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The 5 Best Android Smartphones [December, 2011]

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It has been awhile since we took at look at the cream of the crop in terms of Android smartphones but we felt that it was appropriate to return to our roots now that the market is completely flooded with all sorts of devices running Google’s software.

We can’t remember a time when there were this many quality devices on the market and while that’s exciting, it’s also troublesome for those looking to get a phone for themselves or for a loved one.

Remember, the holiday season is in full swing.

Well, we want to make it easier for all of you so we’re back with a look at what we think are the five best Android smartphones for the month of December.

HTC Rezound

HTC Rezound

I will be passing on the HTC Rezound but that doesn’t necessarily mean you should. The Rezound is HTC’s follow-up to its first 4G LTE smartphone for Verizon, the HTC ThunderBolt, and it’s the company’s first device in the United States that features Beats Audio. In fact, it even comes with a pair of Beats headphones.

High-resolution display, speedy processor, 4G LTE speeds and tons of storage space make this an extremely attractive option for those that are just transitioning to Android or want to throw their ThunderBolt in the garbage.

And yes, it will be getting the upgrade to Android 4.0 in the early part of next year.

Read our first impressions of the HTC Rezound, here.

Specifications: 4.3-inch display with 720p resolution, 1.5GHz dual-core processor, 8MP rear camera, 1.3MP front-facing camera, 1GB of RAM, 16GB of on board storage,  16GB microSD card, Beats Audio

Operating System: Android 2.3.5 Gingerbread

Carrier: Verizon

4G: Yes, LTE

Release Date: November 14th

Price: $299 with New Two-Year Contract

Motorola Droid RAZR

Remember the Motorola Droid Bionic, you know, Moto’s first 4G LTE smartphone on Verizon? No? Turns out, neither do Motorola and Verizon because a month after its release they unveiled the Motorola Droid RAZR, a device that wipes the floor with the Bionic.

Somehow, Moto managed to fit a large battery, an improved display, a dual-core processor, and more inside of a teeny tiny design and the pay off is a fantastic device that we absolutely loved.

Seriously. Read our Droid RAZR review.

And like the HTC Rezound, the Motorola Droid RAZR will be getting Android 4.0 in early 2012 making it a phone that should definitely be on your radar.

Specifications: 4.3-inch Super AMOLED display with advanced qHD resolution, 1.2GHz dual-core processor, 1800mah battery, mobile hotspot support, 1GB of RAM, an 8MP rear camera capable of shooting 1080p video, 7.1mm thin design

Operating System: Android 2.3.5 Gingerbread

Carrier: Verizon

4G: Yes, LTE

Release Date: November 11th

Price: $299 with New Two-Year Contract

Samsung Epic 4G Touch

Our Chuong Nguyen called the Samsung Epic 4G Touch one of the best smartphone’s on the market back when he reviewed it in September and even now, in November, it’s hard to dispute that.

The Epic 4G Touch, which is Sprint’s Galaxy S II, has just about everything you want from a smartphone. Gorgeous display, a processor that can handle whatever you throw at it, tons of RAM, two great cameras, and a large battery.

Oh, and it has WiMax 4G speeds to boot.

It’s sort of a toss up between HTC’s EVO 3D and Motorola’s Photon 4G but I think that, after using all three, the Galaxy S II takes the cake.

Specifications: 4.52-inch Super AMOLED Plus Display, 1.2GHz Samsung Exynos dual-core processor, 8MP rear camera capable of shooting 1080p video, 2MP front-facing camera, 16GB of on board storage space, 1800mAh battery

Operating System: Android 2.3.4

Carrier: Sprint

4G: Yes, WiMax

Release Date: September 16th

Price: $199 with New Two-Year Contract

Samsung Galaxy Nexus

Galaxy Nexus

What can I say about this device? It’s the first device with Android 4.0. It’s a Nexus device which means that it doesn’t have a custom UI over Android and it will get its updates before any other phone. It has a bevy of impressive hardware specifications. It has NFC. It will have LTE when it lands for Verizon.

This is probably the phone that you want to get, if you’re looking for an Android device.

There is a reason The Verge called it one of the best smartphones ever made and quite possibly, the best smartphone ever made.

Specifications: 4.65-inch 1280 x 720 HD Super AMOLED display, dual-core 1.2GHz processor, 1GB of RAM, zero shutter lag 5MP camera with LED flash8.94mm thick (GSM version), 1.3MP front-facing camera, 1750mAh battery, Bluetooth 3.0, USB 2.0, NFC support, gyro, proximity sensor, barometer

Operating System: Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich

Carrier: Various

4G: Yes, HSPA+ and LTE

Release Date: Various

Price: Various

Samsung Galaxy S II – T-Mobile

Galaxy S II T-Mobile

If you’re looking for a fantastic smartphone that is backed by an extremely quick network that isn’t Verizon or AT&T’s 4G LTE network, look no further then T-Mobile’s Galaxy S II which runs on the carrier’s HSPA+ 42Mbps network.

T-Mobile’s Galaxy S II has an enormous display, a quick processor, tons of RAM, a big battery, and two capable cameras.

So, just about everything you want from a smartphone these days.

Take a look at our hands-on with T-Mobile’s Galaxy S II.

Specifications: 4.52-inch Super AMOLED Plus display, 1.5GHz dual-core processor, 1GB of RAM, 16GB of on board storage, 8MP rear facing camera capable of taking 1080p video, 2MP front facing camera

Operating System: Android 2.3.4 Gingerbread

Carrier: T-Mobile

4G: Yes, HSPA+ 42Mpbs

Release Date: October 12th

Price: $230 with New Two-Year Contract

15 Comments

15 Comments

  1. Frankiewilliams

    11/30/2011 at 12:46 pm

    Where did the Samsung Infuse rank?

  2. Frankie Williams

    11/30/2011 at 12:47 pm

    Where did the Samsung Infuse rank?

  3. Davesmailbox2

    11/30/2011 at 12:55 pm

    Galaxy S2 has been called a better phone in many recent comparisons to the Nexus:

    Better Processor Faster Data Speed Better Internal Storage Better GPS Better Camera Better Display Better Weight MicroSD slot and TV Out FM Radio Gorilla Glass

    • Sanyujgupta

      12/15/2011 at 1:53 am

      Nexus Prime is Also called “Galaxy Nexus”. Which Means it’s a better phone that The Nexus S and all of the Samsung Galaxy series. It is made by Samsung also which makes it an equal comparison. 
      BTW I’m using Samsung “Galaxy Note”. Which has a Better Processor Faster Data Speed Better Internal Storage Better GPS Better Camera Better Display Better Weight MicroSD slot and TV Out FM Radio Gorilla Glass.

      You Suck. I rock. Adios.

    • Adam Truelove

      12/01/2011 at 6:36 am

      That comparison is comical.  I’m not sure why anyone who knows what they’re talking about would take it seriously.

    • Alex

      12/01/2011 at 8:11 am

      Does the person who wrote that review even speak English?

  4. Anonymous

    11/30/2011 at 1:12 pm

    I’d root for the Galaxy Note. I know it’s big, but its specs do read like a best of of current specs: CPU, GPU, Screen, Battery, Pen, RAM… If the size is OK with you, that thing screams ! And it’s even relatively inexpensive, thanks to its status as “not-a-hero-phone, but an trial run”. Got it for 500€, which is remarkably cheap, I was expecting 750, and fully ready to shell that out.

  5. Michael Anderson

    11/30/2011 at 1:45 pm

    Problem is that at least for the US chances are there will be no voice capability for the Galaxy Note …

  6. Tyler

    11/30/2011 at 8:39 pm

    Droid incredible 2 is the best phone ever made.

  7. Adam Truelove

    12/01/2011 at 6:34 am

    It’s hard not to laugh when I see a Moto phone or anything running Sense compared to phones as great as the Galaxy S II and Galaxy Nexus.

    • Sanyujgupta

      12/15/2011 at 1:57 am

      Sense is Original. Touch Whiz is a Copy.

      It’s hard not to Laugh at the Samsung Version of Android.

    • Trob6969

      12/16/2011 at 5:59 am

      Really?! Tell me what makes the galaxy nexus or the s2 better than the htc rezound! The ONLY advantage the nexus has is ics out-of-the-box, which doesnt mean much to me considering the rezound will ALSO have it soon. And as far as the s2, it has the same specs as the rezound EXCEPT enhanced audio AND a 720p hd display!

  8. Anonymous

    12/06/2011 at 5:40 pm

    phlpn.es/829r8s

  9. Jesse james

    12/16/2011 at 9:44 am

    Totally, the Galaxy S2 rocks.  I have one.  It is the best.  Trust me, it is good.  I have one.  It is really good.  Get one.

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