What was rated the best smartphone in 2011

Recapping each of them would take a lot of time and more slides than you could handle , so we're going to show you the highs and the lows instead. So here they are, the best and worst cell phones that CNET reviewed in Editors' note: Though the best and worst phones are separated into distinct groups, the devices within each category are listed in no particular order. But it was with good reason. Our former reviews editor Nicole Lee loved almost everything about it including the slim and sturdy design, the gorgeous display, the 1.

Sure the camera wasn't stellar, but everything else about the Droid Razr was. And speaking of Droids, Moto's Droid Bionic also impressed. The bottom line: With its razor-thin design, jam-packed features, and blazing speed, the Motorola Droid Razr is easily one of the year's top Android smartphones. Read CNET's full review.

The only other phone to receive a 9. But even during that crowded time, the Galaxy Nexus caught our attention with its sleek design, top-notch performance, and Ice Cream Sandwich operating system. Its camera faltered as well, and Android 4. The bottom line: As the first U. However, once other premium handsets receive the updated Android OS, the Galaxy Nexus will lose some of its competitive edge. No, it wasn't the iPhone 5, but the 4S still had a lot to offer including an upgraded camera, more speed, and the quirky Siri.

The bottom line: The iPhone 4S isn't the king of cell phones, but it's part of the royal family nonetheless. Even without 4G and a giant screen, this phone's smart ass voice assistant, Siri, the benefits of iOS 5, and its spectacular camera make it a top choice for anyone ready to upgrade.

So who cares if the speakers weren't great? The bottom line: Its excellent design and user experience, coupled with its solid performance, make the HTC Sensation 4G one of the best Android phones yet and a top pick for T-Mobile customers.

Motorola's Android-powered, dual-core smartphone was the first with Webtop, Motorola's crazy-but-brilliant scheme for turning phones into laptops.

It took a few months for it to filter down to U. Until then curious shoppers had the expensive unlocked version to mull over. It's been a hit everywhere it's gone. We reviewed 10 different models of this super-popular budget smartphone, but the hottest by far was Sprint's. The Optimus S was a high-quality smartphone everyone could afford, and one of the few reviews that got more popular months after the phone came out.

It was also overlooked by some of the geekier blogs out there, which probably drove readers to us. We first saw it at CES in January, but the first dual-core, LTE smartphone took a painful eight months and a total hardware revision to arrive. Readers flocked to the review to see if it was worth the wait, and for a little while, it was. But its reign was short-lived—the many delays caused it to be pipped for our Editor's Choice award only two months later, by the superior Motorola Droid RAZR.

Did you get one of these devices for the holidays? Check out PCMag's roundup of the best apps for your new smartphone. I put it down at number 10 since the specifications are era like all of the other WP7 devices. However, the OS is fun to use and a breath of fresh air in the mobile space. I just purchased the HTC Thunderbolt and am likely to keep it since it is the only LTE smartphone currently available and the speeds are addicting.

I will also be keeping my eye on Apple and the likely iPhone 5 that should be announced this summer and if Apple can get proper notifications and some home screen customization support on iOS I may get an iPhone 5. Go back to the beginning ». Are free phone deals really free or too good to be true? Samsung records strong Q3 propelled by chips. Samsung leader fined for illegal use of sedative by a Seoul court. Samsung announces Galaxy Watch 4 bespoke edition. Best camera phone Take the best photos and videos.

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The prices you will see in this article are from the carrier, when available. If you are new to a carrier or adding another line you will find excellent prices on Amazon. So you know where my personal perspective is coming from I am a long time about 10 years T-Mobile subscriber with five phones on a family plan and just signed up for a Verizon account with the HTC Thunderbolt.

I do have some experiences with each of the four major US wireless carriers and have also been purchasing SIM-unlocked smartphones for over 6 years. Number 2: Motorola Droid Bionic on Verizon Verizon's LTE network is the only network in the US that can seriously be considered a 4G network and the upcoming Droid Bionic may just be the best smartphone on the nation's fastest network.