The year 2012 brought an array of handsets from different manufacturers to the industry. Apple, Samsung, HTC, Nokia, et al released their flagship smartphones based on the latest operating systems, be it iOS, Android, or the newest kid on the block - Microsoft's Windows Phone 8. Here's looking back at the smartphones that made waves in 2012.

Samsung Galaxy S3

Samsung launched its flagship Android-based smartphone Galaxy S3 in May this year, and it's still selling like hot cakes. The sale of the 4.8-inch smartphone powered by Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich (ICS) reached 10 million units within two months of its launch and the shipment climbed to as high as 30 million units by November this year. The year-end global sales figure, which is yet to be released, will indicate whether Galaxy S3 is the smartphone of 2012.

iPhone 5

Apple launched and released its highly-awaited iPhone 5 along with the latest operating system, iOS 6, in September this year. The shipment for iPhone 5 hit two million units within 24 hours of release. The sales figures soared to five million units during the first weekend launch.

Recently, Apple launched the iPhone 5 in China and the sales figures went up to two million units in the opening weekend alone in the mainland. Apple has been struggling to keep up with the demand of the iPhone 5 as more customers want to lay their hands on it.  This smartphone is undoubtedly one of the top contenders for the position of the best smartphone of the year.

Samsung Galaxy Note 2

Samsung released another Android-powered smartphone - Galaxy Note 2 - in October this year. The phablet with 5.5-inch display is the successor to the original Galaxy Note, which sported a 5.3-inch screen.

The sales of the smartphone hit nearly five million units within two months of its release and the company forecasts that the global shipment of the smartphone will reach as high as 20 million units by the end of 2012.

HTC One X+

The Taiwanese smartphone maker HTC was overshadowed by the likes of Samsung and Apple in 2012 but it didn't stop it from launching the HTC One X in April this year and follow it up with the One X+ within just six months.

The One X+ includes slight tweaks and HTC claims that the processor of the One X+ has been enhanced and has made the device 67 percent faster than the One X. HTC One X+ is a popular phone though its demand is nowhere near to the Galaxy S3 and iPhone 5.

Nokia Lumia 920

The long wait for a high-end Windows Phone 8 (WP8) smartphone ended with the release of Nokia Lumia 920 in November this year. The AT&T exclusive handset has a polycarbonate design and features an 8.7-megapixel PureView camera, which is supposed to be one of the best in the industry.

Lumia 920 made waves because of low price point ($99 with a two year contract) and impressive specs. But as one the first WP8-powered handsets (and lack of ecosystem), Lumia 920 found it hard to fly off the shelves. Still, it's the best non-Android, non-iOS device around.

Nexus 4

Google launched the LG-made Nexus 4 in October and since then the smartphone's been quite elusive.

The Nexus 4 has top-end features and has been priced reasonably when compared to other high-end smartphones. Not surprisingly, the smartphone was sold out both in the U.S. and UK within hours of the online store going live. Since the launch, Google has faced difficulties meeting the high demand for the smartphone though Google UK chief promised that those who ordered early, would receive the handset in time for Christmas. With a bit of help from Santa, of course.

That's it, folks. The top smartphones of 2012. But which of these, do you think, is the best? Let us know.