Best Smartphones of 2011, Editors Choice [Updated]
What is 2011, is it the year of the smartphone display? The year of the QWERTY keyboard? The year of NFC Technology? Well in our opinion has been almost certainly the year of the dual-core processor, which in all honestly all of the best smartphones of 2011 have. It does have to be said though that there have been some massive improvements in display technology this 2011 as well as leaps in NFC with Google Wallet, features which are more than welcome. So, which are the best smartphones your money can buy? Well you’ll find the very best ones below, hand picked after testing and reviewing by our editors.
Best smartphones
We have now updated this post, as promised, to reflect new additions to the smartphone market in late 2011. Find below our editors choices for the best smartphones of 2011, enjoy!
Samsung Galaxy Nexus
The Samsung Galaxy Nexus is the first ever smartphone to officially rock Android Ice Cream Sandwich, which in itself packs numerous new features over Gingerbread yet was developed with optimisation in mind. With that being said on the software front, the Galaxy Nexus boasts a dual-core 1.2GHz Cortex-A9 CPU and a beautiful 4.65 inch Super Amoled display, arguably the best display which can be found in a smartphone.
The Verge has heralded this the best Android smartphone ever made, and possibly the best smartphone ever made. Having tested this device however not reviewed it per se, we can vouch for the fact it is magnificent to use and a true upgrade over the Nexus S and sat next to a Galaxy S II for example (which sports Gingerbread out of the box), the difference is simply night and day.
Rating: 
(10/10).
Apple iPhone 4S
What list would not be complete without an Apple product? The iPhone 4S is the latest update to Apple’s iPhone line and boasts some pretty slick specifications, including a dual-core A5 processor, iOS 5 + Siri and an 8 megapixel camera which in our tests come out on top of the Nokia N8′s 12 MP snapper, marketed by Nokia as the best ‘smartphone camera’.
With the iPhone 4S you will get access to Apple’s App Store which is the largest in the world, and boasts thousands of amazing free apps such as games, productivity apps and business apps. The iPhone 4S is also (for me, opinion subjective) one of the best looking smartphones available, however is slightly hindered by its 3.5″ display against the competition.
Read our impressions on this device.
Rating: (8/10).
Nokia Lumia 800
The Nokia Lumia 800 is a god send of a smartphone; it marks the return of Nokia with a highly capable smartphone and it marks the start of true desirability for Windows based smartphones. Crafted froma single block of impeccably durable polycarbonate, the Nokia Lumia 800 is one of the best smartphones of 2011 with hot features such as a 3.7″ Clear Black display, 8 megapixel camera and of course, Windows Phone Mango the slick Windows Phone 7 update.
All of the features coupled above married with a Nokia logo make for certainly one of the most desirable smartphones of late 2011 and also 2012 when that time comes. The Lumia 800 is easily the best Window Phone smartphone on the market currently, both down to it’s appearance and performance but also because of what it stands for.
Rating: (9/10)
Samsung Galaxy S II
The original Samsung Galaxy S was one of our single favorite smartphones of 2010. It also won consumer choices awards, and when you check out the spec sheet it makes no wonder why it did all of that. The update to this handset, the Samsung Galaxy S2, is so well kitted out with features that it can happily be made one of the best smartphones of 2011.
The S II features a dual-core Samsung Exynos processor (amazingly fast), NFC Tech support, an 8 megapixel Camera, Android Gingerbread (an Ice Cream Sandwich update is coming) and rocks Samsung’s Super Amoled display. All of this has made for the Galaxy S II to become the best selling Android smartphone in the world.
You can check out our pre-launch review of this handset here.
Rating: (9/10)
HTC Sensation / XE
The HTC Sensation is arguably just as good a smartphone as the Galaxy S II above, however in our opinion, the Galaxy S II tops it (thinner, more pocketable). The HTC Sensation, like the S II above, features a mammoth dual-core processor, a gorgeous qHD Super LCD display (quarter HD) and is wrapped in a luscious unparalleled unibody enclosure for durability.
Software wise you are looking at Android 2.3 Gingerbread and HTC’s Sense (the latest incarnation) which is, without a doubt, beautiful. I would go as far to say that is easily powns all other handset manufacturers default Android skins, including Samsung’s Touchwiz 3.o in the S II and LG’s attempts.
Rating: (9/10).
LG Optimus 3D
A Glasses-free display, on a smartphone? You bet. That’s the name of the game with the LG Optimus 3D, which was revealed at this years MWC. The Optimus 3D comes with a 4.3-inch glasses-free 3D display, capable of rendering 3D effects in games, film and even the user interface itself.
With this handset you’ll be able to record your very own 3D videos using the sharp looking dual cameras on the rear of the handset, and play them later via your 3D capable television.
Rating: (7/10).
Do you have a different smartphone?
If you have a particularly good smartphone which you feel deserves to be on this list, then let us know through comments (open, below) or twitter; @tblogged, @technoholicjakk.
PS: Did you like this post? If so, be sure to leave a comment below.
Cast all opinions below.
I have a HTC Sensation XE and I really liek it, the display is what sets it apart for me as it is so clear and so vibrant. My friend has a Galaxy S II which is faster than mine, but it is nowwhere near as nice to hold or use with thanks to the Sensation having Sense UI.The iPhone 4S for me shouldn’t really be on this list however any handset which sells over one million in 24 hours deserves to be somewhere.
Twitter: Armenante
Im curious gamerboi why shouldn’t the 4S be on the list for you? For me it’s all about the 4S looks, ease of use, functionality and hardware it ticks all the boxers.
Because it’s display is too small, it’s got the same boring glass design as last year, Siri is illegal to use whilst driving and embarrassingto use in public, it isn’t LTE, it’s got worse battery life than the iPhone 4 and the notification center is useless too, not incorporating any settings such as adjusting the screen brightness or toggling 3G / data usage (why the heck would I want stocks and weather, I’d at least like the ability to choose what MY notification center displays).
Essentially, the whole thing is a bore and a chore to use, having to constantly open new apps to do the most menial of tasks. It’s a waste of money sat next to a Nexus or Lumia 800.
I hear you on the display point and also the notification point. The stocks and weather are pointless when you think they could have incorporated user settings there.
Twitter: Armenante
I disagreed the notification centre is really useful and you can set it to include what you want my battery life is fine there are only problems on certain handsets and if I read correctly the Nokia Lumia is seeing its fair share of battery problems too. Plus I think the design is better than any others out there why change it? Overall its the best device out there, sales and reviews agree with this. Tom
Are you crazy? First of all, don’t mention sales. Apple could release an iShi* and it would sell. The iPhone 4S stands for ‘sh**’.
Second of all, find a review which says it’s the best device. Verge, engadget, all agree it’s the Nexus. The Lumia is second. The 4S a third.
I’ll say this again as I’ve said on other websites; the iPhone is not a smartphone, it is a feature phone with a small screen and apps. Nothing more, nothing less. Also, it does not feature ‘the best design’, it is made from glass and has a metal band which blemishes with a case on. Honestly, you sound like a complete Apple fanboy.
The iPhone 4S is an iPhone 4 with a faster CPU, a pointless voice feature and an updated camera. The iPhone 4 was taken down by the S II, and the 4S the Galaxy Nexus. Live with it, and stop trying to justify your iPhone 4S.
Twitter: Armenante
Find a review ….. ok… The verge http://www.theverge.com/apple/2011/10/12/2484524/iphone-4s-review – http://www.theverge.com/2011/11/17/2568348/galaxy-nexus-review – http://www.theverge.com/2011/11/3/2534861/nokia-lumia-800-review. Now that hardly says the nexus is better does it. As for “The iPhone 4S stands for ‘sh**’” grow up.
The iphone 4S is not a massive upgrade from the 4 no but it is still a hell of a phone and has comparable features to all other smart phones out there. Yes I am a bit of a fanboy but you just seem to out and out hate apple. To say its not a smart is just wrong, when the definition of a smart phone is a phone with the abilities of a computer which surely the iphone has? <p>But then again everyone is entitled to their opinion.
Twitter: Armenante
well thats embarrassing thought you could use html in these things…
Just a quick note that whilst I won’t delete your comment Gamerboi, I have barred you from commenting on this particular post for the language used. Keep things civil. Also Tom, comment updated to reflect URL’s.
How can?
my best smartphone is Xperia Arc
Bravia display –> Amazing
personally I like Samsung Galaxy S II and I think its the best in the list..
Jaibee Joseph´s last [type] ..Facebook messenger for Windows is now online
More so than the Galaxy Nexus, surely not?
A very thorough list of choices, however let’s not forget other great devices this year of notable importance such as the Motorola Droid Razr and HTC Radar, which the wife has, and is pretty slick with Mango running on it. There is a mixture of love and hate with commenters on the iPhone 4S but it deserves its place in my opinion.
I like the HTC Sensation / XE the most. Excellent build with an excellent display and Sense.
I’ve got one of those, the phones great at just about everything however it could have been just a teeny bit thinner.
Regarding the argument made about Nexus vs 4S, people seem to forget that Apple started the whole smart phone thing, I am aware that I sound like a fan boy and in part I am, however it is worth noting that Apple are still managing to sell their product as the 4S is still a viable option for people. I am well aware it doesn’t contain the “best” hardware compared to other phones but it is by far the easiest to use on the market. Each of these phones appeal to different users, iPhone iOS provides a locked down system with numerous applications that have been tetsed by Apple to meet specific guidelines as such usually the apps dont freak out on the phone. Android as open source provides the user with a wider variety of options with regards software, however due this nature you will get some bugs and possibly some security issues.Ultimately it is down to the user to decide what smart phone works for them, personally I will stick with 4S for now and see what happens with Apple now that sadly Jobs has passed on, the new version (5) is rumoured to have a bigger screen so we will have to see if Apple dont screw it up…
Hi Shay, thanks for your lengthy take on the Nexus vs iPhone thing. Completely agree with everything you said, your two cents come to the valid conclusion that it is down to the end user to decide what smartphone works for them the best.
No mate Apple did not start off the ‘whole smartphone’ thing. They just made it mainstream..
Shuan said: “No mate Apple did not start off the ‘whole smartphone’ thing. They just made it mainstream..”That’s exactly what I was going to say, but you beat me to it. The only person who would think that apple started the “whole smartphone thing” is someone who clearly believes that apple started the whole mp3 thing as well. And about the iphone 4s being at the top? I believe that it deserves to be on the list, but considering who it is merely an upgraded iphone 4 and doesn’t even support 4g, it shouldn’t be at the top. And yes, there really are phones out there that are better than apple. One just needs to peel the apple cataract from their eyes in order to see.
The iPhone 4S isn’t at the top, the Galaxy Nexus is.
Man, that nexus looks sexy!
mmmmm sure does!