Phone shopping season is here and we've updated our picks for the best phones on AT&T including the iPhone 4S, Atrix 2, and Samsung Focus
AT&T hasn’t had a good year. Verizon’s 4G LTE network has already launched and is an entire year ahead of its own, the U.S. Justice Department is now suing to stop its merger with T-Mobile, and the iPhone is now available on not one, but two rival wireless carriers. The good thing is, with the pressure on, AT&T’s handset prices are much lower than Verizon’s, and their specs are quite comparable (minus the whole LTE thing). Below are our favorite AT&T handsets on the market right now. We’ll try to maintain this list throughout the holidays.
Apple iPhone 4S
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Screen: 3.5 inches, 640×960 pixels Description: The iPhone 4S looks identical to the 4 on the outside, but it packs some new features. The update has a dual-core processor, better camera, and a new iOS 5 operating system that has some cool new features. Siri voice control lets you use more natural language to talk to your iPhone and works fairly well, and iCloud will let you automatically store your documents and media on the net. For more info, read iPhone 4S: Everything you need to know. |
Motorola Atrix 2
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Screen: 4.3-inch LCD, 540×960 pixels Description: The Atrix was one of the first dual-core HSPA+ phones on the market and is still an industry-leading device thanks to a July update to Android 2.3 (download it here). You can still buy the Atrix, but from what we’ve seen, the Atrix 2 is a better phone for the same low $100 price. With the Atrix 2, Motorola has done away with the crappy PenTile display and improved the camera. The screen is a bit larger as well. Read our full review of the original Atrix. (Note: we haven’t yet tested the Atrix 2 ourselves.) |
Samsung Galaxy S II
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Screen: 4.5-inch Super AMOLED Plus, 480×800 Description: The Galaxy S II took its sweet time coming to North America, but it was worth the wait. It doesn’t disappoint in any one area, though its plastic construction may turn off some, though we like how light it is. Samsung’s TouchWiz 4.0 interface rivals HTC’s Sense as does Samsung’s cameras. AT&T’s Galaxy S II is a bit smaller than Sprint and T-Mobile’s at 4.3 inches, but the model may be our favorite. Read our full review. |
LG Thrill 4G
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Screen: 4.0-inch LCD, 480×800 pixels Description: LG and HTC misfired with their push for 3D smartphones, but if you can forgive the odd double camera on the back, the LG Thrill 4G is a good dual-core device. LG doesn’t mess around with Google’s Android interface much and for $100, the Thrill 4G offers specs comparable to the $200 Galaxy S II. Read our hands-on impressions. |
Samsung Focus
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Screen: 4.0-inch LCD, 480×800 pixels Description: We’ve had a Samsung Focus in the office for months now. At first, we mainly used it as an MP3 player (Zune interface rocks), but in time we’ve grown to appreciate Microsoft’s new take on smartphones. With Windows Phone 7.5 now available, the Focus remains a good pick for those willing to boldly try something different than Android and iOS. Check out our Best Windows Phone 7 Apps article for a guide to some of the software available. Unless you need specific apps, Windows Phone is an OS that will really grow on you. |
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