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The 5 Best Android Smartphones [May, 2012]

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With a bit of a lull during the past couple of months, the Android market is once again heating up as manufacturers are finally starting to deliver the devices that they promised all the way back in the beginning of the year.

That means that several of the devices that have been included on our monthly top five Android smartphones list have finally been replaced and while it’s sad to see some of them go, it’s nice that we finally have some new devices on the market.

Keep in mind, the devices on this list are devices that are either out on the market or have an official, upcoming release date. So that means that phones like the Droid Incredible 4G LTE for Verizon, the HTC EVO 4G LTE for Sprint and the Samsung Galaxy S III are not eligible.

However, all three of those are expected to launch during the month of May so it’s possible that this list could see a major shakeup once June rolls around.

For now though, let’s focus on what’s the best of the best in terms of the current crop of Android devices.

Here are the five devices that we think are the cream of the Android crop for the month of May, 2012.

HTC One S

The 5 Best Android Smartphones [May, 2012]

The HTC One S has taken over as T-Mobile’s flagship Android device. It has taken the reigns from the Samsung Galaxy S II and the HTC Sensation 4G and it now is the device to get for those looking to get on T-Mobile’s network.

Keep in mind, this device doesn’t have 4G LTE speeds but it does have Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, a speedy dual-core S4 processor, HSPA+ 42 speeds which are better than 3G speeds, and a nice looking screen.

Read: T-Mobile HTC One S Review.

Specifications: 4.3-inch 540 x 960 Super AMOLED display, dual-core 1.5GHz processor, 1GB of RAM, 8MP rear camera, VGA front-facing camera, 1650mAh battery, Bluetooth 4.0, USB 2.0, gyroscope, HTC Sense 4.0 over Android

Operating System: Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich

Carrier: T-Mobile

4G: HSPA+ 42

Release Date: April 25th

Price: $199.99 with New Two-Year Contract  Buy It At Amazon

HTC One X

The 5 Best Android Smartphones [May, 2012]

The HTC One X will be hitting AT&T’s 4G LTE network on May 6th, it’s up for pre-order right now, and once it does, it will be the carrier’s flagship Android smartphone.

It features 4G LTE speeds, a spacious display, a speed dual-core S4 processor, a thin design, and all the bells and whistles of a high-end device.

Read: Hands-On with the HTC One X and Android 4.0.

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

Price: $149.99 with New Two-Year Contract  Buy It At Amazon

Motorola Droid RAZR MAXX

The Motorola Droid RAZR MAXX is the best selling Android smartphone at Amazon and there’s a reason for that. It has a massive battery that allows for up to 21 hours of continuous talk. Better yet, it houses that battery in an extremely thin frame which measures 8.9mm in size.

It only stands to get better when it’s upgraded to Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich.

Read: Motorola Droid RAZR MAXX vs. Droid 4.

Read: Droid RAZR MAXX Review: Insane Battery Life.

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

Operating System: Android 2.3 Gingerbread

Carrier: Verizon

4G: Yes, LTE

Release Date: January 26th, 2012

Price: $199.99 with New Two-Year Contract  Buy It At Amazon

Samsung Galaxy Nexus

The 5 Best Android Smartphones [May, 2012]

The Samsung Galaxy Nexus, which is arguably the best Android phone ever made, is now available on both Verizon and on Sprint. Both devices offer similar specifications but there are two differences.

One, Verizon’s phone doesn’t work with Google Wallet and Sprint’s does. And two, Sprint’s 4G LTE network is miniscule compared to Verizon’s.

Keep those in mind before deciding on which one to buy.

Read: Galaxy Nexus Review.

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

Carrier: Verizon, Sprint

4G: LTE

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

Price: Verizon – $49.99 with New Two-Year Contract  Buy It At Amazon, Sprint – $199.99

Samsung Galaxy Note

The 5 Best Android Smartphones [May, 2012]

AT&T’s Samsung Galaxy Note is part smartphone and part tablet. It offers a ridiculously large 5-inch display that makes it an extremely versatile device.

Throw in the 4G LTE speeds and the speedy processor and it’s easy to see why Samsung has been able to push over five million of these.

We absolutely fell in love with this phone and, like the Droid RAZR MAXX, once it gets Android 4.0, it should become an even better Android option.

Read: Samsung Galaxy Note Review.

Specifications: 5-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 2.3 Gingerbread

Carrier: AT&T

4G: LTE

Release Date: February 19th

Price: $229.99 with New Two-Year Contract  Buy It At Amazon

7 Comments

7 Comments

  1. HildyJ

    04/30/2012 at 5:42 pm

    You should point out that Google is also selling the GSM Nexus directly for $399. That one works on T-Mobile and AT&T. With my $30/month prepaid (100 min. talk and 5GB before throttling) from TMO, I figure it’s a much better deal than subsidized.

  2. 5point3not5

    05/01/2012 at 1:05 am

    Note = 5.3″, not 5″

  3. kecker

    05/01/2012 at 2:17 pm

    Galaxy Nexus is one of the best Android Smartphones??? Are you drunk?

    Other than that it can’t be used as a phone, I guess it’s okay.

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