Hankering after a new handset? Is an upgrade imminent? Well, you’ll be spoilt for choice if it’s a smartphone you’re after.

This class of all-in-one entertainment and portable office device is a battleground for the mobile phone manufacturers.

It is all about shoehorning as much technology into a reasonably sized device that delivers on a decent-sized screen.

We’ve been hard at work (and play) putting the devices through their paces and ended up with these six finalists.

Happy Talk – iPhone 4S – from free on contract and £499.95 on pay as you go at www.carphonewarehouse.com

The evolution of the handset that started the smartphone stampede continues. Apple has tweaked a few bits of software, improved the screen resolution and other bits and pieces to keep people camping overnight to grab one. What makes this really appealing to staunch Android users is Siri, a very clever piece of voice assistant that you can ask just about anything and get a response, it’ll also guide you around your handset and pretty much be your in-phone PA.

Keyboard King – Blackberry Bold 9900 – from free on contract at www.carphonewarehouse.com

After falling short on customer service earlier this year when many users were left totally hands-free for a day or more, the brand is bouncing back. Its latest software upgrade has been greeted by the tech press with glee. The display resolution is simply stunning and there isn’t a better handset for sending emails and texts at speed.

Music Maestro – HTC Sensation XL – from free on contract and £499.95 on pay as you go from www.carphonewarehouse.com

Boasting the biggest screen of our top six at an eye-pleasing 4.7 inches, this handset will appeal to addicts of Angry Birds and those who view footage on the hoof. More than this, however, the HTC XL has had its audio performance optimised with Dr Dre’s Beats Audio enhancements that supply the sweetest sound to your ears, and it is supplied with a set of top notch headphones too. With decent voice recognition technology, it’s extremely clever stuff.

Award Winner – Samsung Galaxy S II – from free on contract and £499.95 on pay as you go at www.carphonewarehouse.com

Readers of gadget bible Stuff magazine this year voted this the top handset – it is the first time in three years the award hasn’t been snagged by Apple’s iPhone and has the Korean manufacturer jumping with joy. Packing in the latest Android operating system, this handset is blisteringly quick at almost everything it does, the processor is simply amazing, and it is astonishing how the Samsung stays so slim.

Start Finnish – Nokia Lumia 800 – from free on contract at www.carphonewarehouse.com

After some time in the shadows, Nokia is about to make a major noise on the smartphone circuit with the launch of the Lumia handset next week. A fine-looking form, available in three differently hued injection moulded polycarbonate shells, this handset is powered by Windows Phone 7 and it could well be the conduit to spur the take-up of this operating system.

Extra Dimension – LG Optimus 3D – from free on contract at www.phone-shop.tesco.com

This Android handset allows you access to the fastest-growing app market, with more than 200,000 apps available – and it’s still growing at pace. The LG Optimus 3D has one rather special and unique trick under its cover, the ability not only to watch content on the screen in glasses-free 3D but also the ability to record your own 3D footage. This is a must-have handset.