Top 4G Handsets for 2013

With 4G use becoming more common, it’s worth thinking about what the top handsets are for 2013 that can use the advanced mobile broadband standard. 4G represents a significant leap forward in terms of speed from 3G, with average download rates of around 20 to 30 Mbps doubling average speeds for older forms of mobile broadband.

While 4G’s scale out around the UK still has a long way to go, checking with your local network provider and local coverage can allow you to decide whether it’s worth investing in 4G now or not. It’s particularly worth thinking about using 4G for business, with faster and more stable internet allowing for high speed data transfers, video-conferencing, and the hosting of work over the cloud. In this context, what are some of the top 4G handsets to look into this year?

The latest generation of Apple’s smartphone is designed to have multiple forms of internet connectivity as a standard feature. Running on iOS 6, the iPhone 5 is lighter than the Samsung Galaxy S3, and comes with a large number of custom Apple apps and other features. Connectivity options include HSPA+, DC-HSDPA, and N Wi-Fi, as well as 4G capable of handling an average of 10 Mbps to 22 Mbps for downloading content.

The S4 offers some exceptional standards for a 4G ready smartphone; these include a 5 inch, 1080p display, as well as a 1.9 GHz quad core Qualcomm processor as the heart of the device. 2 GB of memory and an Adreno 320 graphics core also makes it possible to run apps and games at high speed. 4G users can benefit from some in-built apps that are tailored for high speed internet, which include 4G streaming radio.

This aluminium phone comes with a Snapdragon 600 processor and built-in Wi-Fi and NFC, as well as a 1080p, 4.7 inch screen that’s ideal for streaming HD content over 4G networks. The HTC One also has 32 GB of storage, Bluetooth, and a built in internet browser that can allow you to easily toggle between different plug-ins and a Flash player when navigating the internet.

The latest effort by Sony to gain some ground on Apple and Samsung within the smartphone market, the Xperia Z boasts a Snapdragon S4 Pro processor, a 1080p screen, and a 13 MP camera. The Xperia Z is also highly durable and resistant to dust and water, and comes with HDSPA, high-speed Wi-Fi, and 4G as a standard feature. The phone’s excellent battery life also makes it ideal if you’re going to be pulling down a lot of data on the go with a 4G connection.

4G runs on the BlackBerry Z10, which also comes with a high speed web browser designed to work with a faster connection. With a screen of 4.2 inches, the Z10 is the smallest phone on this list, but has a 1280 x 768 display that makes it one of the sharpest in terms of image quality. A 1.5 GHz dual core processor, and some excellent package options for EE and 4G mean that the Z10 is one of the best value handsets available if you want a portable, but still powerful phone.