There's one key way in which Android is massively different from its Apple-branded smartphone competition - the number of phones out there running Google's hot mobile OS.
Samsung makes loads of them. Sony Ericsson makes a few. Then you've got Android-powered phones from Acer, LG, Huawei and many others, while HTC releases more in a month than all the rest added together manage in a year.
The many variations in screen size, processor power, software features and design makes finding the best Android phone for you extremely tough.
Do you physically and emotionally need a QWERTY keyboard? Are you the sort of oddball who prefers the rough pressing needed to make resistive touchscreens work? Are you struggling to work out which are the best Android Widgets? Or even stuck wondering: 'Actually, what IS Android?'
To help find the best Android phone for you, we've rounded up the ten best Android handsets out there today, rating the phones on hardware performance, OS upgrade potential and, of course, how shiny and nice they are to have and boast about to work colleagues.
So here they are - the ten best Android phones money can buy today. For many, many different reasons.
10. Sony Ericsson Xperia Mini
It is indeed very mini, but Sony Ericsson has performed a tech miracle in squeezing a capable 1GHz processor into its tiny chassis. The Xperia Mini runs Android 2.3, enhanced significantly by the company's user interface, which adds lots of style and extra functionality to Google's on-fire mobile OS.
The email app with its resizing preview pane is as sexy as an email app is ever likely to get, the jiggling app drawer edit screen (with the ability to delete apps right from the listing) is very nice, plus you get themes, a cool power off animation and much, much more.
The screen's responsive, text appears sharp, the camera capable of producing good stills and passable 720p video footage. It does it all in an impressively condensed package.
Quick verdict:
Small, and very nearly, perfectly formed. If you can live with seeing the world through a small-ish 3" screen, it's a great, highly usable smartphone.
9. Motorola Atrix
Another of 2011's dual-core phones. A huge 1930mAh battery makes this a bulkier handset than the likes of the Galaxy S II or Xperia Arc, but then again it's nice to have the reassurance of extra longevity. Motorola's Motoblur user interface won't be to everyone taste, visually speaking, but if you can live with the odd colour choices the numerous widgets offer good functionality - and many are resizable.
Elsewhere you get a snappy 5 MP camera that produces acceptable results and records 720p video, a front-facing camera for video chat, fingerprint recognition and DLNA support for streaming media.
Motorola's crazy "Lapdock" accessory turns the Atrix into something resembling a netbook, but Android isn't ideal for working with and editing documents, so it's not a killer feature. Weird laptop aspirations aside, Atrix is a comprehensive and versatile device.
Quick verdict:
Big and powerful, the Atrix is fast to use with a very sharp 4" screen. Arriving with Android 2.2 onboard is a bit of a faux pas as far as enthusiasts are concerned, though.
8. LG Optimus Black
Somehow the single-core Optimus Black manages to offer a smoother, less glitchy experience than the company's more powerful, dual-core Optimus 2X, also squeezing Android 2.2 into a super-skinny body a shade over 9mm thick.
The 480x800 resolution, 4" screen is the highlight, beaming out extra bright thanks to LG's NOVA technology and making text, web and images appear vibrant and sharp – even outdoors.
LG's custom user interface is a simple, swift option, that borrows and redesign's widget ideas from Samsung and HTC to good effect, plus there's an extra gesture input system that lets you use shakes and waves to control a few functions.
The latter is a weird novelty you're unlikely to use, but it helps the Optimus Black sell itself as something more unusual and innovative than most other black slab smartphones.
Quick verdict:
Just as glamorous as the top-spec phones by Samsung and HTC, with an excellent screen and enough power to keep it relevant for a year or two - plus a lower price too. Unlikely to be a huge seller, but one to keep an eye on if you want a super-slim alternative.
7. HTC ChaCha
We've been waiting a long time for a QWERTY Android phone to really hit the sweet spot - the ChaCha just about gets there. The white "Facebook phone" comes with a very workable physical keyboard, with chunky, well spaced, rubberised keys making it one of the most usable QWERTYs around outside of the BlackBerry world.
With Android 2.3.3 onboard, the ChaCha is about as up-to-date as you can get, plus HTC's smooth Sense interface has been nicely tweaked to fill a landscape display.
The 2.6" screen means the ChaCha won't be ideal for gamers and web use is a little limited – and further restricted by the phone not supporting Adobe's Flash Player - but for messaging addicts and Facebook fans that need a solid, physical keyboard, it's ideal.
Quick verdict:
The Facebook button is little more than a novelty shortcut to the standard Android Facebook app. What you're paying for here is a solid HTC phone with a great keyboard, while the small screen means big battery life.
6. Google Nexus S
The first Android 2.3 phone is also one of the first with NFC capabilities and a curved Super AMOLED screen from Samsung. The build quality might feel a little suspect at first, but is robust enough and sits in the hand well, and that screen is just superb for the internet and media.
Quick verdict
A 'no frills' handset that delivers on the specs - an affordable and practical phone for the developer and 'Pure Google' lover alike.
5. HTC Incredible S
Yet another solid 2011 Android phone from HTC. The Incredible S comes with a 4" Super LCD screen, making it resemble the Desire S' larger brother.
As well as the screen size boost there's a more impressive camera, with the 8 MP sensor and LED flash doing a good job of improving HTC's rather poor reputation in the camera area.
You also get a front-facing 1.3 MP second camera for the novelty that is video chat, plus a larger-than-usual 1450mAh battery keeps it lasting longer than 2010's HTC Desire HD, too.
Quick verdict:
Feels like all the other HTC phones – rock solid, smooth in operation and with a better camera than HTC usually manages.
4. HTC Desire S
This time last year the HTC Desire was the cutting-edge "superphone" of choice, now its enhanced sequel is an affordable mid-range option.
That's how fast things move in the Android world. But don't dismiss the Desire S because of its workmanlike approach. What you get here is a solid phone with a great 3.7" screen, powered by Android 2.3 and HTC's updated Sense 2.1 user interface. The result is a very slick and smooth experience.
The camera is sadly a weak point, though, offering the same blotchy 5 MP output as the original Desire. But apart from that, everything here's a little better than in last year's Desire. Which makes this a fantastic smartphone and a great entry to Android.
Quick verdict:
A superb update of the HTC Desire. Slightly smaller and a little faster, it's a perfect gradual evolution of 2010's smash. Available on some very cheap contracts, too.
3. Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc
Sony Ericsson's glamorous take on Android is an absolute pleasure to use, with its curved body feeling great in the hand and the 2.3 version of OS running smoothly on the phone's 1GHz processor.
It's not dual-core, but it all moves very well indeed, with Sony Ericsson's user interface additions giving the Arc a stylish feel in use, too. The 4.2" BRAVIA Engine "Reality Display" is bright and colourful, with text sharp and well defined thanks to the high 854x480 resolution.
The 8 MP camera produces great stills, with 720p video looking good despite the occasional glitch when recording. The Arc is simply a lovely, well designed thing to have and enjoy, that shows both Android and Sony Ericsson's phone-making skills in a great light.
Quick verdict:
Unbelievably thin and stylish, with internal bits that keep everything running fast and reliably. Good camera with HD video - it's a fantastic package.
2. HTC Sensation
The HTC Sensation is the Taiwanese brand's first attempt at a dual-core device and it's been a pretty big success so far.
With a 4.3-inch qHD screen and the latest version of Sense coming on board makes it a really zippy and clear experience, and the addition of HTC Watch brings movie streaming and purchase to your handset.
It's a well-built and solid device, and the 8MP camera can record in sparkling 1080p too - it might not be the top Android handset, but it's very, very close.
Quick verdict
We think the Samsung Galaxy S2 is a slightly better proposition overall, thanks to better screen technology and a slimmer chassis. But for the HTC fans out there, the Sensation is definitely the new alpha handset on the block.
1. Samsung Galaxy S2
You won't believe how thin and light it is. Then you won't believe how fast it is. The Galaxy S II offers a genuinely exciting experience, managing to eclipse all other Android phones in every field.
Apps install ridiculously quickly, while browsing web pages is so fast it's hard to believe you're looking at a telephone screen. The large display is robust and, despite the slim and lightweight case, build quality manages to impress.
You get the latest Android 2.3.3 onboard, while many of Samsung's Touchwiz widgets are resizable, making it a phone that's fun to customise and spend time playing with. This is Android made fast and thrilling.
Quick verdict:
The first of 2011's dual-core Android phones to offer an experience that feels significantly ahead of the competition. Incredibly fast in all areas, with a super screen and very useful camera - it's Android taken to the next level.
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