Android smartphone group test
Don't invest in a new Android phone before reading our head-to-head guide to the latest models from HTC, Samsung, Motorola and others
We put the top Android handsets to the test
With Android handsets rising in popularity and on course to dominate the smartphone market, V3.co.uk has rounded up seven of the best and put them through their paces. For those yet to take the plunge into the smartphone market, take a look at which devices came out top in our Android Awards and how they stack up against the competition.
Motorola Flipout - Android 2.1 Looking for a smartphone that's a little quirky? The Flipout is just the ticket, with the square shell packing a responsive 2.8in capacitive touch screen. While the display isn't the biggest or the clearest at 320 x 240 pixels, the device is a very effective messaging tool.
A five-tier Qwerty keyboard conveniently flips out of the shell and makes typing speedy. The Flipout comes with CrystalTalk noise reduction technology, so sound is crisp and clear.
As well as the usual suspects such as Google Maps and YouTube, Motorola also provides 'Messages' and 'Happening' apps designed to aid the management of text-based communication.
'Messages' provides a universal inbox that can be set up to record Facebook, Twitter and text messages, while 'Happening' allows users to carry out activities such as updating a Facebook status.
Users are well advised to set up a MotoBlur account to make full use of the interface. It takes five minutes to activate and allows synchronisation with popular apps including Facebook, LastFM, Twitter and Picasa, along with Microsoft Exchange for business users.
The Flipout also offers a 'data saver' option that could help to prevent going over a data cap, and a handy battery management tool to get the most out of the device before it needs recharging.
Disappointingly though, there is no camera flash for the 3.1-megapixel camera and users who will want to browse the internet frequently will find the screen too small.
V3.co.uk rating: 4 stars (read the full Flipout review)
Sony Ericsson X10 Mini Pro - Android 1.6 The Mini Pro is an attractive little device that fits snugly in the palm of the hand with diminutive 90 x 52 x 17mm dimensions.
It weighs just 120g and, unlike the Vivaz Pro, looks stylish regardless of whether the keyboard is in sight or hidden away. The 2.6in scratch-resistant touch screen comes with a decent 240 x 320 resolution. But again like the Flipout, some users will find it too small for web browsing.
Sony Ericsson appears to be the most generous manufacturer when it comes to preloading apps, with Facebook, Twitter, Google Maps and YouTube all present. Also included are the barcode scanner Neoreader, Roadsync mail and calendar, and eBay. Wisepilot navigation, Gmail and Gtalk round off an impressive list.
The Mini Pro punches above its price tag and fulfils its role as a messaging/multimedia device well. With a simple intuitive interface, responsive touch screen, multitude of apps, strong battery life and decent Qwerty keyboard, the X10 Mini Pro shows that Sony Ericsson is capable of making a good quality smartphone.
On the downside, the device seems susceptible to lag, and with Android 2.2 about to become widely available, the 1.6 OS on the Mini is already dated.
V3.co.uk rating: 4 stars (read the full X10 Mini Pro review)
Android smartphone group test
Don't invest in a new Android phone before reading our head-to-head guide to the latest models from HTC, Samsung, Motorola and others
Dell Streak - Android 1.6 (update to 2.1 rolling out) This smartphone/tablet hybrid is the largest device in this group test and could be mistaken for a tablet.
At 220g, the Streak weighs nearly twice as much as anything else on the list, yet is not so heavy that it cannot easily be carried around. Dimensions of 150 x 80 x 10mm make it too large to fit easily into most pockets, though, and it feels a little cumbersome to use as a phone.
The 5in screen has a resolution of 800 x 480 pixels, and we found that the extra size really made a difference in readability when using the Streak to browse web pages, either in portrait or landscape orientation.
Dell has used the extra screen space to graft on a numeric keypad rather than make the keys larger, which is a missed opportunity as the on-screen keyboard is poor.
The 5-megapixel camera at the rear took pretty decent photos in our tests, but the lens is positioned exactly where you put your fingers to hold the device in landscape mode. Users can also shoot video with the camera application, and upload content directly to YouTube or Flickr.
The Streak currently ships with Android 1.6, but thankfully the 2.1 update has started rolling out. However, the update has caused widespread frustration, with users claiming that it removes more features than it adds and makes syncing to a PC impossible.
V3.co.uk rating: 4 stars (read the full Streak review)
HTC Desire - Android 2.1 (upgrade to 2.2 rolling out) With its 1GHz processor, the Desire is a very responsive device to use, and at 135g it feels lighter than expected for a handset of this size.
The Desire features a fancy active-matrix organic light-emitting diode (Amoled) screen, and comes with a 480 x 800 pixel resolution.
The interface is one of the best on the market. In addition to the main home screen, there are six adjacent screens that can be viewed by flicking through them using a gesture on the touch screen, or by zooming out to see a thumbnail view of them all.
The home screen has the familiar animated weather and clock display that characterises HTC's Sense user interface, while other screens are pre-populated with widgets for recent emails, favourite contacts and text messages. All of these can be moved around or replaced with widgets of the user's choice.
While the display is generally good, the on-screen keys can be frustrating and the audio performance through headphones is a little disappointing.
HTC has made a name for itself as the leading vendor of Android phones, and despite minor drawbacks, the Desire is possibly its best yet.
V3.co.uk rating: 4 stars (read the full Desire review)
Android smartphone group test
Don't invest in a new Android phone before reading our head-to-head guide to the latest models from HTC, Samsung, Motorola and others
HTC Wildfire: Android 2.1 A miniature version of the HTC Desire, this little smartphone comes with most of the features of HTC's current flagship device.
At 118g including the battery, the Wildfire is lightweight and feels solid in the palm of the hand, even though it is small.
As always, the HTC Sense interface brings out the best in Google's operating system, with personalisation of home screens and navigation unsurpassed by any other interface.
The 3.2in QVGA touch screen is fully capacitive and has a 240 x 320 resolution. Text input is great, but the haptic feedback from the capacitive touch screen can be a bit excessive and the 528MHz processor does feel slow at times.
A 5-megapixel camera with LED flash is another great feature. Pictures are crisp even when zooming in, and the phone takes decent photos even in unsteady hands. Sadly there is no HD recording available.
V3.co.uk rating: 4 stars (read the full Wildfire review)
Google Nexus One - Android 2.2 Packing a 3.7in Amoled 800 x 480 screen, the Nexus One is bright enough to play a role in a Jean Michel Jarre concert.
Image capture capabilities are good too, with a 5-megapixel auto-focusing camera with LED flash that can capture 720 x 480 video at 20 frames per second.
The handset is a great package. You get cutting-edge hardware coupled to an operating system more customisable than the iPhone's iOS.
Powered by a 1GHz Snapdragon processor, there's more than enough grunt to run Android. There's enough system memory, too, with 512MB for both Flash and RAM.
The Nexus One was the first Android smartphone to have Android 2.2 and an Amoled screen. While the hardware specification has since been surpassed, its software remains ahead of the pack.
Free of mobile operator constraints, the Nexus One has often been the first device to receive updates to Android. Unfortunately, production has been discontinued and getting hold of one is going to be tricky and most likely very pricey.
V3.co.uk rating: 4 stars (read the full Nexus One review)
Android smartphone group test
Don't invest in a new Android phone before reading our head-to-head guide to the latest models from HTC, Samsung, Motorola and others
Samsung Galaxy S - Android 2.1 As one of the larger phones on the market, the Samsung Galaxy S comes with a host of features, including a lovely 4in WVGA (480 x 800) Super Amoled screen with 16 million colours.
A beefy 1GHz processor supports multi-tasking and allows the Galaxy S to handle even the most demanding multimedia applications with ease.
Viewing pictures and browsing the internet is a pleasure, and the phone has one of the best text input methods on the market courtesy of Swype.
As with all Android-based phones, it is possible to customise the home screen to allow instant access to the most commonly-used applications. Synchronising to email accounts is also quick and easy, providing access on the move.
Niggles include the absence of a camera flash and the fact that the battery can drain rather quickly when the device is being used heavily, but the latter could be said for a number of devices.
Overall, the Galaxy S is a great effort from Samsung that outshines the iPhone 4 in a number of areas. Android 2.1 is a pleasure use and its open nature provides customisable options galore.
V3.co.uk rating: 5 stars (read the full Galaxy S review)
V3.co.uk ANDROID AWARDS
Design - Motorola Flipout
The pint-sized smartphone takes the award for ingenuity. Who would have thought that a square design would make for such a good device? Motorola was clearly thinking out of the box with this one.
Screen - Samsung Galaxy S
There can only be one winner. With the superb 4in Amoled screen capable of producing vibrant content, the Galaxy S challenges the iPhone 4's Retina display. Although it is 1in smaller than the Dell Streak, Samsung emphatically proves that bigger doesn't necessary mean better.
Interface - HTC (all models)
HTC is simply on top of the game when it comes to an intuitive and immersive interface. The HTC Sense overlay complements Android perfectly, and is one of the main reasons that Google-powered phones have taken off in popularity. With the latest upgrade to the overlay due out soon, HTC handsets look likely to be ahead of the competition for some time to come.
Messaging - Galaxy S
This was a very close race between the Flipout, X10 Mini Pro and the Galaxy S, with Samsung using its secret weapon in the form of Swype to come out on top. This simple method of input is very easy to get used to, and very addictive. Swype claims that it is possible to write up to 55 words per minute. To back up the claim, a young lady with too much time on her hands used the interface to aid her in her quest to write the fastest text message in the world.
Internet browsing - Dell Streak
The Streak's 5in screen beats the rest of the handsets with the display making it easy to browse full web pages comfortably. The Galaxy S is a close second.
Value - HTC Wildfire
This pint-sized version of the Desire comes with most of the features of its big brother and, at half the price, is deservedly the weapon of choice for many. With great build quality, a 3.2in QVGA fully capacitive touch screen, 5-megapixel camera with LED flash and a more than reasonable price, there was only ever going to be one winner.
Overall It's a toss up between the Desire and the Galaxy S. For those who have had a taste of the HTC Sense UI, the Desire will be the smartphone of choice. Users wanting a great all-round messaging and web browsing device should give this Samsung handset a whirl.