I am one of Apple's biggest fans, to me they make good products that makes my life a lot easier. My complete eco system at home and work is Apple, thats why I guess it works well.
However I want to start pitching Android Application Development, so Ill need an Android device.
There are so many options out there, I am not looking for something similar to the iPhone 4, I am looking for the best Android experience.
I owned a HTC Desire released by Telstra (Australian Carrier), used it for a week and missed the iPhone.
While later I managed to root the Desire and removed all the HTC bloatware and installed a Cyanogen ROM. This was a vast improvement on disappointing hardware.
Other Android users told me that the desire will tarnish my perception of Android and that there are better models out there.
After searching GDGT for a while I came up with the following, and hoping that I can be pointed in the right direction.
Telstra Samsung Galaxy S 1 is available now, and I can get tomorrow. Few weeks wait I can get the Galaxy S 2 which seems to be a little better.
Are there other models I should look at.
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Which Android Phone to get?
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majik's pick
I've got to agree with Patrick here. If you're looking to develop, it's probably best to get a Google Experience Device that will always get the latest updates and will come without bloatware. At this point, the Nexus S is probably going to be the best bet for you. It comes with the latest updates, and you're guaranteed to get all of them in the future.
However, at Google I/O this year, Google announced that it has partnered with every major carrier and several major phone brands to guarantee updates for you phone for at least 18 months after purchase. Because of this, I am hesitant not to recommend a dual core phone like the Samsung Galaxy S II - especially because you want to develop. It helps to have a top-of-the-line phone to see how your app works differently on better hardware, and whether or not you can add in settings to adapt to extra cores. That being said, it does come with Touchwiz 4.0 - which, in the unlocked version you can import right now, is rather nice an unobtrusive. However, by the time the phone gets to a carrier, it's likely to be loaded with carrier bloatware.
Because the Android ecosystem is open, you can remove Touchwiz through rooting, and flash a clean Gingerbread ROM, but that presents updating problems when new updates are released.
So, based on all of that - if you have your heart set on the pure Android experience, go with the Nexus S. But, if you're willing to forego a Google Experience Device and develop on a faster, newer platform, go for something like the Galaxy S II.
Good luck!
However, at Google I/O this year, Google announced that it has partnered with every major carrier and several major phone brands to guarantee updates for you phone for at least 18 months after purchase. Because of this, I am hesitant not to recommend a dual core phone like the Samsung Galaxy S II - especially because you want to develop. It helps to have a top-of-the-line phone to see how your app works differently on better hardware, and whether or not you can add in settings to adapt to extra cores. That being said, it does come with Touchwiz 4.0 - which, in the unlocked version you can import right now, is rather nice an unobtrusive. However, by the time the phone gets to a carrier, it's likely to be loaded with carrier bloatware.
Because the Android ecosystem is open, you can remove Touchwiz through rooting, and flash a clean Gingerbread ROM, but that presents updating problems when new updates are released.
So, based on all of that - if you have your heart set on the pure Android experience, go with the Nexus S. But, if you're willing to forego a Google Experience Device and develop on a faster, newer platform, go for something like the Galaxy S II.
Good luck!
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majik's pick
Both the Galaxy S and Galaxy S 2 are great Android phones (I am reviewing the latter right now) but they may not be suited to what you need. Samsung has placed their TouchWiz skin over vanilla Android and I think you should have a vanilla Android device if you are going to develop Android apps. Even though, TouchWiz 4.0 seen on the Galaxy S 2 is a much needed update and if you had to choose, I would 100% recommend the Galaxy S 2 over it's predecessor.
Like I said, if you are going to be developing apps, you really should have the latest firmware from Google so you can make sure you apps run on the latest versions of Android. So because of that, I recommend you look into the Samsung Nexus S because this a phone that runs vanilla Android 2.3 Gingerbread, it has no carrier of manufacturer "enhancements" and it gets all the latest builds of Android first, straight from Google.
You can develop with skinned devices such as the Galaxy S 2 but if you truly want a developer's phone, I would recommend you look into the Nexus S.
It is only my opinion but it is what I think you should pick up.
Patrick Rigby
Like I said, if you are going to be developing apps, you really should have the latest firmware from Google so you can make sure you apps run on the latest versions of Android. So because of that, I recommend you look into the Samsung Nexus S because this a phone that runs vanilla Android 2.3 Gingerbread, it has no carrier of manufacturer "enhancements" and it gets all the latest builds of Android first, straight from Google.
You can develop with skinned devices such as the Galaxy S 2 but if you truly want a developer's phone, I would recommend you look into the Nexus S.
It is only my opinion but it is what I think you should pick up.
Patrick Rigby
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Hi George, I really like the HTC Desire HD. Had it for a little while now and no complaints. It's 1 GHz processor and 800 odd MB of RAM means it runs like a dream, battery life is great too, plus high res display and larger screen, plus 8MB camera. Let me know what you get.
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At the current time i'd go with a HTC Sensation or a Samsung Galaxy S2 simple because spec wise there ahead (both dual core phones). However there are still some awesome older android devices out there that can still outperform the iphone
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I went for the Motorola Atrix, Dock and Lapdock included.
Samsung S2 was the one I wanted however Telstra only gets it next month. And I could not wait.
Atrix not bad, high res screen and also dual core cpu. Its one of the top 5 units available now.
Had it for two days and there are few things missing, if anyone can suggest applications or settings to fix this.
- Zoom in Gmail client, I use Google Apps and HTML email blows up so that you need to scroll. Little annoying as the UI completely breaks when you do this.
- In Australia, Westpac banking Application?
- Freshbooks Application for invoicing?
- Good Task Killer, I managed to freeze the atrix trying to do to much at the same time. (using Task Manager (free) not bad)
- Podcast manager, I have Google Listen... but cannot get it working. Or do you really have to enter each subscription manually?
Samsung S2 was the one I wanted however Telstra only gets it next month. And I could not wait.
Atrix not bad, high res screen and also dual core cpu. Its one of the top 5 units available now.
Had it for two days and there are few things missing, if anyone can suggest applications or settings to fix this.
- Zoom in Gmail client, I use Google Apps and HTML email blows up so that you need to scroll. Little annoying as the UI completely breaks when you do this.
- In Australia, Westpac banking Application?
- Freshbooks Application for invoicing?
- Good Task Killer, I managed to freeze the atrix trying to do to much at the same time. (using Task Manager (free) not bad)
- Podcast manager, I have Google Listen... but cannot get it working. Or do you really have to enter each subscription manually?
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