You Tell Us: What is the Best Android Phone/Carrier Combo?

Posted Apr 27 2010 by Scott Webster in  with 87 Comments

Time for some reader feedback!  We want to know which Android handset and wireless provider make for the best combination.  Is it the Droid Incredible because of the hardware? Maybe something from T-Mobile because of rate plans?

Leave your opinion in the comments below!

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About the Author

Scott WebsterScott founded AndroidGuys on November 5, 2007 and has been hooked ever since. His other mobile efforts can be found on AndroidAtlas (CNET) where he covers Google's mobile platform. When not obsessing over phones and tablets, Scott can be found listening to house music, watching the Green Bay Packers, or catching the latest movie.View all posts by Scott Webster →

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  • http://twitter.com/TonyG916 @TonyG916

    verizon / motorola droid

  • Sam

    Ditto. Verizon / The Droid's

  • http://twitter.com/DeeboDeeb @DeeboDeeb

    VZ/Droid

  • http://twitter.com/BenjRubenstein @BenjRubenstein

    Sprint / Evo 4G or Nexus One (when they come out)

    Best plans available and reliable coverage.

  • http://twitter.com/Chaddledee @Chaddledee

    Google Nexus One / ANY CARRIER EVER. I'm currently using it with 3 over here in the UK to get unlimited texts and internet at £15/m. If anyone else gets out a better deal, I can swap it to that straight away. :3

  • Luis

    T-Mobile is best plan… The Loyal Family plan – Everything unlimited

  • Kenji O.

    In my area? I'm really looking for to Sprint & the EVO 4G. I love the current Sprint plan I'm on (Simply Everything) and combine that with the great 4G coverage in Seattle, it's a match made in heaven!

  • http://twitter.com/Gusteez @Gusteez

    When the Dell Streak comes available later this year it will be that on Tmobile. Tmo is definitely the best carrier out there.

  • Adam G

    Sprint / EVO 4G

  • Will

    T-Mobile and the upcoming MyTouch Slide

    Right now it's hard to say, since there are really so few Android phones in the hands of US carriers. AT&T only has one Android handset. The Droid is the popular one, due in large part to the marketing prowess of Verizon, but Motorola goes out of its way to make its phones difficult to root, and isn't forthcoming with speedy updates. Sprint has a few, desirable Android phones. But I'm going to have to stick with T-Mobile, both on pricing of rate plans and selection of Android handsets. I believe it's the only carrier that won't hook you into a contract for a phone (if you choose that route), giving you the bait-and-switch of a subsidized handset with a higher monthly plan fee. You can get a price on an unlimited everything plan that's cheaper than the same on other carriers, while picking the Android handset form factor that's right for you.

  • gregesque

    verizon / motorola droid

  • http://intensedebate.com/people/jiltedcitizen jiltedcitizen

    Sprint / Hero for currently available.
    Can't beat Sprint's plans.

  • GUest

    Nexus One / T-Mobile. Personally haven't had any 3G issues in NYC, and unlike AT&T, T-Mo doesn't gimp the hell out of their phones

    • http://www.AndroidAppCritic.com AndroidAppCritic

      Correct. In NYC, there is no better combo than the N1 and T-Mobile.

    • http://intensedebate.com/people/gururise gururise

      ditto – T-Mobile / Nexus One.. Best prices, best phone!

    • a.j.

      one question. gump their phones out? haha and i agree with your choice even tho i have at&t but im going to sprint to get the evo bc its the newest one shuld be the best so far

  • http://intensedebate.com/people/anakin78z anakin78z

    T-Mobile / Nexus One

  • david

    Overall, T-Mobile…easy to handle issues (other than the poor battery/no 3.5 cable issues with the G1) previously less costs for the same items, auto unlock if asked for, in my location non-issue and 1mb+ download 3G before others and grandfathered in family plan. PLUS they were the 1st to have any Android phone. Sad they have been 'out gun' by others with better phone specs. Also sadly their new pricing would force me to go with others who have better android phones if they do not get their act together as to lose what I have and now get the same would cost me 40-50 dollars more making me jump to others with better phone specs.

  • Fitch

    T-Mobile / Nexus One

    Price + service + fastest phone that never lags, + WILL WORK ON HSPA+

  • Keith

    Right now:

    Verizon/Droid

  • Shamus

    Totally agree. The phone (when rooted) is actually quite awesome still… even if it doesn't have 2.+ yet (Waves fists in air at HTC)

  • robert0

    Ditto for me. Just hope 2.x comes soon!

  • http://www.androidace.com/ Darnnell

    Sprint data plans can not be beat especially if you have a family plan where At&t & Verizon Charge $30 per phone just for data im going for a 4g or a Nexus

  • 1st2run

    Nexus One/T-mobile

  • http://www.gmachine.net Greg

    Today, Verizon – Droid.. The only reason AT&T isn't, is because they only have 1, the backflip. When June gets hear, it will be an entirely different answer. AT&T will regain its rightful place at the top. They have the best network hands down, Endgaget proved this a littlw while back.

  • Jim Davis

    verizon / motorola droid

  • http://andrewchamp.com Andrew Champ

    T-Mobile / Nexous One

  • http://intensedebate.com/people/apascua61 apascua61

    Verizon/ Droid. Besides the heavy marketing, it's a powerful enough phone, has a keyboard (important to me) and a pretty good camera with flash, GREAT 3G coverage and speed. I've had tmobile before and the 3G well… sucks, internet is slow and frankly (i cant say from experience) I don't think you can take full advantage of more powerful phones (like the N1) with this provider.

  • Jek3

    AT&T / Backflip – Beautiful 3.1" Gorrilla Glass screen and a seemingly impossible root challenge all in one oddly functional backward-hinged package.

    • chuck

      Fail phone.. fail network.. It comes preinstalled with yahoo!?!?! Wtf

  • themetatron

    T-Mobile/any android device
    with the even more and even more plus in addition to $20 data plans(call and ask), the choice is clear for me. of course it all depends on coverage where you are and where you plan to go

  • chang3d

    I currently have the HTC Hero with Sprint. The plan is great. I’m paying about $55 a month after fees and stuff. ($10 off the Everything Plus Data plan). But the Hero’s being officially 1.5 sucks. So the current crown definitely belongs to Verizon and the Incredible.

    When the HTC Evo comes out with Sprint’s 4G, Sprint will be back on top. If we do get simultaneous data + voice, then even better. We can tell AT&T to **** off.

  • http://twitter.com/tenkely @tenkely

    T-Mobile / Nexus One

    Honestly, TMO has the best selection of Android devices that can be used on their network. G1 and MT3G with Vanilla 1.6, Motorola Cliq and CliqXT with MotoBlur 1.5 , Samsung Behold 2 with WTF 1.5, Nexus One with Vanilla 2.1, and the future MT Slide with Sense Expresso 2.1 & Garminfone (with Garmin?).

    So many Android choices and contrary to what some may say, a good reliable network that is continually improving (HSPA+)!

  • http://twitter.com/tenkely @tenkely

    Not if AT&T keeps crippling it's Android devices.

    • Derrick

      That is why you get the unlocked Nexus on AT&T – very happy with mine so far…

  • http://twitter.com/tenkely @tenkely

    I have an N1 on TMO, it easily rivals my coworkers Droid on VZW…easily. He does get more bars in our brick building though… ;)

  • Jon_Droid

    Hands down it's Verizon Wireless and the Motorola Droid!

    iPHONEY Killer!

  • http://twitter.com/tenkely @tenkely

    How does sprint compare to a completely unlimited experience on TMO @ around $80/month?

  • Keith

    As of Friday (for most of us) Verizon / HTC Incredible

  • mike

    Verizon/ droid eris

  • http://corelements.com Dee

    HTC Hero/EVO4G Sprint

  • CherylNTX

    Sprint / Hero (until the EVO comes out) Sprint's prices + coverage are hands down the winners!

  • Ryan

    Well it has to be Rogers with the magic and dream. When I first bought my magic I was told there would be an o.t.a update for 1.6, then they told us "just kidding, no 1.6 for u", then they forced an update on people or their data would be turned off. Constant run arounds when asked about updates saying its up to HTC, then HTC saying its up to Rogers. Finally they gave in when an online petition(iwantmyonepointsix.com). But I finally fixed the problem by buying a nexus one and everything is all good. So I guess I'm saying the best combo is an unlocked nexus one and Rogers. I'm actually pretty happy about my phone situation now.

  • http://twitter.com/jakechance @jakechance

    VZW / Droid (and later Incredible)

  • @bkbonner

    I have to agree with Ben. After looking at the plans for Sprint. I can get a family everything plan for 4 people for $42.50/person? I have Sprint for EVDO Air Card and it's fast. I'm paying more than that with Tmo for three people (An android phone and two blackberries) Moving to Sprint will save me some real coin.

  • Usman

    I'll never buy Motorola after their decision to willingly cripple their upcoming Android phones (i.e. Yahoo search, etc.)… so for me it's whatever high-end HTC phone is out there on pretty much any carrier. The Incredible on VZW, the Nexus One on T-mo or AT&T, and the Evo 4G or Nexus One on Sprint.

  • Mark

    Nexus One/No Carrier is the best combination. I use pay-as-you go with unlimited data for 10EUR/mth in Germany. Works out cheaper than the 24 month deals. Also, this way you're sure to get the next SDK update first.

  • kathi17

    My favorite carrier is T-Mo, but my favorite phone is the Evo. We don't have Sprint anywhere near here, so I don't know anything about them. Guess I will stick with T-Mo and my G1 for a while longer. (Nexus is not an option for me on my family plan).

  • http://miff.furopolis.org/ MiffTheFox

    Obviously, there is no single best carrier for everybody, as cell coverage and 3G availability vary by region.

    That said, I’m currently in Huntsville, AL, and have a T-Mobile-branded HTC Dream (G1) on take a guess.

  • zjb2000

    Sprint and the Beast Evo 4G. Hands down.

  • http://twitter.com/brianjcohen @brianjcohen

    This is a really silly thing to ask. Relatively few people can afford to buy a smartphone that hasn't been subsidized with a locked-in 2 year contract. Most of us picked a phone+network and we're stuck with them for a while. Most of us are just going to write in what we currently use.

    I use a Motorola Droid on Verizon. For all I know, the Nexus One on T-Mobile, or the forthcoming HTC Incredible on Verizon, or some other phone/carrier is a better combo, but I certainly am in no position to know.

    You in the tech press, who get to review all these phones for free, should be telling *us* what combos are best.

  • http://twitter.com/LANjackal @LANjackal

    VZW + Motorola DROID. Best for coverage and features.

  • Willie Liddell

    Cellular South/HTC Hero. Cellular South has one standard that includes voice,data, and text for one price. Also, offers 2nd smartphone free and for a limited time offers pay off of early termination for switching. IMO.

    Willie

  • Andydroid

    I have an HTC Hero and a Sprint Unlimited Plan. The HTC Hero is an awesome smartphone and I love Sprint's Plans. With Sprint, I get Unlimited Everything plus mobile-to-mobile across ALL carriers; and all for the lowest price of any carrier ($69.99 per month – 20% corp discount). My next phone is very likely to be Sprint's EVO coupled with the same low cost Everything/Unlimited plan.

  • Joe Cruz

    Ditto/ Nexus One

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