everything on this phone seems perfectly integrated.
The back power and volume controls divide some, but we have found them to be great once you get used to them. The camera has laser autofocus, which LG says is super-quick, we didn't notice much improvement, but the camera is good and you can get some really nice shots out of the LG. The display is also something to drool over, and the 1440x2560 quad-HD LCD is, without doubt, better than any other display on any other phone.
On the downside, the case doesn't have quite the same build quality as Apple, or even LG's own Nexus 5, but it's not a total letdown. The colour options could do with more choice, but the gold G3 is actually surprisingly tasteful, and can be combined with a black circle view cover to make the phone look very cool indeed.
4. Sony Xperia Z3
© Sony
Pros: Super camera and image quality
Cons: Not much of an upgrade from the Z2
Sony made a bold choice, and that was to avoid the move towards higher resolution screens. Instead it stuck with 1080x1920 in the Z3. That has two advantages, it reduces costs and it helps maintain a longer battery life. It's also not strictly necessary to have a higher resolution screen, especially when - as Sony does - you have better processing and higher quality LCDs in your phones.
The camera is Sony's proudest moment for the Z3. And it is very good, and has been getting better since the 20.3-megapixel sensor was first introduced in the Z1. Images look great, and in the Z3 Sony has greatly improved the sensitivity in low light. Imaging has always been strong for Sony - it makes sensors for Nikon - so this isn't a huge surprise.
Not so great, the Z3 is replacing the Z2 after just six months. It's likely that there will be a Z4 in the new year some time. Sony says this is because it entered the larger smartphone market a bit later than most. Even so, it has continued to support its phone with software updates.
5. Apple iPhone 6 Plus
© Wise Words for You
The big 5.5-inch screen is a delight to use
Pros: Gorgeous display and improved camera
Cons: Price versus competing devices
Much larger than the iPhone 6, the Plus adds some other nice features in addition to its larger display. For one, it has a full HD 1080x1920 screen. While this is modest in resolution compared to the displays on some phones, it's still an utterly gorgeous display that is far more than the sum of its specs.
The camera is improved too, and the biggest advantage is the addition of an optical image stabilizer that keeps images blur-free. That's crucial in low light conditions, where Apple says it gives you a huge advantage over the previous generation. The iPhone 6 has to rely on a purely electronic stabilizer too, giving the Plus a real advantage.
On the downside, it's back to price, with the iPhone 6 Plus costing more than the 6, and more than almost any other phone on the market. It has some amazing features, and the size should mean you won't need to invest in an iPad Mini, but it will put many off, as will the rear cover design, which lacks the sophistication of the 5S.
6. Motorola Moto X
© Wise Words for You
Pros: Superb performance and quality, great battery life
Cons: Screen quality falls behind its competitors
Motorola has had a run of amazing handsets. Buy the X, G or 4G version of the G and you'll be getting the best phones for the money. The company has expanded the X now from last year, and is finally bringing the case customisation to the UK, known as Moto Maker, that allows you to design a phone that suits you.
Power and performance are stunning, and Motorola has enough unique features to make its phones stand out. For example, it can respond to "ok Google Now" in standby mode, something no other phone can do at the moment. What's more, its battery life is long and impressive.
Motorola is about to be sold to Lenovo, and while this isn't in itself a problem, it means the firm's close ties to Google might be coming to an end. This might see some of the things that makes its current crop of phones so appealing come to an end, but we do hope not.
7. HTC One (M8)
Pros: Well-built device and solid UI
Cons: Camera quality falls behind competitors
HTC makes some lovely hardware. For one, it's got a metal-bodied phone, which is still something of a rarity. It's well-built, and will survive a lot of punishment. HTC also has the cool dot cover cases which show you information through a fancy mesh design, that's unique in phones.
The One M8 has also had a lot of care lavished on its user interface. HTC is one of the few companies that still ploughs a lot of time and effort into customising Android, and it does show. Some may hate its unique look, but no one could ever call HTC a "me too" phone company.
HTC's bad points congregate around the camera mainly. The company wanted to do something clever with imaging, so it included a dual camera which allows you to take photos and then adjust the focus later. The problem is, this has largely been achieved on other phones - and even Google's Android camera app - through software methods. What that leaves you with is an under-specced camera. Even so, the One M8 produces good, if not exceptional, images.
8. Google Nexus 5
© Wise Words for You
Pros: Great build and display, one of first devices in the queue for Android updates
Cons: No expandable storage, relatively poor battery life against the competition
The Nexus 5 is old now, by far the oldest phone on this list, which makes its inclusion even more impressive. Introduced slightly before LG's G2, it has much of the same hardware, but there's something about this phone that just impresses every time you pick it up. The case feels great, the size is just right, and the display is great.
What you also get is an untouched version of Android. This is how Google intended its OS to look, and there's a lot of advantages to that, for one, the Nexus 5 is always one of the first devices to get updated to the newest version of Android.
On the negative side, there's no microSD card for extra music storage and the battery is pretty bad, and will last far less time than most of the handsets on this list. Early problems with the camera were addressed with a software update, and while it's never going to be the best phone for photos, it has improved enormously.
9. Samsung Galaxy Note 3
Pros: Powerful phone with high-quality display
Cons: Battery life is on the weak side
No, your eyes aren't wrong, we have indeed listed both the Note 4 and Note 3 here. Why? Well, because the Note 4 is out now, the Note 3 will be cheaper while still offering bundles of features. You won't get the heart rate monitor or fingerprint scanner, but what you do get is a massively powerful phone with a gorgeous 1080x1920 AMOLED display.
The S Pen means that you can doodle on your phone, make notes and even write text messages with handwriting recognition. The camera on the Note 3 is pretty much as good as in its successor, and it can produce surprisingly crisp and detailed shots. As a phone, it's large, but it's very usable and once you become a Note user, it's hard to use anything else.
Less impressively, the battery has always been weaker than we'd like, and power users will find themselves having to recharge it part of the way through the day. Even so, this isn't uncommon in phones, and you can work around it.
10. Nokia Lumia 830
© Microsoft
Pros: Solid build quality, crisp and clear screen, camera capabilities
Cons: Windows Phone slightly behind competition with apps - but this is improving
Badged as "the affordable flagship", Microsoft has hit on something here. While under-powered by Android standards, on Windows Phone everything is a little bit lighter and the power difference isn't an issue at all. What you do get is a crisp and clear 720x1280 screen and a rock solid handset built in the sturdy manner for which Nokia has always been famous.
Then there's the camera. Here Nokia and Microsoft have nailed it. There are plug-in cameras which expand the capabilities of the phone, as well as a really nicely-designed camera app that produces amazing results. An update coming later this year will also add in some clever modes for flash photography that could make this the most capable indoor and low-light shooter on the market.
The only major problem with the Lumia is that Windows Phone has been the slowest off the blocks for apps, but that is less and less of a problem these days. Most of the big name tools are available on Microsoft's OS and they run beautifully. Games might be less well supported than on Android and iOS, but that changes on a weekly basis.