When it comes to cell phones, everyone knows the iPhone. What about the other popular smartphone platform? Sorry, Waterloo, I’m not speaking of the BlackBerry. I’m speaking of the wacky green-mascot-wielding Google Android.
Here are a few up and coming handsets that will both excite and bore you. I can personally vouch for those feelings. Really.
Originally leaked as the Google Nexus Prime, the Samsung-built phone was announced recently as the Galaxy Nexus instead. Lousy name aside, this is the third incarnation of Google’s pure Android experience “Nexus” phones. While the big screen and decent camera aren’t revolutionary, what is ground-breaking is the new version of Android on board. They call it “Ice Cream Sandwich.” It looks and works far better than its predecessor, but the real success is its effect on journalism.
Google has gotten thousands of analysts and businesspeople talking about ice cream sandwiches with straight faces.
$149.95 with 3-year contract, most major carriers, available now
Back in the day, Samsung released the Galaxy S and I thought it sounded dumb. Apparently, stupid nomenclature now knows no bounds. That aside, the Galaxy S II HD LTE is likely the greatest version of its Galaxy S II phone. This iteration pairs the thin and powerful phone with an enhanced screen and astonishingly quick 4G LTE connectivity. Shaw Cable Nitro just got served.$lots, SK Telecom, LG U+ and KT (i.e. only in South Korea), available now
It’s an Android smartphone. Most of them have big touchscreens, decent processors and acceptable cameras. What sets this one apart is that it’s the first smartphone to be infused with Dr. Dre’s marketing mumble-jumble. That’s right, this phone has Beats audio. Apparently, it makes a difference, but if you ask me, just buy older studio monitors and an Altoids tin CMOY amp. Seriously.Free with contract, Three (and other European carriers), available now
Sequels can be hits or misses. The Atrix was one of the first dual-core smartphones on the market and the Atrix 4G picks up what its predecessor put down. Like the first one, it has an optional laptop dock that transforms the phone into a, well, laptop. Corning Gorilla Glass covers the front, guaranteeing that the screen will be the only thing that survives the destruction of Earth. Other than that, the beefier specs bring its multimedia capabilities to 2011 standards.$Free with 3-year contract, Bell Canada, available now
I was really impressed by the original Xperia arc that Rogers Wireless released earlier this year. Huge screen, quick phone, usable. The arc S improves on the arc by…doing nothing. It’s practically the same phone with a slightly overclocked (but same) processor and some new colours. So, basically, it’s for those people who didn’t get it the first time and can now get the arc s to show it off to those that have the arc.Or not. I really don’t know the purpose of this phone.$528.50 unlocked, direct from Sony, available now
There is a model number for this phone, and in fact, I prefer it over the silly name.“Hey Bob, what did you get today?”“Oh, I just bought myself the Sony Ericsson Live with Walkman Android smartphone.”Words of such grandeur have never been spoken. The phone is rather mediocre too.
$TBD, likely only direct from Sony, hopefully available never
