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The 5 Best Android Smartphones [August, 2012]

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We are approaching the fall and winter, two seasons that often prove fruitful in the Android smartphone world. Last year, we got the Motorola Droid Bionic, Motorola Droid RAZR and the Samsung Galaxy Nexus to name a few devices. This year will likely prove to be just as good.

There are three big devices on our radar at the moment. The Motorola Droid RAZR HD, the Samsung Galaxy Note 2, and the Nexus 4. Those devices could be months away though.

Those who are in need of a new smartphone right away are in luck though as the current Android smartphone selection is extremely plentiful. The Samsung Galaxy S III has finally launched on an assortment of U.S. carriers, Sprint’s 4G LTE network has launched and a few older devices continue to prove their worth.

In our latest edition of our top five Android smartphones on the market we have lots of familiar faces.However we do have one big change as the Droid Incredible 4G LTE bows out of the top five to make room for another device.

And no, it’s not the HTC EVO 4G LTE that has replaced it. It’s still extremely hard to recommend a Sprint 4G LTE smartphone as its 4G LTE network is only available in a mere 15 markets.

That being said, here are the five devices that we think are the cream of the Android crop for the month of August, 2012

HTC One X

The HTC One X remains a force.

The AT&T HTC One X remains one of the best Android phones on the market and it’s arguably the best Android phone on AT&T’s 4G LTE network.

And, it only stands to get better as HTC has promised Android 4.1 Jelly Bean, Google’s latest software, for the HTC One X at some point in the future.

With that update, the One X will get a souped up UI, Google Now, and a host of other new software features that will make Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich look small time.

Read: HTC One X Review | $199 AT&T 4G LTE.

Read: HTC EVO 4G LTE Vs. HTC One X.

Specifications: 4.7-inch 1280 x 720 S-LCD 2 display, dual-core 1.5GHz processor, 1GB of RAM, 8MP rear camera, 1.3MP front-facing camera, 1800mAh battery, Bluetooth 4.0, USB 2.0, NFC support, gyroscope, accelerometer, HTC Sense 4.0 over Android

Operating System: Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich

Carrier: AT&T

4G: LTE

Release Date: May 6th, 2012

Price: $170 with New Two-Year Contract, Buy It At Amazon

Motorola Droid RAZR MAXX

ICS has made the Droid RAZR MAXX even better.

The Motorola Droid RAZR MAXX was the recent recipient of Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich and, because it has sold so well, is a likely candidate for Android 4.1 Jelly Bean.

Armed with Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich (for the moment), a massive 3,300 mAh battery that provides up to 21 hours of continuous talk time, a slim design and a speedy processor make the Droid RAZR MAXX a force to be reckoned with.

Those who need an HD display will have to look elsewhere though, namely at the Droid RAZR HD.

Read: Droid RAZR MAXX Review: Insane Battery Life.

Read: Motorola Droid RAZR MAXX vs. Droid 4.

Specifications: 4.3-inch Super AMOLED display with advanced qHD resolution, 1.2GHz dual-core processor, 3300mAh battery, mobile hotspot support, 1GB of RAM, 8MP rear camera capable of shooting 1080p video, 8.9mm thin design

Operating System: Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich

Carrier: Verizon

4G: LTE

Release Date: January 26th, 2012

Price: $99 with New Two-Year Contract, Buy It At Amazon

Samsung Galaxy S III

The Galaxy S III is a top of the line Android smartphone.

All five major U.S. carriers – AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, U.S. Cellular and Verizon – now host the Samsung Galaxy S III and all of its impressive features.

From 4G LTE speeds to a large high-definition display to a fantastic processor to a slick design to an upcoming upgrade to Android 4.1 Jelly Bean, the Samsung Galaxy S III has it all.

Those looking for a new Android smartphone would be smart to have the Galaxy S III near the very top of the list.

Read: Samsung Galaxy S III Review: Editors’ Choice.

Specifications: 4.8-inch Super AMOLED display with 720 x 1280 resolution, dual-core Snapdragon S4 processor (quad-core Exynos processor on international version), 2100mAh battery, 1GB of RAM, 8MP rear camera capable of shooting 1080p video, NFC, accelerometer, gyroscope, Bluetooth 4.0

Operating System: Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich

Carrier: Various

4G: LTE

Release Date: June, 2012 – T-Mobile/Sprint, July, 2012 – AT&T, Verizon, U.S. Cellular

Price: Various, Buy It At AmazonAT&T, Sprint, Verizon

Samsung Galaxy Nexus

The Galaxy Nexus remains on the list.

Old faithful, the Samsung Galaxy Nexus for both Sprint and Verizon, remains on this list and will likely stay until it is replaced by the upcoming Nexus 4.

This is a device that has withstood the test of time with its HD display, fast processor, capable camera, and vanilla version of Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich.

It also helps that it will be one of the first devices to get Android 4.1 Jelly Bean.

Read: Galaxy Nexus Review.

Read: Sprint HTC EVO 4G LTE vs Sprint Galaxy Nexus.

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 flash, 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/Unlocked Galaxy Nexus HSPA+ – Android 4.1 Jelly Bean

Carrier: Verizon, Sprint

4G: LTE

Release Date: Verizon – December 15th, 2011, Sprint – April 22nd, 2012

Price: Verizon – $.01 with New Two-Year Contract, Buy It At Amazon, Sprint – $.01 with New Two-Year Contract, Buy It At Amazon, Google – $349 Unlocked, Buy It At Google

Samsung Galaxy Note

The 5 Best Android Smartphones [May, 2012]

The Samsung Galaxy Note, the 5.3-inch phablet, has made its triumphant return to the list and here’s why.

Plain and simple, the Galaxy Note has always been on the fringe of the top five, last appearing in May. What has propelled it back into prominence is the device’s upcoming launch on T-Mobile which will take place in the beginning part of August.

The HTC EVO 4G LTE and the Droid Incredible 4G LTE are only available on one specific carrier. The Galaxy Note will now be available on two different carriers, which in our opinion, is a trump card.

Sure, the T-Mobile version won’t have 4G LTE data speeds, but it will be one of the best devices available to T-Mobile customers who don’t want to leave the fledgling carrier.

Just be aware. The Samsung Galaxy Note 2 is rumored to be launching on August 15th.

Read: Samsung Galaxy Note Review.

Read: T-Mobile Galaxy Note Dead in the Water?

Specifications: 5.3-inch 800 x 1280 Super AMOLED display, dual-core 1.5GHz processor, 1GB of RAM, 8MP rear camera, 2MP front-facing camera, 2500mAh battery, Bluetooth 3.0, USB 2.0, NFC support, stylus support

Operating System: Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich

Carrier: AT&T, T-Mobile

4G: LTE, HSPA+

Release Date: AT&T – February 19th, T-Mobile – August 8th

Price: AT&T – $199.99 with New Two-Year Contract, Buy It At Amazon

7 Comments

7 Comments

  1. iomega311

    08/01/2012 at 12:48 am

    Samsung Galaxy S3 has 2gb RAM in the US variants… FYI.

  2. vaibhav patwal

    08/03/2012 at 7:48 am

    Can you plz tell me the price tag of Samsung Galaxy S II ???
    Thank U

    • Sehrish Saleem

      12/17/2012 at 4:34 am

      In India,it’s for Rs.22000-24000.In Pakistan,it’s for Rs.45000-48000 and in USA ,it’s for $392-$400

  3. LOL

    09/17/2012 at 7:43 am

    gay

  4. Vivek Rangabhashyam

    09/29/2012 at 12:08 am

    this is outdated info. Please refresh content.

  5. unkown

    10/21/2012 at 5:50 am

    is it from up 5 to 1 or from 1 to 5 ??
    is the htc one x the 1st or the galaxy note 2??

  6. Abhi Thakur

    09/15/2014 at 1:09 am

    All the phones showing above are superb with their features, every one has its own unique quality. https://androidworms.com/

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