The Samsung Galaxy S4 Google Play edition topped last week's ZDNET review of the best Android smartphone in the market for September 2013. In its latest review of smartphones, Time Techland also pointed to a device from the South Korean tech giant as the top smartphone on the market.

The bases of Techland in its ranking of more than 500 phones are compiled reviews from tech experts such as CNET, PC Mag, Wired.com and PC World, as well as its evaluation of each gadget.

Time Techland studied and compared more than two dozen features and specifications of the gadgets such as battery capacity, camera quality, CPU speed, and pixel density.

Using those criteria, the original Samsung Galaxy S4 topped the list with a Smart rating of 97.

The competition appeared to be intense since four devices from different manufacturers garnered ratings of 96, while five got 95.

Here are the top 10 list and the ratings:

  • Samsung Galaxy S4 - 97
  • HTC One (2013) - 96
  • Apple iPhone 5 - 96
  • Samsung Galaxy S3 - 96
  • Motorola DROID RAZR MAXX HD - 96
  • HTC One X+ - 96
  • Motorola DROID RAZR HD - 95
  • Samsung Galaxy S4 Active - 95
  • HTC One X - 95
  • LG Optimus G - 95

If the near identical scores make the task of selecting which phone to buy more difficult, Techland gave more tips to help the buyer make a better choice.

With all the top phones having at least 8-megapixel rear cameras, selecting a phone on the basis of megapixel is no longer a chore. The buyer should instead focus on specific camera features such as image stabilisation and autofocus.

Comparing talk time and standby time is also not accurate because advertised numbers assume closed Wi-Fi, 3T and 4G, lesser brightness and volume, which would mean a phone would last for 20 hours in such conditions, but less than half the time given the way most people use their units.

The better point of comparison is battery capacity measured in milliamp hours, which is closer to the actual capacity of a battery to handle the usual usage of phones from texts, calls, browsing, music playing and video streaming.

Since different people have different needs, Techland recommends the Motorola DROID RAZR MAXX HD for the business traveler, the Samsung Galaxy S4 Active for the outdoor enthusiast, the Samsung Galaxy S4 for the worshipper of great specs, and the Apple iPhone 5 for the everyday consumer who want a device that is simple and unobtrusive because it is light, thin and compact.

Meanwhile, readwrite.com has a list of top 5 Android smartphone for people who would not want an Apple iPhone at all. The list is made up of:

  • HTC One
  • Nokia Lumia 1020
  • Motorola Moto X
  • Samsung Galaxy S4
  • LG Optimus G Pro.
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