Full disclosure:
1) I tried to keep it as objective as possible, but I'm sure some of my personal bias still exists.
2) Obviously I haven't actually used phones that aren't out yet, so I had to base the overview on other people's impressions, screenshots, etc. I spent a lot of time researching though, so I feel it's as accurate as I can make it.
3) Some of the specs are based off of rumor and leaks, and some of the release dates might not be perfect. I'll continue to update as new information comes out.
4) I'm not much of a writer.
I hope some of you find it helpful if you're shopping for a new phone. version is here, I tried to make the forum version as friendly as possible though.
Android:
HTC Droid Incredible X (Also rumored as the Nexus 5) All specifications based on current leaks/rumors Release Date: November Carrier(s): Verizon Price: Unknown. Likely $199.99 or $299.99 on contract CPU/GPU: Quad-Core Snapdragon S4 Pro/Adreno 320 Screen: 5" Super LCD-2 (RGB) 1920x1080p Camera: 2.1MP(Fr)/12MP/1080p@30fps Memory: 1.5GB-2GB RAM Storage: 16GB/32GB/64GB SD Card Slot: No Battery: Non-Removable/2500mah Pros: A 5" 1080p screen featuring a ridiculous pixel density of 440ppi. Stylish design with typical HTC quality materials. The S4 PRO is the most powerful CPU/GPU in the current Android universe.
Cons: Large for the average consumer. No SD card slot. Internal battery. Outlook: The rumored specs of the Incredible X are as impressive as any phone on the market. The 1080p screen would be the first of its kind on any smartphone and the quad-core S4 Snapdragon CPU is one of the most powerful available. Similar phones to consider: Apple iPhone 5, HTC 8X, LG Intuition, Motorola Droid Razr MAXX HD, Samsung Ativ S, Samsung Galaxy Note II, Samsung Galaxy S3
HTC ONE X+ Release Date: November Carrier(s): AT&T Price: $199.99 on contract CPU/GPU: Tegra 3+ 1.7ghz quad-core/ULP GeForce Screen: 4.7" Super LCD-2 (RGB) 1280x720p Camera: 1.3MP(Fr)/8MP/1080p@30fps Memory: 1GB RAM Storage: 64GB SD Card Slot: No Battery: Non-Removable/2100mah Pros: Improved version of the already great One X. The AP37 Tegra 3+ quad-core CPU should provide better performance and battery life by virtue of a die shrink to 28nm (40nm on original Tegra 3). The 720p Super LCD-2 is one of the best screens on the market. Fantastic design with high end matte polycarbonate uni body. Looks and feels premium. Bigger battery. Great camera. More standard on board storage and any other phone (64GB).
Cons: No SD card slot. Internal battery. HTC ImageChip/ImageSource camera system doesn't produce better pictures than the competition (though still very good). Outlook: The One X+ is the best looking Android phone on the planet. It has a powerful quad-core Tegra 3+ CPU, a beautiful screen, plenty of on board storage and a great camera. Similar phones to consider: Apple iPhone 5, HTC 8X, LG Optimus G, Nokia Lumia 920, Samsung Ativ S, Samsung Galaxy S3
LG Optimus G (Also rumored to be a Nexus phone) Release Date: November Carrier(s): AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile and Verizon Price: $199.99 on contract CPU/GPU: Quad-core Snapdragon S4 Pro 1.5ghz/Adreno 320 Screen: 4.7" IPS+ LCD (RGB) 1280x768p Camera: 1.2MP(Fr)/13MP/1080p@30fps Memory: 2GB RAM Storage: 16GB/32GB SD Card Slot: No Battery: Non-Removable/2100mah Pros: Top CPU/GPU available. Flagship specs across the board including ram, camera, and screen. Back cover is a unique polarized jewel pattern. Cons: No SD card slot. Internal battery. Launching with Ice Cream Sandwich instead of Jelly Bean. Historically LG's Android skin is among the worst. LG doesn't always update their phones in a timely manner. Outlook: The LG Optimus G has a super powerful quad-core S4 Snapdragon CPU, a high resolution 4.7" screen and a generous 2GB of RAM. The only negatives are LG has a bad reputation for supporting their flagship phones and it's launching with Ice Cream Sandwich instead of Jelly Bean.
Similar phones to consider: AT&T: Apple iPhone 5, HTC 8X, HTC One X, HTC One X+, Nokia Lumia 920, Samsung Ativ S, Samsung Galaxy S3 Sprint: Apple iPhone 5, Samsung Galaxy S3 Verizon: Apple iPhone 5, HTC Droid Incredible X, Motorola Droid Razr MAXX HD, Samsung Ativ S, Samsung Galaxy S3 T-Mobile: Samsung Ativ S, Samsung Galaxy S3
Motorola Droid Razr HD and Razr Maxx HD Release Date: October 18th Carrier(s): Verizon Price: $199.99 (Razr HD) & $299.99 (Maxx HD) on contract CPU/GPU: Dual-core Snapdragon S4/Adreno 225 Screen: 4.7" Super AMOLED Pentile Matrix 1280x720p Camera: 1.3MP(Fr)/8MP/1080p@30fps Memory: 1GB RAM Storage: 16GB/32GB SD Card Slot: Yes Battery: Non-Removable/2500mah(HD)/3300mah(Maxx HD) Pros: Large (HD), and largest battery (Maxx HD). Motorola has a reputation for great radios and call quality. Premium materials including Kevlar back plate. SD card slot. Cons: Internal battery. CPU and GPU outdated compared to other forthcoming flagships. Pentile matrix screen. Outlook: It's hard to make a compelling case for the Razr HD when the Razr MAXX HD exists. The MAXX HD has the largest battery of any smartphone and is only slightly thicker than the standard HD. Compared to other Android flagship phones being released both phones are under powered (dual-core S4 vs. quad-core processors) and have inferior pentile matrix screen. If the Razr MAXX HD cost $199.99 it would be easier to recommend, but as it stands both phones are overpriced. Less money can get you phones that offer similar or better performance. Similar Phones to consider: Apple iPhone 5, HTC Droid Incredible X, LG Optimus G, Samsung Ativ S, Samsung Galaxy S3
Samsung Galaxy Note 2 Release Date: Late October/Early November Carrier(s): AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, and Verizon Price: $299 on contract CPU/GPU: Exynos 4412 1.6ghz quad-core/Mali-400 Screen: 5.5" Super AMOLED (RGB) 1280x720p Camera: 1.9MP(Fr)/8MP/1080p@30fps Memory: 2GB RAM Storage: 16GB/32GB/64GB SD Card Slot: Yes Battery: Removable/3100mah Pros: Very large RGB Super AMOLED screen (Samsung's first non-pentile HD screen!). Large removable battery. SD card slot support for up to 64GB. S-pen functionality. Excellent camera. Cons: Very large for the average consumer. Looks like a very large Galaxy S3. Physical home button. Cheap materials. Outlook: The Galaxy Note 2 offers a powerful quad-core Exynos processor, the best Super AMOLED screen Samsung has produced to date, and a healthy 2GB of ram. The S-Pen stylus and Note 2 specific software offers unique functionality. The Note 2 is physically very large and not for everyone. Similar phones to consider: AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile: N/A Verizon: HTC Droid Incredible X, LG Intuition
Sony Xperia TL Release Date: November Carrier(s): AT&T Price: $199.99 on contract CPU/GPU: Dual-core Snapdragon S4/Adreno 225 Screen: 4.6" LCD 1280x720p Camera: 1.3MP(Fr)/13MP/1080p@30fps Memory: 1GB RAM Storage: 16GB/32GB SD Card Slot: Yes Battery: Non-Removable/1850mah Pros: Quality screen. Unique, clean design. SD card slot Cons: Internal battery. CPU and GPU outdated compared to other forthcoming flagships, but still adequate. Launching with Ice Cream Sandwich instead of Jelly Bean. Outlook: The Xperia TL has a 4.6" 720p screen and a dual-core Snapdragon S4 CPU. Better phones are available on AT&T for lower prices. Similar phones to consider: Apple iPhone 5, HTC 8X, HTC One X, HTC One X+, LG Optimus G, Nokia Lumia 920, Samsung Ativ S, Samsung Galaxy S3
Nexus Phones Release Date: Early November Information so far:
1) In November Google will announce the new LG Optimus G Nexus alongside Android 4.2 (which might be another version of Jelly Bean or possibly Key Lime Pie).
2) Any manufacturer would be allowed to produce a Nexus device as long as they follow guidelines set by Google. These guidelines include specific hardware and storage requirements.
3) Manufacturers would be allowed to include custom skins that would be managed through a new customization center. This appears to be Google's version of a theme manager. Outlook: It seems reasonable to expect multiple Nexus phones with various quad-core processors (Probably the S4 PRO for HTC and LG, and the Exynos 4412 for the Nexus 2), 2GB of ram, large 720p and 1080p screens and Android 4.1.2 or 4.2 on board. Carrier information at this point isn't known, but hopefully we'll see versions on all major carriers.
Best Phones Already on the Market:
HTC EVO 4G LTE Released on: June 2, 2012 Carrier(s): Sprint Price: As low as $49.99 on contract CPU/GPU: Dual-core Snapdragon S4 1.5ghz/Adreno 225 Screen: 4.7" Super LCD-2 (RGB) 1280x720p Camera: 1.3MP(Fr)/8MP/1080p@30fps Memory: 1GB RAM Storage: 16GB SD Card Slot: Yes Battery: Non-Removable/2000mah Pros: The 720p Super LCD-2 is one of the best screens on the market. SD card slot. Looks and feels premium. Excellent camera. Cons: HTC ImageChip/ImageSource camera system doesn't produce better pictures than the competition (although they are still very good). Still on Ice Cream Sandwich, but Jelly Bean is rumored to be coming out soon. Two-tone matte/gloss design is questionable and not as nice as the HTC One X from which the Evo is based. Outlook: Based on the HTC One X, the EVO 4G adds a removable battery and SD card slot at the expense of design asthetics. Although the phone was released in June, it still sports competitive specs. Can be had for as low as $49.99 on contract (Amazon). Similar phones to consider: Apple iPhone 5, LG Optimus G, Samsung Galaxy S3
HTC ONE X Released on: May 6, 2012 Carrier(s): AT&T Price: As low as $49.99 on contract CPU/GPU: Dual-core Snapdragon S4 1.5ghz/Adreno 225 Screen: 4.7" Super LCD-2 (RGB) 1280x720p Camera: 1.3MP(Fr)/8MP/1080p@30fps Memory: 1GB RAM Storage: 16GB/32GB SD Card Slot: No Battery: Non-Removable/1800mah Pros: The 720p Super LCD-2 is one of the best screens on the market. Fantastic design with high end matte polycarbonate uni body. Looks and feels premium. Excellent camera. Cons: No SD card slot. Internal battery. HTC ImageChip/ImageSource camera system doesn't produce better pictures than the competition (although they are still very good). Still on Ice Cream Sandwich, but Jelly Bean is rumored to be coming out soon. Outlook: The best looking Android phone available. The One X is still competitive from a specs standpoint even though it was released in May. Can be had for as low as $49.99 on contract (Target). Similar phones to consider: Apple iPhone 5, HTC 8X, HTC One X+, LG Optimus G, Nokia Lumia 920, Samsung Ativ S, Samsung Galaxy S3
Samsung Galaxy S3 Released on: June 21, 2012 Carrier(s): AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile and Verizon Price: As low as $149.99 on contract CPU/GPU: Dual-core Snapdragon S4 1.5ghz/Adreno 225 Screen: 4.8" Super AMOLED (Pentile Matrix) 1280x720p Camera: 1.9MP(Fr)/8MP/1080p@30fps Memory: 2GB RAM Storage: 16GB/32GB SD Card Slot: Yes Battery: Removable/2100mah Pros: Large 4.8" screen. Super thin body. SD card slot and large removable battery. Excellent camera. 2GB of ram. Cons: Lower quality (pentile matrix) screen and cheap materials compared to the competition. Still on Ice Cream Sandwich, but Jelly Bean is rumored to be coming out soon. Outlook: The Galaxy S3 is a great all around smartphone. It has a dual-core Snapdragon S4 CPU, a 4.8" 720p screen, 2GB of ram, an SD card slot and a large, removable battery. Prices currently are in the $149.99 range (Amazon), but Sprint will be selling the Galaxy S3 for $49.99 on Black Friday. Other carriers will likely drop the price during the holidays too. Similar phones to consider: AT&T: Apple iPhone 5, HTC 8X, HTC One X, HTC One X+, LG Optimus G, Nokia Lumia 920, Samsung Ativ S, Samsung Galaxy S3 Sprint: Apple iPhone 5, LG Optimus G, Samsung Galaxy S3 T-Mobile: LG Optimus G, Samsung Ativ S, Samsung Galaxy S3 Verizon: Apple iPhone 5, HTC Droid Incredible X, LG Optimus G, Motorola Droid Razr MAXX HD, Samsung Ativ S, Samsung Galaxy S3
LG Optimus Nexus Release Date: October 29th Carrier(s): Unknown Price: Unknown CPU/GPU: Quad-core Snapdragon S4 Pro/Adreno 320 Screen: 4.7" IPS+ LCD (RGB) 1280x768p Camera: 1.2MP(Fr)/8MP/1080p@30fps Memory: 2GB RAM Storage: 8GB/16GB SD Card Slot: No Battery: Non-Removable/2100mah Pros: Top CPU/GPU available. Flagship specs across the board including ram, camera, and screen. Nexus phone means non-encrypted boot loader and stock Android. Nexus phones get updates as soon as they are available (unless you're on Verizon). Cons: No SD card slot. Internal battery. Storage options are very limited. Outlook: The LG Optimus Nexus brings top notch specs, a non-encrypted boot loader and stock Android together in a tidy black package. Similar phones to consider: AT&T: Apple iPhone 5, HTC 8X, HTC One X, HTC One X+, Nokia Lumia 920, Samsung Ativ S, Samsung Galaxy S3 Sprint: Apple iPhone 5, Samsung Galaxy S3 T-Mobile: Samsung Ativ S, Samsung Galaxy S3 Verizon: Apple iPhone 5, HTC Droid Incredible X, Motorola Droid Razr MAXX HD, Samsung Ativ S, Samsung Galaxy S3
Last phone is unique. Quad core. I thought that for some reason the quads wouldn't work on US networks, bc they are too powerful/fast....??? Correct me if I am wrong...
Edit: I didn't see the first three phones when I mentioned the quad core phones.
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Re: 4th Quarter 2012 Smartphone Guide
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