Best smartphones of 2011 ... for now
by Matthew Miller | March 28, 2011 2:07am PDT | Image 1 of 20
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Samsung Galaxy S II leads the pack
The Samsung Galaxy S II gets my pick for the best current smartphone of 2011.
Check out my full ZDNet Smartphones & Cell Phones blog post for the full list and comments on each smartphone.
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i recently upgraded to a new smartphone and looked at all of them,, bberry, android, and iphone. I like to keypad on the bberry best, android phones were all very nice - bright, lots of apps too, windows phones had odd keyboards.. it came down to an android phone or iphone.. iphone wins hands down.. I really did NOT want to buy an iphone because I don't really care for the form factor -- it's too big, but if you want to browse properly, this an the android are the only choices -- windows is still clunky.. when it came down to it, the user experience is still the best on the iphone -- smooth transitions and scrolling, apps etc.. the android phones still seem a bit erratic.
@swalkertt usually Android phone can last much longer. If that matters of course.
@Tomas M.
NOT True..the 3 droids I had were terrible compared to the iPhone
NOT True..the 3 droids I had were terrible compared to the iPhone
@Tomas M. I still have an original Motorola Droid A855 that I carry in my pocket and I do work where it gets bashed around a lot and it is still as good as the day I got it.
Where can I find an UNLOCKED Samsung Focus Flash with Windows Phone 7?
@swalkertt How can you say iPhone wins? What planet are you living on? There a number of phones that crush iPhone for performance and features. Do your home work before making a I love Apple response as this could be the only reason for what you posted!
From what he wrote, it's clear he tried them all.
@swalkertt
I agree...I had two HTC Incredibles and neither worked then went to Samsung Fascinate and it had many problems...Now we have switched all four of our phones to iPhone with iOs5 and they are great! If the Droids are so good why are all the companies introducing new phones every month or so...it's because Android is not ready for prime time and because the manufacturers are always trying to play catchup with Apple...I have never been an Apple fan but I am now..just gave my son-in-law an iPad2 and it is great also...Don't waste your time with Droid..and Oh I did have a blackberry which was OK but not going to be around for long
I agree...I had two HTC Incredibles and neither worked then went to Samsung Fascinate and it had many problems...Now we have switched all four of our phones to iPhone with iOs5 and they are great! If the Droids are so good why are all the companies introducing new phones every month or so...it's because Android is not ready for prime time and because the manufacturers are always trying to play catchup with Apple...I have never been an Apple fan but I am now..just gave my son-in-law an iPad2 and it is great also...Don't waste your time with Droid..and Oh I did have a blackberry which was OK but not going to be around for long
Win 7 phone once again took away a simple feature with notes and try to get you using One note to replace the very simple (sticky note)concept. Also cannot access your Corporate Outlook address list with the new phone...
@jpacini@...
Windows 7 can definately get your corporate address list on via activesync. I find the Outlook email experience, one of the best in Winodws 7 Phone. And the Beauty of One note is that you can edit/keep your Notes synced both on Smartphone and on Laptop via Skydrive in cloud. There are numerous simple free Notes software available in marketplace. Why bother ..
Windows 7 can definately get your corporate address list on via activesync. I find the Outlook email experience, one of the best in Winodws 7 Phone. And the Beauty of One note is that you can edit/keep your Notes synced both on Smartphone and on Laptop via Skydrive in cloud. There are numerous simple free Notes software available in marketplace. Why bother ..
@nt_prashant@...
Not to mention it literally takes all of 10 minutes to write a sticky notes application for windows phone 7.
Not to mention it literally takes all of 10 minutes to write a sticky notes application for windows phone 7.
@tatendahj - At first glance (and second) it looked like an iPhone...no wonder their in court!
yep this is quite slick lets jus wait and see how it keeps its place at the top
I have been using cell phones since we carried them in bags. I compare price, apps, ease of use, etc.. I realy compare and the Galaxy s has all other phones beat out for now anyway. As far as the I Phone, they are behind and falling fast. Too much money, bad battery life, and lack of anything "special". My phone does anything an iPhone can do and cheaper to buy.
Went with the Galaxy S II. Ditched WinMo Pro 6.5 (HTC Touch HD) because Windows Phone 7 ended the era of MS in the Smartphone arena in my opinion. Never really entertained an iPhone mainly because of all the Apple fan boys who jumped in at the least excuse to pump the brand. AND no doubt will feel obliged by their 'religion' to jump on this...go on prove me wrong fanboys and keep out of this post - if you can!
If Windows Phone 7 is the best MS can do they should give up now! I owned one for several months before and after the NoDo update. Finally couldn't take it anymore as the OS lacks severely IMHO. Would you believe I actually went back to WM 6.5 and am now enjoying the features I missed so much! To be fair, Win Phone is fast, has a pretty screen, is far more touch friendly, and seemed more stable at least while I owned it (started to show a few quirks before I put it on the shelf). But as crazy as it may seem going back in time, LG Expo is my phone of choice.
WebOS is the best, unfortunately they are still supporting the parocrial USA attitude that the world ends at the US border. Not only no support for Australia, but no way to buy a Pre.
I think i Phone 5 will Great Feature over than this Smart Phones we eagerly waiting for this !
Android phones just keep getting exponentially better every few months.
That's the great thing about Android...every few months there are great phones coming out, so whenever you decide to buy one, you can choose between a few that have just come out.
I own a Droid2 and love it.
I really like the Droid Bionic. It might be my phone of choice if I were in the market for a new one...that is, if I could convince myself to go sans physical keyboard.
I'm not even sure why the iPhone4 is on this list.
I mean, it's a nice piece of hardware and a good smartphone...but is it in the top 10? No way. It has way too many limitations/restrictions/issues to compete with the best Android phones. Android can do loads more than the iPhone is capable of doing. If you want to truly and honestly get the smartest of the smart phones, you'll be getting an Android phone.
I couldn't be happier with my Droid2 phone on the Verizon network.
Great combo.
That's the great thing about Android...every few months there are great phones coming out, so whenever you decide to buy one, you can choose between a few that have just come out.
I own a Droid2 and love it.
I really like the Droid Bionic. It might be my phone of choice if I were in the market for a new one...that is, if I could convince myself to go sans physical keyboard.
I'm not even sure why the iPhone4 is on this list.
I mean, it's a nice piece of hardware and a good smartphone...but is it in the top 10? No way. It has way too many limitations/restrictions/issues to compete with the best Android phones. Android can do loads more than the iPhone is capable of doing. If you want to truly and honestly get the smartest of the smart phones, you'll be getting an Android phone.
I couldn't be happier with my Droid2 phone on the Verizon network.
Great combo.
Then what's the worst. Ask users of this phone (myself included) about all of the problems they've had. It's as if LG and TMO never did any QC before putting it on the market.
So the phone's been out since April 20 with tons of problems. All we get from LG and TMO are vague promises of a software fix.
There's no excuse for this crap.
So the phone's been out since April 20 with tons of problems. All we get from LG and TMO are vague promises of a software fix.
There's no excuse for this crap.
i have just bought a galaxy s2 very fast browsing and perfect touch screen , it has more than i expected very nice
I use a 3 year old phone that works good enogh for me. I do not want to to revert to an hunchbacked bi-pedal that that is so absorbed into their over-priced toys that everything else is secondary. And who says that pressing a transmitter a couple millimeters from your brain that is strong enough to talk to a tower miles away it not dangerous. Do this for hours every day and tell me it's not dangerous. Only the billion dollar industry cronies will say it is not and plead ignorance.
Nexus S or Galaxy Nexus should win, no skin, no bloatware, latest OS. I won't even consider another skinned or non-Nexus Android device having owned these two phones and previously owned Android devices stuffed with junk.
I used the G2X for a week before returning it because it was laden with problems; I swapped it for the Galaxy S2 and (almost) love it after 3 months of use. I rejected the iPhone because its 3.5" screen is too small for me, especially compared to the 4.52" screen I have on the S2. Also, with my arthritic hands, I find it easier to maneuver the larger sized phone; the iPhone's petite size causes me to often miss the mark on its small screen.
The Galaxy S2 serves my business and personal needs in terms of email, texting, news, mp3 attachments which I get daily, and some nice Android productivity apps; plus it's super fast, my call quality is very crisp, and the screen is just plain gorgeous. The "almost" is a reference to its pitiful battery life, even with all the recommended energy-saver settings, Task Manager, limiting the network access, etc. I carry an extra charged battery in my purse and keep the microUSB 2-in-1 charger in my car. Of course, nearly all my friends/family complain about battery life on their various brand smartphones, so I accept (reluctantly) that it's the way of increasingly innovative technology. After 9 years with BlackBerry (5 different devices), I've found the Android OS easy to navigate and I love FINALLY having a decent browser. All in all, I am very happy with the Galaxy S2.
The Galaxy S2 serves my business and personal needs in terms of email, texting, news, mp3 attachments which I get daily, and some nice Android productivity apps; plus it's super fast, my call quality is very crisp, and the screen is just plain gorgeous. The "almost" is a reference to its pitiful battery life, even with all the recommended energy-saver settings, Task Manager, limiting the network access, etc. I carry an extra charged battery in my purse and keep the microUSB 2-in-1 charger in my car. Of course, nearly all my friends/family complain about battery life on their various brand smartphones, so I accept (reluctantly) that it's the way of increasingly innovative technology. After 9 years with BlackBerry (5 different devices), I've found the Android OS easy to navigate and I love FINALLY having a decent browser. All in all, I am very happy with the Galaxy S2.
I wanted to change and to leave the arrogant apples for android.
I checked the galaxy S2, that is allmost officially the best phone you can get.
But uh, all this plastic? I can see almost every single pixel on the screen.
Mpf with Android you need different apps for different chipsets?
Oh yes Galaxy note looks really nice, but let me think about how long do i get updates? I get IOS 5 for my stoneaged iphone 3gs.
Ah androids from last year dont get the new OS that is on the Galaxy Nexus.
Ah yes, thank you i know what i will do.
I checked the galaxy S2, that is allmost officially the best phone you can get.
But uh, all this plastic? I can see almost every single pixel on the screen.
Mpf with Android you need different apps for different chipsets?
Oh yes Galaxy note looks really nice, but let me think about how long do i get updates? I get IOS 5 for my stoneaged iphone 3gs.
Ah androids from last year dont get the new OS that is on the Galaxy Nexus.
Ah yes, thank you i know what i will do.
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