Im always seeing threads about choosing the best phone, so I figured I would make a thread to try to clear this issue.
I can't guarentee anything with this info. Nothing is perfect, including this thread. Take this all with a grain of salt, but hopefully this guide will help those of you new to android choosing a phone.
Feel free to add any info, but absolutely NO FLAMING and NO TROLLS. This is supposed to be helpful, not a place for people to call names and flame other people for their opinions. Also try to provide as much info as possible. Enjoy
First, there is no such thing as "best," only different.
In real world use, specs dont have that big of an effect.
Software: Many manufacturers like to use software overlays. Popular ones include - but aren't limited to - HTC's Sense, Motorola's Blur, Samsung's TouchWiz, ect. They add a layer of functionality and elegance, usually a lot more widgets and stock apps. Also, more bloatware. This could be good or bad.
Then there is what we call "vanilla" Android, which is stock Android with nothing done to it.
Vanilla Android is much more basic. It'll still function the same, but sometimes you just want more. Now, for the advanced users, most of us want Vanilla. It runs lighter (less resource intensive), software updates happen MUCH quicker, and it's more of a "pure" experience. Typically, phones with vanilla Android will say "with Google" somewhere on it. Most often in adds, the phones with UI overlays will just say "with Android market". Fear not, these phones are still running Android. Just a tweaked version. Sometimes for the best.
Most often a UI overlay will add more widgets, more home screens, different/better software keyboards, and a custom look. My favorite is HTC Sense. I find it to be very classy. Though, most phones featuring a UI overlay come with a lot of - what we call - bloatware. Bloatware is software that cannot be removed without having superuser permissions (a.k.a. Root). However, Android is designed to run with nearly everything open. The way in which it manages it's memory is different than most. It lets everything run until it needs more space, in which case it will close the apps that haven't been touched in quite a while. You may be thinking "that doesn't sound very efficient". It is efficient. It means that the very second you click that app, it's exactly where it was before. Open and running instantly, where you left off. Bloatware doesn't have that big of an effect, though it does to a degree. You probably don't need to worry about that yet, though.
Physically: If you're a bigger person, say 5'10"+, you may want to check out phones with a physical keyboard, or at least a 3.7" display if you're considering a slab phone. If you're a bigger person, I would recommend a phone with at least a 4" display. Keep in mind everyone is different. I have big hands. If you're rough on phones, I'd stay away from phones with a physical keyboard. Slab phones are much more sturdy and much more forgiving when you drop them. Also, no moving parts, which means it'll withstand a lot more drops. That being said, NEVER leave your phone on your lap. Never leave your phone near water, and ABSOLUTELY DO NOT put your phone in a pocket with other items. It WILL get scratched.
A screen protector and a case should be enough protection for the average user. However, I run my phones naked, not even a screen protector. That being said, I'm insanely cautious with my phones. I don't have insurance on them either. I would advice getting insurance if you can afford it. It's cheaper to pay $5-10 a month than to have to shell out $500 when you break your phone.
Weight: You need to find a good balance between weight and rigidity. Usually they go hand-in-hand with each other. But, you don't want a device that is going to get tiring in your hand. 4 or 5 ounces doesn't seem like much, but let's say you're laying down playing with your phone before you go to bed. Even the lightest phone will start to weigh a lot when you're getting tired. Though personally, I like heavy phones. They feel like they're more worth the money, and you're less likely to fall asleep when they're in your hand.
Carriers/Network: There's two types. GSM, and CDMA. T-Mobile and AT&T are GSM, while Verizon and Sprint are CDMA. Basically, GSM relies on one tower at a time to give you a connection, while CDMA links to multiple towers. CDMA takes more battery power to connect to, though. In most cases, GSM will work just fine and let you use it a little longer, since it's easier on battery.
I should probably note, whenever you can, connect to Wifi. It will be faster (in most cases) than your mobile network, and won't take nearly the battery. Also it will help if you don't have an unlimited date plan. Even if your data plan is unlimited, some carriers with limit your bandwidth after you've used so much. Turn your wifi off when you aren't using it. Just be careful what type of info you send through there, you never know who could be trying to steal info.
Hope this helps!
I can't guarentee anything with this info. Nothing is perfect, including this thread. Take this all with a grain of salt, but hopefully this guide will help those of you new to android choosing a phone.
Feel free to add any info, but absolutely NO FLAMING and NO TROLLS. This is supposed to be helpful, not a place for people to call names and flame other people for their opinions. Also try to provide as much info as possible. Enjoy
First, there is no such thing as "best," only different.
In real world use, specs dont have that big of an effect.
Software: Many manufacturers like to use software overlays. Popular ones include - but aren't limited to - HTC's Sense, Motorola's Blur, Samsung's TouchWiz, ect. They add a layer of functionality and elegance, usually a lot more widgets and stock apps. Also, more bloatware. This could be good or bad.
Then there is what we call "vanilla" Android, which is stock Android with nothing done to it.
Vanilla Android is much more basic. It'll still function the same, but sometimes you just want more. Now, for the advanced users, most of us want Vanilla. It runs lighter (less resource intensive), software updates happen MUCH quicker, and it's more of a "pure" experience. Typically, phones with vanilla Android will say "with Google" somewhere on it. Most often in adds, the phones with UI overlays will just say "with Android market". Fear not, these phones are still running Android. Just a tweaked version. Sometimes for the best.
Most often a UI overlay will add more widgets, more home screens, different/better software keyboards, and a custom look. My favorite is HTC Sense. I find it to be very classy. Though, most phones featuring a UI overlay come with a lot of - what we call - bloatware. Bloatware is software that cannot be removed without having superuser permissions (a.k.a. Root). However, Android is designed to run with nearly everything open. The way in which it manages it's memory is different than most. It lets everything run until it needs more space, in which case it will close the apps that haven't been touched in quite a while. You may be thinking "that doesn't sound very efficient". It is efficient. It means that the very second you click that app, it's exactly where it was before. Open and running instantly, where you left off. Bloatware doesn't have that big of an effect, though it does to a degree. You probably don't need to worry about that yet, though.
Physically: If you're a bigger person, say 5'10"+, you may want to check out phones with a physical keyboard, or at least a 3.7" display if you're considering a slab phone. If you're a bigger person, I would recommend a phone with at least a 4" display. Keep in mind everyone is different. I have big hands. If you're rough on phones, I'd stay away from phones with a physical keyboard. Slab phones are much more sturdy and much more forgiving when you drop them. Also, no moving parts, which means it'll withstand a lot more drops. That being said, NEVER leave your phone on your lap. Never leave your phone near water, and ABSOLUTELY DO NOT put your phone in a pocket with other items. It WILL get scratched.
A screen protector and a case should be enough protection for the average user. However, I run my phones naked, not even a screen protector. That being said, I'm insanely cautious with my phones. I don't have insurance on them either. I would advice getting insurance if you can afford it. It's cheaper to pay $5-10 a month than to have to shell out $500 when you break your phone.
Weight: You need to find a good balance between weight and rigidity. Usually they go hand-in-hand with each other. But, you don't want a device that is going to get tiring in your hand. 4 or 5 ounces doesn't seem like much, but let's say you're laying down playing with your phone before you go to bed. Even the lightest phone will start to weigh a lot when you're getting tired. Though personally, I like heavy phones. They feel like they're more worth the money, and you're less likely to fall asleep when they're in your hand.
Carriers/Network: There's two types. GSM, and CDMA. T-Mobile and AT&T are GSM, while Verizon and Sprint are CDMA. Basically, GSM relies on one tower at a time to give you a connection, while CDMA links to multiple towers. CDMA takes more battery power to connect to, though. In most cases, GSM will work just fine and let you use it a little longer, since it's easier on battery.
I should probably note, whenever you can, connect to Wifi. It will be faster (in most cases) than your mobile network, and won't take nearly the battery. Also it will help if you don't have an unlimited date plan. Even if your data plan is unlimited, some carriers with limit your bandwidth after you've used so much. Turn your wifi off when you aren't using it. Just be careful what type of info you send through there, you never know who could be trying to steal info.
Hope this helps!