Top 10 Android Smartphones

The world is always looking for something smarter, more intuitive and more advanced than what was available yesterday. So far, in the ever-changing world of mobile phones, the demand for something new is extremely high and the larger variety of devices is so far ruled supreme by handsets running on Google’s Android Platform. For those looking to switch from other operating systems to Android, here’s our list of the top 10 best Android phones in India today.

Do keep in mind that these are handsets we’ve selected based on their popularity in the market as well as our own tech2 ratings. The prices listed are best prices we have gathered from our market and official sources and will vary depending on your location, taxes etc. The list below is not sorted according to any specific rank.

Samsung Galaxy I9100 S II - Rs. 28,500

The Galaxy SII shot to stardom almost immediately after its launch. It’s still quite a sought after handset with features to rival some of today’s new handset models. At the time of its launch, the S  II was one of the scant few to feature a Dual Core processor (1.2GHz). Packed to the hilt with features, and toting Android’s Gingerbread OS, the SII is still one of the slimmest handsets to make it out of the Samsung camp. The S II is also capable of playing full HD video content and comes with multiple codec supports for almost all popular video files. For the Indian user, Android 4.0 aka ICS (Ice Cream Sandwich), is on its way and should be here real soon.

The once reigning champion

Samsung Galaxy Note - Rs. 32,500

The Galaxy Note is the second effort by a mobile manufacturer to try and bridge the gap between tablets and mobile handsets, the first being the Dell Streak that didn’t quite catch on. The Note however was quite a hit with the business class users as it came off as a device that managed to offer substantial speed with its 1.4GHz Dual Core and a large enough display to get work done on the fly. Like its younger brother, the Note also features plenty of video codecs built in to handle all format runs on Android Gingerbread with an ICS update on the horizon. The Samsung S-Pen or Smart Pen stylus can also be quite handy for both work and play or just jotting down notes.

Big brother looms over the little SII

Samsung Galaxy Nexus - Rs. 24,500

Although this, the third edition to Google’s Nexus family, was never formally introduced to the Indian shelves, the handset is nevertheless still available via other vendors. The Galaxy Nexus is the second in this series to be made by Samsung and come preloaded with ICS. One of the main benefits of the Nexus devices is that you’re almost guaranteed to get Android updates earlier than other phones. With its 1.2GHZ Dual Core processor, this device is as fast as you need it to be to handle all kinds of functions seamlessly. 

Google's got dibs on the updates

Sony Xperia S - Rs. 30,500

Sony’s latest high-end Smartphone in their Xperia range was only recently launched for India and is the first device launched under the Sony branding (minus the Ericsson). It’s equipped with a 1.5GHz Dual Core processor and comes loaded with Sony’s Bravia Mobile Engine to enhance your visual experience. For some strange reason Sony is shipping the handset with Gingerbread but rest assured, an ICS update will make it to the Xperia S in time. This is also the very first Android powered device to come with a 12 megapixel camera. The camera settings include 3D panorama Sweep and geotagging amongst others. The unique transparent strip at the bottom of the handset also adds a bit of class and sex appeal to the overall look and feel of the handset that’s quite robust in design as it is.

Quite a sharp looker

Sony Ericsson Xperia Neo V - Rs. 17,200

The Neo V, with its chic oval shaped design proved to be quite a popular handset in its price range. It offers users a well balanced feature set that includes a 1GHz processor, 5MP camera, HDMI out and again Sony’s Mobile Bravia Engine to boost colors and textures on the display. Like the Xperia S the, Neo V also features Sony’s 3D camera option for a 3D Panorama Sweep and also has face and smile detection with touch focus. Sony’s Track ID is also on board along with their Timescape UI.

Well equipped and neat looking as well

The big daddy of all Android phones, overtaking the Galaxy Note, and the first mobile phone device to be equipped with a 1.5GHz Quad Core processor is the HTC One X. The handset also features NVIDIA’s Tegra 3 Chipset making it one of the fastest mobiles on the market. This super slim, super speedy handset is also quite light weight and ships with Android ICS (4.0). HTC has installed their Sense UI version 4.0 onto the One X that appears to be quite a bit faster than previous editions even if it looks the same. The 8MP camera features quite a few settings including an auto-stitch Panorama mode and quite a few preloaded filters to enhance your pictures. The Beats audio engine also helps make your music experience much more lively and accurate.

The big daddy of the Android realm

HTC Sensation XE - Rs. 28,000

The XE is another well equipped handset from Taiwanese handset makers HTC. Although on the slightly heavier side, the XE manages to offer users quite a bit of functionality for the price. A 1.5GHz Dual Core processor ensures that all your apps and media are running seamlessly, Beats audio engine helps enhance your audio experience and coupled with their Beats Headset it’s one of the top handsets for audiophiles. Of course HTC’s highly intuitive Sense UI is also on board running on top of Android’s Gingerbread edition till it gets a 4.0 (ICS) update.

Beat it!

Motorola RAZR XT910 - Rs. 28,000

Picking up from the previous RAZR series the XT910 also comes off as a very premium device with a super slim body (7.1mm). It also features a few diamond-cut aluminium accents and a KEVLAR fiber and splash-guard coating that extend to the boards on the inside of the handset, making it a seriously durable device as well. It runs on Gingerbread and is powered by 1.2GHz Dual Core processor. Motorola has infused this device with very handy apps that are both intuitive to the functioning of the device as well as makes overall usage simple and uniform when required.

Hardcore and yet so elegant

Motorola Defy+ - Rs. 15,000

Motorola’s second edition to their hardcore out-doorsy handsets, the Defy+ is as capable as its older brother when it comes to durability. It is however, just a little more powerful with a 1GH processor on board to keep things running smoothly. Motorola’s MOTOBLUR UI has also been preloaded onto the handset. The Defy+ is IP67 certified to be dust and water proof. It can stay 1 meter under water for up to 1 minute before it could possibly start letting water seep in, so needless to say, it’s perfect for the Indian monsoon, but don’t go swimming with it.

Ready for the great outdoors

Spice MI 280 - Rs. 5000

The Android OS has plenty to offer even in the low budget segment and the Spice MI280 is one of the few that fared quite well in our labs so we’ve chosen to include it in this list. It’s a small but sturdy handset that’s equipped with a 650MHz processor that didn’t seem to struggle too much to deliver comfortable usage. Spice has offered their Mi-280 with Gingerbread but it’s highly unlikely we’ll see ICS making it to this device. However as is, the device proved to be a value for money handset in the ultra budget smartphone category.

Small but well balanced

So there you have it. This is our list of the top 10 best Android phones in India. Do let us know if you have other options you would consider. What are your top 10 picks?