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HTC Droid Incredible Available since: April 2010 in the U.S.
The aptly named HTC Droid Incredible packs a lengthy list of features into a slim and sexy package. This includes a 1GHz Snapdragon processor, 8GB of internal storage, 512MB ROM and 512MB RAM, a microSD slot with support for up to 32GB cards, an 8-megapixel camera with dual LED flash and autofocus, a beautiful 3.7-inch (480 x 800) AMOLED capacitive touch screen, and Google's Android.
The internals and screen technology are almost identical to the Nexus One, but the inclusion of HTC's Sense interface makes it more intuitive and improves usability by better integrating Android's features. The flip side to this out-of-the-box usability with Sense, though, is that you will have to wait a bit longer for OS updates. Luckily Verizon has already made the latest 'Froyo' build available to customers via an OTA update.
Palm Pre Plus Available since: January 2010 in the U.S.
A minor update to the original Pre that debuted last year, the Palm Pre Plus brings double the available memory and internal storage, as well as an improved slide-out keyboard. The device has received mostly positive reviews far and wide, and at the time of launch it was considered the first serious challenger to Apple's iPhone. Much of the hype revolved not around the device itself, but on its platform. Palm's webOS is intuitive and really shines when it comes to multi-tasking. Unfortunately, it hasn't received the wide support that Palm intended and its App Catalog has suffered as a result, unfulfilling the phone's entire potential.
Nevertheless, with the HP acquisition and their intention to continue development of webOS we can only imagine that it will continue to be improved upon. Spec-wise the Palm Pre Plus carries a 3.1-inch (320 x 480) display, 3-megapixel camera with LED flash and geo-tagging support, a 600MHz processor and 16GB of storage. With an elegant design that fits perfectly in your hand, the Palm Pre Plus is a great alternative if you are looking for a smartphone to balance work and play.
Network: CDMA, EV-DO Rev. A on Verizon; GSM, HSPA 7.2 on AT&T
Storage: 16GB built-in (15GB available)
Apple iPhone 3GS Available since: June 2009 in the U.S.
Despite having launched over a year ago, the iPhone 3GS remains as relevant today as many other smartphones in the market – especially at its new $99 price point. With the introduction of iOS 4, Apple's previous-gen smartphone received a welcomed breath of life through multitasking support, better application management and enterprise support, and a multitude of smaller enhancements like threaded emails or tap-to-focus for videos.
This stylish device is no slouch when it comes to hardware, either. Compared to the iPhone 4 you'll be missing out on FaceTime video calling, HD video recording and a higher resolution camera, 802.11n, the three axis-gyroscope for gaming, and will have to cope with the more standard 480 x 320 resolution screen.
With the official Windows Phone 7 launch just days away, handset leaks are turning up all over the place. One of the more likely to debut later this month is the so-called HTC Mondrian. The device showed its face a few days ago in a couple of adverts which also revealed AT&T as an official carrier. Although no hardware details have been disclosed so far, Microsoft's minimum specs plus a few rumors suggest it could come with a 1.3GHz Snapdragon processor, 4.3-inch screen with a WVGA resolution, and a camera with HD capabilities and at least 5 megapixels.
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LG Optimus 7
Details of the LG Optimus 7 have been floating around for a while and the device even made an appearance at the IFA conference in Germany recently. The device is expected to be LG's flagship Windows Phone 7 platform at launch, featuring a 1.3GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon processor, 3.5-inch capacitive touch screen display and 5-megapixel camera. As you might expect, not much else is known at this point, but a listing on Amazon briefly appeared a few days ago suggests its launch can't be too far away.
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HTC MyTouch
The MyTouch smartphone will be T-Mobile's second device to support the carrier's high-speed HSPA+ network and will be joining the G2 and Samsung Vibrant as part of their high-end Android selection for the next few months. Unlike the existing myTouch 3G and myTouch 3G Slide, the new model packs some serious specs, including a 1GHz processor that's faster than that of the new T-Mobile G2, video chat capabilities through a front-facing camera paired with Yahoo Messenger or Qik, available via 3G or Wi-Fi, and a 5-megapixel camera.
Other specs include a 3.8" display, 802.11n Wi-Fi and DNLA support, and a version of Android 2.2 customized by HTC and T-Mobile. The carrier says the myTouch will be available "in time for the holidays," though it stopped short of revealing an exact date or price.
