Top Android Phones

Samsung Moment

For the hardware alone, Samsung's Moment ($180 with a two-year contract from Sprint) impresses. With a beefy processor, a full QWERTY keyboard, and a vivid AMOLED display, the company's first Android-powered phone in the United States is a strong contender among the rapidly increasing number of Android devices. In terms of software, however, the Moment falls a bit short. Unlike the Motorola Cliq or the HTC Hero, it has no customized overlay to spruce up its somewhat drab user interface. And the touchscreen feels a bit sluggish at times.

Just on looks, the Moment doesn't stand out from the crowd, either. The minimalist handset, with a silver and black color scheme, is a bit on the larger side, measuring 4.6 by 2.3 by 0.6 inches thick. It weighs a hefty 5.7 ounces, which is heavier than most current smartphones, but it is about the same size and weight as the Motorola Cliq, another Android phone with the slide-out keyboard/touchscreen combination.
by Ginny Mies

Top Android Phones

Samsung Behold II

The Sam sung Behold II ($230 with a two-year T-Mobile contract; price as of 11/12/09) smart phone is the latest device to join T-Mobile's growing army of Android phones, which includes the T-Mobile G1, the T-Mobile my Touch 3G, and the Motorola Liq. Though the Behold II has a gorgeous AMBLED display and a superior camera, customers might be turned off by the high price (it is more expensive than the iPhone 3GS and the Motorola Droid) as well as the somewhat cluttered Touches interface.

While the Behold II is supposed to be an update of the Behold, which debuted last holiday season on T-Mobile, the two phones couldn't be more different. Measuring 4.6 by 2.2 by 0.5 inches and weighing 4.2 ounces, the Behold II is slightly larger than the original (which is 4.1 by 2.2 by 0.5 inches and 3.9 ounces).
by Ginny Mies

Top Android Phones

Motorola Cliq

The Motorola Cliq ($200 with a two-year contract from T-Mobile) caught my attention because of its sleek design and its innovative MotoBlur overlay for Android. Overall, the new features lived up to my expectations, and I applaud Motorola for doing something different to separate itself from the Android pack. The Cliq isn't perfect, however: Its camera disappoints, and it doesn't ship with the latest version of Android.

Like the T-Mobile G1 and the Samsung Moment, the Motorola Cliq has both a touchscreen and a slide-out keyboard. I haven't spent enough time with the Samsung Moment to compare it and the Cliq in depth, but I can safely say that I much prefer the Cliq to the G1. It feels sturdier, more streamlined, and more comfortable during use.

Measuring 4.5 inches long by 2.3 inches wide by 0.6 inch thick, the Cliq falls somewhere between the G1 and the T-Mobile MyTouch 3G (T-Mobile's other Android offering) in size. Weighing 5.7 ounces, it is slightly heavier than other current smartphones--the iPhone 3GS, for example--but it doesn't feel bulky. The Cliq feels as though it has a high build quality, thanks in part to the glass display and metal trim around the handset. I'll take heavier materials over cheap-feeling plastic any day.
by Ginny Mies

Top Android Phones

HTC Droid Incredible
The best of the Droids on Verizon, the Droid Incredible ($200 with a two-year contract from Verizon) impresses with its speedy user interface, gorgeous AMOLED display and fun Sense user interface. Other than some minor design qualms, this smartphone truly lives up to its name.

Design-wise, the Droid Incredible appears fairly similar to the Nexus One, but it is essentially a CDMA version of the HTC Desire, which launched last February in Barcelona, Spain. The Droid Incredible has an 8-megapixel camera (as opposed to the Nexus One and Desire's 5-megapixel shooters). The Droid Incredible also has a strange rubberdized "topographic" battery cover, which I could have done without. While the Incredible is lighter, it doesn't feel as solid as the Nexus One.

While the Nexus One has four touch keys, the Droid Incredible has four physical hardware keys running along the bottom (Home, Menu, Back, Search). I actually prefer the Nexus One's touch keys, though, as it gives the phone a more streamlined look.


by Ginny Mies