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The 5 Best U.S. Windows Phone 7 Smartphones [December, 2011]

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Adam took a look at the Android phones, now it’s my turn to give you my opinion on what the best Windows Phone 7 Smartphones are right now. My task is much easier since there are far fewer choices running Windows Phone 7. Verizon and Sprint are missing out on newer models with Mango already installed but the models they do have are upgradable to Windows Phone 7.5 (Mango).

This list is US Only. There are some really nice models across the oceans, but I am going to focus on what’s available locked or unlocked here.

Since the hot new Nokia Windows Phone smartphones are not yet for sale in the US (officially), I will be leaving them off for now. I am sure that one of them will jump into my Top 5 as soon as it’s made available.

5. HTC Arrive

The HTC Arrive is literally the only Windows Phone device Sprint is offering. If I were a Sprint customer, this would be a phone I’d heavily consider. I am an old school Windows Mobile smartphone lover that couldn’t get enough of the slide out qwerty models. I was all over the Tilt, Tilt 2, and the Fuze as well as earlier models. The HTC Arrive has been out on Sprint since March, so it’s no spring chicken but it’s a great phone.

  • Specifications: 3.6-inch WVGA capacitive display. 1 ghz processor, 16 GB storage RAM, 1500 mAh battery, and a 5 megapixel camera.
  • Operating System: Windows Phone 7 (upgradable to Mango)
  • Carrier: Sprint
  • Release Date: March 2011
  • Price: $99.99 with contract

4. HTC HD7S


The HD7S is a descendant of the great HD7 which follows up one of the best Windows Mobile 6.5 phones that was ever released, the HD2. I could go on, but you get the picture and it’s a BIG PICTURE. Grab this one from AT&T for a great price with contract. If you are a T-Mobile customer, you can get the HD7 too.

  • Specifications: 4.3-inch WVGA capacitive display. 1 ghz processor, 16 GB storage RAM, 1230 mAh battery, and a 5 megapixel camera with video capture up to 720p.
  • Operating System: Windows Phone 7 (upgradable to Mango)
  • Carrier: AT&T
  • Release Date: April 2011
  • Price: $99.99 with contract

3. HTC Radar 4G

One word come to mind when I see this one, SEXY. Windows Phone 7’s UI is sexy and now its inside a device that equals it’s sexiness. Seriously though, I would love to see the HTC Titan in this shade of white. The HTC Radar 4G is my favorite T-Mobile phone right now. The screen on the Radar isn’t as small as it seems when it stands next to the HTC Titan though. It’s screen is 3.8″ which is more than enough real estate.

  • Specifications: 3.8-inch screen,  1 ghz processor, 8 GB storage RAM, 1520 mAh battery, and a 5 megapixel camera that can capture video @ 720p. It’s also got a VGA front facing camera for video calling.
  • Operating System:  Windows Phone 7.5 Mango
  • Carrier:  T-Mobile
  • Release Date: November 2011
  • Price: $99 on Contract normally, but keep your eyes open, T-Mobile had it for free recently.

2. Samsung Focus S

The Samsung Focus S is a follow-up to their 1st Windows Phone 7 device, the Samsung Focus, which was also sold by AT&T starting last November. The Focus S has a 4.3 inch screen, is super light, real thin, and has one of the best screens out of all the Windows Phone 7 devices. I haven’t had a chance to test one out extensively, but I am told that the camera is better than the one on the HTC Titan. Of course that’s all debatable. The Samsung Focus S is the 2nd best Windows Phone out in the US currently.

  • Specifications: The Focus S has a 4.3-inch Super AMOLED Plus screen, a 1650 mah battery, 16 GB of storage, and a 8 megapixel rear camera and 1.3 megapixel up front.
  • Operating System:  Windows Phone 7.5 Mango
  • Carrier: AT&T
  • Release Date: November 2011
  • Price:$199.99 on contract

1. HTC Titan

Yes, the HTC Titan is my choice for the best Windows Phone device out currently. It’s huge 4.7″ screen is absolutely gorgeous. Big screen and a big engine. The HTC Titan has a 1.5ghz processor and 16GB of RAM. Check out my impressions of the HTC Titan. (1st Day with the HTC Titan and Battery life and photos)

  • Specifications: 4.7-inch screen,  1.5 ghz processor, 16 GB storage RAM, 1650 mAh battery, and  an 8-megapixel camera with F2.2 lens and dual LED flash. The Titan also has a 1.3-megapixel front facing camera as well.
  • Operating System: Windows Phone 7.5 Mango
  • Carrier: AT&T
  • Release Date: November 2011
  • Price: $199.99 with a contract
Hopefully Verizon and Sprint play nice with Microsoft to get some new Windows Phones into their lineups.
2 Comments

2 Comments

  1. Expertester

    01/14/2012 at 12:34 pm

    RAM or flash memory?

  2. MO

    02/16/2012 at 1:58 pm

    Where’s the Dell Venue Pro???

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