The Best Android Smartphones

July 23, 2010, By 19 comments

HTC Droid Incredible

Like the Evo 4G, the Droid Incredible has a 1Ghz processor. While the Incredible has a smaller touch screen, measuring 3.7-inches, it does afford a better battery life than the Evo 4G. The phone’s user experience is enhanced by the HTC Sense interface that runs on Android 2.1.The Droid Incredible is a feature-rich phone that also supports Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS and runs on Verizon’s fast 3G network. Like many of the best Android phones we highlight here, the Droid Incredible has fabulous multimedia and multi-tasking capabilities that are sure to please technophiles. One standout feature of this phone is its contoured back plate, which you either love or hate.

Other Features: 8MP camera, 8GB internal memory, 3.5mm headphone jack
Dimensions: 4.63” x 2.3” x 0.47”
Weight: 4.59 ounces.
Display: 3.7”
Starting Price: $199 with a contract from Verizon

Nexus One

This Google Android phone has a fast processor, vibrant display and a dual microphone to improve the audio quality on calls. One of the nice features of the Nexus One is its second microphone that monitors background noise, makes adjustments to speaker volume, and works some other magic to improve the audio quality even when you are operating the phone in a noisy room. The phone has a gorgeous 3.7-inch AMOLED display that handles 16.7 million colors at an 800 x 480-pixel resolution.

Currently, the phone is sold exclusive by Google, who offers the device for either $179 with a two-year T-mobile contract or $529 without a contract. What is remarkable is that both versions come unlocked, so it will work on the GSM carrier of your choice.

Other Features: 5MP camera, 3.5mm headphone jack, trackball
Dimensions: 4.56” x 2.36” x 0.47”
Weight: 4.58 ounces
Display: 3.7" AMOLED
Starting Price: $179 with a contract from T-Mobile

Motorola Cliq

Like the Motorola Droid, the Cliq includes a physical keyboard, but this keyboard is much better. The keys on the keyboard make it possible to dial and text by touch. The Cliq also uses Motorola Blur, which allows you to access all contacts, email accounts and social media accounts in one place as well as customize the five home screens using widgets.

Other Features: Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, 5MP camera, GPS, Micro USB, geo-tagging
Dimensions: 2.3” x 0.6” x 4.5”
Weight: 5.7 ounces
Display: 3.1”
Starting Price: $149 with a contract from T-Mobile

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Comments (19):

Dave H. I am happy with my Zak Morris "Saved by the Bell" loaf of bread sized phone. - 06/30/2011
John N. The ORIGINAL Droid? The Cliq? Nexus ONE??? This guy needs to visit a few stores before he writes his next tech article! All of these phones, with the exception of the Evo 4G, are no longer current. No mention of ANY Samsung Galaxy S phones, or the new HTC Thunderbolt, Droid2, or Nexus S. If you are going to write an article about technology, make sure your information is up to date. Its painfully obvious that this guy went shopping for a phone 6 months or more ago! - 04/08/2011
Doug W. You forgot to mention that the EVO 4G has an 8 megpixel camera and 2 cameras. It also has a front facing camera which can be used for video calls. Also, it has high-def video and my EVO came with the Android 2.2 (froyo) operating system, not the 2.1. Sprint has a $69.99/month unlimited internet, texting, and voice calls. Unlimited everything for $70/month. They do require you to pay an extra $10/ month for 4G phones even if 4G is not available in your area. (which sucks). My EVO is easy to hold. Don't know what the author was talking about. - 02/21/2011
Al R. Look, I have the HTC EVO 4G it is by far everything you can ask for in a smart phone and then some. I've tried all the others and they dont compare, even the iphone has a tough time keeping up. EVO is quick, and does everything much better. - 12/18/2010
Diane C. Useless. Since this article was written July 23, there is no excuse for not including the Motorola Droid X. I have one and I love it. Some do not like the size - it is significantly larger than most cellphones. I love, love, love SWYPE and fervently wish it was on the iPad too. - 11/26/2010
Diane C. Useless. Since this article was written July 23, there is no excuse for not including the Motorola Droid X. I have one and I love it. Some do not like the size - it is significantly larger than most cellphones. I love, love, love SWYPE and fervently wish it was on the iPad too. - 11/26/2010
Jm J. Why aren't these pages updated or deleted from the servers that hold them. This habit of maintaining outdated pages by tech blogs and such websites actually clog up the web and make your visit and search to these blogs less efficient and more discouraging.Outdated information is trash. Take out the trash please. - 11/14/2010
Mike S. This article was published in July, I don't know why it's still being linked to. However, I own a Nexus One, and I still prefer it for one key reason: No carrier bloatware. Most people don't realize how great Android is, because they never see it without restrictions and crap that the service provider foists upon them. I'm the first to get the new OS updates. I get free tethering/hotspotting. And I have HALF the always-running processes in the background than a stock Droid Incredible has, thanks to Verizon's added garbage. You can have better hardware, but if it's crippled by the service provider, what good is it? - 11/05/2010
Eric M. Guy has obviosuly not ever used a Cliq or a Cliq XT, those are stuck waaaaay back on Android 1.5 (cupcake). For those not in the loop, Android is up to Froyo with Gingerbread coming out soon. Also, Motoblur is the most worthless trashy buggy software I have ever seen and I'm a software QA engineer. Motorola should be ashamed! - 11/05/2010
Ron M. This is like reading a CNET review. Regurgitation of corporate pap and PR drival spoon fed to the masses to keep them slobbering up to the credit card machine and buying more c**p. - 11/04/2010
Gabriel D. I agree with Bob S. This article is waaay behind the times. The Galaxy S line is definitely in the top five, the Droid 2 is out, and the Droid X is even superior to the Nexus One, which, except for the fact that it is running Froyo, pales in comparison to the newer phones. - 10/28/2010
Bob D. Horrible article outdated info - 10/20/2010
Josei B. I have a small hand for a guy and the EVO fits just fine. I wonder if this guy just regurgitated this from other articles I read or actually tried holding an EVO. BTW My kids have no problem either. - 09/30/2010
Android U. Other than 2 for 1 giveaways and techno geeks, I don't know anyone who has an likes an Android phone. It's basically you got it for free or your network doesn't carry an iPhone yet. Other than that... yawn... who cares about Android. - 09/22/2010
Gi Z. Nice article. The article does not mention any costs other than the phone. Those can run up a phone bill considerably. - 09/21/2010
Kasey H. This article is terrible. You have no knowledge of Android at all. Seriously..the Cliq?? That phone is terrible. Check out Tmonews.com and xdadevelopers along with other sites and learn something.The Cliq is still running 1.6 and 99% of owners hate it. You should have added the Behold 2 if you wanted to fully complete your shitty outdated list. Here is a real list! Samsung Galaxy S Motorola DRIOD 2 HTC Incredible HTC EVO 4G I guess Nexus One even though you cannot purchase one from Google anymore, and its aging quickly. - 09/14/2010
John B. Where is the Samsung Galaxy S phone? - 09/12/2010
John G. haha agreed...samsung fts - 08/27/2010
Bob S. Worthless article. The Nexus One has pretty much been retired. This article would have been more accurate if it was posted like 6 months ago. - 08/26/2010

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