Last year we looked at the market and picked out what we thought were the best Android phones. That list included powerhouses like the HTC EVO and the Droid Incredible. One year later, we’re ready to break down the next batch of industry-leading handsets. Dual-core processors, 4G connections, Gingerbread OS, and accessories that enhance the mobile experience—if you want it, there's an Android phone out there for you. But before you head to a store looking for your next handset, check out the Top 15 Android Phones Available Now.
15. Motorola Droid X
Carrier: VerizonPrice: $150 w/two-year contract
Key specs: 4.3-inch LCD TFT touchscreen, 1GHz TI OMAP processor, Android 2.2 OS, 3G/Wi-Fi/Bluetooth, 8MP camera, and 6.5GB memory. Motorola ditches the stiff QWERTY keyboard and bulky build of the original Droid in exchange for a gorgeous, input-friendly LCD display, and a slim body frame measured at 0.4 inches thick. A 1GHz processor speeds up web browsing and menu navigation, plus its 8MP camera captures high-quality images and great 720p videos. An HDMI port is also present for HD-TV connection and high-def viewing. Throw in a customizable interface and several messaging apps, the Droid X hits nearly every target.
14. T-Mobile myTouch 4G
Carrier: T-MobilePrice: $130 w/two-year contract
Key specs: 3.8-inch Super-LCD screen, 1GHz Snapgradon processor, Android 2.2 OS, 4G/3G/Wi-Fi/Bluetooth, Dual cameras (5MP rear and 0.3MP front-facing), DLNA-enabled, and 4GB memory.
D-Wade’s signature phone comes reinforced with a sleek stainless steel design and several communication features that make it a T-Mobile favorite. The latest myTouch offers good call quality, speedy performance courtesy of its second-gen 1GHz CPU, and a highly responsive touchscreen with stable pinch-to-zoom accuracy. Its voice command system is also on-point, with good Bluetooth voice dialing and text message dictation. Hotspot capability, video chat, and wi-fi calling round out the feature list to make this well-priced great purchase.
D-Wade’s signature phone comes reinforced with a sleek stainless steel design and several communication features that make it a T-Mobile favorite. The latest myTouch offers good call quality, speedy performance courtesy of its second-gen 1GHz CPU, and a highly responsive touchscreen with stable pinch-to-zoom accuracy. Its voice command system is also on-point, with good Bluetooth voice dialing and text message dictation. Hotspot capability, video chat, and wi-fi calling round out the feature list to make this well-priced great purchase.
13. Motorola Droid 2 Global
Carrier: VerizonPrice: $150 w/two-year contract
Key specs: 3.7-inch WVGA touchscreen, 1.2GHz TI OMAP processor, Android 2.2 OS, 3G/Wi-Fi/Bluetooth, 5MP camera, DLNA-enabled, and 8GB memory. This upgraded Droid 2 might bear the solid design of its predecessor, but it packs new firepower and features under the hood. Living up to its Global moniker, the device supports both CDMA and GSM networks and offers voice and data services for over 200+ countries. Processor speed also gets bumped up from 1Ghz to 1.2Ghz to accommodate faster mobile activity. Include business-centric touchstones like e-mail support, hotspot capability, and enhanced security functions, you’re looking at a must own for the corporate mobilephile.
12. Samsung Epic 4G
Carrier: SprintPrice: $150 w/two-year contract Key specs: 4-inch Super AMOLED touchscreen, 1GHz ARM Cortex-A8 processor, Android 2.2 OS, 4G/3G/Wi-Fi/Bluetooth, 5MP camera, DLNA-enabled, and 1GB memory.
Sprint’s second-best 4G phone pushes impressive data speeds, while offering great data input options thanks to its awesome QWERTY keyboard and SWYPE functionality. Its 1GHz Hummingbird CPU performs faster than most second-gen processors and helps enhance navigation and web browsing efficiency. The Super AMOLED screen outputs 720p HD video, as well 480x800 resolution for crisp imagery. It’s a bit larger than most Android models, but it’s a meager price to pay for a dope handset.
T-Mobile G2
Carrier: T-MobilePrice: $150 w/two-year contract
Key specs: 3.7-inch WVGA Super TFT touchscreen, 800MHz Qualcomm processor, Android 2.2 OS, 4G/3G/Wi-Fi/Bluetooth, QWERTY keyboard, 5MP camera, DNLA-enabled, and 4GB memory. An incredible phone with powerful specs at an unbeatable price—it’s no wonder why the G2 is still a hot commodity amongst T-Mobile subscribers. Behind its industrially clean fascia lays a great four-row QWERTY keyboard and responsive WVGA touchscreen. Call quality is phenomenal and the speakerphone is loud and clear. The G2 also comes with tons of Google suite apps and works on all of T-Mobile’s international 3G networks, providing you worldwide communication coverage.
10. HTC EVO Shift 4G
Carrier: SprintPrice: $150 w/two-year contract
Key specs: 3.6-inch WVGA TFT touchscreen, 800 MHz Scorpion processor, Android 2.2 OS, 4G/3G/Wi-Fi/Bluetooth, QWERTY keyboard, 5MP camera, DLNA-enabled, and 512MB memory. HTC’s fan-favorite handset serves as a great and super-well-priced alternative to the enormous EVO 4G. It’s solid construction is far superior to its fragile predecessor, donning a sturdy plastic frame and a faux-aluminum back surface. The slide-out QWERTY keyboard is built to withstand the most diehard texter and the responsive screen offers spot-on touch input and sharp visuals. The Shift's 800MHz Qualcomm processor also sprints (no pun intended) at a 1GHz-like pace when opening web pages and menus. And it’s a perfect fit for any jacket or pants pocket.
9. Samsung Galaxy S 4G
Carrier: T-MobilePrice: $130 w/two-year contract
Key specs: 4-inch Super AMOLED display, 1GHz Hummingbird processor, Android 2.2 OS, 4G/3G/Wi-Fi/Bluetooth, Dual cameras (5MP rear and 0.3MP front-facing), DNLA-enabled, and 16GB memory card. Samsung took its popular Vibrant handset and gave it a minor makeover by introducing 4G connectivity, a larger battery, and a front-facing camera for video chatting. The Galaxy S 4G keeps its swag intact by donning a rich chrome shell casing, as well as Samsung’s attractive Super AMOLED touch screen. Those fortunate enough to have great T-Mobile coverage will enjoy messaging and Internet browsing on the network’s high-speed network, too. Include a digital copy of Inception and the AirSync app, which lets you stream your content to your computer, and you have the definitive Galaxy phone. That is until the Galaxy S II hits the states this summer.
8. HTC Inspire 4G
Carrier: AT&TPrice: $100 w/two-year contract
Key specs: 4.3-inch WVGA touchscreen, 1GHz Snapdragon processor, Android 2.2 OS, 4G/3G/Wi-Fi/Bluetooth, 8MP camera, DLNA-enabled, and 4GB memory. A dope HTC phone for just a Benjamin? Believe it. Visuals look sharp on the WVGA display and the second-gen 1Ghz processor delivers great performance. The upgraded Sense UI boasts faster loading times, new animations, and a variety of useful widgets, including a Transfer app that allows you to wirelessly exchange data from an old AT&T phone to a new one. Another huge selling point is the option to backup phone data (contacts, messages, etc.) and lock or wipe the handset remotely using HTC’s cloud service, HTCSense.com. The Inspire comes 4G-ready as well. Pow.
7. T-Mobile Sidekick 4G
Carrier: T-MobilePrice: $100 w/two-year contract
Key specs: 3.5-inch TFT touchscreen, 1GHz Hummingbird processor, Android 2.2 OS, 4G/3G/Wi-Fi/Bluetooth, QWERTY keyboard, Dual cameras (3MP rear and 0.3 front-facing), DLNA-enabled, and 512MB memory. T-Mobile’s greatest messaging phone gets resurrected as an Android device with 4G connectivity and an awesome QWERTY keyboard. Sticking to the script, the Sidekick 4G is catered towards messaging mongers and includes apps like Group and Cloud Texting, which allows users to send group text messages or send and receive messages via computer. Samsung's custom interface works well by including “Phone”, “Apps”, and “Contacts” shortcuts on the homescreen. You won’t find a better messaging device better priced than the Sidekick 4G.
6. Samsung Nexus S 4G
Carrier: SprintPrice: $200 w/two-year contract
Key specs: 4-inch Super AMOLED touchscreen, 1 GHz Hummingbird processor, Android 2.3 OS, 4G/3G/Wi-Fi/Bluetooth, Dual cameras (5MP rear and 0.3MP front-facing), NFC-enabled, and 16GB memory. Sprint subscribers have the luxury of enjoying Android’s new Gingerbread OS, along with two new benchmarks not found on the T-Mobile version: WiMax and Google Voice Integration. Google’s refined software provides new calling and messaging features like Internet calling and call forwarding, along with NFC (Near Field Communication) technology for wireless data exchanges between compatible devices. And with a whopping 16GB of internal memory, there’s plenty of room for Android Market games.
5. Samsung Infuse 4G
Carrier: AT&TPrice: $200 w/two-year contract Key specs: 4.5-inch Super AMOLED touchscreen, 1.2GHz Hummingbird processor, Android 2.2 OS, 4G/3G/Wi-Fi/Bluetooth, Dual cameras (8MP rear and 1.3MP front-facing), DLNA-enabled, and 16GB memory.
Sporting the biggest Super AMOLED screen ever, along with the slimmest and lightest form factor of any Android phone, the Infuse epitomizes stylistic and technical flair. The enormous display generates over 16 million colors and produces amazing video playback. Samsung’s TouchWiz UI also packs some goodies like a robust Task Manager and useful media and messaging widgets. The Infuse comes bundled with an MHL adapter that allows for simultaneous HDMI output and phone charging, too. Being AT&T’s first phone to come HSPA+/HSUPA-enabled, once the carrier gets its 4G-game up, expect the Infuse to make an everlasting impression on Ma Bell's network.
4. HTC Thunderbolt
Carrier: VerizonPrice: $250 w/two-year contract
Key specs: 4.3-inch LCD touchscreen, 1GHZ Snapdragon processor, Android 2.2 OS, 4G/3G/Wi-Fi/Bluetooth, Dual cameras (8MP rear and 1.3MP front-facing), DLNA-enabled, and 8GB memory. The first-ever LTE phone is also the fastest smartphone on the market. Lightening-fast data speeds let you simultaneously download several apps and files, reaching estimated completion times of 10 to 20 seconds. The Thunderbolt also rocks some advanced multitasking features like the ability to screen calls and access the web at the same time—a first for the network. HTC also gave the 4G monster an opulent and solid build and the company's trademark kickstand. Yes, you heard the reports of weak battery life and the inability to toggle between 4G and 3G. But you can always hit the Android Market and download an app to help mitigate these issues.
3. Samsung Droid Charge
Carrier: VerizonPrice: $200 w/two-year contract
Key specs: 4.3-inch Super AMOLED touchscreen, 1 GHz ARM Cortex-A8 processor, Android 2.2 OS, 4G/3G/Wi-Fi/Bluetooth, Dual cameras (8MP rear and 1.3MP front-facing), DLNA-enabled, and 2GB memory. The Droid Charge might lack the sex appeal of the Thunderbolt or Galaxy S series, but its warp-speed performance, jaw-dropping screen, and refined software make it a standout. Besides its fast data output and web browsing speeds, Verizon's second LTE device also comes with Samsung’s new Super AMOLED Plus display, which generates 50 percent more subpixels and marvelous picture quality. It also furnishes great wireless features like the ability to store music files on cloud services like Amazon Cloud Drive and hotspot capability for up to 10 devices. Sick.
2. T-Mobile G2x
Carrier: T-MobilePrice: $200 w/two-year contract
Key specs: 4-inch WVGA touchscreen, 1GHz dual-core NVIDIA Tegra 2 processor, Android 2.2 OS, 4G/3G/Wi-Fi/Bluetooth, Dual cameras (8MP rear and 1.3 front-facing), DNLA-enabled, and 8GB memory. T-Mobile’s best smartphone, for now, takes mobile gaming into another stratosphere thanks in part to the addition of NVIDIA’s Tegra 2 dual-core processor—exhibiting beautifully rendered 3D graphics. The device also offers full 1080p video playback, live and on-demand programming via T-Mobile TV app, DLNA compatibility, and a micro-HDMI port. The G2x also sports a dope unibody construction that feels great in hand with its aluminum metal casing and firm grip control. T-Mobile’s 4G handset also flaunts something that 90 percent of high-speed phones don’t—a strong battery that cranks a good 10 hours on heavy use.
1. Motorola Atrix 4G
Carrier: AT&TPrice: $200 w/two-year contract
Key specs: 4-inch qHD touchscreen, 1GHz dual-core Tegra 2 processor, Android 2.2 OS, 4G/3G/Wi-Fi/Bluetooth, accompanying LapDock, Dual cameras (5MP rear and 0.3MP front-facing), DLNA-enabled, 16GB memory, and 1GB RAM. Motorola has created the Frankenstein of Android phones. The combination of a dual-core 1Ghz processor and 1GB of RAM leaves you zooming through apps, menus, web pages, and everything else. Dual-camera action turns video conferencing and recording 720p videos into a hobby, with the qHD 960x540 resolution screen producing marvelous visuals. But what gives the Atrix the edge over its Android counterparts? The HD Dock. It adds versatility to the Atrix by allowing users to opportunity to view and control everything on their phone, while surfing the web on their TVs. The future is here.
Read more at http://www.complex.com/tech/2011/05/the-top-15-android-phone-available-now/#1
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