Top 5 smartphones of 2012

The top 5 smartphones of 2012 include the iPhone 5, Galaxy S3, Galaxy Note 2, HTC 8X and HTC DROiD DNA

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It's been a wild year in the mobile world these last 12 months and we've seen some great advances in terms of design, software and mobile networks. But which smartphones stood out above the crowd?
Without any further ado, let's take a look at the five best smartphones of 2012.

iPhone 5

Why:
Apple has done it again with the iPhone 5, but this time, it comes with a larger screen and 4G LTE support. The design is elegant, the software is polished and filled with fun and exciting apps.
Apple continues to deliver a fantastic camera experience, as the iPhone 5 is one of the best shooters around. The only real negative we had was moving over to the Lightning connector because
From our official review:

"Phone calls sound loud and clear, battery life is unbelievably good for an LTE device and the overall software performance is great. The camera is really good at taking stills, and videos are equally good -- that microphone in the back even helps pick up better sound from the direction in which you're recording. The iPhone 5, for all that it can do in such a thin and lightweight package is truly a feat of engineering."
More information: 
iPhone 5: 30 Tips and Tricks

iPhone 5: One month in
iPhone 5: 10 must-have accessories
iPhone 5 User Guides

Galaxy S3

Why:
Samsung has created a smartphone that's every bit as good as the iPhone and in many ways, the Galaxy S3 surpasses Apple's darling. The Galaxy S3 sports a beautiful, 4.8-inch screen, is packed to the gills with every type of sensor and technology you'd want and the software has matured greatly.
Just as importantly, the Galaxy S3 has become a mainstream device that evokes anticipation and joy that used to only be reserved for iDevices. This Android superphone rightly deserves the adulation it's received. We're still not 100 percent in love with the plastic feel of the device, but the Galaxy S3 is unquestionably one of the best handsets this year.
From our official review: 
"I do love the Galaxy S III, and I'll be hanging onto it until Samsung starts sending me demand letters to get its review units back ... If you're in the market for an Android smartphone on AT&T and you haven't picked up the HTC One X yet, the Galaxy S III is a strong and solid bet."
More information:
Galaxy S3 Review
Galaxy S3 Premium Suite upgrade revealed
Samsung Galaxy S3: 30 Tips and Tricks
Galaxy S3 User Guides

Galaxy Note 2


Why:
Samsung pushed the limits on screen size and design but it paid off in spades. I was very skeptical that the 5.5-inch HD display would make the Note 2 unwieldy but Samsung delivered a spectacular device that really skirts the line between smartphone and tablet.
That screen size really comes in handy when you're trying to watch videos, multitask or type, and the intelligent Samsung software on top of Android also makes that extra real estate feel well used. Throw in the smart S Pen (stylus) and you have a device that's really appealing for many users. Some may still find it a bit large, though.
From our official review:
"The Galaxy Note II is a great smartphone because its performance is just ridiculous, battery life is great, reading and consuming multimedia content is great. The size is a pain in the rear sometimes and you really have to decide if all the benefits of the size outweighs the sacrifices you'll have to make. If you can get over the size, buy it. It's pretty good."
More information:
Samsung Galaxy Note 2 Review
Galaxy Note 2: 5 S Pen tips
Galaxy Note 2 User Guides
Galaxy Note 2: 5 things to love

HTC DROID DNA 


Why:
HTC continues to be on the bleeding edge of technology and the HTC DROID DNA is the first major handset with a 1080p HD screen. That's right, the 5-inch screen on the DROID DNA is probably better than your flat-screen television.
It's not just a pretty screen though (although, it is a killer display), as the DROID DNA has a powerful processor, 4G LTE, Android 4.1 Jelly Bean, all the goodies you'd expect in a smartphone and a high-quality camera. That large screen may be offputting for some who want a lighter footprint, but it's quite stunning to see how far we've come with these screens in our pockets.
From our official review:
"It is excellent for watching videos and looking at photos or browsing the Web. So I'd say it's for users who see their smartphones as entertainment and multimedia devices, more than anything else. Not that the DROID DNA isn't capable of much else, but I have to keep coming back to that big, sharp display."
More information:
HTC DROID DNA Review
HTC DROID DNA vs. Apple iPhone 5
Best Verizon smartphones for the holidays
HTC DROID DNA User Guides

HTC 8X


Why:
The HTC 8X has probably the best in-hand feel of any phone on the market. Seriously, this is how a smartphone is supposed to rest in your hands -- it feels extremely comfortable but also like you're holding a premium device.
The rest of the device isn't too shabby, either. You have a nice, 4.3-inch display, internals that can match the competitors and 4G LTE for blazing fast speeds. It also sports Windows Phone 8 and this is a refreshing way to do your mobile computing on the go but you will be sacrificing app selection in the short term.
From our official review:
"If you're looking for your first smartphone, the Windows Phone 8X by HTC should definitely be on your list but not if you're the type who wants the latest and greatest apps. Switching over from iPhone or Android may also be painful for similar reasons but the fresh look and feel of Windows Phone 8 and this HTC device may make that sacrifice worth it."