CES 2011 is one of the biggest technology unveilings of the year, and we've seen several mind-bending devices so far. Here's a list of 12 mobile phones that were recently announced (and one that launches during the CES period).
1. Motorola ATRIX 4G AT&T, Android 2.2 with Motorola MOTOBLUR
The Atrix is all about speed. From the dual-core Nvidia Tegra2 CPUs to the blazing fast AT&T 4G Speeds, this phone screams power. The 1930 mAh battery keeps this powerhouse alive and running, and the huge battery means great life (it can even function as a laptop). A decent-sized 4.0" screen with qHD (960x540). Among the lines of a laptop, 48 GB of Hard Drive and 1 GB of RAM is hard to argue with, especially in a phone. All in all, Tegra2/HSPA+ screams speed, 48 GB of Hard Drive says business, and Android 2.2 with MOTOBLUR says Social. On a carrier known for the iPhone, a true rival has grown from the dust.
2. Motorola Droid Bionic Verizon, Android 2.2
Dual-Core CPUs and 4G Speeds are king of CES. The Droid Bionic is fairly similar to the Atrix 4G, with the main difference being a stock Android experience over the Motorola-customized MOTOBlur. It comes with that same big battery but 512 MB of RAM and 16 GB of storage. However, that camera is significantly bigger. The screen is also a tad bigger, but as pixel density is a tad lower, we think it's safe to say that this the choice between this device and an Atrix really depends on personal tastes.
3. LG Optimus 2X T-Mobile (Rumored), Android 2.2 with LG Optimus 2.0 UI
While we've crowned the Atrix as the finest device heading into 2011, the LG Optimus 2X deserves a nod too. At launch, it is expected to run on T-Mobile's 4G network, which has speeds of around AT&T's. It also runs that sleek Tegra2 CPU, and a 4.0" screen. There are some differences hardware-wise from the Atrix, some better than others. The camera, capturing 1080p is a noteworthy nod, but a weaker battery and smaller screen resolution are a few minor drawbacks. Software-wise, this thing also runs Android 2.2, but uses LG's new Optimus 2.0 UI, which has been described as a mix of HTC Sense and Samsung Touchwiz.
4. Samsung Infuse 4G AT&T, Android 2.2 with Samsung TouchWiz 3.0 UI
Last year, Sprint Galaxy S owners had something to brag about, namely, the fact that their Epic supported Sprint's WiMAX 4G. Well, here's a 4G device for loyal AT&T customers, and if you don't need a keyboard, it has several significant improvements. Right of the bat, it has a 4.5" Super AMOLED+ screen. Not only is it .5" bigger (which is quite a lot actually), but the viewing angles will somehow manage to blow your mind in a way Super AMOLED didn't (and it blew my mind pretty good). The phone is super slim, and the new Hummingbird CPU runs about 20% faster. It also runs Android 2.2, which is a big bonus for the... um... dissatisfied Galaxy S owners who want FroYo.
5. HTC Thunderbolt 4G Verizon, Android 2.2 with HTC Sense UI
HTC may not be looking into using dual-core technologies, but they're trying to nail just about everything else. In the Thunderbolt, we find all that juicy goodness we found in the Evo and some more new stuff. It supports Verizon's LTE Network, and packs an improved 8 MP camera, and a standard .3 MP front one. Running on a Qualcomm 2nd-Generation Snapdragon (Scorpion) CPU, the graphic rendering abilities on this phone are huge, along with decent speed levels. It also launches with Android 2.2 and the newest iteration of Sense.
6. HTC Inspire 4G Verizon, Android 2.2 with HTC Sense UI
The Inspire carries similar specs to its American brothers, the Evo and Thunderbolt, but what sets this device apart is its GSM radio, or in other words, AT&T. It also runs on AT&T's brand new 4G Network, but of the three new phones, it's kind of the middle guy, without the big processor of the Atrix or the big screen of the Infuse. However again, the rationally-big 4.3" S-LCD screen and that Desire HD feel make this device a great option to look into. (Notice: It also claims to be the first American phone to run the latest edition of Sense on top of Android 2.2, with a Gingerbread update available "sometime")
7. LG Optimus Black TBD, Android 2.2 with LG Optimus 2.0 UI
The Optimus Black, also known as the LG B, has an IPS LCD screen that is "better" than Samsung's Super AMOLED (not +) and Apple's Retina Display. Apart from that, it packs similar specs to the Optimus 2X, minus the dual-core CPU. It's still fast,
has a nice camera, and uses LG's impressive new Optimus 2.0 UI. And did we mention that thescreen looks/seems amazing?
8. Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc TBD, Android 2.3 with Sony Ericsson UX
Okay maybe it's not fair that the Xperia Arc is down this far on the list. It didn't do anything wrong; it has a solid 4.2" screen and 8 MP camera. But it simply doesn't have that display push found on the Infuse/Optimus Black, the 4G speeds found on 6 of the last 7 phones, or the dual-core CPU that the Droid Bionic, Atrix, and Optimus 2X possess. Still, it's a great
device for media lovers, as Sony Ericsson's UX has proven itself to be a thing of beauty. It runs on a Qualcomm 1 GHz processor, but notably, the star of the show is the first phone here that comes with Gingerbread (Android 2.3) at launch.
9. LG Rebellion Verizon, Android 2.2 with LG Optimus 2.0 UI
We all expected a lot of Verizon devices to be unveiled during CES, and we've seen quite a few. The Rebellion here, though not officially announced quite yet (LG Keynote tomorrow), has been confirmed to be that Verizon LG Phone engadget saw a peep of earlier. It runs on Verizon's LTE Network, packs that sleek Optimus 2.0 UI, and is one of three phones that will compose LG's High-End Debut.
10. Vizio VIA Phone TBD, Android 2.2/2.3 with Vizio UI
LG is not the only one that is attempted to break it's way into the high end market this week at CES. In fact, Vizio also intends to do so with their brand new VIA Phone and Tablet (as seen on the Rose Bowl). What gives Vizio a chance here? America's largest LCD TV provider promises the ability to use your new phones as TV controllers, and that could mean quite a
lot with a Google TV in the works. (Side Note: Great UI)
11. HTC Evo Shift 4G Sprint, Android 2.2 with HTC Sense
AT CES, we've seen a decent amount of Verizon, like we expected to, and a (pleasantly) suprising amount of AT&T devices, and even some potential T-Mobile in that mix too. But who's really been biting the bullet today is Sprint. Not a peep of them at CES. We've thrown this potential-filled device in out of pitty, pitty for Sprint's lack of presence at CES, pitty it's overshadowed by the original Evo, and most of all, pity for it's quit launch. It is a great phone though, and Sprint's 4G network, don't get me wrong, is seriously fast. Also, if you were thinking about an Evo but like the Droid's keyboard, this device is perfect for you.
12. Motorola Cliq 2 T-Mobile, Android 2.2 with Motorola MOTOBLUR
The Motorola Cliq 2 is a mid/high-range device running on T-Mobile's 4G Network. It doesn't pack a qHD resolution like the other new Motorola devices, but the 854x480px Resolution is still very high, even on this list. Other than looks, this device falls somewhere between the Droid and the Droid 2. It has that 3.7" touchscreen and is suprisingly lightweight (at 75g). It also packs Android 2.2 and the full Motorola MOTOBLUR social experience. (Full QWERTY Keyboard = Bonus)
13. HTC Freestyle AT&T, Brew MP with HTC Sense
I know that since you've read all the way to the bottom of this list, you're expecting a great clincher phone that will make you rethink about the rest of the list. And so here is the HTC Freestyle. Interesting? Yes, although it doesn't have anything on the other phones I've listed here. It's really a standard low-end smartphone, with specs quite similar to the Android-powered Aria. However, the interesting thing about it is the elusive Brew MP (did you notice this is the only non-Android on the list?). Brew has been used for quite a while in your average joe-smith-kinda budget phone, but this Mobile Platform pushes the arch up a tad. With HTC Sense being put on the top, this could possibly be the best low-end smartphone/high-end dumbphone you can get your hands on this year. Expect AT&T.
By the way, Happy 2011! And I hope to be able to post more often.
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