Designing a high-quality device, be it a smartphone, a tablet, or anything you can think of that goes beep, is a process more sophisticated than it seems. That's because coming up with a product that is truly good-looking, well-built, and easy to use at the same time usually takes quite a lot of research and experience. Yet ultimately, the effort invested in product design does pay off. After all, a gadget that has been designed well has a much higher chance at becoming a best-seller in its class. This brings us to today's category in the PhoneArena awards of 2013, honoring the smartphones and tablets that managed to stand out and receive the attention they deserve with their design. Are your favorites on the list? Let us know in the comments!
HTC One
The mobile landscape is filled with smartphones that look ordinary, boring, even generic as the case is with some devices. The HTC One, however, easily stands out above the rest with its award-winning design, build quality, and construction. Simply put, it is different. Made of machine-milled aluminum, the HTC One is a gorgeous-looking slender device that lays in the hand almost organically. It is ergonomic and even though it is a phone of above average size, it is comfortable to hold and operate. But above all, the HTC One is a smartphone that feels unique as soon as it is picked up, which makes it well worthy of being on this list.
iPad Air
If there's a tablet that can make us go "Wow!" with its design (and believe us when we say that we're pretty hard to impress), that would be the iPad Air. Its very existence is a technological achievement worthy of applause – all the power of a full-sized iPad has been packed, as if by magic, into a body that is super slim and almost unbelievably light. In other words, the iPad Air is a tablet well worthy of its name, being the lightest full-sized tablet on the market. Furthermore, Apple's slate is put together really well, which is why the device is a pleasure to use and admire. Every inch of it has been designed and constructed with extreme attention to detail, as is typical for all of the company's products.
iPhone 5s
Yes, the iPhone 5s is being honored today as well. Sure, it looks and feels almost exactly like its predecessor, the iPhone 5, but that doesn't make it any less worthy of being awarded for its iconic design. As many would agree, the iPhone 5s is a gorgeous, well-built phone loved by millions worldwide for its outstanding looks, premium feel, and flawless build quality. Then there's its ease of use – while smartphones in general are getting bigger and bigger, many are still quite fond of the iPhone's compact form factor. And last but not least, how many high-end smartphones available in gold color can you think of?
FCC OKs Cingular\'s purchase of AT&T Wireless
Things that are NOT allowed: