Top 10 iPhone 5 rivals including Samsung, Nokia and HTC
Other high-end superphones to consider
After months of waiting the world has finally been shown the Apple iPhone 5 and the response has been broadly positive. Support for 4G, a bigger screen and an improved processor are all seen a notable upgrades from Apple.
However, the same old design, a lack of near-field communication and a fairly hefty £529 price tag could put some off, especially as many other devices already on the market, and a few set to be released later this year, that could well prove more enticing.
With so much to choose from - the market has never been more competitive - V3 has put together a handy list of some of the main competitors to the iPhone 5 to help guide you through the plethora of manufacturers competing for your attention.
Honourable mention: Apple's own iPod Touch
A strange first option, perhaps, but as many commentators have noted, with the availability of so many apps that offer the ability to make calls and texts over Wi-Fi, the new iPod Touch unveiled by Apple could be a bit of a rival to the iPhone 5.
Simply download services like Skype and Whatsapp and you're good to go for voice and video calls and text messages, although admittedly without a Wi-Fi signal this plan somewhat collapses.
Still, you've got plenty of games to occupy your time and costing around $199 means it's far less of an investment than the iPhone 5 itself, which is over £500.
Top 10 iPhone 5 rivals including Samsung, Nokia and HTC
Other high-end superphones to consider
10. Samsung Ativ S running Windows Phone 8
Samsung surprised many when it unveiled the world's first smartphone running on the Windows Phone 8 operating system at the IFA trade show in Berlin earlier this month.
Packing a 1.5GHz dual-core processor and HSPA+42 connectivity and hosted within a sizeable 4.8in Super Amoled display the device certainly has some impressive specs.
While Windows Phone is yet to capture major consumer interests as of yet, the backing of Samsung to the platform with the Ativ S, and some notable improvements in the operating system itself, could entice a new swathe of consumers to try something new.
9. Sony Xperia T - aka The James Bond phone
It's fair to say, it's no longer ‘cool' to own an iPhone. However, the same can't be said for the latest Sony Xperia smartphone - otherwise known as the James Bond phone.
It's not just the handset's name that's impressive, as buyers will also find an iPhone-dwarfing 4.55in Sony Bravia touchscreen, microSD memory expansion and a decent 13MP rear-facing camera - which certainly sounds more impressive than the 8MP shooter on the iPhone 5.
What's more, when it's released in the UK later this month, it's expected to cost £400, at least £100 less than the iPhone 5.
8. Motorola Edge and future Intel superphones
Intel has been slow to the smartphone market, by its own admissions, but with its Atom processors slowly being used by firms such as Motorola - set to unveil its first device using the processor next month - it could prove a major competitor in the market.
Motorola's device is likely to boast some impressive specifications - we'll let you know next week - and as more manufacturers move to Intel's architecture there could be yet more devices hitting the market in the future to tempt users.
It remains to be seen if Intel can match Arm's dominance in the mobile market, but with its clout and desire to enter this market, it wouldn't be surprising if it's working on other technologies - to extend battery life perhaps - to offer manufacturers that could help swing the market in its favour.
Top 10 iPhone 5 rivals including Samsung, Nokia and HTC
Other high-end superphones to consider
7. LG Optimus 4X HD
In terms of specs, the LG Optimus 4X HD is not on a par with the iPhone 5. But given the handset's much cheaper price-tag, it's definitely an excellent alternative for those looking to save a bit of cash.
Although not able to match the iPhone, the 4X HD is an impressive piece of kit, packing a vibrant 4.7in HD IPS touchscreen and Nvidia's quad-core Tegra 3 processor - an improvement on the dual-core chip found inside the latest iPhone.
There's also an 8MP camera with 1080p HD video, Google's fully-customisable Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich software and a 2,150mAh battery - which will no doubt last longer than that inside the iPhone.
6. Huawei Ascend D Quad
Huawei unveiled its forthcoming Ascend D Quad at Mobile World Congress claiming the device's homemade K3V2 quad-core processor - which clocks in at speeds of 1.2 and 1.5 GHz - is the fastest in the world.
While we're a little sceptical of Huawei's bold claim, we're still excited about the D Quad, with it featuring some pretty impressive tech.
The device features a high definition 4.5in display with a 32-bit true colour graphic processor and 330ppi. Additionally, the unit will pack an 8MP rear-facing camera capable of recording 1080p HD video, backed up by a 1.3MP front-facing unit.
While all this is pretty similar to other quad core handsets, like the One X and Galaxy S3, Huawei has a long standing policy of undercutting competitors prices. If they pull the same trick with the D Quad could be the perfect choice for power hungry smartphone users on a budget.
5. HTC One X
The first quad-core handset to be released in the UK, HTC's One X is a beautiful device.
Featuring a powerhouse 1.5GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon processor, crystal clear 4.7in display and insanely impressive 8MP rear-facing camera, the One X is one of our favourite handsets of the year.
Even though it has been out for a while now, the One X remains a great device and priced at £380 SIM free it could entice smartphone users that can't afford the new iPhone 5's £500-plus cost.
Top 10 iPhone 5 rivals including Samsung, Nokia and HTC
Other high-end superphones to consider
4. Nokia Lumia 920
To say the initial launch of the Nokia Lumia 920 didn't go down to well would be something of an understatement after numerous revelations relating to faked videos and photographs came to light, forcing the firm into a humiliating series of apologies.
However, this shouldn't detract from the phone itself, which, with some serious specs including a 1.5GHz dual-core Snapdragon S4 processor backed up by 1GB of RAM and powered by the souped up Windows Phone 8 system, all making it a strong alternative to the iPhone 5.
What's more, it's likely to be far cheaper, features wireless charging and NFC capabilities (unlike the iPhone 5) so there's plenty to show off about if you plump for the Finnish firm's latest offering
3. Samsung Note 2
Samsung's latest tablet-smartphone hybrid, the Galaxy Note 2 was unveiled at IFA in August. Building on the legacy of the original Note the Note 2 is a powerful, plus-sized smartphone, featuring a 1.6GHz quad-core processor and a massive 5.55in screen.
The Note 2 also features the added incentive of the Samsung S Pen. Basically a Stylus for the Note, the S Pen offers business customers several unique note taking and sketching features, unheard of on any Apple device.
The unique S Pen features could steal a significant share of enterprise customers from Apple, putting a dent in business sales of the iPhone 5.
Top 10 iPhone 5 rivals including Samsung, Nokia and HTC
Other high-end superphones to consider
2. The next Google-backed Nexus
The next Nexus smartphone is one of the biggest threats facing Apple's iPhone 5. Nexus is Google's premier brand and while nothing is currently officially known about its next flagship smartphone, the series has a long standing history of outdoing the iPhone.
Last year Google unveiled the Samsung-built Galaxy Nexus mere weeks after Apple launched its iPhone 4S. The Galaxy Nexus not only included Android equivalents of the new iPhone's features, it also added a host of new custom features unavailable on the iPhone 4S.
If Google play the same trick then the next Nexus will likely be the best smartphone on the market and steal some of Apple's thunder.
1. Samsung Galaxy S3
Samsung's Galaxy S3 is Apple's main competition in the smartphone arena - hence the legal action - and it has already proved popular among consumers with 20 million units already sold this year.
Based on specifications the S3 outshines the iPhone 5 in nearly every way too, touting a larger 4.8in HD touchscreen and a number of innovative software tweaks, missing from Apple's largely-unchanged iOS 6 platform.
For example, with the S3 you can capture HD images while recording 1080p HD video, and you can watch back this crystal-clear footage while tapping our an email or browsing the web.