Holiday shoppers' guide to the mobile devices of 2012

The holiday shopping season is a critical time for wireless operators and device makers as consumers eye the latest smartphones and tablets for their holiday gift lists. Already we are seeing early indications of what gifts will be hot this year: According to a report released this week from research firm comScore, consumer electronics sales were up 17 percent from Nov. 1 to Nov. 30 compared with the same period last year, driven largely by smartphones. With that in mind, FierceWireless compiled a list highlighting the smartphones and tablets that the nation's Tier 1 carriers are promoting during the holidays. This list is not comprehensive, but designed to give you a cross-section of the top devices that carriers are heavily promoting, and in some cases discounting, to consumers. Special Report