Android phones are hot � they�ve stolen �darling� status from the iPhone, helped heads
roll at Nokia and have RIM wondering what just hit �em. But Android phones aren�t all
lustworthy. So let�s count up the best ones, and because they score really close, we�ll
rank �em on a combination of our CNET Editor�s score and your interest in their reviews
on CNET. Best x Popular.
At #5 is the Droid X on VZW. Big as a house with a 4.3� screen, 8 MP camera, HD
video shooting, HDMI out, you might lose track of whether this belongsin your pocket or
your media center. It�s missing a front camera, which is becoming sort of a goof, and the
MotoBlur software ins; tour favorite way to skin Android, but it�s a winner with a CNET
Rating of 8.3
At #4 we have the Samsung Captivate, also with a biggish 4� screen � but stu8ning
AMOLED technology --- 16GB of memory, and HD video shooting. Like the X it scores
an 8.3 on CNET, but with more buzz around it. And this phone has the interesting role of
being an iPhone killer in the iPhone�s house: AT&T. Samsung skins Android with
TouchWiz which in spite of the unfortunate name, we like a lot.
#3 is Sprint�s Evo 4G, the first smartphone on the market to use a next generation 4G
network -- in some areas. 8.7 is the CNET score on this one thanks to a Droid X-sized
4.3� screen, 4G network that is coming online in many metros, and this phones ability to
let up to 8 wi-fi devices jump on its 4G teat. Cameras on both sides, the back one is 8
MP. We were disappointed with the lack of Bluetooth voice dialing, soft battery life and
the fact you have to pay a 4G surcharge even if you don�t have the network in your area
yet. What, are these guys from Sicily?
#2 is the supermodel of the bunch, the slim HTC Incredible on Verizon. On top of that,
we call it Incredible because its Incredibly fast, uses HTC Sense, perhaps our favorite
Andord UI, and has just about every feature you�d want except a physical keyboard.
But, since it is on Verizon, you can�t use voice and data at the same time. Its CNET
Review score ties the EVO 4G at 8.7
But the phone that even beats the Incredible, with the same 8.7 but even more popularity
as we come out of Summer 2010, is the
But add up our reviews and CNET user interest and the #1 Android phone out there right
now is the Samsung Epic 4G on Sprint. Can you tell 3rd place Sprint is betting the house
on 4G? Super AMOLED screen. Great slide out physical keyboard. Two cameras, on
5MP. Fast processor and network as 4G rolls out. It does almost nothing wrong � except
being the size of a small boat rudder and being the only phone in this group that, as of
today, costs a few bucks more than the standard $200 with activation. But it�s a glimpse
of what all smartphones will be tomorrow.
See video and full reviews of all these Android phones at phones.CNETTV.com and
while you�re there check out our prizefight between he Epic and Evo if you�ve got 4G
fever. I�m Brian Cooley.
