Top 5 Android OS Smartphones

In the smartphone market consumers have four main options in terms of OS, Android, BlackBerry, Apple, and Palm. With smartphones becoming more advanced with every new release, Android based phones are prime choices for tech junkies and anyone looking for a mobile computing device. Our writer looked at the top Android phones on each major carrier (AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, and T-Mobile) and complied this list based on the very based Android OS phones available. Each phone will receive a brief overview as to why it made our list and to which carrier it is sold on.

1. Sprint HTC EVO 4G (Sprint)

According to the Sprint website the HTC EVO 4G is set for release on June 4, 2010 and will feature some of the most advanced features yet on a smartphone. The EVO made our list due to its incredible internet speeds (think mobile broadband) on the 4G network, thus making it the fastest smartphone available. The 4.3" touch screen is perfect for large viewing capabilities and features quick key buttons on the bottom of the phone, but are small enough not to obstruct the touch screen area. Other notable features include an 8.0 mega-pixel digital camera, Android 2.1 OS, 1GHz Snapdragon processor, microSD slot (up to 32GB), and access to the Android apps store. Skype users will enjoy the front facing 1.3MP digital camera for chatting on the go. This device is practically a netbook, but much smaller and convenient.

2. DROID INCREDIBLE by HTC (Verizon)

When the original DROID was released, I was stunned by how easy it was to use, the touch screen was incredibly accurate, and the available apps blew me away. Think of the DROID INCREDIBLE as a supped up version of the DROID, with many new features and sleeker build. The INCREDIBLE has many attractive features for any mobile professional and internet user, such as, 1 Ghz Snapdragon processor with 8GB internet memory (can be expanded with microSD cards), Android 2.1 OS, 3.7" 480x800 touch screen, 8MP digital camera with video capture, and access to the Android marketplace.

3. DROID (Verizon)

My first impression when using the DROID for the first time was how easy it was to grasp for a beginner to Android based phones. The touch screen is very responsive and accurate, and the slide our QWERTY keyboard makes sending messages and internet searching very easy. My favorite features include the bright 3.7" touch screen with a 480x854 display, 5MP digital camera, upgradeable OS, and overall ease of use. The only feature that is lacking is the digital camera as newer phones are starting to feature phones with 8+MP camera, but the 5MP camera on this phone is adequate for high quality photos and video capture.

4. Motorola CLIQ XT (T-Mobile)

The Motorola CLIQ XT with MOTOBLUR is arguably the best Android phone on the T-Mobile network. The MOTOBLUR feature is excellent; it allows all your favorite social networking sites to update instantaneously from the home screen, which makes it very easy to stay up to date with your busy personal life. Internet searching is quick on the expanding 3G T-Mobile network and included Wi-Fi option, the high quality 5MP camera takes excellent photos, which can be sent directly from the phone to your social networking sites and friends, and features a responsive touch screen.

5. Motorola Backflip (AT&T)

The Backflip features a responsive touch screen, full QWERTY keyboard, 5MP digital camera, Android OS, and a great durable build. This phone is excellent for social networking, texting, and instant messaging due to the large built in QWERTY keyboard, which also makes internet surfing great. The biggest drawback? The battery life is horrible on the Backflip as the large feature setting and instant updates of social networking sites drains the battery quick.

Sources:

Personal experience testing out each phone except the HTC EVO 4G as its set release date is in June.

http://www.wireless.att.com/cell-phone-service/cell-phone-details/?device=Motorola+Backflip+%28TM%29+-+Silver&q_sku=sku4380305#tabModule

http://www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/store/controller?item=phoneFirst&action=viewPhoneDetail&selectedPhoneId=5069

http://www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/store/controller?item=phoneFirst&action=viewPhoneDetail&selectedPhoneId=5269

http://now.sprint.com/evo/

http://www.t-mobile.com/shop/phones/Cell-Phone-Detail.aspx?cell-phone=Motorola-CLIQ-XT