A Verizon Wireless 4G LTE Android Smartphone Buyers Guide

With the continued rollout of Verizon Wireless's 4G LTE network, three smartphones from different manufacturers take advantage of the additional bandwidth provided by Big Red's new network.

All three handsets share common attributes, most notably the Android 2.2 (Froyo) operating system, dual cameras, 4G mobile hotspot capability. Each is a quality phone worthy of purchase, but there are differences to point out to the savvy smartphone buyer.

The Samsung Droid Charge

Samsung's Droid Charge, at $299 (including 2-year contract/data plan) is the most expensive of the three phones profiled. It sports a better display and HDMI output port, two features not included in the HTC ThunderBolt, Verizon's debut 4G smartphone.

Additionally, the Droid Charge's 1Ghz Hummingbird processor gives it more horsepower than the ThunderBolt's Qualcomm unit. Ultimately, the Charge is recommended for buyers looking for a premium smartphone with HDMI output capabilities.

The HTC ThunderBolt

The HTC ThunderBolt checks in at a $249 price point with a 2-year contract and data plan. While the smartphone doesn't share in the premium capabilities of the Droid Charge, the HTC Sense UI layer provides a superior Android experience when compared to both the Charge and the LG Revolution.

Sense is just easier to use compared to the standard Android smartphone interface and is the ThunderBolt's biggest advantage over the other two phones. It also holds the status as the debut phone for Verizon's 4G network introduction

The LG Revolution

The LG Revolution is the cheapest of the three smartphones at $199 with a 2-year contract and data plan. Conversely, its 16GB of microSD memory is half of much as the other two phones.

Like the Droid Charge, the Revolution includes a HDMI output port. Also, the Netflix app comes already installed, but use of video streaming services is only recommended to users still able to take advantage of Verizon's unlimited data plan. In testing, this reporter found that the LG phone's antenna had the most difficulty in accessing Verizon's 4G network.

All three Verizon Wireless 4G smartphones are quality devices, but each has its own subtle differences to warrant closer analysis in choosing the right phone. If price is no object, the Droid Charge makes a great purchase. Fans of HTC's Sense interface need to check out the ThunderBolt.