September is just around the corner, and we'll soon see the barrage of launches and announcements from different phone manufacturers. Apple's iPhones are waiting to be unveiled, LG has also made its run with the G2, and Samsung and Sony are looking toward successful releases of their upcoming flagships. But before the razzle dazzle of the -BER months, which mark the start of the Christmas season, here are the top smartphones we have right now.

5. Nokia Lumia 1020

The Finnish company has definitely come a long way with their long list of Windows Phone-powered devices. While it is still far from the heavyweights Samsung and Apple, the manufacturer still develops sleek and innovative devices. The Lumia 1020 is a great example, with its 41 megapixel camera, which definitely sets the bar in mobile phone photography. 

4. Sony Xperia Z

Effectively rising from the ashes is Sony. After splitting with Ericsson, Sony joined the battle for smartphone supremacy by using the popular Android platform. Since then, it has been on a stellar run, releasing several top-notch devices each year. The Sony Xperia Z begins a new mark in the company's line of phones, being the first smartphone to feature a full HD resolution with 1920x1080-pixels. 

3. iPhone 5

While we are all waiting for the upcoming iPhone 5S and 5C, let's first take a look at Apple's flagship which they released almost a year ago. One thing that is most noticeable in the device is its bigger screen size, veering away from the puny 3.5-inch iPhones of the past. However, in a generation where LTE is a must-have for top-tier models, this one disappoints in that particular area.

2. HTC One

HTC's 'savior' for 2013 has yet to make its big splash, but that's because it just arrived in US carriers this month, three months after its release. The question now is whether consumers would avail the hefty contract, or just wait for less than a month before the iPhones arrive. HTC's upcoming flagship dubbed the One Max, according to rumors will be released by the end of the year.

1. Samsung Galaxy S4

And now we've come to the top spot. Released a couple of months ago, the Galaxy S4 remains the top smartphone in the market today, leading the HTC One by just a few specifications. The main downside of most Samsung phones is the 'cheap' feel of their plastic back covers. Fortunately, the S4 has been manufactured to provide that premium feel.