Guide to buying the right smartphone
The best mobile phones with built-in applications and Internet access:
iPhone 4S
$199-$399
Pros: Great camera, Siri.
Cons: Smaller screen.
Ideal for: Everyone.
There’s not much to say about the iPhone 4S: Apple’s latest handset is as slick and polished as ever. The 4S adds Siri voice commands and a very nice new 8-megapixel camera.
Samsung Galaxy Nexus
$700
Pros: Latest Android version; big display.
Cons: Not announced yet.
Ideal for: Technology geeks.
It’s not quite out yet, but Samsung’s Galaxy Nexus will be the first to ship with Android 4.0, the latest version of Google’s mobile operating system. It’ll hit Verizon with 4G LTE speeds and a new 720p display.
HTC Rezound
$800
Pros: Beats audio; 720p display.
Cons: Won’t get Android 4.0 until next year.
Ideal for: Music lovers.
Another high-end Verizon flagship model, the HTC Rezound offers a 720p display and Beats audio as well as 4G LTE.
Samsung Galaxy S II Skyrocket
$600
Pros: Fast LTE speeds on AT&T.
Cons: Limited service areas.
Ideal for: People craving speed on AT&T.
One of AT&T’s first LTE devices, the Skyrocket only offers 4G speeds in limited markets right now, but that will grow over time. It’s built on the best-selling Galaxy S II chassis.
HTC Amaze 4G
$650
Pros: Great camera.
Cons: Big, thick design.
Ideal for: Mobile photo enthusiasts.
The Amaze 4G is T-Mobile’s new flagship phone, with a bright 4.3-inch screen and a faster connection to the network. It also has an 8-megapixel camera good enough to be your everyday shooter.
HTC Evo 3D
$600
Pros: 3D is fun.
Cons: 3D is not so useful.
Ideal for: Novelty seekers.
The Evo 3D builds on the successful Evo brand. The latest model adds a 3D screen and camera, but it’s a solid phone even if you never use them.
BlackBerry Bold 9900
$600
Pros: Great keyboard.
Cons: BlackBerry OS is falling behind.
Ideal for: Blackberry fans.
BlackBerrys haven’t changed much in recent years, but the 9900 is the latest and best. If you’re still clinging to your keyboard, this is the one to get.
HTC Titan
$600
Pros: Windows Phone; big display.
Cons: Average resolution; huge size.
Ideal for: Platform jumpers.
Sick of Android and iOS? The Titan runs Windows Phone, Microsoft’s classy new mobile OS, which lets you quickly jump in and out of tasks and messages. It’s also enormous, with a 4.7-inch display.
Motorola Droid RAZR
$800
Pros: So, so thin; Smart Actions system is useful.
Cons: Subpar display.
Ideal for: Status seekers.
The Droid RAZR is the thinnest smartphone ever. It’s also seriously high-end, with a fast processor and 4G LTE speeds on Verizon’s network. Just watch out for the somewhat mediocre display.
Porsche Design P’9981
$2,000
Pros: So expensive.
Cons: So expensive.
Ideal for: The 1 percent.
The ultimate BlackBerry, the Porsche Design P’9981 features a radically designed exterior and exclusive BlackBerry Messenger PIN numbers so everyone will know you spent $2,000 on your phone.