The top 17 smartphones out now

17. Motorola Moto E

Price when reviewed: $160

Makes plenty of compromises to keep costs down, but performs where it counts; the Moto E is another winner from Motorola at a highly tempting price. This is the best sub-$200 handset by a country mile.

16. Sony Xperia Z3

Price when reviewed: $849

The successor to the Z3 isn't that much different. It's a touch slimmer and lighter than the Z2, the screen is brighter, and the processor is clocked a fraction higher, but almost everything else is the same. It's a very good Android smartphone, but if you can still find a Z2 for sale it'll be much cheaper and almost as good.

15. Sony Xperia Z2

Price when reviewed: $759

Sony proves that big really is beautiful - the Xperia Z2 provides a long-lasting alternative to the Samsung Galaxy S5 and the HTC One M8.

14. Nokia Lumia 930

Price when reviewed: $629

The Lumia 930 is a knock-out from the first moment you pick it up. It's a Windows Phone device, so it can't compete on apps, but the design of Nokia's flagship is sumptuous and right up there with the best around.

13. Motorola Moto x

Price when reviewed: $700

Motorola’s second generation Moto X hits most of the right notes, coupling beautiful design with a hatful of innovative - and useful - features.

12. Samsung Galaxy Alpha

Price when reviewed: $599 (reduced)

The Galaxy Alpha is Samsung's best looking smartphone to date, but it's short on features and the price is too high.

11. iPhone 6 Plus

Price when reviewed: $999

Apple’s 5.5in giant isn’t for everyone, but for some it may prove the perfect mid-point between an iPad and iPhone.

Next: the top 10

10. Nexus 6

Price when reviewed: $869

The Nexus 6 has taken us by surprise in the short time we’ve had it. Once you sidle past the unavoidable fact of its gargantuan size, there’s an awful lot it does right. Battery life is good, the camera is excellent, and the build and design quality are second to none. And although its rivals hold an edge over it in many areas, the differences aren’t huge.

9. Samsung Galaxy Note 4

Price when reviewed: $949

Samsung has produced the finest phablet yet. In addition to a new Quad HD display and a smart new look, Samsung has bumped up the speed, battery life, camera quality and range of features - big-screened phones don't get any better.

8. Samsung Galaxy Note 3

Price when reviewed: $799

It's been superseded by the Note 4, but the Note 3 remains a stupendous smartphone – Samsung’s huge, 5.7in handset supplies oodles of features and a refined all-round performance.

7. LG G3

Price when reviewed: $729

LG rustles up a classy, top-rung smartphone, with a ridiculously high resolution screen and super fast camera; but that display takes its toll on battery life.

6. HTC One M8

Price when reviewed: $849

A beautiful crafted, highly competent smartphone, packed with clever features. Its superb display and battery life make it the best smartphone we've seen from HTC.

5. Motorola Moto G

Price when reviewed: $250

A high-quality budget Android handset with an excellent screen and decent battery life. There's now a 4G version as well, for those hankering after faster mobile data.

4. iPhone 6

Price when reviewed: $869

It's a brave new world for Apple's larger iPhone, and it's much the better for it.

3. Samsung Galaxy S5

Price when reviewed: $850

There's an awful lot to like about the Samsung Galaxy S5, it's good looking, tough, big, feature rich and we love the user-replaceable battery and memory expansion. It's a great smartphone in every way.

2. Nexus 5

Price when reviewed: $399

The Nexus 5 is getting on but it's still a superb smartphone and the price is significantly lower than most flagship devices, which is why it's still one of our favourite smartphones . The design is impressive, it's as powerful as you need and the screen is great.

1. Sony Xperia Z3 Compact

Price when reviewed: $699

Sony’s pint-sized smartphone packs in a host of premium features without the high-end price.

Next: future phones - what's coming in 2015

Future phones

Of course, the best things come to those who wait. While the list above covers the best smartphones available to buy right now, it’s also worth considering what devices are scheduled to launch in the coming months.

So, if you're deciding whether to buy a smartphone right away, or you're tempted to wait for a cutting-edge handset that is on the cusp of launching, we've compiled a list of the best mobile phones that are slated, or even just rumoured, for release.

Bear in mind, though, that is just a list to whet your smartphone appetite - not all the facts, figures and specifications will be 100 percent reliable until these future phones are officially released.

Sony Xperia Z4

Date expected: Q1 2015

In recent times, Sony has been following a rapid-fire six-monthly release schedule for its flagship smartphones. It launched the Z2 at MWC in February 2014 and the Z3 (pictured) at IFA in September, so it could well release another at this year's MWC. There are rumours that Sony has abandoned this approach, so don't be suprised if we have to wait until later in the year.

Samsung Galaxy Edge

Samung's crazy curved edge smartphone is now in the shops, and we will be posting our review of it in the coming weeks. Is it the new killer feature for smartphones, or just another gimmick? Find out soon.

Google Project Ara

Date expected: Q1 2015