Best Android Phones 0

We've compiled the best Android phones on AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, and Verizon into one list. Every carrier is represented and prices for these Android 2.3 dual-core phones range from $100 to $300 with a two-year contract.

It’s been a while since our last roundup of Android phones, but we’ve gathered our favorite phones from all four carriers. All of these devices could be considered high end. At the rate smartphone technology is evolving, we recommend that you don’t buy a phone that doesn’t run Android 2.3 (Gingerbread), have a dual-core processor, and a high-resolution screen this holiday season. Believe it or not, a number of these high-end devices carry prices as low as $100. Others cost a bit more, but may be worth the investment.

Samsung Galaxy S II

Screen: 4.5-inch Super AMOLED, 560×940 Specs: 1.5GHz dual-core, 1GB RAM, 32GB storage OS: Android 2.3 with Samsung TouchWiz 4.0 Camera: 8MP rear, 2MP front Price: $200-$230 with two-year contract Availability: AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile Description: The Galaxy S II took its sweet time coming to North America, but it was worth the wait. The phone has now launched on three of the four major U.S. carriers. It doesn’t disappoint in any one area, though its plastic construction may turn off some, though we like how light it is. Samsung’s TouchWiz 4.0 interface rivals HTC’s Sense as does Samsung’s cameras. AT&T’s Galaxy S II is a bit smaller than Sprint and T-Mobile’s at 4.3 inches and each model looks a bit different, but all three are mostly the same.

 

HTC Amaze 4G

Screen: 4.3 inches, 540×960 pixels Specs: 1.5GHz dual-core processor, 1GB RAM, 16GB storage OS: Android 2.3 with HTC Sense 3.0 Camera: 8MP rear (LED flash, 1080p rec), 2MP front Price: $260 with two-year contract Availability: T-Mobile Description: We haven’t spent a lot of time with the new Amaze, but from what we’ve seen, it may be the best overall HTC Android phone on the market. Its HTC Sense 3.0 interface is among the best looking and most customizable Android interfaces and HTC isn’t known to skip on build or camera quality. T-Mobile is claiming the Amaze has the best camera on the market (aside from the iPhone 4S, this may be correct). Best of all, the Amaze clocks in as one of the fastest phones on the market.

 

Motorola Photon 4G

Screen: 4.3 inches, 540×960 pixels Specs: 1GHz dual-core Tegra 2, 1GB RAM, 16GB storage OS: Android 2.3 with Motorola NinjaBlur Camera: 8MP rear, .3MP VGA front Price: $200 with two-year contract Availability: Sprint Description: As time has wore on, we’ve missed having the Photon in our office. It suffers from a somewhat bland screen and interface, but everything else about it is great. The phone has a kickstand so you can prop it up like a clock, it docks with a ton of Motorola accessories (though they’re expensive), and is one of the most comfortable 4.3-inch phones we’ve held due to its button placement and rounded edges. At $200, it’s a great 4G phone.

 

LG T-Mobile G2x

Screen: 4.0-inch LCD, 480×800 pixels Specs: 1GHz dual-core processor, 512MB RAM, 8GB storage OS: Android 2.3 (Gingerbread), pure Android Camera: 8MP rear (LED flash, 720p rec), 1.3MP front Price: $100 with two-year contract Availability: T-Mobile Description: LG doesn’t mess around with Google’s Android interface much and for $100, the G2x offers specs comparable to the $230 Galaxy S II. The LG G2x is one of the best phones on the market, but it’s been a sleeper and hasn’t made waves. It may ship with Android 2.2, but an update is available from LG, which brings the phone up to par with any of these devices.

 

Motorola Droid Bionic

Screen: 4.3-inch LCD, 540×960 pixels Specs: 1GHz dual-core processor, 1GB RAM, 16GB storage OS: Android 2.3 with NinjaBlur Camera: 8MP rear (LED flash, 1080p rec), 0.3MP VGA front Price: $300 with two-year contract Availability: Verizon Description: The first 4G LTE handset on the market to sport a dual-core processor, the Droid Bionic’s sleek design follows in the footsteps of its forebearers, the Droid 3 and Droid X2, with a thin 11mm and a large, 4.3-inch screen. Of course, the best part of the device is its lighting-fast 4G speeds, but the LTE connectivity does cut down on the Droid Bionic’s battery life. Other minor negatives include a so-so screen and the lackluster NinjaBlur user interface. These are easy to ignore, however, as the powerhouse computing makes the Droid Bionic truly impressive.

 

T-Mobile MyTouch 4G Slide

Screen: 3.7 inches, 480×800 pixels Specs: 1.2GHz dual-core, 768MB RAM, 9GB storage OS: Android 2.3 with HTC Sense 3.0 Camera: 8 MP rear (LED flash, 1080p rec), 0.3MP VGA front Price: $200 with two-year contract Availability: T-Mobile Description: If you prefer a QWERTY keyboard, you’ll find no better option than the 4G Slide, which packs almost as powerful a punch as the Amaze 4G. We’ve reviewed this phone and found it to be one of the best phones on T-Mobile. The touchpad is useful as well, though we didn’t use T-Mobile’s MyTouch button very much.

 

Motorola Atrix 2

Screen: 4.3-inch LCD, 540×960 pixels Specs: 1GHz dual-core processor, 1GB RAM, 16GB storage OS: Android 2.3 with NinjaBlur Camera: 8MP rear (LED flash, 1080p rec), 0.3MP VGA front Price: $100 with two-year contract Description: The Atrix was one of the first dual-core HSPA+ phones on the market and is still an industry-leading device thanks to a July update to Android 2.3 (download it here). You can still buy the Atrix, but from what we’ve seen, the Atrix 2 is a better phone for the same low $100 price. With the Atrix 2, Motorola has done away with the crappy PenTile display and improved the camera. The screen is a bit larger as well. . (Note: we haven’t yet tested the Atrix 2 ourselves.)

I’m Watch gives you Android on your wrist, connects to your smartphone 0

This high-tech watch runs on a customized Android OS and connects to your smartphone via Bluetooth, allowing you to see notifications right on your wrist.

Why own a watch that just tells you the time when you can own one that does almost everything your smartphone would do, but can be worn right on your wrist? That’s the idea behind I’m Watch($400+), which takes the idea of the iPod Nano with the wristband a step further by incorporating an Android operating system and Bluetooth technology that can connect to your smartphone, either Apple, Android, BlackBerry, or Windows Phone 7.

For the hefty price tag (that starts at about $400 and goes up from there) you’ll be able to see previews of notifications like messages and emails from your smartphone that are sent to the watch via Bluetooth. The watch also runs apps so that you can play music, check the weather, and schedule appointments. 

The I’m Watch will reportedly run on a customized version of Android 1.6, which is the oldest version of the Google mobile OS. It seems like a strange move, but it will probably suffice for everything this device needs to do. The watch features a microphone for making calls, which you can actually do directly from the device. Things like messages, email, Facebook, and Twitter will show up as notifications on your I’m Watch screen but you’ll have to actually dig your phone out of your pocket or purse to make any further actions. 

The watch is aiming to appeal to a wide range of consumers, despite the high starting price tag. The watch comes in a playful color version (seen above), a titanium model, and several luxurious designs featuring diamonds and precious metals. You can pre-order the watch now, but the Italian Website says that it will be approximately 90 days before it gets to you. 

We are used to digging around in our pockets or purses for our smartphone every time it makes a ‘ding’ notification, so we can definitely see the appeal of being able to see what that email is about on your wrist before reaching for your phone. Being able to do the basics of checking the weather, playing a few tunes, or making a quick call from the watch also seems useful. Would you ever use a smart-watch that connected to your phone?