It’s that time of the year again. Time for eggnog, stocking stuffers, and the smell of a pine tree (real or fake). In case you wanna give your loved one something more than a gift card/certificate, we here at TGSB have come to the rescue to provide suggestions. We will highlight a variety of consumer electronics within a range of price points starting with smartphones. For those you who have yet to do their Christmas shopping yet on all things smartphones, your solution lies inside.
Ahh. The iPhone 4S. Some hate it, most people love it. Apple’s latest and greatest offers a refreshed operating system with iOS 5, a great 8MP camera that beats almost all other phone cameras, and of course the game-changing virtual assistant Siri. All of this bundled within the same body as the iPhone 4 for a familiar appearance along with iOS being home of the best-quality apps. With the price starting at $199.99 on contract & $649 off-contract, now is a great time to pick up an iPhone. The iPhone can be acquired on AT&T, Sprint, and Verizon on contract and unlocked from Apple.
Google’s latest flagship device offers the latest in Android goodies with 4.0 software and a Samsung Galaxy-esqe hardware. This unlocked version of the Nexus is sold overseas and sports of pentabend HSPA+ radios that supports both AT&T and T-Mobile’s networks. The Galaxy Nexus is armed with 4.65inch 720p Super AMOLED display, 1.2GHz dual-core processor, and a plethora of new features in Android w/ Ice Cream Sandwich. You can be the first to have Android 4.0 on your device for around $750 no strings attached. The overseas Nexus can be ordered from
Negri Electronics or
Expansys.
The bigger & faster version of the HSPA+ version of the Galaxy S II for AT&T that supports the carrier’s LTE network is among the more expensive phones. The Skyrocket will command $249.99 on contract which is $50 more than the original to offer faster data speeds and 0.2inches more screen. You still get all of the great features the Galaxy S II has to offer like Super AMOLED Plus display, fast processor, and a great camera on an Android device. If you like Android & don’t want ot shell out more $$$, you can always pick up the HSPA+ Galaxy S II.
On the budget side of things, you have the latest Windows Phone 7 smartphone with the Focus Flash. Armed with a 3.7inch Super AMOLED display, a 1.4GHz processor, 5MP camera, and the suite of free Microsoft apps (Xbox Companion, Office, Hotmail, etc.). Offering the newest version of WP7 Mango with multitasking, live tiles, and a robust fleet of apps to get you started all for $49.99 on contract.
The last remaining carrier for unlimited data is definitely pro-Android with most of their inventory using the green robot starting with the Epic 4G Touch, Sprint’s Galaxy S II. The Epic sequel offers more than its original by losing the keyboard, better battery life, bigger display, and overall improved performance. You can get good data speeds using Sprint WiMAX 4G as this is priced at the standard $199.99 on contract.
Although this is the last year’s model of Google flagship devices, the Nexus S 4G is still a great Android buy. The Nexus still offers a great 4inch Super AMOLED display, 1GHz processor, and a 5MP camera as it is currently the only device that support the Google Wallet feature. Also being a flagship device, guarantees this will get Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) before other devices. The Nexus will only set you back $99.99 on contract.
Yes another carrier , another Galaxy S II device. No Samsung isn’t paying us but the Galaxy S II is an all-around solid Android smartphone. Fast performing, good battery life, and equipped with a good camera. T-Mo’s version stands out as it has 1.5GHz Qualcomm S3 processor instead of Samsung’s 1.2GHz Exynos chipset to better support their 41Mbps HSPA+ network. Their Galaxy S II will set you back $229.99 on contract after rebate.
The Amaze 4G by HTC is a great smartphone to cover all bases of speed, camera, battery life, and the display is good as well. The Amaze has a 4.3inch qHD Super LCD display, the same S3 processor in the T-Mo’s Galaxy S II, and a 8MP camera with a f/2.2 aperture lens. Its unibody design also equips it with NFC support for those who are into that. The Amaze is also priced at $229.99 on contract after rebate. We tied the Galaxy S II and the HTC Amaze together because, essentially, they are the same phone in regards to specs. It depends on whether or not you prefer HTC’s Sense or Samsung’s TouchWiz UI on your Android phone.
T-Mo’s newest WP7 Mango device offers a lot for a great price with the HTC Radar 4G. The Radar brings you a 3.8inch Super LCD display, 1GHz processor, and a 5MP camera all within nice white unibody package. You can pick up the Radar at T-Mo for only $99.99 on contract.
Keyboard lovers should check out: The myTouch 4G Slide or the Sidekick 4G
Verizon
Rezound
Since the LTE version of the Galaxy Nexus has yet to become available for Verizon subscribers. Our recommendation shifts towards the HTC Rezound. The Rezound offers Android’s best screen and sound thus far with its 720p HD display and Beats Audio w/ custom iBeats earbuds coupled with VZW’s fast 4G network. The Rezound will set you back $299.99 on contract, which is the new standard pricing for phones now.
This maybe an odd suggestion for some but I found that the Droid Incredible 2 was HTC’s version of the Galaxy S II in regards to being an all-around great Android phone. Great size, performance, camera, & battery life all on a 3G device. The sequel to the popular Android brand is priced at $149.99 on contract at VZW.
Keyboard lovers should check out: Samsung Stratosphere and the Droid 3.
Next up on our gift guide: Tablets and E-Readers
