Then came camera phones which changed things quite a bit. However, in the initial stages, the cameras weren’t all that great and people usually preferred to use a traditional camera instead. Over the years, the quality and specifications of in built phone cameras have improved radically, so much so that some of them are as good as point and shoot cameras.

Here is a list of the best camera phones available in the market as of now:

1. Apple iPhone 5- Soon after the Apple iPhone 5 was launched, people were already calling it the best smartphone around. The Apple iPhone 5 is certainly a complete phone as it offers excellence in every department including its camera. It comes with an 8 megapixel camera and a new sapphire crystal lens. The new iPhone also features dynamic lighting and image stabilization, making way for better quality photos. Significantly, the quality of photos doesn’t depreciate too much in low lighting and you can also click photos while shooting in video mode.

2. Nokia Pure View 808- If we were to consider just the camera and nothing else, the Nokia Pure View 808 with the much talked about 41 megapixel camera would be the best investment. The great part about the camera is that it lives up to its hype. The photos are sharp and the precision of detail is impeccable. The phone’s camera has an extra large sensor which lets more light in and captures more detail in a photo. This is backed by an equally efficient software to process the photos. On the flip side, the phone has some major problems like the Symbian OS is largely outdated, the outer body is bulky and the price is extremely high.

3. HTC One S- In the recent past, HTC has produced some excellent camera phones including HTC One X, One  S and HTC Amaze 4G. HTC One S has an 8 megapixel autofocus camera with a 28mm wide lens. The camera produces high quality, razor sharp photos both indoors and outdoors and just like iPhone 5, it allows you to take photos in the video shooting mode as well.

4. Samsung Galaxy SIII- Samsung Galaxy SIII is another big player in the smartphone world. The 8 megapixel camera is endowed with backlit sensor and LED flash.  The colors of the photos taken with this camera are bright and well defined. Additionally, the shutter lag is next to zero which means that the photos are processed almost instantly. Even the front facing camera manages to produce some very decent photos.

We are giving you a list of the best laptop alternatives for working on the go:

1. Samsung Galaxy Note- Commonly known as a phablet, the Samsung Galaxy Note remains a class apart in terms of features and performance. Now, if you are looking to do some serious typing, this might not be the ideal laptop alternative for you. However, if you simply want to read something or a watch a movie or browse the internet, the Galaxy Note can be a perfect little replacement for a heavy, bulky laptop. It comes with a 5.3 inch HD screen, a Stylus pen and is powered by Android 2.3 Gingerbread. The large screen coupled with the pen feature ensures that you navigate things smoothly.

2. Apple iPad 3- We could have chosen any other tablet but we are going for the finesse offered by the iOS. Quite clearly, in terms of a laptop alternative, the iPad has more functional value as compared to a smartphone. It comes with a larger screen, a more powerful operating system and a wider range of features. Again, a lot depends on what you are looking to achieve with your laptop alternative. Having said that, the Apple iPad 3 will not disappoint you as long as your expectations are not extremely hard core.

3. Acer Aspire S5- The crucial difference between an ultrabook and a laptop is the weight. An ultrabook is significantly lighter than a laptop even as it offers similar performance. The Acer Aspire S5 is even lighter and thinner than the MacBook Air which is often considered the pioneer of this category. This promising ultrabook is power packed with Intel Core i7 1.9 GHz processor and 4GB memory. The only problem is the slightly high price.

4. Toshiba NB550D- Finally, if you are looking for something even smaller than an ultrabook, a netbook might be ideal for you. The reduced size comes at a price though as the configurations are not comparable to an ultrabook. The Toshiba NB550D comes with a 1 GHz processor and 250 GB hard drive. Normally, netbooks don’t boast of quality video or audio output even as they have a pretty impressive battery life. However, this Toshiba netbook has managed to go past these shortcomings. For a netbook, it delivers quite incredibly.

What to look for in a gaming smartphone?

When it comes to gaming smartphones, priorities undergo some major changes. For instance, the first thing you should look for is the kind of graphic card and how it performs in the smartphone. Additionally, the screen resolution becomes crucial along with the audio performance. Once you have checked these features, you can move on to the more traditional ones like the processor, OS and battery life. More often than not, the batter life takes a major hit in gaming smartphones. So, you might need to compromise on that aspect.

Best gaming smartphones as of now

As has been mentioned earlier, there is a long way to go before we witness a flawless, high quality gaming smartphone. Having said that, there have been many encouraging signs in the form of some promising gaming smartphones. Let’s have a quick look at them.

1. Sony Ericsson Xperia Play- The Sony Ericsson Xperia Play was the first major smartphone for gaming enthusiasts. It was Sony’s attempt at creating a hybrid device which would match the performance of gaming consoles and double up as a smartphone. In a lot of ways, the company managed to do so quite successfully. In technical terms, this smartphone comes with Android 2.3 Gingerbread OS, 1 GHz Snapdragon processor and a 4- inch touchscreen display. The USP of this device is the gaming pad which bears a striking resemblance to a PS3. It’s performance both as a gaming device and a smartphone should satisfy most people. Recently, Sony also released a 4G version of the Xperia Play.

2. Motorola Atrix 2- The Motorola Atrix 2 is one of the most highly acclaimed smartphones produced by Motorola. What makes it so ideal for gaming is its solid technical configuration- it comes with a dual core 1 GHz processor, Android 2.3 Gingerbread and a 4.3 inch qHD display. The touch screen is decently responsive and the dual core processor ensures that there are no time lags whatsoever. All in all, a great phone if you are crazy about gaming.

3. HTC Titan- Unlike the other two phones, HTC Titan is powered by Windows Phone 7.5 Mango, 1.5 Qualcomm processor and a larger touch screen. As with all phones which run on Windows Phone OS, there is directly connectivity to Xbox and that precisely is the USP of HTC Titan. Besides these smartphones, others like Motorola Defy, Sony Xperia Ray and Sony Xperia S have also been acclaimed by hardcore gaming fans.

As of now, smartphones powered by Windows Phone 7.5 Mango are doing exceedingly well in the market. As a matter of fact, the OS has come as a much needed breath of fresh air with its clean interface, Live Tiles, integration with Facebook etc. To sum things up, Windows 7.5 Mango has managed to impress one and all with the simplicty of design and techinical efficiency. So, if you are looking for a new smartphone, you might want to check out the range of Windows smartphones.

1. Nokia Lumia 900- We are not surprised that Nokia Lumia 900 was the flagship model of Nokia when it came out with its range of Windows smartphones. Truth be told, Nokia outdid itself with the stunning design, clever interface and impressive performance. The Nokia Lumia 900 comes with a 4.3 inch touchscreen, AMOLED display, 1.4 GHz processor and Windows 7.5 Mango processor. Even as the phone has its problem areas in the form of non-expandable 16 GB memory storage and a not-so-impressive camera, it is definitely groundbreaking for a phone powered by a first generation OS.

2. Nokia Lumia 800- The Nokia Lumia 8oo has much in common with the above mentioned smartphone- both of these have AMOLED display, 1.4 GHz Snapdragon processor and of course, Windows 7.5 Mango. However, the screen size of the Lumia 800 is smaller and the physical built quite resembles that of Nokia N9. In terms of user experience, the Lumia 800 is just as impressive as its higher model.

Clearly then, Nokia has established has a sort of monopoly in the domain of high performing Windows smartphones. Having said that, other companies have also forayed into this new and exciting territory yielding some very satisfactory results. HTC, for instance, came out with HTC Radar and HTC Titan II, both of which use the Windows OS. In the same vein, Samsung also produced the Samsung Focus Flash and Samsung Focus 2. These Windows smartphones are rated among the best ones available in the market as of now. If you are looking for something that departs from the iOS and Android without compromising on the quality and performance, Windows 7.5 Mango is the ideal choice for you. Except that there is one tiny glitch.

So, what exactly is the problem?

Luckily, the problem with buying a Windows smartphone is temporary. A couple of months ago, Windows announced a new upgrade, the Windows Phone 8, which will be released in the market later this year. This upgraded version will have multi-core processor support, NFC wireless sharing, bigger screen and the much talked about Wallet feature which will allow you to make payments through your cell phone. So far, so good. However, Microsoft also announced that this upgrade will not be available for phones running on Windows 7.5 Mango. Instead, these phones will be upgraded to an intermediary Windows 7.8 version which will have some new features. Honestly, this just sounds like a feeble image of what the Windows 8 promises to be. To  make matters worse, apps which would be built for Windows 8 will not be compatible with Windows 7.5. And this precisely is the problem. As of now, it simply doesn’t make sense to invest in a phone running on Mango 7.5 when a better version will be available in a few months. In spite of this, Windows Phone has the makings of a great smartphone OS, one that should be able to challenge the like of Apple iPhone and Samsung Galaxy S3 in the future.

The Benefits of a Dedicated GPS

It’s a dedicated device – If you have a smartphone, you probably would like to be able to use it as a smartphone. This means every time you want to use it as a GPS, you have to pull it out of your purse/pocket, attach it to its car dock, plug in the charger (you don’t want it running out of batters later), and hope no one text or calls during an important driving instruction. You can leave a dedicated GPS unit in your car, and it will always be ready for you.

A better GPS signal – Smartphones have a lot of hardware stuffed into a small bit of space, and a solid GPS antenna isn’t always a priority. Dedicated GPS units have fewer size constraints and make the GPS antenna a top priority. They offer much more reliable positioning.

No data connection required – Most smartphone GPS apps rely on a data connection for maps and directions, rather than storing all that information on the phone itself. If you’re in an area with no cellular coverage, those apps are fairly useless for navigation. The apps that do store the data on your phone are generally very pricey or involve monthly subscriptions – that money might be better spend on a dedicated unit.

An interface designed for travel – Dedicated GPS units are designed to be mounted to the dashboard. The user interface large buttons and clear text. Smartphones are intended to be used in the palm of your hand and have smaller buttons and text.

The Benefits of a Smartphone GPS

Connectivity – That data connection means you’ll always have up to date maps, traffic conditions, and road information. It also means you have more search options available. Some dedicated GPS units have cellular data connections with the added benefit of the data being free.

More than just a GPS – Smartphones with multitasking can do more than just give directions. Most can be configured to continue to give you directions while playing music or connecting a phone call. Only a small handful of GPS units offer music playback capabilities.

You probably already have a smartphone – If you already have a smartphone (and a lot of people do, these days), its GPS capabilities are probably plenty for the occasional trip; however, if you find yourself using the phone as a GPS often, you might want to consider investing in a dedicated unit.

A Few of the Top Dedicated GPS Units on the Market

If you think a dedicated unit is right for you, here are a few of the top rated GPS units on alaTest.

Garmin nüvi 3590LMT

The nüvi 3590LMT offers a great screen and touch/voice interface as well as free data service for up-to-date traffic information. It’s a bit on the pricey side, but free map updates for life does make up for it.

TomTom GO Live 1005

TomTom’s GO Live GPS units offer the best in information services, including local searches, traffic, weather, and even fuel prices. The service is free for the first year, but costs $59.95 per year after that.

Garmin nüvi 2595LMT

The nüvi 2595LMT offers almost all of the same great features of the 3590LMT but is significantly cheaper. It has the same great interface and free traffic and map updates for life. The only difference is that it does not show 3D landmarks.

Google develops Android such that anyone can build a device that runs it, but it’s up to the manufacturer to modify it and tailor it to run on the hardware they’re using. This process can take months, and it means that most Android devices out there are generally one or two versions behind. To get the most out of a new Android device, it’s important to know which are the most likely to be updated quickly.

Ice Cream Sandwich and Jelly Bean

The latest, and most relevant, version of Android are version 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) and 4.1 (Jelly Bean). Ice Cream Sandwich brought all sorts of performance boosts and  new features to Android, and any worthwhile new Android phone should come with Android 4.0 already installed – or at least have an update expected very soon. Jelly Bean, the latest version released just weeks ago, expanded on the feature set of 4.0. If you expect to keep your phone for a couple years, you’ll want to make sure it has a high likelihood of receiving the 4.1 update as well.

Google’s Galaxy Nexus (and Nexus S)

The Nexus line is always the first to receive OS updates. This is because they are the only devices maintained directly by Google. The Galaxy Nexus is currently the only Android phone with Jelly Bean available. The Nexus S (which is well over one and a half years old, now) will likely be the second phone on the market to get the 4.1 update. If you want to stay as current as possible with the Android OS, Nexus devices are the way to go.

Samsung

Samsung started with one of the worst update records, taking ages to update its phones, if it updated them at all; however, Samsung listened to consumers and has completely changed its ways. This makes the Galaxy S III an excellent choice in terms of version longevity. Not only does it come with Android 4.0 out of the box, but should be updated to 4.1 by the end of the year. The Galaxy Note ought to see a 4.1 update around that same time, and the Galaxy S II is even a likely candidate, though the time frame on that may be a bit longer than is practical for a consumer.

HTC

HTC can be a little slow when updating its devices, but it does update most of its devices. The One Series (such as the One X, One S, and EVO LTE) are almost all certain to see a 4.1 update, with the exception of the One V which is a bit less likely since it lacks the power to fully benefit from an update. When will the One Series updates be rolling out? Hopefully before the end of the year. Older HTC devices, like the Sensation 4G and EVO 3D, probably won’t get the 4.1 update, though they have been updated to 4.0.

Motorola

Motorola does a solid job supporting its devices, as long as they’re still popular on the market. The Droid RAZR and RAZR MAXX have already started receiving 4.0 upgrades and should definitely be seeing 4.1 before the end of the year. The Droid Bionic and Droid 4, while still fairly current, likely won’t get a taste of 4.1, but should be upgraded to 4.0 before long.

Sony

While its devices start off great, Sony is disturbingly slow out of the gate. Because it takes so long to launch its products after announcing them, they’re often very behind once they hit the market. Sony’s brand new Xperia Ion is a perfect example. Despite its release on weeks ago, it’s only running Android version 2.3 (Gingerbread, technically 3 generations behind). Fortunately, it will be getting a 4.0 update, but that’s likely it. It doesn’t look like any of Sony’s other phones will be updated.

LG
LG likes to support its top tier devices, so long as they’re not too old. The Optimus 4X HD and Optimus LTE 2 are likely the only LG phones to get the 4.1 update.

That’s exactly why we created the Interactive Cell Phone Buying Guide. It lets you select the criteria that are most important to you and get a custom-tailored list of the perfect phones for your needs.

How It Works

You can check out the Interactive Buying Guide here, or you can click the link in the Cell Phone& Smartphone Reviews category.

It’s made up of five main categories: Input Type, Platform, Camera, Multimedia, and Battery. Each has a few choices to select from, and the resulting list will automatically update with each choice. In case you need a hand, here’s a quick description of each of your options:

Input Type:

Touch Screen

Pros:

• Faster page scrolling and easier link selection.
• Typically allows for a larger screen.
• Can also be used for things like handwriting and drawing.

Cons:

• Lack of tactical feedback slows down typing.
• Precise selections and fine tuning can be difficult.

Bottom Line: Touch screens are the most common input type for a smartphone. They allow for faster navigation and a more user-friendly experience when interfacing with the device; however, the lack of tactical feedback does make typing slightly more difficult.

Buttons

Pros:

• A physical keyboard allows for quick and much more accurate typing.
• It’s possible to type without looking.
• Navigation keys allow for fine cursor movements.

Cons:

• A physical keyboard leaves less space for a screen.
• Navigating web pages is typically done by scrolling through links one at a time.

Bottom Line: Devices with only physical inputs, such as some BlackBerry phones, are best suited when messaging is your primary use. Web browsing is generally not very practical.

Combined

Pros:

• The touch screen allows quick navigation.
• The physical keyboard makes for faster typing.

Cons:

• A physical keyboard typically means either a smaller screen or a thicker device.

Bottom Line: This is a good option for those who dislike touch screens for typing but still want the navigational ease they provide, so long as a smaller screen or several millimeters of added thickness aren’t a deal breaker.

Platform

Android

Pros:

• Wide variety of devices to choose from, ranging in price, performance, and features.
• Large App Market with over 500,000 apps.
• Customizable home screen with widgets and wallpapers.
• Highly integrated with Google’s web services, including Google Maps for turn-by-turn navigation.
• Gives more freedom to the user in terms of system options.
• True Application multitasking.

Cons:

• Some devices have limited customer support.
• The additional options can be overwhelming for novice users.
• Upgrading from one Android phone to another may not give you the same experience.
• Popular models have many accessories, but less popular models do not.

Bottom Line: Android devices come in all shapes and sizes, allowing you to better tailor the features you want to the price range you’re looking for.

Apple iOS

Pros:

• Apple offers excellent customer support online, over the phone, and in person at Apple Stores.
• Large App Store with over 500,000 apps.
• Apps are tested by Apple to help maintain stability.
• The iOS experience is nearly identical across all iOS devices.
• It has a very simple interface.
• Many accessories available.

Cons:

• iOS devices are one size fits all. If you want a larger screen or physical keyboard, you’re out of luck.
• 3G only. Currently no 4G iPhones exist.
• Limited Multitasking. Only portions of applications can run in the background.
• The simple interface can be limiting, especially for more advanced users.
• No removable battery or options for expandable storage.

Bottom Line: Apple’s iOS can be a considerably more limiting platform than the competition; however, those limitations result in a polished and unified user experience.

Windows Phone

Pros:

• Social apps, Bing search, and other Microsoft services are integrated directly into the operating system.
• Widget-like “Tiles” allow for a somewhat customizable interface.
• Moderate range of devices available at several price points.
• Windows Phone experience is very similar across all Windows Phone devices.

Cons:

• Small App Market with only about 80,000 apps.
• Limited Multitasking. Only portions of apps can run in the background.
• No dual-core or “high performance” options currently available.

Bottom Line: Windows Phone offers many unique and useful features over the competition. It also overlooks many features that users have come to take for granted.

Other

Other platforms include BlackBerry, Symbian, and Maemo, to name a few. If you’re looking for devices featuring these platforms, it’s likely that you already have a specific model in mind.

Camera

Not important – “I rarely find myself taking photos with my smartphone.”

A little – “I sometimes take photos with my smartphone to share via text message or Facebook.”

Average – “I often take photos with my smartphone to share via text message or Facebook.”

Important – “I take and share photos with my smartphone often and sometimes like to print them out.”

Very important – “I rely on my smartphone to take quality photos of memorable moments.”

Multimedia

Not important – “I rarely use my smartphone to browse the web, listen to music, or watch videos.”

A little – “I sometimes use my smartphone to browse the web, listen to music, or watch video such as YouTube.”

Average – “I often use my smartphone to browse the web, listen to music, or watch video such as YouTube.”

Important – “I constantly use my smartphone to browse the web, listen to music, or watch video such as YouTube or Netflix.”

Very important – “I am always using my smartphone to listen to music or watch HD video.”

Battery

Not important – “My phone is almost always plugged in.”

A little – “I don’t mind plugging in my phone half way through the day if I’m using it a lot.”

Average – “I want my phone to last all day as long as I’m not using it too much.”

Important – “I use my phone a lot and still want it to last all day.”

Very important – “I use my phone almost non-stop and want it to last all day.”

Verizon Wireless

Verizon, or Big Red as it’s more amicably known, plays host to a wide variety of excellent smartphones. The best device it currently has to offer (or soon to offer, really) is the Samsung Galaxy S III. With a 4.8-inch 720p Super AMOLED display and 1.5GHz dual-core S4 processor as well as 4G LTE connectivity, this phone is sure to be one of the hottest sellers this summer.

Of course, the Galaxy S III isn’t the only good choice. The Motorola Droid RAZR is a high-quality, super slim phone with many of the same features. Its processor is slightly older and only runs at 1.2GHz; however, its price tag is an agreeable $99 with contract, though you might want to consider the Droid RAZR MAXX which features a much larger battery. A Droid RAZR HD is also due sometime in the near future with beefier specs and an HD display.

Another notable contender is the Samsung Galaxy Nexus, a phone built entirely on input direct from Google and running the purest, latest version of Android. And of course, you can’t forget the iPhone 4S, the latest of Apples iOS phones (though we suggest holding out for the iPhone 5 due later this year).

AT&T

AT&T also has the Galaxy S III; however, it also has a very worthy alternative if you don’t want to wait for the newest Galaxy device to officially launch. The HTC One X is currently alaTest’s top rated phone, featuring a 4.7-inch 720p Super LCD2 display and the same 1.5GHz dual-core S4 processor found in the Galaxy S III. It also has a great 8MP camera and LTE 4G capabilities, and best of all, it’s actually available now.

AT&T also features the iPhone 4S for the iOS aficionados out there, but again, we suggest waiting for the iPhone 5.For WP7 fans, AT&T has the best WP7 device released to date – the Nokia Lumia 900. With its 4.3-inch AMOLED display, 4G LTE, and 1.2GHz processor, it’s the fastest most feature packed WP7 phone on the market, and it’s not even the most expensive.

Sprint

Sprint, of course, will be getting the Galaxy S III as well, but, like AT&T, it has a variant of the HTC One X known as the HTC EVO 4G LTE. It’s really no different from the AT&T model with the exception of a slightly different look and the fact that it’s intended for Sprint’s network.

Sprint’s other great choices include the iPhone 4S and the Samsung Galaxy Nexus. Unlike the Verizon Galaxy Nexus, Sprint’s is a little bit more true to the Nexus name with better Google Voice and Google Wallet integration.

T-Mobile

The Galaxy S III will be coming to T-Mobile as well, but the magenta colored carrier doesn’t have as many compelling alternatives as some of its competitors. The HTC One S is its only device we can really recommend, but it really is a great phone (currently ranked 3^rd on our top phones list). On the inside, it’s exactly the same as its big brother, the One X, and it even features the same 1.5GHz dual-core processor found in the Galaxy S III. The only difference is its smaller 4.3-inch display featuring a slightly lower resolution.

Motorola Droid RAZR

Back in the pre-smartphone days, the RAZR was one of the hottest phones, thanks largely to its half-inch thickness (14mm). Now the RAZR is back, and in smartphone form, sporting Android no less. At 7.1mm thin, the Droid RAZR is currently the slimmest phone on the market, and maintaining its slim figure while sporting a 1.2GHz dual-core processor and LTE 4G capability is even more impressive. On the downside, battery life suffers considerably; however, the Droid RAZR MAXX has a much larger battery though weighs in at 8.99mm thick.

HTC One S

At 7.8mm thin, the One S is one of the thinnest, fastest, globally available GSM smartphones on the market. Its 1.5GHz dual-core Snapdragon S4 processor consistently posts top scores on both performance and battery benchmarks. Unlike most super thin phones, the One S actually stands a solid chance of making it through the day on a single charge.

Samsung Galaxy S III

The Galaxy S III is one of the latest smartphones to hit the market, and as expected, it’s quite thin. At 8.6mm, it’s only 1mm thicker than its predecessor, the Galaxy S II, but the extra girth certainly isn’t wasted space. Sporting a 1.4GHz quad-core Exynos processor, the S III stands to be one of the fastest phones on the market. Its 2100mAh battery also bodes well for its battery life.

Samsung Galaxy Nexus

The Galaxy Nexus, Google’s latest “Pure Google” Android phone, is exceptionally striking with sleek lines and a unique concave display. At just 8.9mm thick, it’s also exceptionally thin. It features similar specs to the Droid RAZR (ie: 1.2GHz dual-core processor); however, it has a larger, higher resolution display. The LTE version of the Galaxy Nexus is slightly thicker in order to accommodate a larger battery.

HTC One X

Recently displaced by the Galaxy S III as the worlds more recent smartphone, the One X is still an amazingly powerful device in a very thin shell. Its 8.9mm thickness won’t be any more noticeably thicker than the S III’s 8.6mm, but the One X has the major advantage of already being available in the U.S. Both Sprint and AT&T carry it (as the EVO LTE and One X respectively). Like the S III, the One X features a powerful quad-core processor; however, some U.S. variants feature a similarly powerful dual-core instead (this may turn out to be the case for the Galaxy S III as well).

Now, there are other super thin phones on the market, such as the Sony Xperia GX, Huawei Ascend P1, and Panasonic Eluga DL1 to name a few. We’ve selected only the most popular of them. Plus, with manufacturers like Oppo and ZTE teasing phones down to 6.2mm thin, we might have to revisit this topic in the not so distant future.

HTC One X and the Cimo S-Line Case

The One X is a brand new device from HTC that has quickly risen to top of our charts. It’s currently available on AT&T and Sprint (as the EVO LTE), and it will be making its way to T-Mobile in the near future. For the time being, the One X is the most powerful, feature-packed phone on the market.

As an affordable flexible TPU case, the S-Line is thick enough to provide some impact protection but thin enough to avoid adding too much extra bulk to the phone. It comes in a handful of colors, including black, white, and translucent. As is common with most TPU cases, it will likely show some wear after a while; however, at its current price, you could easily buy a second.

Apple iPhone 4S and the Otterbox Defender Series

As the latest iteration from Apple, the iPhone 4S continues to defend its spot in the top 5. With its 3.5-inch display and large bezel, it’s starting to get left behind as the market shifts, but with a fast dual-core processor and Apple’s polished iOS, it’s still a favorite among consumers.

Otterbox is one of the most popular premium smartphone case manufacturers, and its Defender Series is certainly a favorite among iPhone users. It protects not only the rear of the iPhone’s fragile glass design, but also wraps around the front for additional protection. It retails for $50, which is quite a bit higher than most protective cases, but it’s possible to find it for as low as $20 fairly regularly. Just make sure to get the “new” design with larger cutout for the front facing camera.

Samsung Galaxy Note and the BoxWave DuoSuit

Samsungls Galaxy Note has been a surprising hit, successfully filling the niche between smartphone and tablet. Its 5-inch display makes it an adequate tablet-like multimedia device, but it’s not so big that it won’t fit in your pocket for everyday use. That plus its powerful dual-core processor makes it a great phone.

The BoxWave DuoSuit is a flexible TPU case that comes in an assortment of colors. Ultimately, it’s an affordable case that is thin enough not to add too much bulk – because, let’s face it, the Galaxy Note is big enough already.

Samsung Galaxy Nexus and the Rearth Ringke Slim

As Google’s latest “Pure Android” device, the Galaxy Nexus is a favorite among Android enthusiasts. It’s sleek design, powerful performance, and perfect integration with Google’s products also make it a favorite among smartphone users in general.

In order to preserve the sleek, slim look of their Galaxy Nexus, many users choose to go without a case at all; however, it’s possible to get the best of both worlds with the Rinke Slim. Its slim design adds only about 1mm of extra thickness, and it clings closely to the phone itself, mimicking its sleek lines very well.

HTC One S and the Diztronic TPU Case

The HTC One S is the slightly more affordable alternative to the One X. It offers just about everything the One X does but with a smaller (more notably, lower resolution) display and marginally less powerful processor.

As a more budget friendly device, it’s not surprising that its most popular case is budget friendly as well. Available for around $10, the Diztronic TPU case is a no-frills case that will fit snuggly and keep your precious phone protected.