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Best Android phones
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The world of the Android phone is moving it a frightening pace. Where once we were bowled over by a 4.2-inch screen, we’re now finding our pockets stretched to bursting by 5- and even 6-inch devices. Processors, too, now boast four cores instead of one, providing incredible amounts of power.
We’ve just updated our comprehensive roundup of the best of Android phones, which you should bookmark today if you’re a conscientious ‘droid fan. It’s certainly easy to lose track if you’re not paying close attention to the latest releases, so keep checking back, as we constantly update the roundup with new phones.
If, however, you just need to know which phones are most deserving of your cash at this particular moment time, hit play on the video above, or read on to let me take you through some of our best picks of the here and now.
Samsung Galaxy S3
Samsung’s Galaxy S2 was hugely popular and the first smart phone to really offer any kind of competition to Apple’s iPhone. The S3 built on that popularity resulting in Samsung recently announcing that the phone vaulted over the 40 million sales mark.
The Galaxy S3 improves on its predecessor in a number of ways. For one, it’s much bigger, boasting a 4.8-inch display with a pleasing 720p resolution. Gone is the dual-core processor, which has been replaced with a burly quad-core affair and 1GB of RAM. It’s unquestionably a powerhouse of a machine with a price tag to match. If you’re looking for sleek styling and brute force, the S3 is a solid option.
Google Nexus 4
Google shook up the Android world with a phone that packs elite features at half the price of its competitors. The Nexus 4‘s 4.7-inch display packs in a 720p resolution. It’s running on a quad-core processor with 2GB of RAM and uses the latest Android 4.2 Jelly Bean software full of nifty tricks.
It sounds too good to be true and in a way, it is. Stock levels have been virtually non-existent, with the Google Play store page reading ‘out of stock’ for nearly the whole time it’s been on sale. Still, if more models ever show their face, make sure you’re ready to click that ‘add to cart’ button.
HTC One S
HTC might not have the glitz and glamour to its name that Samsung and Apple have managed to achieve, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t have some great kit to flog. The One S is the smaller sibling of the One X but packs a slightly more manageable 4.3-inch screen and a nippy dual-core processor into a delightfully slender chassis.
If the super-sized One X or S3 won’t fit in your pocket, the One S could be a wise option, and one that definitely won’t break the bank.
Samsung Galaxy Note 2
If pocket space isn’t a problem and you have hands the size of planets then the Galaxy Note 2 might be right up your proverbial. With a 5.5-inch display it blurs the line between phone and tablet, but it packs enough pixels in to keep it pin sharp while still being bright and extremely bold.
You’ll also find a stylus tucked into the bottom to let you write notes and use the packaged Samsung software to do some pretty neat tricks.
There’s a quad-core processor inside and 2GB of RAM, making it something of a powerhouse but that does of course make it very expensive. If you’re just after a phone it’s not for you, but if you want something to help you get on with work when you’re away from the desk it’s definitely worth checking out.
Huawei Ascend G300
High-end phones tend to come with similarly high-end prices. If you want to taste Android goodness on the cheap then the G300 could be for you. Its 4-inch screen isn’t as hi-res as its bigger rivals, but it’s perfectly adequate and its 1GHz processor rattles along fine for the essentials.
If photo editing, heavy multi-tasking and the latest 3D games are on your agenda, it’s not the phone for you, but the less demanding among you will appreciate its charms and, crucially, its £100 price tag.
There are of course a whole flock of Android phones flying about and plenty more joining them throughout the year — many at Mobile World Congress next month. Full HD screens and 2GHz processors are just a couple of the trends we’re expecting to see.
Be sure to keep it CNET UK for all the latest mobile news and the best buying information and make sure to pop your comments below and over on our Facebook page.
