Category Archives: Guides

Top 5 Android Phones of 2012

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These are the Droids you are looking for…

2012 was truly a breakout year for high-end Android devices. Many top models featured 4G LTE connectivity, NFC, and quad-core processors. With Android surpassing iOS in global market share (68% vs. 17%), 2013 looks promising in terms of delivering new and innovative hardware. I had the wonderful opportunity of reviewing many great devices this year here at the GazelleLab. From Samsung to Sony, and LG to HTC, the competition was fierce. But at the end of the year, there can be only 5 left standing. Below you will find my top 5 Android devices for 2012. Enjoy!

5. HTC Droid DNA: This recent release from HTC and Verizon features the worlds first 1080p HD screen on a phone. The 5-inch display with 440ppi resolution makes competing devices head back to the drawing board when it comes to screen clarity. The DNA comes loaded with Android Jelly Bean (4.1.1) with HTC’s Sense4+ UI running on top of it. The quad-core 1.5GHz Krait chip from Qualcomm provides plenty of power while using apps and surfing over 4G. Other features like Beats audio, Wireless charging, and an exceptional 8MP camera round out the device. Available only at Verizon.

htc-droid-dna

4. Samsung Galaxy Note 2: The popular “Phablet” returns with a slimmer form factor and mightier S PEN. The Note 2 from Samsung improves on every aspect found in the original Note plus more. The new 5.5″ 720p display delivers bright colors and good screen clarity (267ppi). Samsung has packed the Note 2 with it’s latest processor, the Exynos quad-core 1.6 GHz Cortex A9. The phone absolutely screams even when compared to it’s little brother the Galaxy S3. The S PEN delivers all new hover and touch features as well as some new tricks. The 8MP camera features a new best face feature to ensure the perfect picture every time. This 183 gram (6.5oz) monster is not for everybody, as skinny jean rockers maybe out of pocket room. Available on all carriers (AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, Verizon).

Check out my video review for the Galaxy Note 2 here.

Galaxy-Note-ii

3. Sony Xperia TX: The Bond phone is officially back, and features a curved body that sets it apart from the others in terms of design. When it comes to specs the device is no slouch either. The TX packs a 1.5 GHz dual-core Krait chip and 1GB of RAM. The beautiful 4.55″ 720p display at 323ppi is one of the best around in terms of clarity and brightness. The Xperia TX also packs DLNA, WiFi, HSPA+, and the Sony Mobile Bravia Engine. The 13MP camera is probably the best camera out of the top 5, and just takes stunning pics. The phone runs Android 4.0.4 ICS and should see Jelly Bean in February. For those who want to stand out from the crowd, the TX is for you. Available GSM unlocked only with support for both AT&T & T-Mobile networks

Check out my video review for the Xperia TX here.

xperia-tx

2. HTC One X+: The One X+ from HTC continues on the success of the original One X but with even more power. The plus model adds a faster NVIDIA quad-core 1.7 GHz chip and a GeForce 2 GPU. The One X+ also packs LTE which lacked on the international version of the One X. The One X+ comes with Jelly Bean 4.1 and also sports an improved 1.6MP front camera. The big bump up from the original One X is the 64Gb of on board storage and bigger 2100mAh battery. Available at AT&T.

HTC One Xpluds

1. Samsung Galaxy S3: The new standard from Android is the Galaxy S3 from Samsung. This has been the best selling Android device in 2012, and is considered the one and only iPhone killer. It features a sexy slim design with an amazing 4.8″ Super AMOLED screen. Most recent Droids are still trying to play catch-up even though the GS3 came out back in May. The GS3 packs NFC, WiFi, BT, DLNA, WiFi Direct, S Voice, and 4G LTE into a slim form factor that comes in a variety of colors. This quad-core monster (dual-core in U.S.) has been upgraded to Jelly Bean 4.1 on most carriers around the globe for the ultimate Android experience. The 8MP camera is one of the best in the business and is packed with features like best shot and panorama. The GS3 is still king of the Droids, and the GS4 next year is something all smartphone fans are eagerly awaiting. Available on all major carriers (AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, Verizon).

Check out my video review for the Galaxy S3 here.

galaxy-s3

Honorable Mention: LG Nexus 4, LG Optimus G, HTC One S, Motorola Droid RAZR HD MAXX

 

GazelleLab Black Friday techy gift guide

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With the holiday season quickly approaching, many people are deciding on the perfect gifts for loved ones.

As many people would agree, tech toys remain some of the top products on the market. From the iPad Mini to Microsoft’s new Surface – tablets and e-readers are sure to be a big hit.

I stopped by “The Morning Show” on NECN to share my top holiday gifts this year.

Apple Computers – Macbook Air, Mac Mini

With the recent refresh of the MacBook Pro, Mac Mini and iMac, Apple machines are thinner and sexier than ever before. The new ultra thin iMac starts at $1299 and is only 5mm thin at its edge. The new MacBook Pro ($1199) brings an ultra clear 4 million-pixel Retina display to a 3.6-pound laptop. Last but not least is the new $599 Mac Mini. This pint size desktop crams solid features and power into a 7.7″ attractive aluminum housing. Overall, you just can’t go wrong with any of the new Macs in Apple’s fall line-up.

Windows – Surface Tablet

With the launch of Windows 8 comes new, sexy hardware from the likes of Sony, Samsung, Asus and even Microsoft itself. For those looking for a tablet with keyboard, try the Microsoft Surface Tablet ($499). These Window RT tablets will give you a full desktop mode and a full MS Office experience for work.

Smartphones – iPhone 5, Galaxy S3, Galaxy Note 2, Sony Xperia TX (James Bond Phone)

The iPhone 5 is the new standard for smartphones heading into 2013. With an ultra-thin design, A6x chip, 8MP camera, 4″ retina screen and 4G LTE, this is the device that both kids and adults want alike. Starts at $199.

The Galaxy S3 from Samsung is still the king of the Android world. It features a giant 4.8″ screen, dual-core chip, 8MP camera and NFC. The Galaxy S3 can be found for $99 if you search hard enough (*cough* Amazon *cough*).

If more screen real estate is needed, check out the Galaxy Note II from Samsung. This 5.5″ screen “phablet” features all the good from the S3 plus additional tablet features, like S Pen. Skinny jean owners beware; a man purse may be needed. $299-$369 depending on carrier

Tablets – iPad, Google Nexus 7, Kindle e-reader ($69)

Once again, this is another year of the tablet. With the launch of the iPad Mini, iPad 4, Kindle Fire HD, Nexus 7 and the MS Surface, the options and price points are endless. The iPad Mini, alongside the Fire HD and Nexus 7, are great for first time tablet buyers. At $199, the Fire HD and Nexus 7 will give you great hardware, Android OS and solid displays. If a bigger screen is needed, there is an 8.9″ Fire and a 10″ Nexus tablet for $299. The new iPad Mini will give you the same great iPad experience of the 10″ model, but in a smaller form factor and smaller price point. The $329 tablet, however, will not give you a retina display, but the 275k iPad specific apps should make you forget that after minutes of playing with this thing. For those who want the whole enchilada, the iPad 4th generation is for you. This updated version of the new iPad now features a faster A6X chip, lightning port connector and updated HD camera. The tablet starts at $499 for the 16GB WiFi model, and goes up to $829 for an LTE 64GB model.

Media/Accessories – Halo 4, Assassins Creed 3, Call of Duty 2, Spiderman, Avengers // Table and Smartphone cases, Apple earbuds, screen protectors, Amazon gift card

Wii U
Games and movies will always remain on the biggest holiday gifts, regardless of what new hardware comes out. This year, look for action-backed Blu-ray and DVD’s such as The Bourne Legacy, TED, Spider-Man, Expendables 2, Dark Knight Rises and Total Recall.

For all the gamers out there, hot new titles like Halo 4, Assassins Creed 3, Call of Duty 2 and Far Cry 3 should have you calling out sick from work until about February.

My TOP 5:
a. iMac
b. MS Surface
c. Galaxy Note 2
d. iPad Mini
e. Sony Vaio Duo 11

source: necn

 

Gadget Survival Guide: Summer Edition

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With the hot weather upon us, many will flee the city in search of sun and sand. From exotic beaches to European vacations, everybody is looking to get some r & r this season.  Having the proper tech in hand can make your vacation that much more memorable. From capturing your favorite moments, or just sharing your day. At the end of the day you will probably need some sort of tech by your side. If you want to make sure you are well equipped for your getaway this time around, make sure you follow my summer gadget guide below. Enjoy!

 

Galaxy SIII – The Swiss Army Knife of Tech

Why clutter up your bag with a bunch of out dated tech when you can have an all-in-one at your side. The new Galaxy S3 from Samsung features a super fast dual-core processor, 8MP camera, S-beam for file sharing, GPS, and an amazing screen. From sharing images, playing games, and voice-guided directions, the S3 is the device that you should always turn to. Available on every carrier for $199 @Samsung

iPad – Work & Play

Forget the laptop at home and save some space in your bag with an iPad. The new 3rd generation tablet features a gorgeous retina display for watching movies and gaming. Want to catch-up on a magazine or book? The iPad has got you covered with reader apps from Amazon and Zinio.  Surf the web and check email on the go with 3G data roaming as well. $499 @Apple

Pentax Optio WG-2 & Otterbox Defender – Roughing It

If your vacation brings risk and adventure, you want to make sure your tech is ready for it. If you’re not willing to bring your $500 smartphone along for the ride the Optio WG-2 will handle all your snapshots. The WG-2 is water, shock, crush, and dust resistant. If you truly need your phone with you at all times I recommend encapsulating it with a big tough case. The Otterbox Defender series is one my favorite tough cases around. This case features a high impact polycarbonate shell with a silicone shock-absorbing sleeve. WG-2 $350 @BestBuy  Otterbox $25@Amazon

Monster iSport Headset- beats on the go

These durable headphones feature great sound and are also UV-protected and sweat proof. If you find yourself at the beach, in the gym, or just on the plane these buds will stay put for a very long time. $99 @ABT

Suunto X-Lander- Perfect Timing

The X-Lander from Suunto brings an altimeter, barometer, and compass all in one cooling looking watch. This wrist-top computer will give you accurate real-time information about your surroundings at a glance of the wrist. $299 @Amazon

Tumi T-Tech Icon Melville Zip – Bag it

Now that you got all these cool toys, you need a place to properly store them. The Melville Zip from Tumi features an extra-durable and easy-to-care-for wax-coated canvas. The interior compartment has storage for a laptop and has a cell phone pocket, pen loops and a key leash. $215 @Zappos


Earth Day 2012: 5 Tips for Green Gadget Use

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In honor of Earth Day, Gazelle is encouraging all consumers to lead a more sustainable lifestyle with more efficient use and handling of their smartphones, tablets and other electronics. Here are some specific suggestions:

Gazelle’s Gadget ”Greening” Guide:

  • Charge appropriately. Don’t leave your gadget plugged in to continuously charge. Unplug it when it is done to conserve power. Also try using an eco-friendly surge protector that senses when your device is off so it can control power flow in an energy efficient manner.

 

  • Power down when not in use. In addition to turning it off when you don’t need it, you can buy an inexpensive app to protect and extend your battery.  Battery Doctor Pro gets good reviews and is only 99 cents.

 

  • Protect your gear. The better condition of your device, the better it will perform. Invest in a good screen protector and case — there are even “green” cases made of recycled material.  Remember, the better condition your device is in when it’s time to upgrade, the more money you can get back for your trade-in.

 

  • Declutter. Now that your new smartphone is your personal GPS, digital camera and camcorder, make sure to recycle your old gadgets at your local electronics recycling post so they don’t end up in a landfill. For a list of electronic recyclers in your area click here (earth911.com).

 

  • Get cash for your upgrade. Are you still using an old phone that doesn’t hold a charge and consumes a ton of power? The cash you’ll get when you trade in with a service like Gazelle will go a long way toward paying for a new, more energy efficient smartphone.

Gazelle has facilitated more than 900,000 gadget trade-ins, but there are still many consumers that are trying to lead a more sustainable life and are unaware that their used electronics store significant value. Our hope is that Earth Day can be a call to action for many to begin to trade in their gadget so it can find a happy second home.

 

Mothers Day Gift Guide: Any budget, any mom! We’ve got you covered.

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Moms are awesome. There’s really not much more I can say on that. This year show your mom just how much you truly appreciate her and get her one (or all) of her very own gadget-y gifts.

No matter who your mom is or what she enjoys, I’ve hand-picked the best apps, games, gadgets and toys to show your mom how much you really love her.

The Iron Chef – I’m already jealous that your mom is home whipping up Fois Gras and Truffle Fries for dinner and I’ll be even more jealous when you hand off these tech gifts, perfect for kitchen use. The iPad in the kitchen along with the right apps, really does becomes the perfect sous chef!

•    Apple New iPad – $499
•    Belkin Kitchen Stand for Tablets – $27
•    Motorola CommandOne Bluetooth Headset – $59
•    SlingBox HD  – $299
•    Oster Electric Wine Opener – $25
•    APPS  (Apple App Store)

The Soccer Mom – How mom can be in 7 places at once and still manage to curl her hair into perfect waves every morning before 5am baffles even Super Woman. These gadget accessories and apps will entertain, organize and accessorize.

•    Nokia Lumia 900 – $99
•    Amazon Kindle Touch – $99
•    Sony Bloggie Touch Camera – $120
•    Adidas by Stella McCartney Pack Away Bag – $40
•    Case-mate Pop 2 Case for iPhone – $20
•    APPS (Windows Phone MarketPlace)

The Fitness Freak – Is your mom out-benching you in the gym? I have the perfect blend of fitness gadgets from calorie tracking tools to fitness apps. Any of these gifts will make sure you push her to the limit so she can stay healthy and fit.

•    Motorola Droid RAZR – $199
•    Motorola ACTV Sport Tracker w/Wristwatch -$250
•    Bose IE2 Sport Headphones – $99
•    Incipio Silicrylic Hard Case for Droid RAZR – $30
•    HydraCoach Intelligent Water Bottle – $30
•    APPS (Google Play)

The Fashionista – The closet in your parent’s bedroom rivals that of the Queen of England. The 5th Ave fashion queens are drooling in envy at your mom’s taste. Outfit her with these great gadgets to really make everyone talk.

•    Apple iPhone 4S – $199
•    500 by Gucci iPhone Case – $190
•    Apple MacBook Air 11-inch 64GB – $999
•    Louis Vuitton Neverfull GM Bag – $900
•    Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX200V – $499
•    APPS (Apple App Store)

The Executive – Yeah, she may run a multi-billion dollar conglomerate already but who doesn’t need a few extra gadgets like these to increase productivity. She’ll love the extra time she’ll all of a sudden have – and she’ll likely spend it with you as thanks for all the awesome!
•    Samsung Galaxy Nexus – $299
•    Asus ZenBook UltraBook – $999
•    Tory Burch ‘Robinson’ Double Zip Tote – $575
•    Plantronics Discovery 975 Bluetooth Headset – $60
•    SanDisk Cruzer 32GB USB 2.0 Flash Drive – $30
•    APPS (Google Play)

Can’t find your mom on the list? Don’t fret, I’ll help you pick out a custom assortment of gifts for mum. Drop me an email at anthony@gazelle.com , tell me about your mom and we’ll get started.

Don’t forget to tell mom to trade-in her used tech when she’s all done upgrading. Your present can be the gift that keeps on giving – cash that is!

Top 5 Grooming Gadgets For Men

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Phones and tablets are not the only devices that are getting smarter, faster, and more advanced these days. According to a new study, a Men’s Grooming Consumer Report conducted by The NPD Group, Inc., a leading market research company, over 9 in 10 men (ages 18+) are using some sort of grooming product today. With new products on the market, it can easily get overwhelming on which products to buy, and which are the best. Similar to buying a new phone, car, or TV, you have to do your research. My best bet…Amazon user reviews. With thousands of reviews on every product, the reviews can be your guide to choosing the proper “manscaper” or trimmer. Check out my top 5 tech man-grooming products from face, hair, beard, teeth, and body to make sure you are looking silky smooth. Enjoy!

Hair:

The BaByliss Volare Series Designed by Ferrari- When the world best driving machine teams up with one of the top names in hair care, the results will put you in pole position. First off is the Volare X1 Clipper which feature a Ferrari designed high-torque motor. It features 5 cutting positions, DLC & titanium coated blades, and finessed in Ferrari Red. To accompany your clipper BaByliss offer the Volar V1 hair Dryer which features a Ferrari designed V12 engine. This powerful blower sports a nano titanium infused grille for superior heat and a tri-port ionic generator to maximize hair’s shine. Clipper $199 Dryer $150

Teeth:

The toothbrush has seen plenty of advancements over the years. From improved designs and faster motors, to attachments and whitening. The new DiamondClean from Sonicare (Philips) is truly a work of art. This baby is the MacBook Airs of tooth brushes which is said to whiten teeth 2X better than a manual toothbrush. It features 5 modes, 31k brush strokes per second, smarttimer and quadpacer, slim ergonomic design. HX9382/05 DiamondClean $195

Beard:

Although the new iStubble trimmer from Conair may sound like an Apple product, this techno trimmer is built just like a product coming from Cupertino. The GMT900 iStubble Trimmer features an electronic motorized length control system which is so cool. You can digitally dial in the length setting via the LCD and watch the head move into position like a Droid from Star Wars. With 15 settings, ergonomic design, and dual battery system, the iStubble for me is the world best trimmer. iStubble $40

Face:

We all know that the rugged scruff look is cool, but at times a clean shave is just needed. Philips bring the SensoTouch 3D to the plate with the new 1290x model. First off this thing just looks cool. It feels like you are holding a phazer gun from Star Trek or something. The 3D brings 3 dimensional contouring to the face which give a closer shave with less strokes. Other features of the 1290x are: Works wet or dry, touch screen display, cordless, pop-up trimmer, GyroFlex 3D face, Li-Ion battery with charging stand. Philips 1290X $240

Body:

For all those manscapers out there it is time to rejoice. Gone are the days when you needed 4-5 buzzers to trim every little (or big) detail on your entire body. The new BG2040/34 Bodygroom Pro from who other Philips Norelco (starting to sound like a promo for these guys!) is the do-it-all tool for all your body grooming needs. The BGP features dual heads for trimming and close shaves all in one unit. The 3D pivoting head provides safety and closeness when shaving sensitive areas too. It also provides 50 minutes of cordless use with an 8-hour charge for all you gorillas out there. Best of all it can be used in the shower as well.

 

Top 5 Valentine’s Day Tech Gifts

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With cupids big day less than a week away, what should you get your sweet Valentine this year? Tech! Time to ditch the roses, Godiva, and Tiffany’s in favor of iPads and Droids. With gadgets as gifts you are sure to make someone special smile (or get kicked someplace very unpleasant). Either way the Gazellelab brings you our Top 5 V’day gifts for 2012. Enjoy!

5. Motorola Motoactv Fitness Tracker/Music Player- MOTOACTV is a fitness tracker and smart music player combined into a lightweight, wearable device. It’s like having a personal trainer and a DJ joining you on your run or ride. Remember that nothing says I love you more than “time to get in shape hun”…good luck $250 @sportsauthority

4. Kindle Fire- The fire is sure to leave your loved one burning hot (or cranky she didn’t get an iPad). But at only $200 it will give you access to the Amazon cloud, plenty of Android apps, movies, media, and more. $199 @amazon

3. Motorola Droid RAZR-  The RAZR is back with a  thin and sexy design which is sure to excite your Valentine. This dual-core Android powered smartphone now comes in 3 colors and is only 7mm thin. Rumor has it that Verizon will offer a BOGO on this device come Friday, perfect for his and hers devices (how cute…or how lame). Anyway Verizon has also brought back their double data promotion, offering up 4GB of 4G LTE data for only $30 with any smartphone purchase. $199 @Verizon

2. Sony Cyber-shot TX55- This super thin sexy point and shoot camera from Sony  features a 16.2MP “Exmor R” CMOS sensor for stunning low-light performance and sports an OLED display. It also captures full HD movies for all your sweetheart moments. Available in a variety of colors including red! $290 @amazon

1. Apple iPad- The iPad is the ultimate gift for any reason, but especially great on Valentines day. From FaceTiming with your loved one, to sharing movies in bed, this super Tablet from Apple provides hours of entertainment and fun. I will however give warning on purchasing the iPad 2. Should your Valentine be a bit tech savvy they might lash back with “why didn’t you just wait to get me the iPad 3!” With the next release of the iPad due out next month, some might hold out until the new version with HD screen, A6 chip, and improved imaging arrives. For the most part I bet they would still be more than happy with an iPad 2. $499 @Apple

 

2011 Holiday Gadget Gift Guide Video

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Check out the best holiday tech gift ideas this year compiled by the GazelleLab. From Laptops and smartphones, to headphones and camera’s the GazelleLab breaks down all your holiday tech gifts for 2011. Enjoy!

Save Time & Money: Top 5 Black Friday Apps

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With Black Friday creeping up on us shoppers everywhere are getting ready for the sheer madness of upcoming deal. From clothes, electronics, kitchen, and home, Black Friday has deals for everybody in the family. Keeping track and finding all these deals tends to be a problem with email, circulars, and social media posting popping up every 10 seconds it seems. Your best bet for following the Black Friday madness is right in your pocket…your smartphone. With Black Friday apps and shopping tools you can stay on top of exactly what your looking for and where to grab it. Check out my top 5 Black Friday Apps below. Enjoy!

1. Black Friday: considered the official Black Friday App from dealnews. This allows you to browse leaked BF adds and save items in your shopping cart. Full integration with social media sites allows you to share deals right from the deal page. One of the better search/browse experience on a  Black Friday app from a trusted source like dealnews.

2. Best Black Friday Deals: this app from RV appstudios features easy access to the top 25 daily deals from most popular stores. You can also view weekly ads from any retailer as well as search for deal straight from the app. This also allows deal sharing through Facebook and email.

3. TGI Black Friday: this app helps shoppers prepare for Black Friday before the ads hit the newspapers.  The app lets users see Black Friday ads early for major retail stores, compare prices, create a shopping list and email it.

4. ShopSavvy: Scan a bar code to see if the product you’re about to buy is actually discounted. ShopSavvy scans available prices for identical products online and in nearby stores so you can see if you’re getting the best deal.

5. ShopKick: rewards you for shopping, giving you ‘kicks’ every time you go into select stores. You can redeem your kicks later for iTunes gift cards, restaurant vouchers, gift cards for Best Buy, Target, Macy’s, American Eagle and Sports Authority, Facebook Credits, or movie tickets.

 

Android Holiday Wish List: Top 10 Phones

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With Black Friday around the corner and the Holiday season fast approaching, cell phone deals will be a plenty. For all those looking to upgrade their Android device look no further than my top 10 Android Holiday phone list below.  With a plethora of high-end devices across every carrier you are sure to find the perfect handset for your needs and budget. Seems like the last 2 months have been a hot release time for big manufactures as Android handset makers have pushed to try and compete with the fall release of the latest iPhone. Brands like HTC, Motorola, and Samsung have all released “flagship” devices around the same time as the iPhone 4S release…coincidence? Think not! Enjoy my top 10 Android phones for this holiday season below.

1. Samsung Galaxy Nexus (Verizon): Samsung brings an ultra luxury handset with the latest version of Android (Ice Cream Sandwich) on the plate. Being a Nexus device you are guaranteed to get the latest updates from Google first and get the first taste of ICS. With the launch date being moved around on a daily basis, look for this pocket rocket to arrive in early December soon after Black Friday. SGN features a 720 x 1280 pixels, 4.65 inch display, 5Mp camera, NFC, GPS, and 4G LTE. Price est. $299 w/2yr -$699 no contract

2. HTC Amaze (T-Mobile): HTC brings to the table it’s most powerful handset yet with the dual-core Amaze 4G. Not only do you get a 1.5Ghz processor but this baby rocks on T-Mobile 42mbps “4G” network. The Amaze has a premium build quality and feel to it, but some may find it a bit too big for their taste. Featuring Android 2.3.4 along with HTC Sense 3.0, the Amaze in my opinion brings the optimum Android experience to the user. Price $259 w/2yr – $560 no contract

3. Samsung Galaxy S2 (Sprint, T-Mobile, AT&T): The worlds best selling Android handset landed stateside back in September for 3 lucky carriers. All 4 major carriers minus Verizon (who gets the Galaxy Nexus) offer up the Galaxy S2 in their own unique flavor. The Sprint and AT&T version are very similar to the unlocked world version that was released back in April. However the T-Mobile version is almost like a different handset in terms of looks and specs. The T-Mobile version will give you a Qualcomm S3 dual-core chipset compared to the Exynos processor found in the others. No matter which you chose you really can’t go wrong with the SGS2 which has a great camera, amazing screen, and sexy build. Price $199-$229 w/2yr – $500-$550 no contract

4. Motorola Droid RAZR (Verizon): Yes the RAZR is back! The RAZR has come along way since it first arrived on the scene with it’s ultra thin flip form factor. Check out my video on just how far the RAZR has come here. The new RAZR gets an ultra thin design (7mm thin) while being powered by Android. The RAZR has also been promised a ICS update early next year from Motorola. With a stunning design, 1.2Ghz processor, 8MP camera, 4G LTE, and 12 hours battery life, the Droid RAZR is the newest “super phone ” on the block. Did I mention it has a Super AMOLED screen that rivals the Samsung Galaxy S2 as well! Price $299 w/2yr – $650 no contract (also available as GSM unlocked model RAZR XT910 $630)

5. HTC Rezound (Verizon): Beats by Dre officially arrives in the U.S thanks to HTC and Verizon. The new Rezound promises to deliver stunning looks, killer performance, as well as being the best music phone in the country. The success of Beats and HTC in Europe with the HTC Sensation XE and XL has lead Verizon to jump on the bandwagon with the Rezound. The Rezound will sport an amazing screen resolution of 720 x 1280 pixels at 4.3 inches (~342 ppi pixel density). This device will also feature a 1.5GHz dual-core Scorpion processor, SRS WOW HD sound enhancement, 8MP camera, TV Out, GPS, WiFi, BT, and the Sense UI. The phone ships with Beats by Dre headphones out of the box as well ($200 value).  iPhone users beware, the Rezound is after the music lover in all of us. Price $299 w/2yr – $650 no contract

6. Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc S (unlocked): If you are looking for a luxury style handset with no contract built in, the Xperia Arc S could be up your ally. Sony Ericsson and Android look to be forming a nice alliance and their premium handsets are proof of just that. The Arc S offers a 1.4GHz Scorpion processor, 8MP camera, 4.2in LED LCD display, GPS, and the SE Timescape UI. The device comes in 3 color choices of pink, white, and black and features a unique curved design. The Arc S is a phone that attracts attention and offers great specs along with a stunning design. My only gripe is the Timescape UI, if yo have the option to root and use a custom ROM please do so…ASAP. Price $450 unlocked

7. HTC Vivid (AT&T): The new Vivid from HTC and AT&T represent their first true LTE handset. The 4G LTE network opened early November to 6 markets and recently just added 11 more yesterday. The Vivid is another HTC premium handset which features a 1.2 GHz dual-core processor, 4G LTE, Android 2.3.5, 8MP camera, and 4.5in S-LCD display. The Vivid has recently made headlines as HTC may be potentially sued by Adult film company Vivid for name infringement. The name of this device could ultimately be different in a few weeks (just stick a “4G” at the end of it like every other device!) so keep a look out for a different device name if you plan on buying after the holiday rush. Price $199 w/2yr – $550 no contract

8. HTC Sensation 4G (T-Mobile): If the Amaze proves a bit too big for your pocket or your wallet the Sensation is made for you. The Sensation 4G  will give you most of the same features found in the Amaze but with a 1.2Ghz dual-core chip which does offer better battery life. To check out the video comparison of the 2 devices click here. The Sensation only supports T-Mo’s 14mbps network unlike the Amaze’s 42mbps support. The device does offer the same premium look and feel and also comes in an unlocked XE version which feature Beats by Dre sound technology ($599 unlocked). The qHD display, 8MP camera, GPS, WiFi, and Sense UI are sure to make the Sensation a sensational choice for you next handset. Price $199 w/2yr- $499 contract free

9. Motorola Photon 4G (Sprint): The Photon from Sprint offers up one of the best Android deals around this holiday season. With a giant and crisp 540 x 960 pixels  4.3in Gorilla Glass display your multimedia will come to life on the Photon 4G. The dual-core chipset and 8MP camera keep it line with the other big boys of the group while costing less at the same time. The Photon 4G will also offer Sprint’s WiMax 4G service for fast Internet while roaming across the country. Other features like WiFi, GPS, and DLNA complete the package. Price $49 w/2yr (Amazon) – $550 no contract

10. LG Thrill 4G (AT&T): The Thrill represents LG’s response to the EVO 3D from Sprint. Some may think 3D is still a gimmick but other may enjoy the sheer coolness of this device. With a dual-core 1GHz processor and beautiful 3D screen (glasses free), the Thrill is one cool gadget. The 4.3in display is clear and crisp and the option for HDMI out will make your 3D movies a reality on the big screen (3d TV and glasses required). The rear Dual 5MP Auto-focus with LED Flash takes great pictures and the front facing camera is decent enough for video chat or mirror mode. All of this tech for under $100 is great deal as LG looks to fight amongst the big boys this year. Price $99 w/2yr – $450 no contract

Conclusion: There you have it…all the monster Android phones across every carrier are yours for the taking. Hope you enjoyed my selection and feel free to hit me up on twitter (@gazellelab) if you have questions or comments about my choices. Stay tuned for my top holiday tablet picks coming up just around the corner.