Back in 2009, when I started this site, it was patently obvious that no matter how well done, or how well intentioned, smartphone reviews sucked big hairy donkey balls (which are the worst kind of donkey balls, by the way).

What was missing was:

1. a simple, obvious numeric scoring method
2. such a method applied to all core factors that matter to a smartphone *user* not the reviewer

Thus, my SMARTPHONE RANKINGS was born.

For each smartphone reviewed, I provided a brief overview of the device and listed its OS. Then, a 5-point scale across each of the *nine* critical factors -- for users:

1. Design
2. Network/Call quality
3. Usability
4. Affordability
5. Productivity 
6. Fun
7. Content
8. Third party offerings and support
9. Desire (because, let's face it, we're all slaves to marketing and trends, if just a bit)

It was this smartphone rankings methodology that allowed so many good Android devices to get very high scores -- thanks to "affordability" and "third party" support and other factors, and why many of my favorite devices, particularly those from Blackberry and Nokia did so poorly.

For two years I said other sites -- particularly Cnet or GigaOm or TechCrunch -- should adopt this system. Because without it, their isolated device reviews were worth very little; almost nothing to the casual reader/buyer.

No one heard my cries.

Till now. The Verge has essentially introduced my methodology almost wholesale, offering a 10-point scale across seven factors. 

Am I pissed cause they totally stole this from me and offered no credit?

Only a very little. First and foremost, I'm a writer. Smartphone reviews and scoring takes time. Time I can better spend writing. Given the massive writing staff, technical support staff and number of readers, I think the method I created will find a very happy home with The Verge. That makes me happy.

I think my smartphone rankings will now retire.

With my scoring of the iPhone 4S -- my top smartphone -- I realize I now have over 100 smartphones ranked in my BEST SMARTPHONES matrix. Check it out.

While the smartphone market has grown by leaps and bounds these past 3 years, and though Android and iPhone now rule the smartphone kingdom, my methodology remains as it always was -- as it always should be. The focus is on:

• Ecosystem
• Usability
• Productivity
• Network
• Design
• Content

and a few other critical factors that are most relevant to...actual users.

If I have any issues with the scoring methodology, it's that I've been too easy on Android with respect to usability. Thing is still too damn hard to use. Literally. I'm not simply talking lags or lack of responsiveness. It like practically needs instructions. So 20th century.

Otherwise, the smartphone rankings will do you right. There's definitely a great device out there for you.

I've long wondered if any Android device would prove the equal of iPhone 4. Or, longer term, if any Android smartphone would be the equal or better of the latest iPhone, whether that be an iPhone 5, an "iPhone 4G" or beyond.

To date, none has equalled iPhone 4. Several are getting close. The G2X, in particular, scores very well.

I now think we will have an Android device that scores higher than the iPhone 4; before the next iPhone is available. But, it will take a handset maker that doesn't foolishly cut corners on either design or power, leaving us with a great looking but non responsive device, or the more common, a powerful device encased in cheap looking black plastic.

Full SMARTPHONE RANKINGS list.

I received an email today re my smartphone rankings. Given the email ID, I assumed it was not legit, but I responded anyway.

Surprise! The email bounced back. So here it is, unedited:

nope@nope.nope sent a message using the contact form at http://brianshall.com/contact.

You're missing many new popular *good* phones (where's the desire-Z???), and
your ranking order is bullshit. You have some unusable, unstable, low
specc'd devices above some of the best build quality and feature rich devices
available today. What gives?

My response:

Thank you for your note, Mr Nope.

Why waste my time -- and yours, assuming you think your time has value -- by sending an email? If you want to make a bullshit statement, or a legitimate one that you make rather angrily, just leave a comment. I have better things to do.

A few additions to the SMARTPHONE RANKINGS matrix this week. Tis easily sortable by the core feature or function you are most interested in should you be in the market for a device.

HTC continues to make great Android smartphones. And Samsung continues to make devices almost as great and quality devices across all carriers. Though I still have doubts that any Android device will surpass iPhone 4. Ever.

One change: I gave a far higher "DESIRE" score on the Motorola Atrix. Apparently, I'm the only one that coveted the device. I reduced that score.

Also of note: An individual sought out Engadget's help in choosing an Android smartphone -- with a physical QWERTY keypad. That's not a bad idea. I do not, unfortunately, allow you to sort by keyboard or no. You can sort on DESIGN, however. Confession: I prefer full touchscreen. If not full touchscreen, it better have a keyboard as solid and usable as a Blackberry Bold, or possibly select Nokia devices. Half-assed touch/keyboard combos, I hate. You probably should know that I have such a bias.

Which smartphone should I buy? I get this question quite a lot, actually. And my response is always the same:

First, I say using my inside voice: how the fuck am I supposed to know? Where do you live, what are the carriers, how much money is in your pocket, can you afford a device unlocked or not, what's your intention for it, as a high-priced phone and texting device, to surf the web, play games?

Does screen size matter? Do you have fat thumbs? Do you already have a smartphone and will this one replace or be an addition?

But that's not what I tell the person with my speaking voice. I refer them to my smartphone rankings, a tool that should help them choose the smartphone that is right for them.

Today, however, I was asked that and am in a fairly good mood. So, for those few of you that I suspect really care which smartphone I would choose, here goes:

But first....

Why? Why choose these?

Good question. I want a smartphone that offers good call quality and reliable, reasonably fast (for America) data throughput. That is available pretty much everywhere I go. That makes switching to (any) WiFi node instant, painless, non-disruptive. 

I want my smartphone to be absolutely beautiful, yet solid, while offering even more under the hood. Fast, very responsive. It should be fully featured or easy for me to make it so. By fully featured I mean:

• phone
• text
• calendar
• email
• browser
• facebook
• search

out of the box.

And it should provide a path for me to add functionality, services -- apps -- easily, securely and without fear of compromising my personal information.

I read books on my device. I watch movies on my device. I play games on my device. The smartphone I purchase ought to make each of these a delightful experience. 

There should be no limitations should I wish to use my smartphone as a work/productivity tool, a personal entertainment device, or both. Preferably at the same time.

If I want to shut off notifcations, make sure no app or feature has my location, remove something I do not like, that should all be intuitive and fast.

And it really ought to hold a charge for at least 8-10 hours and let me recharge it quickly. Which smartphone would I buy? Well, since you asked...in order:

1. iPhone 4
2. Blackberry Bold
3. Sony Experia Arc (hey, you like redheads, I like Sony smartphones, who are you to judge me. Oh, but don't use this if you are an America or otherwise in America)
4. Nokia N8 (I really wanted to say J9, er, B12, er Nokia X7, but couldn't)

Yes. That's it. My top 4.

But, wait! No Samsung? No HTC? What about a Droid? What about people who can't afford one of these devices! After all, there are so many --

Then use the smartphone rankings tool. These are the smartphones I would choose. We are all different. It should work for you and your circumstances.

In my Smartphone Rankings, iPhone 4 sits atop the leaderboard, and has for quite some time.  Despite the biases inherent in any rankings methodology, or ranker, I believe my smartphone rankings are a useful represenation of what the typical smartphone buyer needs, wants and must reckon with.

In the rankings, equally weighted factors include:

• Usability
• Productivity
• Content
• Network
• and other factors, including "Desire" which represents how much a person or persons covet a particular device, which typically is much higher for a device that is new, sexy, heavily marketed, innovative, different.

After iPhone, my favorite device is probably the latest Blackberry Bold. I also like the Nokia N8 and, yes, pretty much every high-end Sony Ericsson device (which now are Androids).

That said, I try to rank each device fairly and fully, mindful of what's best for users. In the rankings, you'll notice there are numerous Android devices in the top 10 and, not surprisingly given how many Android smartphones there are, more Androids have been scored than any other platform type.

Only, a year in and I'm still waiting for an Adroid smartphone, any Android smartphone, to tie or even surpass iPhone 4. None have been up to the challenge. A few have come close, such as the Motorola Atrix and the Samsung Galaxy S. Still, the iPhone 4 rules.

Which led me to thinking: what happens when iPhone 5 is released? Will any Android have caught up to iPhone 4 by that time? Despite all that they keep throwing at the current iPhone standard-bearer, no Android has succeeded. Perhaps none ever will.

Which creates a huge opportunity for Apple. As they have done before, it seems logical to assume that once iPhone 5 is released, no matter how great or awful it is, that iPhone 4 will continue to be sold -- for the price of $99. Right now, I gave iPhone 4 a measly ** (2 stars) out of a possible 5 in the AFFORDABILITY factor. At $99, I'd almost certainly boost that to **** (4 stars).

Of course, I would probably reduce the DESIRE score. It's currently 4 stars and I would reduce that, based on market conditions at the time, to anywhere from 1 star to 3 stars. Meaning, when iPhone 5 is released, the iPhone 4 could nonetheless be re-scored as high as a 38, and likely no worse than a 36.

The best *any* Android device has ever done is a 34.

I realize that at this level, factors separating one device from another are difficult to quantify -- or justify. Still, I find it remarkable that we could be into 2012, and the very best Android device, per my rankings, will still not be as good as the iPhone 4.

Which will cost $99.

And be on as many or more carriers as it is now. And sold from as many locations or more as it is now.

I'd say that analyst statements that iPhone's market share will not grow, or that iPhone's market share relative to Android's will not grow, are badly misplaced.