Best Android-powered smartphones

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    Samsung Galaxy Nexus

    This handset tops my list for a number of reasons. First, it runs the latest Android 4.0 'Ice Cream Sandwich' operating system. It has a gorgeous contour display. It's also unlocked, so you can use it on over 200 GMS networks worldwide.

    • Ice Cream Sandwich (Android 4.0)
    • 1.2 GHZ dual core processor
    • 4.65-inch HD (1280 x 720) Super AMOLED 'Contour' display
    • 5MP continuous auto focus rear camera
    • 1.3MP front camera
    • Video recording in 1080p
    • Micro USB

    Image source: Google.

    Caption by: Adrian Kingsley-Hughes

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    Samsung Galaxy Nexus

    Caption by: Adrian Kingsley-Hughes

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    Samsung Galaxy Nexus

    Caption by: Adrian Kingsley-Hughes

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    Samsung Galaxy Nexus

    Caption by: Adrian Kingsley-Hughes

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    HTC One X

    Here's another excellent handset powered by Android 4.0 'Ice Cream Sandwich'. It features a stunning screen, an excellent camera, and a superb built-in speaker system. When combined with AT&T's LTE network, it also offers blazingly fast browsing.

    • Ice Cream Sandwich (Android 4.0)
    • 1.5 GHz, quad-core (global version)
    • 1.5 GHz, dual-core LTE version (USA and select countries)
    • 4.7-inch (1280 x 720 resolution) 720p display
    • 32GB storage
    • 8 megapixel camera with auto focus, smart LED flash, and BSI sensor (for better low-light captures)
    • 1.3 megapixel front camera (720p for video chat)
    • Continuous shooting mode captures multiple snapshots
    • 1080p HD video recording

    Image source: HTC.

    Caption by: Adrian Kingsley-Hughes

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    HTC One X

    Caption by: Adrian Kingsley-Hughes

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    HTC One X

    Caption by: Adrian Kingsley-Hughes

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    HTC One X

    Caption by: Adrian Kingsley-Hughes

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    HTC One X

    Caption by: Adrian Kingsley-Hughes

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    Motorola Droid RAZR MAXX

    Another awesome handset powered by Android 4.0 'Ice Cream Sandwich'. This one comes fully-loaded with a fast dual-core processor, Verizon 4G/LTE high-speed data, and excellent battery life -- enough for a 21-hour conference call.

    It's also tough, constructed form DuPont Kevlar fiber and Corning Gorilla Glass, and features water-repellant nanoparticles to shield against water, even on the internal circuit boards.

    • Ice Cream Sandwich (Android 4.0)
    • Dual-core 1.2GHz processor
    • 4.3-inch Super AMOLED Advanced qHD(540 x 960) display
    • 8 MP rear-facing camera
    • 1.3 MP front-facing with 720p HD video capture
    • 1080p HD video capture
    • 16 GB internal storage
    • 16 GB microSD card pre-installed

    Image source: Motorola.

    Caption by: Adrian Kingsley-Hughes

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    Motorola Droid RAZR MAXX

    Caption by: Adrian Kingsley-Hughes

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    Motorola Droid RAZR MAXX

    Caption by: Adrian Kingsley-Hughes

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    Motorola Droid RAZR MAXX

    Caption by: Adrian Kingsley-Hughes

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    Motorola Droid RAZR MAXX

    Caption by: Adrian Kingsley-Hughes

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    Motorola Photon 4G

    Another handset in this list not powered by Android 4.0. This one features the older Android 2.3 'Gingerbread' operating system. Don't let the older operating system put you off though, this is still a very capable handset.

    It can be combined with an optional $129 desktop dock to turn the smartphone into a webtop system running a bare-bones version of Linux.

    • Gingerbread (Android 2.3)
    • Dual-core 1.0GHz processor
    • 4.3-inch qHD(540 x 960) display
    • 8 MP rear-facing camera
    • 1080p HD video capture
    • 16 GB internal storage

    Image source: Motorola.

    Caption by: Adrian Kingsley-Hughes

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    Motorola Photon 4G

    Caption by: Adrian Kingsley-Hughes

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    Motorola Photon 4G

    Caption by: Adrian Kingsley-Hughes

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    Motorola Photon 4G

    Caption by: Adrian Kingsley-Hughes

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    Motorola Photon 4G

    Caption by: Adrian Kingsley-Hughes

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    Samsung Galaxy S II

    The first handset in this list not powered by Android 4.0. This one features the older Android 2.3 'Gingerbread' operating system. Still, if you can look beyond the operating system, you'll find that the Samsung Galaxy S II is a very capable handset.

    • Gingerbread (Android 2.3)
    • 4.3" WVGA SUPER AMOLED Plus display
    • Dual-core processor
    • 8MP AF rear camera with LED Flash
    • 2MP front camera
    • 16GB storage

    Image source: Samsung.

    Caption by: Adrian Kingsley-Hughes

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    Samsung Galaxy S II

    Caption by: Adrian Kingsley-Hughes

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    Samsung Galaxy S II

    Caption by: Adrian Kingsley-Hughes

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    Samsung Galaxy S II

    Caption by: Adrian Kingsley-Hughes

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    Samsung Galaxy S II

    Caption by: Adrian Kingsley-Hughes

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A tour of the best Android smartphones currently available.

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Samsung Galaxy Nexus

This handset tops my list for a number of reasons. First, it runs the latest Android 4.0 'Ice Cream Sandwich' operating system. It has a gorgeous contour display. It's also unlocked, so you can use it on over 200 GMS networks worldwide.

  • Ice Cream Sandwich (Android 4.0)
  • 1.2 GHZ dual core processor
  • 4.65-inch HD (1280 x 720) Super AMOLED 'Contour' display
  • 5MP continuous auto focus rear camera
  • 1.3MP front camera
  • Video recording in 1080p
  • Micro USB

Image source: Google.

Caption by: Adrian Kingsley-Hughes

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