2013 Holiday Gift Guide: The 10 Best Smartphones

Nexus 5

Price: $350 (w/two year contract)
Google’s latest flagship device built by LG finally gives us the next version of their Android OS, which goes under the alias of KitKat (4.4). Google Now is just a slight swipe to the left, while the company also integrates other features such as Hangouts into SMS. The device flaunts a gorgeous 4.9-inch IPS display coated with Gorilla Glass 3, stellar Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 chip, and 2GB RAM. Talk about a beast and step in the right direction for Google. With a price tag of $350 without carrier connections, it serves as a must-own for stock Android fanatics. That is if you’re able to snag one with the high demand at the moment.

Nokia Lumia 1520

Price: $200 (w/two year contract)
Windows Phones have been getting better with age due to the mass appeal Nokia has garnered over the past year. More support from app developers and a strong UI makes Windows Phone 8 an operating system to watch out for. While the Lumia 1020 might secure the stronger 41MP shooter, the 1520 rocks out with a solid 20MP camera, Snapdragon 800 quad-core chip, and brings with it a larger IPS LCD display measured at 6 inches. This makes it the largest phone by Nokia, as well as the biggest utilizing the WP8 platform. If you wanted to venture into phablet land, but don’t want to take a plunge with Android, then let the 1520 shine light on you.