AWARDS 2011: TOP 3 of the best mid-range smartphone Android

We performed twice buying guides to help you choose a smartphone with Android the best experience, but also the best quality / price ratio. With the influx of new products and the increasing segmentation of the market, we decided to implement the AWARDS 2011, where we will award prizes for the top three units of eight categories. The selection is made by the team FrAndroid to a vote. For terminals, our criteria take into account the different grip, finish quality, frequency of updates, but your feedback and comments through the forum. We only select models released since the beginning of the year, because they usually offer a hardware and a newer version of Android. For other categories, we try to examine the different points, to designate a subsequent top as objective as possible.

We’ll introduce you to different classifications for products Android: Best manufacturer, best bars, best high-end smartphones, smartphones best entry-level, best smartphones with a physical keyboard, best smartphones for players … Our goal is to help you with your purchase. Indeed, competition is very strong and it is sometimes difficult to choose from a wide range of models. In addition, operators do not hesitate to increase their offer to pay (ODR), which complicates your task again. It is therefore important to identify the best operator with the best brand and the best model. This combination is sometimes difficult to obtain, as the market is vast.

Today we’ll look for smartphones called “midrange” (price below 400 euros without commitment). Terminals that were a year ago considered as high-end slide naturally over the months into this category. But at the same time, manufacturers offer products with enhanced features, which led us to select only late model. This market segment is much like the entry level, a key that allows Android now stand out. Competitors are more numerous, with models of Windows 7 Phone or BlackBerry for example. Android manufacturers today understand that advertising is a force. Thus we find regularly bugdroid, the mascot of Android, which has become over time a real image.

Without further ado, here is our ranking of the top three mid-range smartphones:

1. Bronze Medal: Google Nexus S

The selection of the market segment of Google Nexus S was relatively complicated. This model is the latest released by the search giant, to show manufacturers the example to be followed. Unlike the Nexus One, which had at that time brought a freshness to the market, with features revised upwards, the Nexus S pales in the field. Indeed, one can roughly be considered a Samsung S Galaxy with an NFC chip. Trade policy has dramatically changed compared to the first variant. Thus we have seen commercials on television or in the subway or bus shelters. Unfortunately, the giant does not release sales figures, but the returns seem rather mixed at the moment. Still remember that the original purpose of this line of smartphones is not to be sold en masse.

The advantage of this smartphone is the official follow-up by Google for updates. Now is the model that receives the first, ahead of the Nexus. This speed is largely explained by the fact that no overlay is added: it is only basic Android. As a result, fans will love this phone hacks, to install ROMs and other customizations. However, the general public rather than waiting for a product that incorporates a software veer certainly consistent with other models “less complicated”. This largely explains why it does not occupy a better place in the rankings.

Although the integrated system is pretty basic compared to more advanced layers, Google and Samsung wanted to differentiate themselves in the form of the product. Looking at him in profile, it is clear that it is bent. But beware, it is only the plastic that looks like this, because the screen is flat. On the back there is a bump on the bottom, which is similar to other products from Samsung.

Today we find the smartphone version of naked from € 375. For operators, it is trading for a few dollars.

2. Silver Medal: HTC Desire S

Desire S has a long history behind it, because it must succeed Desire out there over a year. At the time, it was a clone of Google Nexus One, with a trackpad. The integration of HTC Sense and better visibility to the public allowed to model stand out. At the time, it was a component of the premium segment of the brand.

Last February, HTC announced that a new refresh of its desire. Very simply named Desire S, he had been so many negative comments, since it will not revolutionize the market. Its technical features have been improved, but he lost his trackpad expensive to many users. It became a model of mid-range. Product appearance is now more conventional. We clearly observe the new style of HTC for its 2011 model year, as the S Wildfire example.

The changes are significant as the arrival of Android 2.1 with Sense 2.3 (Gingerbread). Its internal memory from 512 MB to 1 GB more Knowing that the current update of the first Desire is subject to questions about what will be removed, the S Desire is much more attractive.

3. Gold Medal: Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc

The gold medal is up to Xperia Arc. This model has again been a problem, since Sony Ericsson does not offer a real top model. It is true that compared to the Xperia Neo (or Kyno in France), it is well above, but it remains below that offers competitors like HTC Sensation, Atrix Motorola, LG Optimus 2X … In September, the announcement of the Xperia Duo expected to actually identify the different segments in which moved the brand.

The first time you look at this smartphone, we are primarily attracted by its design. Sony Ericsson has really made a different product, which is characterized by a slightly curved back: at least, it reached 8.7 mm thick. The grip is nice, although we are rather skeptical at first round of the device. The copy of the manufacturer’s design is very good. Regrettably, however, that some models will crack the shell just above the light sensor.

Who says the 2011 model, also known as upset at the official support. Indeed, the Android smartphone is already 2.3.3 (Gingerbread) and should switch to 2.3.4 in September. It is characteristic for a further integration of Facebook and a relatively light layer, which does not alter the code of Android. We find all the know-how of the brand in the smartphone with a Bravia screen. On the back, the sensor is an Exmor R, which shows again the comparison with Sony. We still regret the absence of a front camera on this flagship model.

At the time of writing this top, the Xperia Arc is available from € 399 version without a subscription.

As with the other rankings, our heart swung with other models. In this section, it is the LG and Samsung Galaxy Optimus Black Ace who have pointed out. One is amazed by the quality of its screen NOVA. It offers a brightness well above its competitors, which allows a better reading in the sun. But the randomness of updates to the manufacturer’s prompted us to ask ourselves faced with a Nexus S still leading in the field. For the Galaxy Ace, Samsung has clearly played on the name with its flagship model of the year. This choice is certainly voluntary, in that by asking a salesperson, the ambiguity could push to buy the most expensive model. The overall features of this smartphone are pretty good, like monitoring the manufacturer.

The choice in this category has been extremely difficult, as our top 3 would almost have been a Top 5. We focused only on models released this year, but older products (like the Motorola Defy example) are excellent products. The selection of a model year will naturally follow updates over a longer period. If you are unsure of several models, please seek advice from others in the comments or using our forum.

Do you agree with our selection? Do you think that other models have their place?

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