WINNERS: MOBILE OPERATING SYSTEMS

Microsoft
All eyes may be on Apple and Google these days, but Microsoft has delivered a mobile platform, Windows Phone 8, that bests both of those companies in user satisfaction. It delivers to its users on nearly every aspect of the mobile phone experience.

Apple
Apple pretty much created the modern smartphone market and its customers continue to be very satisfied with the ease of use and app ecosystem that the iOS platform provides.

WINNERS: SMARTPHONES (BY CARRIER)

CARRIER: AT&T

Nokia (for Windows Phone 8 devices)
Nokia gambled on the Windows Phone platform, and so far it’s paying off for customers. It delivered, by far, the best satisfaction ratings in our survey.

Samsung (for Android)
Samsung has an impressive line of phones on AT&T and it receives a Readers’ Choice for delivering good call quality and an excellent smartphone experience.

Apple (for iPhone)
Since 2010, Apple has earned a Readers’ Choice Award on AT&T and this year is no different. It’s facing stiffer competition than ever before, but the iPhone continues to hold its own on its original carrier.

CARRIER: SPRINT

Samsung (for Android)
Samsung is in a fierce battle with Apple for leadership of the smartphone market and, at least on Sprint’s network, it has a clear advantage in overall satisfaction and likelihood to be recommended.

Apple (for iPhone)
Sprint customers aren’t quite as satisfied with Apple this year as they were in 2012 when it won a Readers’ Choice, but its satisfaction ratings are still very good and deserving of recognition.

CARRIER: T-MOBILE

Samsung (for Android)
Samsung earns its second consecutive Readers’ Choice Award on the T-Mobile platform and continues to be the brand of choice, earning much higher satisfaction ratings than its competition.

CARRIER: VERIZON WIRELESS

Apple (for iPhone)
Apple has received a Readers’ Choice Award for its Verizon Wireless phones every year since it first came to the platform in 2011. The company continues to set a high bar for the competition.

Samsung (for Android)
Satisfaction with Samsung phones improved substantially from 2012, when it garnered an Honorable Mention but had a hard time differentiating itself from the other Verizon Wireless Android phones. This year it earns its first Readers’ Choice on the Verizon network.

Motorola (for Android)
Moto had a slightly better score with its Android phones for Verizon Wireless compared with last year—just enough to keep it in the Honorable Mention circle.

WINNERS: MOBILE CARRIERS

U.S. Cellular (contract-based plans)
This mid-size carrier continues to show all of the others how to deliver great service at a competitive price.

Verizon Wireless (contract-based plans)
Verizon’s fast, reliable network continues to set it apart from its major competitors. The main thing holding the company back is pricing satisfaction.

Straight Talk (prepaid plans)
Straight Talk’s survey results show that you can dodge getting locked into a long-term contract while still receiving great call quality and a fast, reliable network on a cool smartphone.