Smartphones with FM radios

Jessica Dolcourt
Senior Editor January 31, 2011 (updated on: May 6, 2011)

With their impressive processors, HD cameras, and other whirligigs, it may surprise you how many smartphones can't tune in to a simple FM station. If you'd like to stream local stations or actually hear a TV show at the gym rather than read lips or closed captioning, here are six smartphones that won't disappoint you.

HTC's Droid Incredible 2 is a solid choice that incrementally upgrades the original Incredible. Also with HTC is the Evo's cheaper, newer, keyboarded cousin, the HTC Evo 4G Shift. As with the Incredible 2, it hosts an FM radio in addition to Android's standard MP3 player. Meanwhile, the T-Mobile MyTouch 4G stores its radio and Slacker Radio app in the phone's Media Room. The unlocked Samsung Galaxy S II may not be generally available in the U.S., but if you buy it globally, you'll be awarded with a nice FM radio. U.K.-dwellers will also find they can take advantage of the BBC iPlayer TV app.

While Android phones can be hit or miss in the FM tuner department, Microsoft has assured that its Windows Phone 7 devices carry them. In the U.S., these include the HTC HD7 and the Samsung Focus. The HTC Surround takes it one step further by adding Dolby Mobile speakers you slide to reveal. The speakers are a convenient option for streaming local radio indoors among friends, but we really wouldn't recommend blasting talk radio while you're pumping iron.