How to: Pick an Android Phone

by: Kellex | posted 09.29.10 | News

Need help choosing an Android phone? Gizmodo just created this handy little chart, which whether you like Giz or not, is spot on. The only thing I could really argue against is the T-Mobile selection. I’d say, screw the Vibrant and just wait for the G2 to come out (which I now realize it says) and then it would be about perfect. There could be an argument against the Droid X as being the best phone on Verizon, but it would be a hard one to win.

Thoughts?

Source: Gizmodo

139

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GuestWho

I have the fascinate another option
MBS

Stupid chart. Where's the HTC Incredible? No mention of the N1? Lists but two options for Verizon?
GizmodoFail.

Thornfullessrose

i also wonder where the DInc is! thats not fair. but i do understand the Nexus1 though. that phone isnt even purchasable through contract and discounted price. developers know but alot of average people dont even know about it because of that. they only know the phones listed. correct me (anyone) if im wrong. but the incredible should definitely be up there!

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qmartman711

one of the readers..noble robot made a corrected version..haha. actually is pretty legit!

http://cache.gawker.com/assets/images/comment/4/2010/09/26f28f1a16e27c4b2423d79b1141fb1b/original.jpg

JTE

I think I like that one a lot more!

Thornfullessrose

Loving my droid 2! Happy to be with the best nerwork and have one of the best phones!
lakerzz

Seems to me that everybody's forgetting about personal preference…just get the one that you think is best for you. They are all awesome phones. I almost had to “flip a coin” to decide on which one to get. Went with the DX…doesn't mean it's the best, but I do like it quite a bit thank you very much.
burpootus

The Droid X and the Droid 2 have locked bootloaders and therefore don't deserve consideration. They are not true to the open source Android philosophy, except that Moto had a free OS to profit on. I only have myself to blame, bu this aspect of my X disgusts me. No more locked bootloader phones for me. They ran nearly all the development community away. S-A-D sad.

Thornfullessrose

Blah blah blah dude. Everyone isnt into rooting there phone. The people who want to arent the only ones buying the phone. The droid x and droid 2 are two of the best phones out right now. Don't deserve consideration? Your tripping!

burpootus

I guess you'll have no problem with the next computer you buy if Dell decides they will maintain the administrator account and they will allow you to be a user account? People should say NO to these phones with their pocketbooks.

snowblind64

I agree the locked bootloader sucks, but it's now as bad as you make it sound.

My Droid 2 is rooted and has Koush's Droid 2 Recovery on it. I removed all of the bloatware and I'm using LauncherPro. I can even load custom ROM's (thinking of trying Matt's Unleashed 2.5).

Only thing that can't be changed right now is the kernel and that's only a matter of time.

burpootus

There are no custom ROMs for these phones. There are themes and semi-ROMs that remove some apps/blur and add others. This is NOT what I came to Android for.

r0landct

I would imagine this chart was for the masses, not the people who live on Android forums. Though of course there is nothing wrong with living on android forums, lol.

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To73

Another choice I just heard about is Virgin Mobile's Samsung Intercept that got released this week. It is a low-end Android phone and you are on Sprint's more limited network, but for $25 a month you get unlimited text, data, and 300 minutes of talk with no contracts. While any of the phones above would be superior, this could be a way for people on a budget to break into the Android market.
Kdiperi

I have to agree, I have a Droid incredible and its simply one of the best pieces of technological equipment I have ever purchased for communication. I know about 10 people with the incredible who all agree as for the droid X its a nice phone but Motorola version of the Android OS needs some work , one person I know has one and he wishes he wouldve got the HTC for more than a few reasons but his grip is the HTC sense UI its smooth , super fast , extremely user friendly and just simply put beautiful . Anyway there should be more than one choice not just moto-crap-ola

lakerzz

Launcher pro takes away that blur crap, but you really shouldn't have to feel like you have to get a new home launcher replacement. On the otherhand, I'd probably be using launcher pro now matter what phone I had…idk. :/

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http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000723233001 Michael Welborn

Meh. Still waiting for a phone that blows all the other phones out of the water, like the Droid did. I'm thinking along the lines of a 2 GHz TI-OMAP processor, 1 gig of ram, 4G radio, and a 4.3 inch 1280×720 resolution LCD screen. Probably won't happen, but that's why I'm calling it the Droid Impossible

lakerzz

Haha, *Droid does IMPOSSIBLE*

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Adatt69

DROID X is the best, got rid of Droid and Incredible for this one, wouldnt even change if

iphone came to Verizon!!
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ilikebikes

love the epic to evo arrow…cracking me up
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RanballX

Chart looks right to me. I am sooooo glad that I have Verizon and have the DX!
Sslayer22

The dx actually fits my pocket way better than my d1. Its width doesn't let it turn sideways all the time and its thin as crap.
I've tried them all in my pocket and the ex stays where it should and doesn't stick out. Its perfect man pocket size! WIN!
oh and blur goes away real easy. LP rules!

lakerzz

Man…I have to agree with that 100%…

http://perpetualn00b.tumblr.com quiklives

The camera hump makes mine feel more secure in my hand, like there's something to hold onto and it won't just slip through my fingers.

http://www.facebook.com/people/Josue-Aristy/540455542 Josue Aristy

DX
Jpb282

The Incredible is a better phone than the Droid X

Evermour

It's just a bigger Incredible. Idc what others say I saw a guy talking on his dx it looks ridiculously huge.

Lakerzz

Thats not true. You don’t realize it unless you really know what you are looking for. I got my DX after having an OG Droid, and my coworkers didn’t even realize I had a new phone until I happen to mention it to them about a week later. Doesn’t mean I think it’s the best phone though…just sayin.

*judging by what I personally prefer in a phone, I thinks its the best phone for me*

Jpb282

That sounds like your co workers just don’t care about your phone. My buddy at work has the X and next to my Inc, it’s enormous.

A1

Helloooo?!?!? I have had the DI, the DX and now finally the Fascinate which clearly blows the doors off the DI and DX. Gave the DI back cuz you could not see anything in the sunlight whatsoever. Gave the DX back(acutally did not have to give it back, they let me keep it after 3 replacements, i know how to manipulate verizon…wink wink) because it was a bit bulky though screen was nice in the sunlight. The Fascinate is just smooth in every way. No gps issues or anything other than the lack of Froyo….anyway, those are my 0.02.

http://twitter.com/john_ecko John Sevilla

the fascinate should have the same issue in the sunlight.

themiracle2012

Have you noticed that in the Big Red commercials for the Fascinate they make no mention of android whatsoever?

rals

I would love to have a G2
Richie

My stock DI 2.2 destroys all those phones hands down! The sense UI is so smooth unlike that blur crap also its small with that amoled screen colors pop way better than any other screen on the market! only draw back is the f$%&ing battery it blows!

Dpry3580

The only thing I like about the Incredible, is the $400 I got for it on eBay when I bought the much better X. It paid for all of my X accessories too. I've had all the droids, except the D2, because it's the D1 rooted, and that would be back tracking and stupid.

Jtwildman1

Just came from the Verizon store, have to admit the Facinate is very impressive. I went to look @ the X, but not sure I liked it better.. which surprised me… just saying
Michael_NM

Edit to the chart… Do you have Verizon? > No > Get Verizon > You don't need a physical keyboard. Get the Droid X.

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=710530141 Tyler Buchanan

Is your name Steve Whack Job? Then why the hell are you telling me I don't need a physical keyboard? What if I like still having the entire screen up while I'm typing something? My phone could function fine without a keyboard, but I use the keyboard 90% of the time. The keyboard is about the most used part of my phone

http://twitter.com/cheese Andrew

Good thing we have choice! Thanks Android team!
http://www.facebook.com/michaeljmcgrath Michael McGrath

Does anyone actually like the keyboard on the D2? I kept trying the D1/D2 keyboard and keep saying…”gimme my X back to type this.”

This coming from a 3times+ ex-blackberry user. (All with physical keyboards)
Jrecufan

You ever use swype and you'll say “screw my keyboard forever”.

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=710530141 Tyler Buchanan

I have swype on my Droid 1. I still find the physical keyboard more useful because I can still see the rest of the screen as I’m typing as if on a laptop. Don’t get me wrong, I love swype and use it exclusively as my virtual keyboard, but still doesn’t offer the convenience of the keyboard

Michael_NM

Haha, my name is not Steve, but some people think I'm whacky and I do have a job… For people like you, the chart could read… > so… you really want a keyboard? > we've got a Droid 2 for you.

About a year ago, I swore I'd never own a phone without a physical keyboard again. The Droid X made me eat my words, and they weren't too tasty. YMMV.

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=710530141 Tyler Buchanan

But then it would have to say “want an unlocked bootloader? switch to sprint and get the Epic”

Sn1p3r6992

I would never buy something made by Samsung besides a television. They don’t even seem to run android….more like a colorful, buggy samsung OS. Ewww.
kevin

You are very wrong about samsung ruining the android os. it’s great, colorful but fast and effective at the same time…I am a ex die-hard physical button supporter. txting has never been easier on my fascinate, I was blown away with swype and it’s easy to use keyboard. I don’t miss my buttons anymore!
DROID INDEED

Sprint FAIL
DROID INDEED

Sprint FAIL

http://www.facebook.com/bhaxprime Ben Hackney

Holding on to my D1 until gingerbread phones start hitting the shelves…just doesn't make sense to upgrade until then.

Anonymous

im doing the same way. cant wait to rub my gingerbread phone in DX faces
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000723233001 Michael Welborn

I completely agree. Nothing out today really qualifies as an “upgrade” to me. Still waiting for the next superphone like the Droid.

1bad69z28

I really want to get some of the thoughts of the HTC EVO 4g and it's performance compared to the DX. I have read several blogs on the HTC EVO 4G as the best Android phone on the market and even puts the DX to shame.

I am D1 Rooted fan, but I really wanted to get everyones thoughts on this device, we really don't talk about this phone. Thanks

quiklives

The main complaint I've heard (in retail) is battery life for the Evo….

shr1k3r

no one liking the fascinate?
BigEd

EVO ftw!
Br_d

This chart assumes you are locked into a carrier. What if you're not? I'd like to know what the king-of-the-hill phone is regardless of carrier, or with the carrier as a factor.
Phone

Saying “screw the Vibrant” ignores not only its built in 16GB if storage, but the 2GB of app space that other phones don't have.

Rizzidy

Neat story.

Rain_king46

Its seems like they are only suggesting the DX if you HAVE to cuz you have Verizon and want touch screen. That is silly, mechanically the DX is the same phone as the D2 with no keyboard and a big screen. Yet they are recommending the D2 and not the DX? Why?
http://twitter.com/CarlTres Carl Brown

Droid Incredible for the modding community, which HTC has given far more leeway.
maax

I don't get it. Is this some kind of dig at Verizon? I'm guessing Giz doesn't like them by implying that nobody would “choose” Verizon.
droidn

X FTW!
Jjconrad1450

Droid x is awesome…along emwith the droid 2. But I just got the Samsung fascinate for Verizon and it is awesome and can compare to the incredible I think.
Voxx

You have to post the DI as an option.
http://twitter.com/CandaceHarrell Candace Harrell

Great chart! I need to show this to my mom.
kulz

very comprehensive indeed
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=707166291 John Lee

Fascinate or x
http://twitter.com/TonyG916 Tony Garza

droid inc…hands down
Finire

I'm going to have to voice my opinion… Verizon, non-keyboard… Gimme the Droid Incredible any day, till HTC comes out with the next rumored phone for hopefully VZW without a keyboard…

bobo

I agree…there should be one more option “Do you mind having an aircraft carrier in your pocket?” or “Do you want to use MotoBlah?” point to either the Incredible or the X.

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=710530141 Tyler Buchanan

This isn’t the iPhone, if people don’t want to use Motoblah on the X they can install launcherpro. I have met to meet an X user who thinks their phone doesn’t fit in their pocket

Anonymous

LauncherPro doesn’t fix the underlying problems due to Moto replacing core functionality in Android with their own Blur garbage.

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000723233001 Michael Welborn

Lol. From now on I’m officially calling MotoBlur “MotoBlah”

Anonymous

Dx has more features (HDMI, DNLA, etc), better battery life, better benchmarks (for what they’re worth). The only reason you can not want a DX over a DInc is if you truly don’t like the size. I have never met someone who doesn’t like the size who has used it for more than an hour. And don’t start the blur talk, it is no big deal especially if you use Launcher Pro, then you don’t even know it is there. Not saying DInc is bad, but how can people not at least see how they came to that determination, even if they dont’ totally agree. Remember, it is just someone’s opinion, though judging from sales, it is a lot of people’s opinions.
kellex

I've got both the DI and DX and the screen is what makes the DX the winner. If the Desire HD comes to Verizon, then we can battle cuz that would be hard to not want.

http://www.facebook.com/aakker214 Andrew Akker

The screen is what makes it a loser, IMO. Way too big for my hands. Plus blur = omg ew.

kellex

After typing on this 4.3″ screen, I could never go smaller.

Alex

After have the DX for a few months holding an iphone or a DI seems weird. The screen looks a lot smaller than when i never had a DX.
Droydhead

yeah dude.. I might even be able to handle a 5 incher.. That sounds f’n nasty.
Anonymous

If you have Swype screen size is kind of irrelevant though isn’t it (for typing anyway, I’m sure games/videos are awesome)?
Anonymous

I agree, I loved the screen being big when I got it. After about a week with the phone and the screen doesn’t even feel big anymore. Blur is virtually gone from my phone, yes it’s technically still there but ADW hides it completely. Launcherpro works too.
Tyrian

TWSS
jeffxallen

agreed. <4.3=for babies and ladies.
http://www.facebook.com/michaeljmcgrath Michael McGrath

The reactions are priceless. Everytime someone grabs it…even iPhoners…

“DAMN! This thing is HUGE.”

Where’s Michael Scott when you need him?

quiklives

Blur pretty quickly becomes beside the point, really.

http://www.facebook.com/aakker214 Andrew Akker

Blur is never beside the point…
Mgillster

ignorance is bliss isnt it, when you dont own something you talk about. Dude motoblur is a name that people throw around as if they know but they dont know….I own the DX, and im telling it is pretty much Vanilla Android. I personally use LauncherPro, because its smooth like butter. You wouldnt even know its the same phone.
Anonymous

Yes, I am convinced anyone who complains about blur has never actually used the phone for more than an hour. While it is far from perfect, it is far from distracting.
Eric

Blur is nothing like Vanilla Android and if it was you wouldn’t need to really use Launcher pro to cover it up.
Anonymous

Blur is not “pretty much Vanilla Android.” Not when they replace core functionality (esp Dialer, Contacts, and account management) with their broke-ass versions. If it was just a skin, I wouldn’t care as I could just use LauncherPro like you said. But that didn’t fix the problems I had when I was issued a Droid 2 to replace my broken Droid. Blur’s problems were much more than skin deep.

Rizzidy

Way too big for your hands and you claim to be male?

The 4.3″ size is great. I wish it were bigger.

http://www.facebook.com/aakker214 Andrew Akker

Insulting now are we? That’s also what she said to you.
Anonymous

It was just a question, no need to get so defensive…

.. unless it’s a sensitive issue.
Jrecufan

Agree with Andrew. I’ve seen and held them both and don’t care for the X. It is an awesome phone no doubt, but it is bigger, bulkier to carry, heavier … all for negligible additional screen space. Nah – I’m content with the DInc.

Andrews Mom

It’s because you got little girl hands. DX > DI

Anonymous

I have both as well and the X is laggier and less responsive.

Jrecufan

You hit the nail on the head Finire. This flowchart is woefully lacking – only selecting based on carrier and keyboard. I’ve had the DInc since May and there isn’t a phone on the market that would lure me away from it….. right now at least.
maax

I wish HTC would upgrade their build quality from cheap toy to $600 electronic device and refine their ugly UI. It might make their phones less appalling.

Full disclosure: I had a DI since it launched and sold it for a DX when it launched.

F.U.

yeah your are a moron! The DI is a $640 phone and so is the DX. The blur UI on moto sucks more than the a hoover vac! The DI UI is so simplistic when you get it. its not loaded with a shit-ton of useless widgets that people end up deleting in the long run. The DX UI also conflict with droid software… the devour is a perfect example of how the blur UI ruined a phone. The DXs UI shadows blur and is IMO is good concept but bad idea to put into a phone unfinished. To sum it up DI is simplistic and the DX is chalk full of blur which was a fail on one phone already!

http://twitter.com/john_ecko John Sevilla

LPP. problem solved
Anonymous

Both are great phones! We are not supposed to hate Droid phones we are supposed to be hating on IPhone.
Lakerzz

You could’ve at least said sucks more than a Dyson vac…because I personally think the Hoovers build quality is…oh wait…thats a totally different conversation…lol

http://www.facebook.com/michaeljmcgrath Michael McGrath

I will never get a phone with a smaller screen than the Droid X ever again…UNLESS they completely rework how phones function/input data/etc.

bravoleader2

We've all been thinking it. Glad someone wrote it down all flow-charty like
http://www.myspace.com/abrielband Tim-o-tato

No you didnt……

1st?
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jester4281

First…….where is the DI love
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