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Why Right Now Is The Best Time to Buy an Android Phone

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Those looking for an Android smartphone will find no better time than now to make that purchase.

We are currently right smack in the middle of summer and we have seen a number of Android smartphone releases over the last couple of months. We’ve also seen older devices update with newer software, updates that only have enhanced the experience that the devices bring to the table.

We have also seen the launch of Sprint’s high-speed 4G LTE network which has made its Android devices as attractive as those that are on AT&T and Verizon. And we can’t forget T-Mobile which always has a couple of nice high-end smartphones running on its speedy HSPA+ 42 network.

And with summer winding down, now is the best time for consumers to pick up an Android smartphone.

Here’s why.

The Galaxy S III is one of many capable Android phones out at the moment.

Major Phones Are Out Now

Most of the best Android phones of 2012 are out on the market, right this very minute. We have told you what devices we think represent the best in Android for the month of July, but there are good Android smartphones on all four of the major U.S. carriers.

AT&T currently has the Samsung Galaxy S III, Samsung Galaxy Note, and the HTC One X. The carrier also just launched the Motorola Atrix HD which is the carrier’s version of the Motorola Droid RAZR. All four of the phones run on AT&T’s 4G LTE network.

Sprint just launched its 4G LTE network which means its high-end Android smartphones now have a high-speed network on which to reside. Sprint’s best phones include the HTC EVO 4G LTE, the Samsung Galaxy S III and the Samsung Galaxy Nexus. Again, all of those run on its 4G LTE network.

T-Mobile doesn’t have a 4G LTE network in place yet but its HSPA+ network will be fast enough for many users. T-Mobile currently has the Samsung Galaxy S III, HTC One S and soon, it will have the Samsung Galaxy Note phablet as well.

Verizon currently boasts many top of the line 4G LTE Android smartphones including the Samsung Galaxy Nexus, Samsung Galaxy S III, Droid Incredible 4G LTE, and the Motorola Droid RAZR MAXX.

Again, all of these phones are very capable devices and will be for the foreseeable future. Many of them can be found for extremely low prices, especially at Amazon Wireless or Wirefly where their price tags are often discounted.

No New Releases On the Horizon

Midway through summer, we always have a bit of a cooling offer period in terms of Android smartphone releases.

Right now, there aren’t too many big releases on the horizon which means that the devices that are out on shelves right now aren’t going to be trumped any time soon.

A Galaxy Note 2 launch is one of only a few future Android launches on the radar for 2012.

The only two big name Android phones that we have on our radar at the moment are the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 which might be introduced at IFA in August and the Motorola Droid RAZR HD which has yet to receive any sort of official release date.

Good Phones Just Got Better

Some of the best Android devices on the market just got better. For instance, after long waits, the Motorola Droid RAZR and the Droid RAZR MAXX finally got updated to Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, a piece of software that is far and away better than Android 2.3 Gingerbread.

Many other current Android devices have either received or are set to receive Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich this year.

Additionally, Google has announced the next version of Android in Android 4.1 Jelly Bean which will likely be coming to many of the current high-end devices in the future.

Read: Jelly Bean Makes Galaxy Nexus Faster, Smoother & Smarter.

In fact, the Samsung Galaxy Nexus and Nexus S should be getting the update relatively soon.

Nexus 4 is Far Off

Google generally cooks up one Nexus smartphone per year. The Nexus name means that it’s a developers phone which in turn means that it’s easily customizable.

Problem is, a release is likely not going to be coming until November or December which means a wait time of at least four months.

Read: Nexus 4: What to Expect From the Top iPhone 5 Competitor.

There is also no news on the next Nexus phone so those who are waiting for it are likely going to be waiting in the dark for a couple of months before the leaks start to surface. And once the device does arrive, there is no guarantee that it’s going to be the phone that one wanted.

3 Comments

3 Comments

  1. Cory

    07/17/2012 at 5:35 pm

    Sprint doesn’t really have a 4g LTE network, btw. Unless you live in Kansas, as of today you’ll be stuck on a 3G network with an LTE-enabled phone until Sprint’s vague rollout schedule hits your town.

    • Edwin

      07/17/2012 at 8:04 pm

      I agree about Sprint. I bought the Spring/HTC EVO 4G 2 years ago, thinking Sprint would have 4G in San Diego. No such thing, and two years later, still waiting! That’s why I just bought a Galaxy Nexus and I’ll go with T-Mobile when my Sprint Contract ends in a couple of weeks. They might not have LTE yet either, but their HSPA+ can’t be any worse than Sprint’s 3G and at least I won’t be stuck for two years. BTW, the Galaxy Nexus and Android 4.1.1 Jelly Bean are awesome! That’s the other reason I went with the Nexus, I’m stuck at Android 2.3 on the Sprint/HTC, no upgrades available and full of extra apps I can’t get rid of. At least now I can always get the latest Android updates and not have all the extra junk on the phone.

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