New 2011 smartphones

It’s that time again where we bring you what we think are the five best Android smartphones for your money. June’s list is a complete overhaul as every single phone that was May’s list has been replaced by new hardware. Summer has generally been an extremely fruitful season for new Android phones and the summer of 2011 is proving to be no different.
Again, for those new to this, the list is comprised of phones available on the major mobile carriers in the United States. Yes, like you, we are patiently waiting for the arrival of the Samsung Galaxy S II. It’s not out in the U.S. though and that’s why it’s not on this list. Same with the upcoming Motorola Photon 4G. We cheated with the EVO 3D by two days but it should start shipping to customers today.

HTC EVO 3D

OK, so the HTC EVO 3D isn’t out until June 24th but it’s release date is close enough that the device makes it first appearance on this list. The EVO 3D is the successor to the HTC EVO 4G, a phone that is still one of the best Android phones on the market a year after its release.
The EVO 3D improves on the EVO 4G in just about every possible way hardware wise and even brings glasses-free 3D to the table. With a high-resolution screen, dual-core processor and HTC Sense 3.0 over Android 2.3 Gingerbread, this is a phone that is going to be relevant in the months to come.
Sprint’s latest WiMax phone is available for prices ranging from $180 to $200.
Specifications: 4.3-inch S-LCD display with qHD resolution (540 x 960), 1.2GHz dual-core Snapdragon processor, dual 5MP rear cameras with 720p video capture for both 2D and 3D, 1.3MP front facing camera, 4GB of on board storage, Bluetooth 3.0, HDMI, DLNA, 1730 mAh battery, 1GB of RAM
Operating System: Android 2.3 Gingerbread


Carrier: Sprint

4G: Yes, WiMax


Release Date: June 24th, 2011

HTC Sensation 4G

T-Mobile’s latest flagship device, the HTC Sensation 4G, is going to make a lot of people happy. Not only does it boast HSPA+ 4G speeds but it also comes with an impressive spec list that rivals that of the EVO 3D. Dual-core? Check. High resolution display? Check. 1080p video capture? Check. Oh, and let’s not forget that it runs Android 2.3 with HTC Sense 3.0 over the top.
The Sensation 4G is currently available for $180 through Amazon or Wirefly.
Specifications: 4.3-inch S-LCD display with qHD resolution (540 x 960), 1.2GHz dual-core Qualcomm MSM 8260 processor, 8MP rear camera with dual-LED flash and 1080p video capture, VGA front facing camera, 1GB of on board storage, Bluetooth 3.0, HDMI via microUSB, DLNA, 1520 mAh battery, 768MB of RAM
Operating System: Android 2.3 Gingerbread


Carrier: T-Mobile

4G: Yes, HSPA+


Release Date: June 15th, 2011

Motorola Droid X2

We recently reviewed the Motorola Droid X2 and while it might not have 4G LTE, it’s definitely one of the best 3G phones available on the market right now. It boasts a Tegra 2 processor that easily hands Android 2.2 and the new (and quite good) MotoBlur and also has a spacious high-resolution screen to boot. Toss in the familiar and might we say gorgeous Droid X form factor and you have yourself a nice recipe. If you’re able to look past the lack of 4G LTE, this is definitely a phone to consider.
The Motorola Droid X2 is currently available for a mere $100 at Amazon.
Specifications: 4.3-inch display with qHD resolution (540 x 960), 1GHz dual-core Tegra 2 processor, 8MP rear camera with dual-LED flash, 8GB of on board storage, Bluetooth 2.1, HDMI, DLNA, 1540 mAh battery, 512MB of RAM
Operating System: Android 2.2 Froyo


Carrier: Verizon

4G: No

Release Date: May 26th, 2011

Samsung Droid Charge

We recently reviewed the Samsung Droid Charge and we were impressed enough with its battery life and gorgeous display to feel confident putting it on this list ahead of the HTC ThunderBolt as the top 4G LTE phone on Verizon. It has all the amenities that you expect from a high-end smartphone (minus a dual-core processor) and when Android 2.3 Gingerbread arrives, this device is only going to get better.
The Droid Charge can be found for $180 on a new two-year contract.
Specifications: 4.3-inch Super AMOLED Plus display (480 x 800 resolution), 1GHz single-core Cortex A8 Hummingbird processor, 8MP rear camera with LED flash, 1.3MP front facing camera, 2GB of on board storage, Bluetooth 3.0, HDMI, DLNA, 1600 mAh battery, 512MB of RAM
Operating System: Android 2.2 Froyo


Carrier: Verizon

4G: Yes, LTE

Release Date: May 14th, 2011

Samsung Infuse 4G

AT&T’s Samsung Infuse 4G bumps off the Motorola Atrix 4G and it does so because we love its spacious Super AMOLED Plus screen, huge battery, and it’s extremely thin form factor. We should also add that it runs on AT&T’s HSPA+ network as well making the Infuse 4G, in our opinion, the best Android option that’s currently available on AT&T.

The Infuse 4G is on sale right now for $110 on a new two contract with AT&T.

Specifications: 4.5-inch Super AMOLED Plus display (480 x 800 resolution), 1.2GHz single-core Hummingbird processor, 8MP rear camera with LED flash, 1.3MP front facing camera, 16GB of on board storage, Bluetooth support, HDMI via microUSB, DLNA, 1750 mAh battery, 512MB of RAM
Operating System: Android 2.2 Froyo


Carrier: AT&T

4G: Yes, HSPA+


Release Date: May 15th, 2011