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Samsung's winning smartphones
Jessica Dolcourt
Senior Editor June 23, 2011
Samsung produces so many smartphones, we'd be inclined to believe they mistook quantity for quality. That might be the case, at least, if excellent gems were few and far between. Luckily, Sammy has given consumers more top-notch phones than we can list here, so let's start with our favorites.
The Samsung Galaxy S II earned our attention--and a coveted CNET Editors' Choice Award--for its snappy processing and data speed, its clean design, and its high-end features. Too bad the unlocked handset has no U.S. home yet. The Infuse 4G brings AT&T some class, and is currently the carrier's best Android phone. Sprint had the enviable position of bringing the Nexus S 4G to market. As a flagship Android phone, it was the first to carry Android 2.3 Gingerbread. It also has an NFC chip ready and waiting for near-field communications like mobile payments and device pairing.
Another 4G phone, T-Mobile's Sidekick 4G, earned high marks for successfully revitalizing and updating the popular Sidekick series with a fresh, user-friendly design, and without abandoning excellent features. We were equally impressed with T-Mobile's Samsung Exhibit 4G for its ability to address the needs of Android fans on a tight budget, while still delivering high data speeds alongside extras like a comfortable design and a front-facing camera.
Samsung doesn't supply Android phones alone. The Focus is currently our favorite Windows Phone, with a vibrant screen, and a smooth, light body to showcase the bold new operating system. It's even better with Microsoft's Mango update, which CNET recently previewed.
As dual-core phones and 4G become even more de rigeur, there will certainly be more treats from Samsung coming our way.
| Product name | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $319.00 to $529.99 | Check Prices | $104.99 to $149.99 | Check Prices | $99.99 to $399.99 | Check Prices |
| CNET editors' rating | ||||||
| Average user rating | ||||||
| Release date | May 15, 2011 | November 08, 2010 | April 20, 2011 | June 22, 2011 | ||
| The Bottom Line | Despite a few complaints, the Samsung Galaxy S II hits all the high notes, making the unlocked handset Samsung's most advanced and successful smartphone to date. | The Samsung Infuse 4G disappoints in some areas, but it's still a very good Android smartphone for AT&T customers as long as you're OK with the larger design. | Anyone looking for an alternative to the iPhone, but who wants better multimedia features and a more organized user interface than Android offers, should look at the Samsung Focus with Windows Phone 7, which has all that plus solid performance and a sleek design. | The T-Mobile Sidekick 4G continues the Sidekick's legacy as an excellent messaging device and also serves as a great entry-level smartphone. | The Samsung Nexus S 4G offers a great combination of design, features, and performance. The 4G connection could be more reliable, but the Gingerbread OS, stock Android UI, and admirable call quality make for a satisfying smartphone. | A great price makes the Samsung Exhibit 4G a compelling option for Android fans on the lookout for a deal, without sacrificing features. |
| Features | ||||||
| Weight | 4.09 oz | 4.9 oz | 4.2 oz | 5.61 oz | 4.55 oz | 0.3 lbs |
| Service Provider | Unlocked | AT&T | AT&T | T-Mobile | Sprint Nextel | T-Mobile |
| Full specifications | Full specifications | Full specifications | Full specifications | Full specifications | Full specifications | Full specifications |
| Buying choices | | | | |||
Very nice little smartphone. Running Android 2.2, but for some reason, can't find Adobe Flash Player on the Market.