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Google Nexus One (Unlocked GSM)
- Buy this if: You want the original vision of Google's superphone and timely access to Android updates.
- Don't buy this if: You need any hand-holding; the phone isn't sold through carriers.
- Buyer Beware: Google is no longer selling the phone direct, so it's fast becoming a collectors' item.
- Pleasant Surprise: Nexus One + T-Mobile = Fast Web browsing.
- Dark Secret: Google's tech support has been lackluster, to say the least.
- Alternatives: HTC Droid Incredible (Verizon), Samsung Captivate/Vibrant/Fascinate
Google Nexus One Product Hub »
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Motorola Droid X (Verizon)
- Buy this if: You want maximum performance, maximum screen and Verizon's network.
- Don't buy this if: You want a more pocketable device, a hard QWERTY keyboard, a snazzy custom skin, or a front-facing camera for video chatting.
- Buyer Beware: Early models have suffered from display and WiFi-related problems.
- Pleasant Surprise: Motorola's three-microphone noise cancellation makes calls sound better.
- Dark Secret: The HD video capture is good but not great.
- Alternatives: HTC EVO 4G (Sprint), Samsung Fascinate (Verizon)
Motorola Droid X Product Hub »
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HTC Evo 4G (Sprint)
- Buy this if: You want the first 4G-capable phone in the land, with maxed-out media features to boot.
- Don't buy this if: You want 4G speeds but don't yet have Sprint's WiMax coverage where you live.
- Buyer Beware: T-Mobile's 3G network is actually faster than Sprint's 4G in many real-life tests.
- Pleasant Surprise: Evo's kickstand is actually pretty handy.
- Dark Secret: .Big screen + custom software + 4G = Big drain on battery life
- Alternatives: Motorola Droid X (Verizon), Samsung Epic 4G (Sprint)
HTC Evo 4G Product Hub »
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HTC Droid Incredible (Verizon)
- Buy this if: You value performance, ease-of-use and pocketability.
- Don't buy this if: You're eager to get the latest Android updates quickly - HTC's custom interface means longer waits for OS upgrades.
- Buyer Beware: The bright display and custom software has resulted in battery life complaints.
- Pleasant Surprise: A software update will bless Incredible with HD video capture.
- Dark Secret: Display parts shortages have kept the phone on back-order since launch.
- Alternatives: Samsung Fascinate (Verizon), Google Nexus One (Unlocked)
HTC Droid Incredible Product Hub »
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T-Mobile myTouch 3G Slide
- Buy this if: You want Android with a keyboard and have good T-Mobile coverage where you'll be using it.
- Don't buy this if: You don't like what T-Mobile and HTC have done to customize the Android software or want the fastest Android phone in the land.
- Buyer Beware: myTouch Slide has an extra-customized version of HTC's custom Android software. Not saying that's bad, just saying it's different.
- Pleasant Surprise: The "Genius" button makes using voice commands extra-easy, and the hard keyboard is a delight.
- Dark Secret: You'll likely have to wait extra-long for an Android 2.2 update to this phone given all of the custom software it runs.
- Alternatives: Samsung Intercept (Sprint), Samsung Vibrant (T-Mobile)
myTouch 3G Slide Product Hub »
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Samsung Captivate (AT&T), Vibrant (T-Mobile)
- Buy this if: You want the best screen ever to grace an Android phone.
- Don't buy this if: You want a phone that feels awesome in hand - these devices are nice and light but kind of cheap feeling.
- Buyer Beware: AT&T's Captivate won't let you sideload unsigned apps. If you don't know what that means, don't worry, it won't really affect you.
- Pleasant Surprise: Samsung's S-AMOLED display tech is actually usable in direct sunlight.
- Dark Secret: Samsung's custom user interface is riddled with typos and weird grammatical errors.
- Alternatives: HTC Droid Incredible (Verizon), Motorola Droid X (Verizon).
Samsung Captivate Product Hub »
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Samsung Intercept (Sprint)
- Buy this if: You want Android on Sprint, with a hard keyboard, but don't need 4G.
- Don't buy this if: You want the absolute fastest, sleekest, most powerful Android phone around.
- Buyer Beware: Intercept is a solid performer, but it lags when compared to higher-end devices like Evo 4G and Droid Incredible.
- Pleasant Surprise: Intercept has one of the best QWERTY keyboards to grace a cell phone in quite some time.
- Dark Secret: Under heavy use, Intercept can lag to the point of annoyance.
- Alternatives: LG Ally (Verizon), Samsung Epic 4G (Sprint)
Samsung Intercept Product Hub »
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HTC Aria (AT&T)
- Buy this if: You want a full Android smartphone in a tiny, light package.
- Don't buy this if: You like to type long Emails and messages on your phone.
- Buyer Beware: Aria's small size means a small battery, and this phone tends to run out of juice under heavy use.
- Pleasant Surprise: HTC's Sense user interface is totally usable on Aria's (relatively) small display.
- Dark Secret: Did I mention the battery life issue?
- Alternatives: HTC Droid Incredible (Verizon), Sony Ericsson X10 mini and mini pro (Unlocked)
HTC Aria Product Hub »
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Samsung Epic 4G (Sprint)
- Buy this if: Coming soon
- Don't buy this if: Coming soon
- Buyer Beware: Coming soon
- Pleasant Surprise: Coming soon
- Dark Secret: Coming soon
- Alternatives: Coming soon
Samsung Epic 4G Product Hub »
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Fascinate (Verizon)
- Buy this if: Coming soon
- Don't buy this if: Coming soon
- Buyer Beware: Coming soon
- Pleasant Surprise: Coming soon
- Dark Secret: Coming soon
- Alternatives: Coming soon
Samsung Fascinate Product Hub »
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