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IT’S SAFE TO say that we’re spoilt for choice when it comes to smartphones.
With the competition in the space heating up and more manufacturers having to focus more on quality than quantity, it’s only means good things for the consumer.
Although the problem of which phone to get still stands so if you’re trying to decide which one to get yourself or someone you know, here are the best ones released this year.
The best all-rounder: iPhone 6
It’s cliché and predictable that an Apple device would be listed in this but despite the criticism it receives with every release, it’s still the device to beat.
The iPhone 6 is probably the best all-rounder out there. Software that’s easy to get to grips with, a premium design that makes it both stylish and nice to hold, and one of the best cameras on a smartphone (only surpassed by the iPhone 6 Plus) are just some of the things that make the iPhone 6 a great device.
The only major drawback is the cheapest version only has 16GB, a pittance when you consider the device has no SD slot. You’re better off going for the 64GB or 128GB version if you can afford it.
Note: due to the variation of contracts and different memory sizes for the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus, prices below are the average cost from smallest size to largest. If one size is included, then it’s cheapest to most expensive.
Where can I get it
Vodafone: €149 – €249 on bill pay or €669 on PAYG (16GB – 128GB).
O2: €59 – €259 on bill pay or €649 – €849 on PAYG (16GB – 128GB).
Three: €179 – €319 on bill pay or €659 – €859 on PAYG (16GB – 128GB).
Meteor: €129 – €529 on bill pay (16GB).
eMobile: €229 – €479 on bill pay (16GB).
Carphone Warehouse: €149 on bill pay (16GB).
Unlocked: €669 – €899 (16GB – 128GB).
Most versatile smartphone: Samsung Galaxy Alpha
When it came out, the Galaxy S5 was a great device, but wasn’t as well received as Samsung would have hoped. Its response was to release a more premium device in the form of the Galaxy Alpha, an aluminium device that distanced itself from the plastic casings of its predecessors.
Once you got used to the design and the lightness of it, you were left with a great device. While it doesn’t have the same high-end specs you would associate with similar premium device, it still packs a punch and is well worth considering.
Where can I get it
Vodafone: Free on bill pay or €649 on PAYG
O2: Free on bill pay or €549 on PAYG
Three: €49 on bill pay or €569 on PAYG
Meteor: Free on bill pay.
eMobile: From €99 on bill pay.
Carphone Warehouse: Free on bill pay.
Tesco Mobile: Free on bill pay or €629 on PAYG.
Unlocked: N/A
Best powerhouse: HTC One (M8)
Released near the start of the year, the successor to the HTC One was released to much acclaim and it’s easy to see why.
For a start, it’s a brilliantly crafted device with an aluminium body, and is an absolute powerhouse. The software has been improved as well and it manages to fit in a SD card slot which can support 128GB sizes. The only drawback is the camera quality, which can be somewhat inconsistent.
The real dilemma is whether you want to get the M8 now or wait until March for its successor to be announced. HTC has proven it can create fantastic premium devices again and again so it’s safe to assume a better device will arrive come springtime.
Where can I get it
Vodafone: Free on bill pay or €549 on PAYG.
O2: Free on bill pay or €549 on PAYG.
Three: Free on bill pay or €599 on PAYG.
Meteor: Free on bill pay.
eMobile: From free on bill pay
Carphone Warehouse: Free on bill pay or €509 on PAYG.
Tesco Mobile: €219 on bill pay or €639 on PAYG.
Unlocked: N/A
Best camera software: Nokia Lumia 830
It was a tossup between the Lumia 930 and 830, but while the 930 is powerful, the 830 is just a better all-round device. While it’s really a mid-range device instead of the flagship title Microsoft gave it, the Lumia 830 does many things right. It can run most Windows Phone apps without any real problem, it’s light and easy to hold and it has a great camera.
Windows Phone 8.1 fixes many of the problems associated with it and the upcoming release of Lumia Denim will improve what is already a great camera.
Where can I get it
Vodafone: Free on bill pay, €379 on PAYG.
O2: N/A
Three: N/A
Meteor: N/A
eMobile: N/A
Carphone Warehouse: N/A
Unlocked: €409.
Best phablet: iPhone 6 Plus or Samsung Galaxy Note 4
It’s a bit of a copout to put both Apple’s and Samsung’s devices here, but they’re two of the best phones out there, and which one you like is really a matter of preference. Both have large screens, both are slightly awkward to hold with one hand, both have great battery life and both are powerhouses, but there are some differences worth considering.
While it’s easy to dismiss the iPhone 6 Plus as simply a bigger iPhone, it works better in practice. Its ‘reachability’ function – which temporarily slides the screen down halfway so you can reach the top – solves the biggest headache associated with a phablet, and it has a slightly better camera than the iPhone 6.
The Note 4 is geared more towards productivity, not only with the S Pen (the name of its stylus), but by including split-screen modes and note gathering. It’s arguably the more useful device for those who are more creative.
Where can I get it (iPhone 6 Plus)
Vodafone: €149 – €349 on bill pay or €779 on PAYG.
O2: €149 – €349 on bill pay or €749 – €949 on PAYG.
Three: €279 - €379 on bill pay or €759 – €859 on PAYG (16GB – 64GB).
Meteor: €229 on bill pay (16GB).
eMobile: €329 on bill pay (16GB).
Carphone Warehouse: €149 on bill pay or €749 on PAYG.
Unlocked: €799 – €999 (16GB – 128GB).
Where can I get it (Galaxy Note 4)
Vodafone: €29 on bill pay or €599 on PAYG.
O2: Free on bill pay or €669 on PAYG.
Three: €149 on bill pay or €669 on PAYG.
Meteor: From €99 on bill pay.
eMobile: €199 on bill pay.
Carphone Warehouse: €599 on PAYG.
Unlocked: N/A
Honourable mentions
The smartphone market is incredibly saturated with both high-, mid-, and low-range devices out there so covering them all would take far too long. Yet if the above devices don’t appeal to you, you have other options.
To start, the OnePlusOne has great specs for a low price, but is still using an invite-only system which means you need to know someone with one, or wait for a special sign-up offer arrives.
Despite being a year old, the Nexus 5 is still a solid device, with the ability to run pure Android a major plus, while the Xperia Z3 Compact is a fantastic mid-range smartphone with a quick and sharp camera, although it overheats during intensive use.
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Anyone read the Guardian today, reporting on how penalty points were squashed for the editor of the Irish Independent, they are questioning the integrity of Irish journalists and news outlets for not asking questions.
I expected the journal to at least have something on it.
Thats what has the country Ducked,The journalist are just staying stum to help secure their future employment.Meanwhile the people suffer without a voice.
And the one journalist who wanted to continue asking questions about penalty points got fired by guess who- the same editor who had penalty points quashed, this country is so full of corruption it really is sickening.
There is an inner circle of politicians, the media and certain higher professionals that run this country as they like and the rest of us are mere minions who must do as we are told.
Are we really looking for integrity when we speak about journalists? The least they could’ve done was give the job to someone gook lookling
keep up the good work pat of letting us know that this is not a democracy also another beaut heading to RTE to fill us with pure crap that they throw at us.
I heard Pat Kenny has moved to Newstalk.
No, you’re kidding me, when? Why have I never seen that reported on the journal? Seems very odd that they never saturate their pages with stories about RTE or radio stations owned by multi billionaires.
I’m sure there was an fair and open candidate search for this taxpayer sponsored job
In other news:
My cats breath smells like cat food.
Why is this news?
Hi Angela,
It is filed in the ‘Media’ Section of Business Etc.
Thanks
Sinéad
No pleasing some Sinead :-)
I can see that, admittedly my eyesight isn’t great but I’m not blind. Does ‘The Journal’ source these ‘Media’ stories or do the individuals involved send their own press release in?
Angela
Like a number of reports on Journal and Sport.ie, the original question still remains. Why is this news? Or do you just regurgitate press released from RTE?
Hi Mick, Angela,
This wasn’t press-released by RTÉ but as we have a ‘Media’ section in our Business Etc vertical, it would then make sense to report on major recruitment decisions at Ireland’s public service broadcaster.
Also, there’s loads of other news here if you want to read something else: http://www.thejournal.ie/
Cheers
Sinéad
News Editor
Me thinks she will make RTE alot easier to watch while listening to the BS the TDs are spouting. Yup alot more pleasing on the eye…
A real journalist would not join RTE particularly the political department. might as well work for the Fine Gael press office you will be repeating the same sound bites either way. She looks nice though maybe she will rebel and ask a government minister a real question for a change.
Tough crowd tonight Sinéad.
Why is this tough cheeky bums!
Or some such malarkey.
What defines news? Why’d you click on the article? Go get laid, you’ll find you’re less inclined to nitpic then.
When I grow up I want to be a pol coll
If the Journal’s reporting pisses people off so much, why not go somewhere else for news?
@davidmurphyRTE, too good a political correspondent to loose to Washington. Needed at home.
Erm, David Murphy isn’t a Political Correspondent, he’s Business Editor. If you mean David McCullagh or David Davin-Power, you clearly haven’t read the article!
Touchy, touchy Donal! This weather is getting to me too.
Too many Davids.
Jobs for the boys/girls in RTE, can they ever advertise for some new blood ???
Wouldn’t mind corresponding with her if you know what I mean wink wink
Who?
“Reached out” did he? I thought that was only something the Democrats did to the Republicans
I think they should send Robert Shortt back there, after all he was good at it last time and is the person they chose to send in the interim. Haven’t seen David Murphy report on anything other than Business so hard to judge if he’d be any good.
Politics just got even better!
Good on the eyes as well very important.
Well done David you weren’t overlooked despite wearing shorts whilst reporting outside the dail during our hot summer
Ah sure im sure she will do well as a government media propegandist
RTEs pic makes it look like the Bar lost another one…
have your say