In case you haven't noticed, things have kind of slowed down in the cell phone world, at least for a few weeks. Now that we have a moment, I thought I'd compile a list of my Top 5 Android smartphones.
We saw a lot of new devices announced at CES, but, unfortunately, only a couple of those devices have actually been released. So, what if you're in the market and need a new Android smartphone now? That's what this list is for. Keep in mind that once all of those CES devices are released, this list will more than likely become outdated; however, for the time being, these are the Top 5 Android smartphones available from the four major U.S. carriers.
Why: You kind of knew that a 4G phone was going to be number one, and out of all of the current 4G devices, I just couldn't find one that beat the EVO's 1 GHz Snapdragon processor, 8 megapixel camera with dual LED flash and front-facing camera, and awesome 4.3-inch display. It also helps that the EVO has one of the newer versions of Android available, 2.2, even if it's not the latest version.
It was a tough choice between the EVO and the myTouch 4G, which ended up being number two, but I found that the version of HTC Sense UI that comes with the EVO seems to appeal to a wider audience than the version that ships with the myTouch.
Why: With the myTouch 4G, the myTouch line made the jump from cute, mid-ranged Android devices to power-house 4G beasts. The myTouch 4G comes packed with a 1 GHz Snapdragon processor, a 5 megapixel camera with LED flash that captures HD video plus a front-facing camera, and Android 2.2. The 3.8-inch display may not seem very impressive initially, but it's actually a Super LCD display so it looks pretty good!
Why number two: Like I said, it was a tough battle between the myTouch and the EVO. In the end, EVO's more popular UI, larger display, and better camera won out over the myTouch 4G's specs in those areas.
Why: The 4G phones are dominating this one and it doesn't stop with the Epic, which zips through tasks with its aptly named 1 GHz Hummingbird processor. The 4-inch Super AMOLED display is absolutely beautiful and the 5 megapixel camera takes great photos, thanks to its LED flash. Along with the other power-house devices mentioned before it, the Epic also has a front-facing camera and captures HD video. One thing that the Epic adds to its spec sheet is a fantastic physical keyboard - it's one of the best on the market, in fact.
Why number three: There's no denying it now; Samsung has really made a huge mistake by not updating the Galaxy S devices to Android 2.2. We recently saw one version of this series get the update and we're told that the update should be coming to the Epic "ASAP", but I don't think anyone really believes that anymore. Along with that, some people are turned off by Samsung's historically cheap-feeling plastic devices.
Why: If you enjoy stock Android, the G2 is for you. (Unless you don't need a physical keyboard, in which case you should move on to number five.) Its next-generation 800 MHz Snapdragon processor still has plenty of speed to offer and its camera offers exceptional picture quality. On top of all of that, the G2 ships with Android 2.2, the vanilla experience, and utilizes T-Mobiles 4G HSPA+ network.
Why number four: The G2 takes a minor step down with its specs. Yes, it's still one of the best phones on the market, but it lacks a front-facing camera and has a slightly smaller and rather common-looking display. The keyboard is fantastic, but the loose Z-hinge may cause problems for some users.
Why: Any phone that has the latest version of Android kind of has to be on this list, especially if it's currently the only device with that version. Android 2.3 brings a lot of design changes to the OS and adds a few features and some speed. The Nexus S' Super AMOLED display is gorgeous and its 1 GHz processor is quick and speedy.
Why number 5: The Nexus S had a lot of potential. Just look at what the Nexus One brought to the table. It set a new standard for smartphones. The Nexus S took advantage of great technology, but technology that will soon be eclipsed by better processors, displays, and wireless data speeds. There's no doubt that the Nexus S is a fantastic phone, but it disappointed a lot of people and Google still hasn't learned from their horrible sales and marketing strategy which in itself makes we not want to buy the phone just so, maybe, they'll get the point that it's not working.
NOTE: I know what you're thinking. "What? No phones from Verizon or AT&T? How much did Sprint pay you to make this list?" Hey, it's not my fault that T-Mobile and Sprint have the best phones right now. Like I said, this list will probably change in a few months, but this are the top five as of right now.