Who doesn't love a good top five list? That's right, no one!
A disclaimer, though - as fast as life in the mobile world is going right now, this list could change at the drop of a hat. I could flip flop next time and pick five different devices. I could even bring back the Treo 600 and the Kyocera 7135 (ok, ok, I seriously doubt I'd do that). Hey, stop complaining - it's my top five list! All joking aside, there's a bunch of great devices out there that aren't mentioned here, but the ones you see below are the ones that take the prize.
That being said, I present to you my top five smartphones for the week of June 20th. Smartphones not your cup o' tea? Be sure to check out my Top 5 Messaging Phones here.
1. HTC EVO 4G (Sprint)
Rocking a 1 GHz processor, 4.3-inch screen, 8.0-megapixel camera, front-facing camera, 4G (WiMAX connectivity), Android 2.1, Mobile Hotspot, and other goodies, the EVO 4G gets the top spot for awesome hardware. While WiMAX (4G) has been clocked at lower speeds than T-Mobile's HSPA+ (super fast 3G), the fact that EVO is the first real 4G device is kind of cool. The downside? WiMAX is expanding rapidly, but at present, is only available in select markets in the US.
2. Apple iPhone 4 (AT&T)
Featuring some nice upgrades over the 3GS like the Retina Display, FaceTime video calling, and a 5.0-megapixel camera with flash, iPhone 4 is a nice evolutionary upgrade to the previous unit. Throw that in with an awesome App Store and iOS 4's ability to multitask, and you have a device that can compete with the best of 'em. June 24th is shaping up to be a busy day for Apple and AT&T.
3. HTC DROID Incredible (Verizon)
Truth be told, it's kind of a toss up between the EVO 4G and the DROID Incredible. Both offer 8.0-megapixel cameras, 1 GHz processors, and Android 2.1. While the screen is larger on the EVO, the 3.7-inch AMOLED display on the Incredible is gorgeous. EVO still takes the trophy in hardware, but Incredible is incredible enough to keep Verizon customers incredibly happy (see what I did there?). If the EVO is too big for you or you just dislike Sprint, consider the Incredible for your Android needs.
4. Google Nexus One (Various)
With official Android 2.2 support on the way (and with several leaked builds available now), the Nexus One is worthy of consideration by those on AT&T and T-Mobile. Complete with a 1 GHz Snapdragon processor, 5.0-megapixel camera, and AMOLED display, it's still relevant in the ever-evolving mobile space. Given AT&T's Android options at the moment (Backflip and Aria), the Nexus One is a high-end option for those on the nation's second largest wireless carrier. I just wish there was a subsidized version available.
5. Palm Pre Plus (Verizon, AT&T)
The design is outdated and the specifications are a bit mid-range given the devices that are out now, but webOS is enough to justify the Pre Plus' inclusion in my top five. Who knows where the operating system will be one year from now (HP keeps giving conflicting messages), but on the multitasking and notification front, it's the best user interface out there. At a developer event last week, Palm confirmed that new devices and webOS updates were on the horizon, so there's still potential there. Software development aside, the hardware is competitively priced, and Verizon is sweetening the deal by offering free Mobile Hotspot. Free Wi-Fi-like connectivity as a part of the $30 data plan? Sounds good to me.
Agree? Disagree? Hit the comments and let me know what your top five would be!
