Ranking the best 25 Smartphones in Europe, July 2014

08Jul14

Top 25 ranking of the finest smartphones currently available in Europe

Each total score is shown as a Percentage (%).  Each smartphone was reviewed against 10 criteria, with each criteria scoring a possible 1-10% toward the total final score of up to 100%.

The top performers all scored very closely together, but for slightly different brand, design or performance reasons.  So if you wish to use this ranking table to select your next mobile phone, I suggest you also check the two or three of the very best, based on the scores below and then go and try these hands-on for yourself in a mobile store before you buy one.  But it’s unlikely you will be disappointed with any of the two or three that meet your particular criteria from the data shown below in a table.

The top 5 smartphones, listed here in alphabetical order:

– Apple iPhone 5S 32GB and 64GB versions (counted here as 2 separate alternatives, as there is a high price point between them)

The iPhone is still popular, if an expensive choice.  But both are a joy to use.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

– HTC One M8

A design icon, with great character and stereo external speakers. Only the camera is average in this otherwise excellent smartphone.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

– Samsung Galaxy Note 3

A large, high performance media, gaming and business-use phablet.  It goes beyond the Samsung Galaxy S5 and really is a mobile powerhorse.  It virtually replaces the need to carry an iPad Mini or an iPad.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

– Sony Xperia Z2

Possibly the best mobile phone for social media, with an excellent camera and amazing in-ear sound quality with the supplied headphones.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Please click on the table below to read the detail more clearly.

 

Each of these smartphones have been reviewed extensively online, but I couldn’t find a ranking that compared all of the best against each other in an easy format to reference.  So I compiled the data from my own reviews, cross-checked for product specs with manufacturers web-sites and other reviews mentioned below.

The 10 criteria used to create the ranking

– Brand Appeal (Brand desirability and social acceptance)

– Design Appeal (includes the visual appeal and physical feel of the design, the materials, textures and colours.  As well as the range of Accessories available, such as cases/covers and the adoption of a standard charger)

– User Interface (including Ease of Use and if it is a pleasure to spend time using)

– Battery Life  (including whether there is the ability to swap out the battery to extend use as you commute)

– Screen Display (including ability to view out of doors in sunlight, Full HD etc.)

– Camera  (including rear facing and front facing camera, video mode and image stabilisation)

– Built-in Features & App Store (including functions that are likely to be used by many owners, rather than bloatware that fills up space, ease of use, fair pricing and wide range of apps available. A built in feature, such as front facing stereo-speakers, excellent camera will also improve the score awarded).

– Robustness & Longevity (Robustness includes resistance to scratches, or more severe damage; such as screen cracking when dropped. If the smartphone is waterproof it also improves the score.  Longevity includes the estimated ability for the smartphone to both continue to  operate and be supported with the latest software upgrades, as well as whether it is likely to remain socially admired/credible when seen in public in 2 years time)

– Form factor & Expandability (includes weight and dimensions, memory card slot. Excessive pre-installed software bloatware that fills up internal memory is penalised.  Additional functions that are useful to many owners, such as fingerprint security or health apps are credited extra merit)

– Value for money (This is the perceived value offered by the price of the smartphone purchased standalone, or as part of a contract)

The ranking table and some further details on how scores were formulated are included in an Excel spreadsheet that is downloadable from here:

Smartphone Analysis

PLEASE NOTE:

In addition to personally conducting a hands-on comparison with each of these smartphones.  I have also referred to reviews from Pocket Now, Tech Radar and Phone Arena.  The ranking scores are my own informed opinion.  So who am I?   I’m the former brand manager of a major mobile phone retailer in the UK.  I provide consultancy, research & planning support to mobile networks and mobile manufacturer clients.  The views expressed here are my own.

I am contactable at kevin.sugrue@plannersphere.org

And via Twitter at #plannersphere

Please also be aware that while the HTC One M8 is a relatively new smartphone in 2014, Samsung are launching a new Note 4 late this year. Also Sony are due to launch an updated Z3 in the Autumn and Apple possibly 2 new iPhones in September 2014.

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Tags: Smartphone Ranking, Smartphone Ranking July 2014, Smartphones