GSMArena smartphone shopping guide: August 2014

29 August 2014
It's been a few months since our previous Smartphone buyer's guide and the mobile market has shifted significantly since then. It's a buyer's market as they say, cheap phones have become better and flagships have become cheaper...

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  • ?
  • Anonymous
  • t7T
  • 30 Aug 2014

The thing is, there are a lot of chinese branded phones that are way cheaper and have better specs than the phones listed here. After sales support might be an issue though

    • S
    • Steve Max
    • 8JS
    • 30 Aug 2014

    Worst time possible for a smartphone shopping guide. Wait a couple of weeks for the new iPhone (iPhones?), the new Xperias, the shake those will do to the market, and THEN recommend stuff. Most of your advise now will be useless to anyone who waits a few weeks, and it's just stupid not to wait now.

      • T
      • Tim
      • ii6
      • 30 Aug 2014

      I dont agree with your comment "BlackBerrys are missing from the recommendations as they are not priced competitively enough against Android and WP to compensate for their relative lack of apps" The Z10 is excellent value in today' s market at about AUB $300 and also Z30 is $380 online. You also dont mention signal reception, sound and clarity, battery life or security and just focus on the facade of mobiles. To much pre-occupation with Apps and looks verse practicalities. Some cheap Android devices sound like tin boxes and are hopeless at reception. And yes with all the security problems with Android why do you knock Blackberry. We need it in the market.

        • D
        • AnonD-269963
        • 8j0
        • 30 Aug 2014

        sumit mangal, 29 Aug 2014Guys please suggest me about HTC desire 816...I am confused The HTC desire 816 is very good .. Idk why gsmarena didn't put it

          • D
          • AnonD-281018
          • 9B9
          • 30 Aug 2014

          AnonD-299460, 29 Aug 2014hey gsm arena...how could you missed the HTC m8 in you shop... moreI agree. M8 has it's flaws, like camera which is midrange level, but besides that it is best looking smartphone out there (along with iPhone 5S)

          Just put m8 and Galaxy S5 side by side. Samsung looks like it fell out from chinese toy factory. M8 look like cold weapon, all real metal, cold feel in hand, proper weight. Samsung has awful looking fake leather on the back and fake metal,on the side.

            • m
            • mohsen
            • HIy
            • 30 Aug 2014

            Lg g3 is the best

              • D
              • AnonD-281018
              • 9B9
              • 30 Aug 2014

              Galaxy S5 is a plastic rubbish with fake metal on the side. Design is the same since Galaxy S3, and even back then iz was boring. I like Note 3 more, nice leather back, but it is just to big, and Touchwizz lags all the time.

              Whole world has stopped and waits to see new King who will wipe out all competition:

              iPhone 6

                • D
                • AnonD-281018
                • 9B9
                • 30 Aug 2014

                AnonD-286309, 29 Aug 2014Glad to see a recommendation for the Note 3 but not the iPh... morePlease stop embarrassing yourself with FG signature. What are U 11?

                  • D
                  • AnonD-299460
                  • ter
                  • 29 Aug 2014

                  hey gsm arena...how could you missed the HTC m8 in you shopping guide?? itz one of the best phones in the market now. probably the best.

                    • n
                    • no no
                    • 3qB
                    • 29 Aug 2014

                    Xiaomi mi3? Lumia 925?

                      • s
                      • sumit mangal
                      • 7jW
                      • 29 Aug 2014

                      Guys please suggest me about HTC desire 816...I am confused

                        • o
                        • oreskec
                        • 3q8
                        • 29 Aug 2014

                        since when is android 4.3, 4.2 old and outdated? 4.1 yes, but 4.2 and 4.3 is not

                          • D
                          • AnonD-92357
                          • rx7
                          • 29 Aug 2014

                          should have included Xiaomi Redmi 1S and Xiaomi Mi3 also... both are awesome phones...

                            • ?
                            • Anonymous
                            • StU
                            • 29 Aug 2014

                            darkgamer, 29 Aug 2014Touchwiz isn't a con. It has more features than any othe... moreTouchwiz bloatware. No FM radio. Slow camera. No Android 4.4 yet.

                            There's more as well. No phone is flawless.

                              • ?
                              • Anonymous
                              • mXx
                              • 29 Aug 2014

                              darkgamer, 29 Aug 2014Touchwiz isn't a con. It has more features than any othe... moreHow about lag?

                                • ?
                                • Anonymous
                                • utV
                                • 29 Aug 2014

                                Anonymous, 29 Aug 2014there r no cons with the samsung ... u people just hate sam... moreDESIGN!!!! No one will want to buy a soap box for €400..wheras the m8 and g3 and even z2 to an extent feel much PREMIU

                                  • D
                                  • AnonD-85136
                                  • 6Qm
                                  • 29 Aug 2014

                                  I am happy with my Xperia z2. Best phone best quality. Sony is best

                                    • c
                                    • chomi
                                    • Yeu
                                    • 29 Aug 2014

                                    And bestbuy is lg g pro 2.

                                      Pasindu, 29 Aug 2014No m8 and NO cons for the S5?? This is ridiculous, the note... moreAlso they forgot the s4 but mentioned useless lay year flagships like xperia z.

                                      I just don't get how they missed m8 and s4

                                        Anonymous, 29 Aug 2014No HTC One M8 either, which on sites like Techradar have be... moreTouchwiz isn't a con.

                                        It has more features than any other UI out there.

                                        S5 has wireless charging cover and it supports qi.

                                        Moreover samsung updates it's phones much longer and gives out stability updates pretty quick.

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