Samsung, LG and Sony have all recently released new smartphones that are competing for the top spot in Android mobile devices. The Galaxy S4, the Nexus 4 and the Xperia Z have been looked over and compared to one another in every detail, from the appeal of the physical design to their software’s performance. If you are shopping for pay monthly phones for you or your family, each of these devices will offer you a different experience.

The Samsung Galaxy S4

Samsung has more than proven its worth in the mobile device world with the release of its previous smartphones. The S4 continues to deliver exceptional performance and features. Of the three phones, it has the most powerful processor with a 1.9GHz quad-core processor in the UK model. The S4 also boasts the most powerful battery of the three to back up that processor. Other features include:

• 5-in glass screen with 443ppi, the same as the Xperia Z
• Lighter and smaller than the Xperia Z with removable plastic casing
• Samsung’s customised interface over Android 2.1.2

The S4 is a powerful phone and great for any family who wants their pay monthly phones to be able to handle any app or video playback.

The Sony Xperia Z

The Xperia Z is built to feel like a premium phone the moment its in your hand. It has a larger, sharper design than the other two phones and has shatter-proof and scratch-resistant glass on both the front and the back. It is also waterproof and dustproof, so if you tend to worry about damage to your phone, this is a great choice.

The Xperia Z’s physical design is its most obvious advantage over the other two phones. Its other features include:

• 1.5GHz processor, the same as the Nexus 4
• Superior camera that takes crisp, bright photos
• Brighter colours on the display (though less contrast than the other two)

The Nexus 4

When its features are listed next to the S4 and the Xperia Z, the Nexus 4 seems overshadowed by the others’ multimedia appeal. However, for the customer who wants pay monthly phones that do exactly what they should for a reasonable price, the Nexus 4 is the best choice. Because it is Google’s phone, it will receive Android updates as soon as they are available, giving it the best software of the three. Nothing is as frustrating as a phone with great hardware that doesn’t perform as it should because of the OS. The Nexus 4 promises to be a reliable phone for everyday use.

The Nexus 4 also has its share of premium features:

• Camera and display rank as some of the best on the market, with sharper contrast than the Xperia Z
• Battery outlasts the Xperia Z with 15 hour talktime, comparable to the S4
• Android stock experience, which means that you can use the Android platform exactly as Google created it to be used

The best pay monthly phones for you will always be determined by what you want for your daily routine. For a solid, well-performing phone that is guaranteed to have the latest Android updates, the Nexus 4 is the best choice. For a phone that looks and performs like a premium phone, buy the Xperia Z with its HD screen and solid design. If you want the fastest processor and multiple options to update the internal memory, buy the Galaxy S4. It all comes down to choice and all three of these competitors have offered up some spectacular options. The contract choices have also got more flexible and whereas in the past you could only get the best phones on a limited number of carriers, all of the phones mentioned here are available on Virgin Mobile as well as some of the other of the more flexible carriers.