There isn’t a week that goes by that I’m not asked which smartphone is best on a given carrier. And, about half the time, the followup question is should they wait to upgrade. Answering in reverse, there is always a newer, possibly more compelling model coming down the pike. However, with CES and Mobile World Congress trade shows right around the corner, and a maybe-more-than-rumored Verizon iPhone on tap, I’d delay any purchase a month or so.
As far as the phone platforms themselves, Apple’s iOS still provides the most polished mobile experience. Whereas Android is more open, offering a high degree of customization and user control. Blackberry and Symbian mobile operating systems are long in tooth at this point. But HP’s Palm webOS and the new Windows Phone 7 are promising, although they require a little more time in the oven.
Answering the which is “best” question is tricky, due to various usage scenarios and priorities, along with the obvious personal preference. For example, voice quality isn’t so important to me as my phone is primarily a data device while the shiny plastic back found on several Galaxy S handsets turns me off. However, I always have an opinion to share and these are my current top choices on each carrier:
AT&T
If you’re on AT&T, you get the iPhone 4. Simple as that. Beautiful, if flawed, design and the most active developer community. I’m not a fan of phone cases, yet given Apple’s glass back and the potential reception issue I suggest at least a nice skin/sticker. If you don’t mind a little extra bulk for more protection, here’s the iSkin I picked up for my wife.
Sprint
No phone has tempted me more to drop AT&T than the EPIC 4G. It’s also my favorite Samsung Galaxy S variant. While it features the same vibrant screen and sprightly processor as its Android brethren, I appreciate the extra weight the QWERTY keyboard brings – the phone feels real solid. The keyboard slide mechanism is outstanding and I prefer its soft touch back (versus the other Galaxy models). As with the EVO, I recommend keeping 4G off (even though it’s costing you an extra ten bucks a month) as the speed boost is largely unnoticeable in real world usage (beyond tethering/hotspot), but the 3G/4G switching and battery drain may be.
The Motorola Droid X would have been my favorite Verizon smartphone, but it’s bogged down with crapware and I didn’t have good luck with the camera – even though I prefer its physical buttons over these flakey touch jobs. So we’ll reach back to the (relatively) old HTC Incredible. The camera is solid and HTC skins Android like no other. Additionally, the asymmetric rear cover adds some personality – as does the red trim.
T-Mobile
I suppose the new Nexus S would be an obvious choice on T-Mobile as you get the latest Android build (Gingerbread) via an unadulterated Google experience. However, it’s just another Galaxy S with a few minor enhancements, such as the modestly concave screen and the not-yet-very-useful NFC capabilities. I happen to prefer the more solidly constructed HTC G2 – whether or not one uses the QWERTY keyboard on loose Z hinge (if you happen hold your phone upside down). The G2 also provides a pure Android experience, although your software updates may trail the Nexus S by a few weeks.
I forgot to mention I’m still sporting a 3GS as my primary phone. I’ve never qualified for favorable upgrade pricing, though I should have. I now suspect the small corporate discount I get puts me below a certain spend threshold and is too blame. Ah well, it’ll be cheaper to break my AT&T contract when something compelling elsewhere comes along – assuming I bail before the summer.
Good choices. I just recommended the Incredible to my brother’s girlfriend and she loves it.
As for Sprint, I like both the Epic and Evo but prefer (and actually purchased) the Evo. I had such a bad experience with my Samsung Moment that I may never go back to a Samsung phone again, as awesome as the new ones may be. I don’t miss the physical keyboard at all.
It’s a tough call between the EVO and the EPIC. I prefer the EPIC’s screen a bit more and how it’s attached without the gap. Also, the EPIC is a bit narrower which makes it easier to hold. Having said that, I agree on the physical QWERTY keyboard which I don’t use much. I do prefer HTC Sense UI to Samsung’s somewhat garish Touchwiz (other than the ability to swipe left/right for apps rather than up/down) and the EVO’s kickstand is close to priceless for video applications. Both are great options.
I’ve owned three Evos. First went back with wifi issues, the second one had a screen coming apart, and the third had a radio issue. I switched to the Epic and have had great luck with it.
The screen blows the Evo’s away, and the phone just feels faster to me. It’s far more comfortable to hold as well.
I’m running LauncherPro and wouldn’t return to TouchWiz for all the tea in…
But… (and this is a big but) my last Evo had been updated to Android 2.2 before I switched to the Epic. The Epic should have come loaded with 2.2, and should be upgrading to 2.3 soon. It’s been five months since the Evo was upgraded. This part of the picture really irritates me, and as soon as the iPhone hits Verizon, i’m jumping ship.
Ciao Samsung. You really screwed up a good thing you had going.
I went from Palm Pre to EVO, and while I enjoy the Android apps, I do miss the WebOS UI. Perhaps I’d like Android more if I hadn’t been spoiled by WebOS first. However, if you’re looking for a smartphone to give to parents, WebOS is the way to go. Synergy just works, email is easy to use, and the whole multitasking just makes sense unlike with Android where it doesn’t. I’d never risk the wrath of my parents asking me how to do something on Android. Not until the UI gets a significant facelift.
Martin, I too went from a Palm Pre to an Evo, and I agree; Android would be well advised to hire as many WebOS developers as they can.
I went from a Blackberry to an iPhone, and then to the Pre. WebOS is a pleasure to use and it may be better than iOS. It’s most certainly a better OS than Android. I’m anxious to see HP’s new lineup.
webOS is generally more unified in feel/presentation than Android, but it still seems incomplete in some areas and quirky in others. I’d have stronger positive feelings with the release of more solid hardware. I love the Pixi form factor – just do it in metal and with a top flight processor. I do expect HP/Palm will have some new stuff to share with us in the hardware realm at CES…
Move from BB 8830 to Epic recently. We should be getting Froyo starting 12/26. Still love my BB keyboard better than the Epic.
Had an iPhone for 2y, then replaced it with a DroidX. Still don’t really miss anything about the iPhone. Things like having to go 3 levels deep to change the screen brightness and the wifi settings and having to deal with iTunes syncing completely wore me down.
I can do everything I did on the iPhone, AND I don’t have to put up with AT&T’s horrible service, too.
Another vote for HP webOS. I know its a non-starter most people because fewer and fewer carriers are selling the aging hardware, but from a usability perspective its #1 in my book.
Any OS where you can effortlessly switch between Angry Birds and the YouTube-app-showing-you-how-to-get-3-stars in-Angry-Birds has a lot going for it. Add the fact that it is extremely wife friendly, runs many important Linux apps/utils (OpenVPN client on my phone – yes); there’s just no question about the right phone for my family.
When there is new hardware for sale, I’m hoping that it will rise from the grave as a platform. In the mean time, with my phone fully covered by insurance, Sprint is going to have to pry this thing out of my hands.
I have the HTC tilt 2 from AT&T – so if you are not iPhone and want a keyboard then this is the phone. decent speed and very nice screen for video playback – plus the tily lets you watch video with the phone on a table. only thing missing for me is Win7 and I would rather wait a bit and watch that market play out to pick the next winner phone :)