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Holiday Gift Guide 2014

Intro 

Once again we're poised at the start of the holiday shopping season. The past year has been a whirlwind in many ways, and the annual time of gift giving is here. Mobile phones continue to evolve each year, but the rate of evolution has perhaps slowed somewhat. We saw plenty of exciting handsets throughout 2014, and competition is as fierce as ever. Phone makers rolled out some gimmicks, to be sure, but also raised the overall quality of their offerings. With so many handsets from which to choose, finding the perfect one for that special someone is trickier than ever.

Nearly all phones sold by carriers are smartphones; few feature phones and messaging devices remain available. Smartphones range from barely functional entry-level models to (almost) PC-class thinking machines. Feature phones are available for as little as $10 and as some smartphones cost as much as $1,000. How much you want to spend — and the manner in which you spend it — is almost entirely up to you.

This year we've organized our Gift Guide using carriers and their respective rosters as a starting point, rather than as a hard-and-fast rulebook. Most handsets offer a given set of basic communication and media apps, as well as a base level of voice, network and battery performance. We weighed not only our own opinions, but those of consumers, too. As always, pricing was a top consideration.

We've broken the entire article into two major groupings: postpaid and prepaid. We think the prepaid market has grown a lot and makes sense for many of our readers. Prepaid is especially relevant for gifting, as it's easier to give a phone as a gift without a contract involved. Each of those two larger sections has a smattering of subsections to help narrow things down.

Once the holidays are over (or even before!), please be sure to erase your old phone and recycle it. Don't stuff it into some dark hole in your house — take it to a wireless retailer or other electronics store and trade in that old-and-busted gear. Even better, take advantage of carrier and retailer trade-in deals and score some cash for your new phone! Er, we mean your friend's new phone!

When we say "postpaid" we mean one of two things: the phone requires owners to pay an upfront fee and sign a contract, or it requires owners to make monthly payments. In general, we kept prices between $100 and $200 for on-contract phones or between $20 and $35 for those requiring monthly payments. It's important to note that there are fewer unique phones sold by the four largest network operators these days. In many cases, they all offer the same phones from the same companies. The trade-off in the (slightly) reduced choice is that these global flagship phones are the best of the best and may not be available to prepaid customers.

When we say "prepaid" we mean phones that require a monthly payment in advance of service, and no contract. The following phones are available on plans that run month-to-month, not for 12 or 24 months. You generally have to pay for the device in full first, but you are free to cancel your service at any time. The phone selection at prepaid carriers is generally smaller than that of the Big Four, and are often composed of last year's phones or equivalent.

Postpaid

By OS 

Android

Android smartphones come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, and features. While some offer more value for the dollar, others feature unique performance characteristics that set them apart from the crowd. Android provides consumers with great potential and flexibility. We feel these represent the best hardware available across the four national carriers with Google's Android operating system on board.

iPhone

Apple may introduce one or two new phones each year, but it continues to sell its older phones at a reduced price. Don't be tricked into snagging last year's device for the die-hard iPhone fan. No, you need to get one of the brand newest ones. We feel the iPhone 6 offers the best overall Apple experience thanks to the nice size, high quality build, excellent performance, and incredible camera.

Windows

Apple and Google may have the two most widely-adopted smartphone platforms around the world, but that doesn't mean they're a good fit for everyone. Microsoft has made a strong push around consolidating the user experience across its PCs, tablets, and smartphones. Moreover, the company acquired Nokia's handset business this year, which means Microsoft now makes both the operating system and the smartphone. These devices represent the best selection of Windows Phone devices this year. A few notes, however: 1. Sprint sells a single WP handset, so we didn't have much choice there: 2. We picked the Lumia 530 over the One for Windows for T-Mobile due to the strength of Microsoft's exclusive Lumia apps.

By Age 

Kids

I see parents hand over their smartphone to little Johnny or Jenny all the time. Why? To pacify their kid. Mobile phones have become a desirable entertainment platform in the eyes of most kids thanks to the plethora of games and music and video apps. You can buy your kid an inexpensive flip phone to cover basic communication needs, but they're still going to borrow yours for the games. The good news is parents can score an excellent deal on last year's iPhones. The iPhone 5c is a very attractive device thanks to its lowered cost and colorful, plastic design. It almost seems as though Apple designed the 5c for children. Thankfully for Mom and Dad, adding a smartphone to a family plan isn't as expensive as it used to be, and they are easy to manage and place restrictions upon. The iPhone 5c is small, (relatively) inexpensive, and has access to the best entertainment a kid could ask for. Oh yeah, it can also make phone calls.

Seniors

Typically we break down our gifting ideas by carriers, but we no longer think that's the best strategy where seniors are concerned. Sure, Grandma will be able to use a flip phone or even some smartphones with no problem, but there are other factors to weigh when buying a device for people with special vision and hearing needs, and who may have health concerns now or in the future. That's why we recommend GreatCall's Jitterbug to anyone buying a phone for an older relative. Jitterbug offers both a basic flip phone and an easy-to-use-smartphone in order to meet the hardware needs of your loved ones. More to the point, Jitterbug offers an array of other services, such as pill reminders, daily checkups, and emergency alerts, that make it a much better option than those offered by traditional carriers. What's more, Jitterbug piggybacks off a national network for excellent coverage, and plans are inexpensive.

Everyday 

The best all-around smartphones.

Think of these phones as the second string quarterback. They perform almost as well as the starting quarterback, but cost quite a bit less. The Everyday Good Phone is a solid performer that has flagship-class features in a more affordable package. These devices work hard and play hard, and will keep you informed and in touch all day long. They don't skimp on quality, but they do dial back on premium features just a bit. These phones hit the sweet spot for many buyers: they aren't too small, aren't too large, and hit just the right mix of performance and cost to make them solid picks for Everyman.

Phablets 

For these people, bigger is better. And that means a phablet.

The number of phones with displays approaching six inches skyrocketed this year. A few years ago, such phones would have been called tablets. Now, they are called phablets and are all the rage with power users. Phablets are generally flagship-class devices. That means they have the fastest processors, best cameras, and nearly every other whiz-bang idea to pop into the heads of the engineers behind them. Phablets generally need two hands to operate comfortably and can sometimes break the bank thanks to their high-quality build. Proceed with caution. I'm only recommending two phablets this year, both of which are excellent, and available from all four big national carriers.

Camera 

For many, the camera is the most important feature of their smartphone.

Smartphone cameras are good enough this year that they can, in many cases, replace dedicated cameras. I'm not saying they'll beat a good dSLR, but they're getting closer. The phones in this category offer the best-of-the-best when it comes to photo quality. Not only do they have interesting and useful shooting modes, but they consistently deliver good results and offer plenty of ways to manipulate and share photos. Most of the selections below are available from more than one carrier.

Rugged 

Active people need phones that can handle a few bumps and bruises.

This is a new category for our guide this year. Smartphones have become the default communications tool for most people. More and more often, we carry them everywhere we go. Some people go places that are unfriendly to delicate smartphones. Enter the rugged smartphone. These devices are hardcore. Not only are they waterproof, but most are drop-proof, and dust-proof, too. The phones below offer all the great features for which smartphones are known, but are wrapped in thicker skin for added durability. Some even include neat extras, like outdoor activity monitors and extra-bright flashlights. If you've got an adventurer in your family, give him or her a phone that can go on adventures, too.

Unique 

Non-traditional phones for unique people.

Conversation starters are just that: meant to get your attention and get you talking. This selection of handsets should appeal to that eccentric person in your life who likes to take a (small) risk on new ideas. These phones are solid in their own right, but also offer a little something extra that's sure to catch the collective eyes of others. That's why they're perfect for people looking to stand out from the crowd, even if just a little.

Basic 

Voice

Everyone knows someone who eschews smartphones and other connected devices. They'll carry a mobile phone, but have little interest in using it for anything other than making phone calls when necessary. They don't need apps, YouTube, or high-tech cameras. They'd also rather avoid paying high monthly fees for services they don't need or want. That's why a simple voice phone is best. The suggestions below are some simple flip and bar phones that cover the basics and not much else. These days voice phones are cheap, and the service for them is even cheaper.

Messaging

Serial texters aren't who or what they used to be. The Quick Messaging Device has come and gone, replaced mostly by inexpensive smartphones with Swype or Swiftkey. Still, there are people out there who want to be able to press real keys when they compose a message. There are no smartphones in this category, except for the BlackBerry Classic and the BlackBerry Passport. Neither of those is sold by a major U.S. network operator yet; instead, you have to pony up full price and buy from BlackBerry directly. The devices below are glorified feature phones. They have keyboards, don't necessarily require expensive data plans, and run proprietary operating systems. They might not be exciting, but at least they're inexpensive messaging machines.

Prepaid

Android 

For those who demand the best Android experience possible.

Not all Android phones are created equally. While some offer more value for the dollar, others feature unique performance characteristics that set them apart from the crowd. We feel these represent the best hardware available from the prepaid carriers. As with the camera phone recommendations, some of the handsets below are indeed expensive flagships. We'll counter that by saying, "You get what you pay for." In the case of these phones, that's quite a lot.

By Age 

Kids

Little Jimmy and Little Kimmie aren't all that interested in making phones calls. No, they're looking to have a good time, and Mom and Dad's expensive cell phone sure seems like a lot of fun. Rather than hand over your expensive piece of kit, why not get Junior his or her own handset with which to play? You can buy your kid an inexpensive flip phone to cover basic communication needs, but they're still going to borrow yours for the games. I honestly think you may as well snag an entry-level smartphone — something that can run apps and games. In the postpaid section we only recommended the iPhone 5c, while here we toss in a few Android handsets. The reason is simple: not all prepaid carriers offer the iPhone. With that in mind, we picked some inexpensive Android handsets that offer a mix of good performance.

Seniors

Grandma may be able to use a flip phone or even some smartphones with no problem, but there are other factors to consider when buying a device for people who may have ongoing health concerns. That's why we recommend Jitterbug to anyone buying a phone for an older relative. Jitterbug offers a basic flip phone and an easy-to-use-smartphone in order to meet the hardware needs of your loved ones. More to the point, Jitterbug offers an array of other services, such as pill reminders, daily checkups, and emergency alerts, that make it a much better option than those offered by traditional carriers. What's more, Jitterbug piggybacks off a national network for excellent coverage, and plans are inexpensive. As an added bonus, Jitterbug doesn't require lengthy contracts, making them perfect for month-to-month customers.

Basic 

Voice

Everyone knows someone who eschews smartphones and other connected devices. They'll carry a mobile phone, but have little interest in using it for anything other than making phone calls when necessary. They don't need apps, YouTube, or high-tech cameras. They'd also rather avoid paying high monthly fees for services they don't need or want. That's why a simple voice phone is best. The fact of the matter is it doesn't get any cheaper than this. Voice-only phones on a prepaid plan may cost just $5 or $10 per month for a minimal number of minutes and messages.

Messaging

There are still people out there who want to be able to press real keys when they compose a message. Messaging devices — or those with dedicated physical keyboards — are just a notch above simple voice phones in terms of cost and features. There are few such phones available these days. The recommendations below have keyboards, don't require expensive data plans, run proprietary operating systems and a limited number of simple apps. They might not be exciting, but at least they're inexpensive messaging machines.

Everyday 

The best all-around smartphones.

These are the goldilocks phones. They offer the best balance of features, performance, and affordability. With prepaid carriers, the price range for this class of phone falls between about $50 and $200. Keep in mind, that's paying full price for the device. The Everyday Good Phone is a solid performer that has flagship-class features in a more affordable package. These devices work hard and play hard, and will keep you informed and in touch all day long. They don't skimp on quality, but they do dial back on premium features just a bit. These phones are solid picks for Everyman.

Phablets 

For these people, bigger is better. And that means a phablet.

Phones with ginormous screens are here to stay, at least while handsets like the Galaxy Note continue to sell well. Prepaid carriers don't typically carry top-of-the-line phablets. Instead, they are more likely to stock last year's phablets or mid-range phablets that offer a decent feature set, but with somewhat diminished performance. The devices below are more affordable than their postpaid cousins, but still offer the big-screen experience.

Camera 

For many, the camera is the most important feature of their smartphone.

At some point in the last 18 months or so, smartphone cameras have made a quantum leap in terms of features and quality. Not only are the sensors improved, but so are the shooting modes and options for controlling what those sensors do. Many of today's prepaid carriers offer flagship smartphones, which include the best-possible cameras. These devices aren't cheap, especially considering many of the carriers ask for the full retail price up front. However, these are the phones worth stretching a buck to buy.

Waterproof 

For the klutz who likes to sit by the pool.

Prepaid carriers don't offer ruggedized smartphones, but they do offer some that are water resistant. When we say water resistant, we mean they can handle a brief soaking. We're talking up to 30 minutes in water measuring between one and three feet in depth. In other words, if you have a friend who's dropped their phone in the sink, tub, or (heaven forbid) toilet, then this might help him or her avoid a costly replacement phone.

view article organized across multiple pages

Eric has been covering the mobile telecommunications industry for 17 years at various print and online publications. He studied at Rutgers Newark and University of Kentucky, and has a degree in writing. He likes playing guitar, attending concerts, listening to music, and driving sports cars.

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