Best Android smartphones

By Joseph Hanlon | June 27, 2012 | 73

About The Author

Joseph Hanlon

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CNET Editor

Joe capitalises on a life-long love of blinking lights and upbeat MIDI soundtracks covering the latest developments in smartphones and tablet computers. When not ruining his eyesight staring at small screens, Joe ruins his eyesight playing video games and watching movies. Twitter: @Joseph_Hanlon

Over the past few years, the Android OS has gone from a viable alternative to other popular system, to the dominant force in smartphones. But, unlike the iPhone, there are dozens of models to choose from, made by numerous well-respected electronics companies. Which is the best Android for you?

There has never been a better time to choose an Android phone, with companies like Samsung, HTC and Sony forging ahead with leaps in technology. Android phones now have class leading displays, fast, quad-core processors and loads of great, new connectivity features. Below is our favourite Android smartphones that are available now, including the biggest, baddest and brightest phones of this year, and some of our favourites phones of 2011.

Be sure to bookmark this page and check back regularly for new inclusions. We are reviewing new Android handsets all the time and we'll add our new favourites, as we see them.

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Samsung Galaxy S III
1 of 15

CNET Rating9.5

User Rating9.0

Price:AU$899.00 | Brand:Samsung | Comments:38

The Galaxy S III is the best phone we've seen so far this year. Samsung matches great hardware and software with outstanding battery life, making it a very tough phone to beat. Full Review »
The Good
- Outstanding battery life, Great display, Zippy performance, Great suite of features
The Bad
- No HDMI port, Photo quality is a small step back from the GS2

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Nokia Lumia 900

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AngelaT posted a comment 10 months ago
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Hi Joe any comments on the latest of the blue tick next g phones any recomendations

trebor83 posted a comment 11 months ago
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Australia

So it seems that Good Android Phone = Enormous, given that there are only 2 of the top 10 listed here less then 65mm wide and 1 of them is just the best budget option.

Is it that to be classed as one of "the best" you have to have a huge screen or that manufacturers only ever bother to put the most current hardware into their biggest handsets?

elbearo posted a comment 2 years ago
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Australia

Hi Joe,
I am looking to buy an HTC, but am really confusing myself!
I am deciding between the Desire and the Wildfire. I plan to go overseas in the next couple of months so I am looking for an unlocked handset so i can use other sim cards in it. I will also be using skype quite a lot so do you know which phone is best suited for that??

The things that are confusing me is all of the specs (for eg: GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 & 3G 900 (Optus YesG/Vodafone) / 2100)
what does this all mean?

What is the difference between 3G and next G??
Will i be able to use the internet on my phone in european countries??

Any advice would be helpful

Cheers

bellettt65 posted a comment 2 years ago
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Australia

Absolute piece of rectumite. Volume useless. Battery life crap. Could not delete half the propriatry stuff. Lost it 2 days before I was going to change it. Went Motorola. Best move ever made

HANMAN posted a comment 2 years ago
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Australia

When will the next review be? Best three with in depth review please.

CreamingSoda posted a comment 2 years ago
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Australia

My god... the Experia Arc is number 1??

Possibly the worst Android series is the Sony Ericsson's. Want to know the brand that gets sent back for repairs most often? Thats right, Sony Ericssons including the Arc.

Do yourself a favour, throw it out and get yourself a HTC =D (which you will have for years)

AnthonyM3 posted a comment 2 years ago
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Any word on why Optus withdrew their support for the Xperia Arc? Will we see it on the Optus network anytime soon?

CNET Editor

Joseph Hanlon posted a reply 2 years ago
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Australia

It's a stock issue, apparently, tied in with the Japanese tsunami tragedy. They are aiming to launch it properly in early June, and to have the Xperia Play out as soon as they can after that.