Samsung Galaxy S5

Samsung Galaxy S5

The Galaxy S5 boasts numerous upgrades over the S4. It has a 16MP camera, heart-rate monitor, fingerprint scanner, a new soft-touch design in multiple colours, a larger 5.1 inch display and a quad-core 2.5GHz processor.

Pros

One of the best displays in market
Water resistant
Fingerprint scanner can authenticate PayPal purchases

Cons

Comparatively expensive, especially on a plan
You're paying for extras, like a heart rate monitor, which you may not use
Not a huge step forward from the Galaxy S4.

Sony Xperia Z2

Sony begins 2014 with a splash -- or should that be a phone you can make a splash with? Like earlier Xperia handsets, the Z2 is water and dust proof, protecting some serious hardware, like a 2.3GHz quad-core processor and a 20-megapixel camera capable of shooting 4K resolution movies.

Pros

It's not just about megapixels: this is one of the best smartphone cameras in town
Awesome battery life
Water resistant
Ties in well to Sony's entertainment services Music Unlimited and Video Unlimited, including several free movies and a month of free music streaming.

Cons

Sharp corners make the Z2 a little uncomfortable to hold
Almost no voice control options installed
Like the Galaxy S5, the Z2 is not a leap forward from either the Xperia Z or Z1.

HTC One M8

HTC's latest smartphone builds on the formula of last year's model, but refines it in almost every way. It's slick brushed aluminium finish houses a powerful machine, and its Ultra-pixel camera remains.

Pros

Probably the world's most beautiful phone and very comfortable to hold.
Great user experience.
Good screen and camera.

Cons

Battery life is only average.
Display is not as bright as on other phones, like the Galaxy S5.

iPhone 5s

No matter what your opinion of the iPhone may be, it’s the best-selling and most popular smartphone in the world and so it earns a place in any best-of lineup.

The 5s has a fantastic camera, offers a super-smooth user experience and, as always, gives you access to Apple’s laughably extensive selection of apps from the App Store.

Pros

User experience is well designed and easy-to-use.
Great, fast camera
Millions of apps to install
Fingerprint scanner works well

Cons

Design focuses on looks over ergonomics
4-inch screen seems puny next to the larger displays on Android devices
When you consider the components in an iPhone, it is arguably the most expensive phone in this list

Nexus 5

Nexus phones are designed by Google to showcase the best of each new version of the Android operating system. The Nexus 5 was built for Google by LG and features some of the best hardware available matched with a comfortable, if boring, handset design.

Pros

Cheap as chips if you buy it outright through Google.
Much simpler to use than some other Android devices.
Integrates the Google Now search tool (with voice control) better than other Android makers.

Cons

Only available through Telstra on plans.
Camera could be better
Battery lasts only a single day between charges.