There is no better time than now to purchase a smartphone. Apple’s iPhone 4S and the soon-to-be released Samsung Galaxy Nexus and Motorola RAZR are setting new standards in smartphone functionality, reliability and design.
In fact, these top-of-the-line devices are setting a higher bar for everyone else in the cellular industry. Top-selling smartphones and one-time household names are increasingly becoming obsolete. And while less advanced and older-model phones will no doubt be discounted to compete, you will still end up paying in the long run. You will likely spend spend several hundred dollars to use your phone over the course of a two-year contract. So you’re better off ponying up more at the time of purchase to get the best possible device.
With that in mind, you should think twice before purchasing these popular smartphones.
This is not a terrible phone by any means, and when released last May was viewed as one of the best phones to run on Google’s Android operating system. But with the new and improved RAZR on the horizon, and already-released Motorola devices like the Droid Bionic, Droid 3, and Atrix 2 available, the Droid X2 is starting to look a little long in the tooth. To its credit, the Droid X2 does rock a dual-core processor, which makes surfing the web super-fast. Yet this capability is becoming standard among top-of-the-line smartphones including the iPhone 4S, Samsung Galaxy Nexus (dubbed the Nexus Prime), and the Motorola RAZR. Further, the Droid X2 doesn’t offer 4G/LTE capabilities, and was plagued with issues when Android released a software update earlier this year.
As the first 4G smartphone on the nation’s first 4G network, Sprint subscribers with a need for speed couldn’t pick up an HTC EVO fast enough when it became available last year. This is still a respectable device and offers good value for the money with its big 4.3-inch screen and WiMax capabilities. However, for Sprint subscribers who want an Android phone, there are newer and better options today. The EVO 3D boasts similar specs, but offers more than just a 3D camera. Upgrades for the EVO 3D include a dual-core processor, better screen resolution and a bigger battery. The phone is also less bulky. The recently announced HTC EVO Design, smaller and less powerful than the original EVO 4G, offers dual bands which is great for international travel.
This smartphone runs on AT&T and uses Windows Phone 7 as its operating system. The HTC Surround has been touted for its impressive audio qualities with Dolby surround sound and pop-up speakers (instead of a slide-out keyboard, little speakers emerge instead). Trouble is, it’s a little thick and heavy. While its interesting audio capabilities are nice selling points, it doesn’t excel in other areas. For starters, there are numerous complaints about the device not syncing with non-Exchange Microsoft Outlook accounts. What’s the point of having a Microsoft phone without reliable Outlook access? If you need a Windows Phone 7 device, there are certainly better options available like the Samsung Focus.
In fact, these top-of-the-line devices are setting a higher bar for everyone else in the cellular industry. Top-selling smartphones and one-time household names are increasingly becoming obsolete. And while less advanced and older-model phones will no doubt be discounted to compete, you will still end up paying in the long run. You will likely spend spend several hundred dollars to use your phone over the course of a two-year contract. So you’re better off ponying up more at the time of purchase to get the best possible device.
With that in mind, you should think twice before purchasing these popular smartphones.