Picking the best Android phone is a tall order these days, as it’s not just about the hardware. Sure, they all run the same core OS, but the experience can be very different, as each manufacturer tinkers with the user interface to their own end in a bid to stand out from the crowd.
We’d love to say that stock Android was a viable option, but the only high end phone you can buy in the UK these days with vanilla Android installed is the Google Nexus One, so whether you like it or not, you’re probably going to have to go with a custom Android skin on your next Google smartphone. Which ones are the best? Find out in here with our Best Android phone UI Top 5.
HTC Sense
The best Android phone to buy with HTC Sense: HTC Desire
The first company to back Android, HTC is now nearly synonymous with the OS. Starting with simple Facebook integration on the HTC Hero, it’s now reached Android 2.2, with plenty of ace custom tweaks, like the Leap feature for jumping between homescreens, tight social network integration with your address book and coming soon, comprehensive cloud services at HTCSense.com.
Check out our Best Android phone Top 5 right here
Samsung TouchWiz
The best Android phone to buy with Samsung TouchWiz: Samsung Galaxy S
Samsung’s TouchWiz UI used to be atrocious, but the South Korean giant made a remarkable turnaround with its Android arrival on the Samsung Galaxy S. It bundles in useful tweaks like a smarter notification bar with connectivity toggles and music track controls. It’s only on Android 2.1 right now, but by the looks and leaks of things, a Samsung Galaxy S Froyo update is coming soon.
Sony Ericsson UX
The best Android phone to buy with Sony Ericsson UX: Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 Mini Pro
Sony Ericsson’s Android skin is pretty, but on the flagship X10, it’s more than a bit ropey. It’s stuck on the year old Android 1.6, which doesn’t cut it for a specced out 4-inch smartphone, and the Timescape social network stream regularly chugs to a halt while it sync with Facebook, Twitter et al. However, on the tiny Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 Mini Pro, it’s a delight, letting you thumb through all your friend’s witterings then quickly bash off a reply with the slide out QWERTY keyboard.
Check out our Best Android phone budget Top 5 here
Dell Streak
The best Android phone to buy with the Dell Streak UI: Er, the Dell Streak
The Dell Streak may only run Android 1.6, but as we said in our review at the time, it’s the best Android 1.6 device by a country mile. Dell’s skin is helpful, and tweaks the Google OS to its tablet form factor well, keeping things in landscape where possible, and breaking the notification bar into different tabs for quick access to everything, including the settings. There’s pinch to zoom on the browser too. In fact, it’s all great, except for the onscreen QWERTY – but hey, Dell’s thrown in support for Bluetooth keyboards should the urge take you.
Acer Liquid
The best Android phone to buy with the Dell Streak UI: Acer Liquid
The Acer Liquid is an unsung hero amongst Snapdragon Google smartphones. It doesn’t look stunning, but it’s very cheap for the specs, and its Android skin is very minimal. All you’ve got are custom widgets on a few of the homescreens for cycling through your media quickly, and that’s about it. If you’re plumping for Acer though, make sure you go with the Liquid – see below.
And the worst Android phone UI……
Acer Stream
It’s hard to fathom how Acer went so wrong with the Acer Stream software, or thought it was necessary to introduce a second Android skin to its stable of smartphones. It’s played hide and seek with the widgets and stuck them on the lock screen, transformed the menu into a three way maze, and worst of all, allotted the notification bar several different spots on the screen, depending on the phone’s whim. Awful, awful, awful.
