Discover the Right Mobile Phone for You
NEW & EMERGING:
4G Smartphones
A multitasking phone OS makes these large screen, dual-core powered smartphones shine.
 
MAINSTREAM:
3G Smartphones
Apple has a bigger App Store but Android offers a wider selection of phones. Both have most of the important apps.
 
GOOD VALUES:
Value Phones
For around $100 or less, many of these phones are unlocked and can be used as a spare phone.
Top Rated 4G Smartphones
 
Top Rated 3G Smartphones
 
Top Rated Value Phones
$199.99
Samsung Galaxy S III
  • Smartphone
  • Touch
  • GSM or CDMA
  • 8 Megapixel Camera Resolution
$199.00
Apple iPhone 4S 16GB
  • Smartphone
  • Touch
  • WCDMA (UMTS) / GSM
  • 8 Megapixel Camera Resolution
$59.00
LG Optimus Elite Black Smartphone - Virgin Mobile ...
  • Android Phone
  • Touch
  • CDMA2000 1X
  • 5 Megapixel Camera Resolution
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See all 3G Smartphones »
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Technology Cycle
Rollover for more information
 
Quad-core ProcessorsSome new smartphones are coming equipped with Tegra 3 quad-core processors Dual-core ProcessorsMost new smartphones come equipped with dual-core processors allowing you to multitask without much lag Single core ProcessorsPhones with only 1 core are lacking the speed necessary to run the latest games and apps.  
Super AMOLED DisplayNewer smartphones with AMOLED displays have better power efficiency and improved brightness LCD DisplayThis is the standard display technology used in mobile phones, though quality can vary greatly. High quality LCD display includes the Retina Display, found on the new Apple iPhone 4/4s.    
  4-inch+ DisplaysMost new Android smartphones sport a big display for better viewing pleasure, but its extra screen size can make the phone a little too big to carry. 3.5-inch DisplaysDon't need the extra screen estate? A 3.5-inch display is more than enough for playing games or surfing the web. 2.2-inch Displays2.2-inch displays are just enough to dial numbers, no more, no less.
  8 MP CameraThis is as many megapixels as even many point and shoot cameras have. 5 MP Camera5 megapixels can be more than adequate especially for FaceBook photos. 2 MP CameraCan be perfectly adequate for posting photos or sending them around.
  1080p Video RecordingMost newer smartphones are capable of recording in Full HD 1080p 720p Video Recording720p is not Full HD (1080p) but adequate for most videos  
  4G ConnectivityAlthough 4G connectivity is not available in all markets, most newer phones are capable of 4G speeds. It allows for streaming high quality videos and music, but watch out for that data cap! 3G ConnectivityThis is adequate for people who use their mobile phones to check e-mails or browse the web.  
  802.11nCurrently, the fastest Wi-Fi standard common to computers and other devices. 802.11b/gNot the fastest Wi-Fi but plenty fast enough for most things  
Bluetooth 3.0/4.0The future of bluetooth, profile 3.0 offers increased data transfer speeds of up to 24 Mbits/s. Bluetooth 2.1 + edrProfile 2.1 features secure simple pairing, which allows for easy and secure pairing with all your compatible devices. Bluetooth 2.0 + edrProfile 2.0 has Enhanced Data Rate (EDR), improving its speed to 3Mbit/s. Bluetooth 1.0-1.2The very first bluetooth profiles, they are pretty much obsolete these days.
NFCNFC, or Near-Field Communications, allows your mobile phone to communicate with other NFC enabled devices by just touching or bringing them together. GPSGet turn-by-turn directions or use location-based apps with a gyroscope    
  Forward facing cameraMany smartphones support video calls or conferencing like Apple's FaceTime or Google Talk w/ Video Chat.    
HDMI outputYou can show HD video right from your phone on your HDTV with an HDMI connector. Accelerometer / GyroscopeAll kinds of cool apps, like games, use accelerometers and gyroscopes for detecting movements.    

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