The third quarter of the year is a busy time at CNET, partly because smartphone manufacturers choose this season to debut some of their top-notch devices. As such, we invite you to take a peek at what's coming to the market this fall 2013.
Price: $199.99 with carrier agreement; $603.99 on T-Mobile
Availability: September 13 in AT&T stores; September 12 on Verizon; September 25 in T-Mobile stores; pre-orders for Sprint begin October 11.
The outlook: As LG's most powerful phone yet, the G2 flagship boasts a lighting-fast Snapdragon 800 processor, a 5.2-inch 1080p display, and a 13-megapixel camera. As if that weren't enough, LG also moved its main hardware buttons to the back, claiming it as a more ergonomic setup.
Price: $299 on AT&T with carrier agreement; $703 on T-Mobile
Availability: October on AT&T and U.S. Cellular; preorders open now on Verizon and Sprint; October 2 on T-Mobile.
The outlook: Not only does Samsung's newest iteration of its successful "phablet" pack a slimmer, more stylish look, it also has a 2.3GHz quad-core processor, and a larger 5.7-inch full HD Super AMOLED display.
The outlook: We had a chance to check out the Xperia Z1, aka Sony's followup to its chic and waterproof handset, and we were impressed. Compared with its predecessor, it now sports a 20.7-megapixel rear-facing shooter and the Snapdragon 800 quad-core processor assures that it will be ultra-speedy.
Price: $199, $299, and $399 for 16GB, 32GB, and 64GB models, with 2-year contract respectively. Unlocked models start at $649.
Availability: September 20, 2013
The outlook: The Touch ID fingerprint scanner on the new iPhone 5S is the most exciting thing about Apple's latest flagship phone. Beyond bumps in internal specs (It has a 64-bit chip! The camera adds burst mode!) everything else is exactly as expected, new champagne gold shade and all.
Price: $99, $199 for 16GB, 32GB models, with 2-year contract respectively. Unlocked models start at $549.
Availability: September 20, 2013
The outlook: Well, the iPhone 5C certainly is colorful! Five eye-searing shades tinting the polycarbonate plastic body poises this cheaper iPhone 5 replacement to take on other $100 at-checkout rivals like the HTC One Mini, Nokia Lumia 520, and Motorola Droid Mini.
The outlook: Compared with other highly anticipated phones, we know nearly nothing about the next Nexus. Though reported FCC filings have popped up, as well as a rumor that it will be a close relative of the G2, all anyone else can bet on is that it will probably run Android 4.4 KitKat and that it will be totally drool-worthy.
The outlook: With the Xperia Z Ultra, Sony is dipping its toes into the supersize smartphone arena and so far, we like what we see. The device's full HD 6.44-inch screen is packaged in a sleek metallic frame, and it's equipped with the powerful Snapdragon 800 processor. And don't worry about taking it to the beach: the Z Ultra is also waterproof.
The outlook: We know, we know, the Lumia 925 was already released on T-Mobile in July. But Nokia's metal-encased handset, which features a camera that takes great pictures in low-light conditions, is hitting AT&T this fall in an exclusive black version, and that's something to perk up our ears for.
