With Apple sitting so far behind schedule (everyone was expecting the next iPhone to be announced before the end of July), assumptions were that Apple would have a completely redesigned iPhone 5 in the coming weeks. Among the anticipated improvements were a larger, 4-inch display; a lighter, thinner chassis; and 4G connectivity. The 4S has none of this.

The iPhone 4S is no slouch, though, and compared to the iPhone 4, it’s a significant step up. The first of its major upgrades is the A5 processor, similar to the processor found in the iPad 2. As a dual-core processor, it helps improve multitasking performance, and its graphics processor is a full 7 times faster than the A4 found in the iPhone 4. Still, the A5 isn’t exactly revolutionary, as there are already several other smartphones that perform just as well, like the nearly 5-month old Galaxy S II.

Other improvements include a new 8MP camera, capable of recording video in 1080p. It has also received a slight bump in maximum 3G speeds from 7.2Mbps to 14.4Mbps, and after the reception issues that plagued the iPhone 4, you can rest assured that the 4S has a completely reengineered antenna design. But again, expectations were much higher, and 3G speeds fail to impress when 4G phones have been around for nearly a year now, like Verizon’s 4G LTE Thunderbolt.

The biggest improvement by far is actually in the iOS operating system. iOS 5 brings 200 new features, including the new “Notification Center” which is similar to Android’s Notification Bar. There is also Twitter integration, basic photo editing, and even a messaging app for texting fellow iPhone users for free.

All of that pales in comparison to the iPhone 4S’s most innovative – according to some, the only innovative – feature: Siri voice control. Though it’s still in beta form, the new Siri platform takes voice commands to a new level. Siri is by far and away the most advanced voice recognition system in the mobile sector. This is one point that even the best Android phones can’t currently match.

A Rose by Any Other Name

Many people are underwhelmed by the iPhone 4S, and it seems Apple may have anticipated this. It’s unclear why Apple was so delayed in bringing the new iPhone to market, but considering the naming scheme in iOS 5, it would appear that Apple’s original intentions were to name it the iPhone 5. It wouldn’t look good for Apple to release a new flagship device that wasn’t ahead of its time, something everyone was expecting of the iPhone 5.

However, this possibly last minute name change could have done more harm than good. In a survey shortly following the iPhone 4S’s announcement, it was revealed that more people want to wait for the release of the iPhone 5 than buy the 4S. Even more interesting is the fact that the majority of those people polled are actually waiting for Google’s upcoming Nexus Prime.

How do you feel about the iPhone 4S? Let us know in the comments.

The Bigger the Better?

The race to the biggest screens is almost entirely a marketing tool. Today’s smartphones really are just miniaturized computers, with a processor and RAM, but many consumers don’t know to look for this information; moreover, in the case of smartphones, processor and memory specs are hardly ever even listed!

Smartphone manufacturers know that the screen is one of the first things a buyer sees when looking for a new phone, and if you’ve ever been shopping for an HDTV, you’ll know that in the showroom, the bigger screens always stand out. That’s exactly why manufacturers have started producing bigger and bigger smartphones. Screen sizes are also numbers that advertise well because people can actually relate to them. 1GHz, 1.5GHz, dual-core, these terms only mean anything to those who are already familiar with the technology and likely already know what they want to buy. Everyone knows what an inch is, and that a 4-inch screen sounds better than a 3.5-inch screen.

But are these glassy pixel monstrosities really a step in the right direction? Sure, as long as the phones themselves aren’t getting too big. Back to that HDTV analogy, once you’ve bought one and brought it back home, you realize just how huge it is once all of the larger TVs aren’t around to skew your perspective. The same thing is happening with smartphones: people are buying the larger screens only to realize down the line that they’re too bulky to be practical. So what smartphone display size is right for you?

Screens Under 3.5 Inches

There are a lot of smartphones with 2.8 to 3.2-inch displays. These are generally entry-level devices, intended to be affordable but still functional. These are great for the younger crowd, such as teenagers, who might be more prone to losing or breaking a phone and have the younger eyes to see the smaller screen.

Smartphones with portrait style keyboards also have screens of this size. These are aimed at the business professional crowd who will be primarily using it for things like text messages, emails, and documents.

Screens 3.5 to 4.3 Inches

This is currently the sweet spot in terms of screen visibility and overall package size. The 3.5-inch devices are typically in the mid-range scale. Their performance can vary from very moderate, like the Huawei Ideos X5, to high-end, like the iPhone 4.

 
For things like multimedia and especially web browsing, the 3.5-inch screens can be a bit cramped. This is where 4-inch displays shine. The overall sizes of the phones are generally close to the same as the 3.5-inchers but extra screen space is a noticeable improvement. It’s for this reason that the iPhone 5 (or iPhone 4S) is expected to have a ~4 inch display.

In the 4.3-inch range, you have some of the true powerhouse phones, like the Galaxy S II and Sensation 4G.  They’re starting to get a bit bulky but will still fit into most pockets.

 

Screens Over 4.3 Inches

There have been a few phones with screens over 4.3 inches. The Dell Streak was among the first, sporting a giant 5-inch display, blurring the line between smartphone and tablet. This was just too large to fit easily into a pocket – even purses had trouble.

 

4.5-inch screens are still quite large but much more manageable. Phones like the Samsung Infuse and the AT&T and T-Mobile variants of the Galaxy S II have 4.5-inch displays. They’ll still fit in a pocket, much thanks to their thinness, but be sure to consider just how big they are before buying them.

After about 3 months of availability in Europe and Asia, our current top-rated cell phone known as the Galaxy S II has finally seen an official announcement for a release in the U.S.

The Specs

The Galaxy S II is a monster of a phone, in terms of both size and processing power. It sports a 4.3-inch 800×480 pixel Super AMOLED Plus display (and even 4.5-inches in some versions), yet it’s actually the world’s thinnest smartphone at just 8.5mm thick. The Super AMOLED display not only gives extremely bright and vibrant colors but also goes very easy on the battery in comparison to other display technologies.

Under the hood is Samsung’s latest Exynos processor, a 1.2GHz dual-core beast. This is actually very similar to the dual-core processor found in the iPad 2, except faster. The higher frequency and an improved graphics processor make it considerably faster than the iPad 2, and if you’ll recall, Apple said that the iPad 2 was up to 9 time faster than the original iPad and iPhone 4. So doing the math here, it seems that, according to Apple, the Galaxy S II should be more than 9 times faster than its aging iPhone 4 competitor.

It will also feature 1GB of RAM for better multitasking, an 8MP camera capable of 1080p video recording, a 2MP front facing camera for video chat, 16GB of internal storage plus a microSD expansion slot, Wireless A/B/G/N, NFC (Near Field Communication), and HDMI output via the microUSB port.

Running the latest version of Android (2.3 Gingerbread), the Galaxy S II will have all of the great features included in Google’s market dominating operating system. It will also be running Samsung’s TouchWiz user interface, adding even more useful features.

The Carriers

Just like the original Galaxy S, the Galaxy S II is poised to launch on all of the United States’ major cell carriers (though Verizon may be sitting this one out in preference of a slightly different Samsung device). Both AT&T and Sprint have already announced launch dates of the 18^th and 16^th of September respectively. T-Mobile will also be getting it, though no release date has been announced.

Like last time, each carrier has its own name for the Galaxy S II as well as their own look. AT&T will be calling it the Samsung Attain and going with a design that doesn’t much resemble its first Galaxy S phone, the Captivate. If anything, it looks more like T-Mobile’s Vibrant. AT&T is also the only carrier who will be keeping the 4.3-inch display size (both Sprint and T-Mobile are opting for a 4.5-inch display).

Sprint is going with the name Epic 4G Touch, toting it as a keyboardless version of the original Epic 4G (Sprint’s version of the Galaxy S). It won’t be quite as rounded as the original, but it does have a much more rounded edge than AT&T’s Attain.

T-Mobile has decided on an even more rounded edge than the other two and will be calling it the Hercules, surely on account of its large 4.5-inch screen and unmatched processing power.

The Bottom Line

The Galaxy S II tops our cell phone list for a very good reason: it’s an amazing phone. The 4.3 and 4.5-inch screens may make it feel a little too bulky for some, but it does make up for it by being ultra thin. Its specs make it a great buy for anyone who wants to be on the cutting edge of performance as well as those who want something that won’t be outdated in just a year. It’s even a great choice for those tired of blinding waiting for the unsure release of the Apple iPhone 5.

Windows Phone 7

Key Features: Enterprise Integration, Document Management, Ease of Use

Windows Phone 7 is primarily intended for enterprise environments, especially those running Microsoft Exchange. Its focus is to keep you connected with your workplace as much as possible; however, in order to keep competitive, Microsoft has added some iPhone-like features, such as Facebook integration, Zune Media Sync (for MP3 and video playback), and its very own Windows Phone Marketplace.

WP7 is best suited for someone who needs to stay connected to the office without actually being there, but also wants to use his smartphone for a bit of fun on the side. The HD7S is a great place to start.

BlackBerry

Key Features: Simple E-mail and Messaging, Battery Life, Contact Management

In the business world, BlackBerry devices are very popular. They offer great E-mail capabilities, and the widespread use of its specialized BlackBerry Instant Messenger is a great asset. It doesn’t pack quite as much power as its competitors, making it a bit light for things like videos and rich document processing, but it does feature great battery life. Like Microsoft, RIM has been adding social features onto the BlackBerry platform as well.

When work comes before all else, and the ability to respond to E-mails and messages quickly are key, a BlackBerry is the best choice. Check out the Torch 9800.

The iPhone

Key Features: Ease of Use, Huge App Store, “Trendy”

The iPhone changed the smartphone arena when it came out, sparking a shift from corporate use to mass adoption. It features great browsing, media playback, and socializing capabilities, and through its App Store, nearly nothing is off limits. The latest model, the iPhone 4, is quite powerful (despite its hardware being a bit dated) and most importantly very simple to use.

It’s an excellent choice for people who might be afraid of the complexity of a smartphone or rely on many Apple products already (iTunes, iPod, etc).

Android

Key Features: Massive App Store, Extensive Media Playback Options, Lots of Devices to Choose From

Android was Google response to Apple’s raging success with the iPhone. It’s a little rough around the edges, requiring a bit of customization, and generally appealing more to those more technologically savvy, but it’s very similar to the iPhone with many social features, media options, and excellent web browsing. One of the key differences between Android and the iPhone is the fact that the Android platform has a wide array of devices to choose from.

It’s a common misconception that the iPhone offers the latest and fastest mobile technology, but it’s actually Android phones that hold the crown. The latest Galaxy S II is even expected to be faster than Apple’s upcoming iPhone 5.

Android phones are great for anyone looking for an iPhone-like experience for cheap. It’s also a great choice for those who like the latest, fastest technology at their fingertips. HTC Sensation 4G anyone?

Summary

In short, WP7 and BlackBerry are for working hard, while Android and the iPhone are for playing hard. If you’re in the market for an iPhone, it’s a good idea to check out Android phones as well, and visa-versa. The same goes for WP7 and BlackBerry, of course.

Clearing up the Confusion

Android has often been referred to as the “Google Phone,” but there really is no such thing. Google produces Android as software only; however, Google does have its Nexus line (currently featuring the Nexus One and Nexus S) which are devices that Google contracts other manufacturers to build and feature 100% pure versions of Android. Because of Android’s openness, many manufacturers customize their Android devices with different levels of functionality. The Nexus line as well as Android phones featuring the “Google Experience” designation run Android exactly as Google envisioned it.

Some other confusion stems from Verizon’s naming techniques, giving all of its Android devices a name beginning with “Droid.” This has led many people to think that all Android phones are Verizon Droid devices, and therefore, only available on Verizon. The truth is that the “Droid” name is no more than Verizon’s branding for Android devices. Other Android phones exist on just about every major cellular carrier around the world.

  The Short Version In a nutshell, Android is a smartphone operating system created by Google, available on hundreds of different smartphones and tablet devices. You can think of them all as little Google versions of Apple’s iPhone and iPad.     Have any Android questions? Let us know in the comments, and we’ll be happy to help.

The Problem With Smartphone Cameras

It all comes down to size. A smartphone has to be pocketable, and there’s just not enough room for a large screen, high-end processor, cellular antennas, speakers, PLUS a full-sized image sensor. As a result, cameras on smartphones use very small image sensors. They may still allow for 8 megapixel images (or even as much as 16 megapixels with upcoming technology), but the small sensor means each little pixels sees less light, causing colors to be less accurate and images to be grainy and noisy.

Smartphone’s also have small lenses which don’t typically offer things like optical zooming. Small lenses let in less light and have a more difficult time focusing quickly. They also lack key features that help produce quality photos, such as image stabilization, shooting modes, shutter speed/aperture control, and multi-point focusing, all of which are fairly standard on most compact digital cameras today.

Ultimately, this all means that smartphone cameras perform especially poorly in low light situations, and even in ideal lighting conditions, a smartphone will struggle to take any photos that will stand up to the test of looking good in print (even a simple 4×6-inch glossy).

So When is a Smartphone Camera Useful?

Thanks to the wonderful world of the internet, printing photos is almost entirely unnecessary these days, and the great thing about a smartphone is that it’s connected to the internet no matter where you are. So when you have a photo opportunity that you’d like to share on Twitter or Facebook (places where the images will rarely be viewed at full-size),  a smartphone offers more than enough quality, and includes the added benefit of being able to share it from anywhere.

Certain smartphones do try a bit harder. Some new Sony Ericsson phones, like the Xperia Arc, feature Sony’s Exmor R image sensor, which has features that allow it to perform much better in low light situations; however, it’s still considerably smaller than your typical compact digital camera image sensor.

Still, you probably won’t want to rely on your smartphone for any important/memorable occasions, like a family vacation or wedding for example.

In the end, you’re really best off buying an entry level compact digital camera to complement your smartphone in situations where it just isn’t smart enough.

Smartphone usage typically falls into two categories: light/moderate and heavy. Light and moderate users will use their smartphone occasionally throughout the day, perhaps sending several text messages, making a few calls, and looking up a restaurant or getting directions; the phone generally sits in their pocket, coming out when necessary. Heavy users are almost always on their phone, playing games, constantly replying to E-mails, or perhaps watching YouTube clips; they’re actively using their phone several hours per day.

One smartphone may provide several days of light or moderate use but struggle to achieve a few hours of heavy usage; alternatively, another smartphone may last a full day even with heavy use but fail to last much longer under light use. You need a phone that caters appropriately to the way you intend to use it, and we have a list of a few of the longest lasting smartphones we could find.

1: HTC Sensation

The HTC Sensation is the current top dog. With the latest mobile processor technology, it’s not only one of the longest lasting phones on the market, but also one of the fastest. The Sensation is also very well balance for both moderate and heavy usage. Keep in mind that 4G takes a heavy toll on battery life and consider turning that feature off.

Light/Moderate Use: Up to 36 hours

Heavy Use: 12-14 hours

2: Apple iPhone 4

Apple’s iPhone 4 is considerably underpowered compared to current smartphones, but its iOS still provides a fast feeling experience. Because of its lower performance hardware, the iPhone 4 offers great battery life, best for heavy use, but still manageable for the light and moderate users.

Light/Moderate Use: Approximately 24 hours

Heavy Use: Up to 16 hours

3: Google Nexus S

The Nexus S runs hardware that is very similar to the iPhone 4, though slightly faster, but due to its power-saving AMOLED display and clean version of the Android operating system, it gets a very different result in terms of battery life. For moderate use, the Nexus S is excellent, but under heavy use, its faster hardware gobbles up more power than is ideal.

Light/Moderate Use: Up to 48 hours

Heavy Use: Approximately 12 hours

4: Motorola Atrix 4G

The Atrix 4G uses Nvidia’s dual-core Tegra 2 processor, which is among the fastest mobile processors currently available. As a dual-core device, it can split heavy loads between the two cores, reducing power consumption. This results in admirable battery life under heavy usage, but because of its high-spec processor, it continues to draw a lot of power even while under moderate use.

Light/Moderate Use: Up to 24 hours

Heavy Use: Approximately 14 hours

5: BlackBerry Bold 9780

BlackBerries get some of the best battery life among all of the smartphones; however, they lack much of the functionality and performance found in those listed above. The Bold 9780 is great for light to moderate use, but its small screen and low-power design don’t really allow for heavy use as we’ve defined it.

Light/Moderate Use: Up to 48+ hours

Heavy Use: N/A

The Android operating system and iOS (the iPhone’s operating system) are the two titans in today’s Smartphone market. We’ve pitted the two platforms against each other in a battle amongst several categories which are integral to a Smartphone.

Ease of Use

Creating a product that is extremely simple and easy to use is Apple’s forte. The iPhone has a uniform experience throughout all of its versions. The Android platform tends to be different from manufacturer to manufacturer, and the interface is more complex than iOS’s. This point goes to iOS, no contest.

iOS=1 / Android=0

Flexibility

Part of what makes Android a bit more complicated to use than the iPhone is its flexible platform. You can easily alter your Android interface to focus on social networks, multimedia, apps (like the iPhone), or all of the above. Score a point for Android.

iOS=0 / Android=1

Hardware

The iPhone 4 has impressive hardware specs, but with a design refresh only once a year or so, you’re stuck with any design flaws it might have (such as poor antenna placement). The Android platform on the other hand has an entire slew of devices available, many easily matching the iPhone 4’s capability, and even several surpassing it. It’s a closer race in this category, but the point still goes to Android.

iOS=0 / Android=1

Network

One of the biggest drawbacks of the iPhone is the network it’s on. AT&T has become a victim of the iPhone’s success, and its network has become a mess of bottlenecked traffic. Android offers devices on all of the major cell carriers, so not only can you avoid AT&T, you can also choose the carrier best suited for your area. Rack up another for Android.

iOS=0 / Android=1

Multimedia Playback

The iPhone has always been an excellent multimedia device. In terms of fluidity and ease of use, it easily beats most Android devices, but Android has an advantage in that it does not require the use of iTunes. With Android, you can simply copy your songs and videos to your devices and play them directly, or you can purchase them through the AmazonMP3 app from your phone. We’re calling this one a tie.

Apps and Development

The iPhone certainly has more applications available than Android, but Android is also catching up very quickly. The iPhone’s App Store is also easier to navigate than Android’s Marketplace, but where Android really shines is application development. Android offers a completely open environment for developers, as well as true multitasking capability (unlike the iPhone 4’s limiting API’s for some multitasking). This gives Android far more potential than iOS, but since iOS is currently ahead in the game, we’re calling this one a tie as well.

Fragmentation

Fragmentation is a development term having to do with accounting for all of the different types of devices available. In short, it’s a bad, bad thing. Because the iPhone is really only available in a few flavors (the original, 2G, 3G, 3Gs, and 4), there are really only five devices to account for when developing an application (even fewer when you consider the original and 2G versions are essentially obsolete). Android on the other hand has hundreds of devices coming out, some with powerful hardware, others created as entry level devices. This makes development much more difficult, making iOS the clear winner in this category.

iOS=1 / Android=0

Conclusions

Tallying up the points, Android comes out as the winner with three wins compared to the iPhone’s two. This doesn’t necessarily mean that the Android platform is right for you. You should consider which categories each platform excelled in and attribute additional weight to those categories you feel are more important to you. Both offer very capable Smartphones, making neither a bad choice.

Results: iOS=2 / Android=3

PS: Scan products and get reviews on the go with alaTest’s new iPhone app and Android app.

Verizon Wireless: Motorola Droid X

Verizon Wireless not only has the largest subscriber base, but also the most 3G coverage in the US, even though its 3G network speeds are often the slowest amongst the other carriers. Verizon’s flagship Smartphone is the Droid X, and for good reason. It is a monstrous device with a 4.3 inch screen and one of the most powerful Smartphone processors on the market.

It’s also extremely feature rich, sporting an 8 Megapixel camera with dual LED flash and native HDMI output. Engineered with a dual antenna design for improved reception and noise cancelling microphones for excellent call quality, the only thing the Droid X really lacks is a front facing camera.

AT&T: Apple iPhone 4

AT&T basically launched the modern Smartphone market with the iPhone; however, AT&T was a victim of its own success. AT&T has the fastest 3G network, but because of its large Smartphone user base, its network is often bottlenecked by too many connections. Despite its relatively poor network, AT&T has the most popular Smartphone on the market, the iPhone 4.

Having been around for over three years, the iPhone has matured very well, making it suited for both work and play. Paired with powerful hardware, 5 Megapixel camera with LED flash, front facing camera, and high resolution display, the iPhone 4 truly is one of the best Smartphones on the market; unfortunately, its antenna design leaves it susceptible to dropped calls and poor reception.

Sprint: HTC EVO 4G

Sprint is a significantly smaller carrier than either Verizon or AT&T, so its primary focus is on the east coast, though coverage is still suitable nationwide. Even with its small subscriber base, Sprint was the first US carrier to offer 4G coverage as well as the first 4G Smartphone, the EVO 4G.

Sprint’s EVO 4G is arguably the most feature rich Smartphone on the market, hosting just about every feature available, starting with 4G connectivity and going on to an 8 Megapixel camera, LED flash, front facing camera, native HDMI output, and 4.3 inch screen. Packed with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon processor, there isn’t much the EVO 4G can’t do.

T-Mobile: HTC G2

T-Mobile is basically the west coast version of Sprint; it offers nationwide coverage, but focuses the bulk of its services in the west. Also like Sprint, T-Mobile is rolling out an enhanced data network capable of 4G speeds, and the G2 will be the first device to make use of the new network. The G2 is the newest of these four devices; it’s also the only one with a physical QWERTY keyboard.

As a brand new device, it’s uncertain how well its processor will perform, but it is expected to compete well. Apart from the 4G capabilities, the G2 has fairly standard equipment compared to other high-end Smartphones, such as a 5 Megapixel camera, LED flash, and 3.7 inch screen.

Honorable Mention: Samsung Galaxy S

Samsung’s Galaxy S is actually available on all four of the major US carriers, granted in slightly different flavors. Verizon’s Fascinate, AT&T’s Captivate, and T-Mobile’s Vibrant are all essentially identical, short from varying case design. Sprint’s Epic 4G has a few extra features, though, such as 4G connectivity and physical QWERTY keypad.

All four versions house the same Samsung Hummingbird processor (the same chip used in the iPhone 4 as well). The Galaxy S takes honorable mention simply because it cuts too many corners, housing just a 5 Megapixel camera with no flash and lacking additional features like native HDMI output.