We've all got at least one mobile phone right? The trouble is, how do you decide which is the best one for you? Abu Dhabi Week takes a look at three of the latest and greatest Android-powered phones to help you out

Samsung Galaxy S2

One of our current favourites, the Samsung Galaxy S2 offers pretty much everything you need in a mobile phone – one of the fastest dual-core processors, the most vibrant screen, a super slim and lightweight design, an 8-megapixel camera and tons of features.

Add in full HD recording, decent battery life and some impressive new apps, such as WiFi Direct to connect to other devices, and the proposition becomes even more attractive. If you’ve got a Samsung TV you can even hook it up wirelessly to the phone, making the S2 the remote control you’ve always wished you had.

It does have a couple of downsides, though. Its thinness gives it a slightly cheap and weak feel while its large height and width make it a little big for some hands.

However, these are relatively minor quibbles and the Galaxy S2 really has raised the bar for smartphones – its 1.2GHz dual core processor and class-leading Super Amoled 4.3-inch screen really combine well to create a truly captivating, fast and eye-popping smartphone experience.

We like: Fantastic screen, great camera, lightning fast dual-core processor, good battery
Not so good: Build quality not quite up to iPhone standards
Our rating: 9/10

HTC Sensation XE

The HTC Sensation is something of a latecomer to the dual-core smartphone party but the wait has definitely been worth it. Packing in a 1.7GHz processor, 8-megapixel camera, high-resolution screen, audio from Beats by Dr Dre - the distinctive headphones are included in the box – and a stunning design, it most definitely lives up to its name.

As ever with HTC, you get the superb Sense user interface – bettered only for ease of use and intuitiveness by the outstanding iPhone 4S – but the main selling point of this phone is the rock-solid build quality.

The curved edges of the glass front protect the screen from scratches when face down on a flat surface and the tri-tone grey arrangement of soft touch plastic and aluminium on the back is a stunningly effective piece of subtle design.

Packing more power than some notebook computers means the Sensation is lightning fast. Unfortunately this does result in one pretty major drawback – a seriously thirsty battery. Even charging it overnight does not always guarantee a full day's usage.

However, if battery life is not top of your list of priorities then you really can’t go wrong with HTC’s flagship model. It's beautifully made and styled, it's incredibly fast, the camera's good and call quality isn't half bad either – nothing short of a sensation.

We like: Superb build quality, slick HTC Sense user interface, powerful dual-core processor, iBeats headphones
Not so good: Poor battery life
Our rating: 8/10

Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc S

The new Xperia Arc S from Sony Ericsson is the latest version of the highly popular Arc, although not much has actually changed – it is essentially identical apart from a beefed up single-core processor that now clocks 1.4Ghz.

Not that this is necessarily a bad thing. From the beautiful Bravia display to the powerful-yet-simple 8.1-megapixel camera and the unique curved design, this is one of the phones that people actually want to hold and play with when you show it off – plus it now boasts a 3D panorama mode, although you have to hook it up to a compatible big screen TV to view.

The hardware is also extremely impressive, both in terms of looks and performance. Forget the fashionable dual-core phones – when done right, a single-core processor can still cut the mustard.

If we had to nit-pick, then the build quality could be a little better. The rear plastic battery cover feels extremely cheap to the touch and mars what is otherwise an outstanding phone.

As it is, we're prepared to forgive the Xperia Arc S its minor flaws thanks to its stunning good looks, superb screen and outstanding photo performance. A definite contender.

We like: Eye-catching design, great screen, powerful camera
Not so good: Single-core processor, case feels a little cheap
Our rating: 8/10

Jon Muller

The big hitters

Despite the recent improvements in android phones, a lot of people find it hard to look beyond Apple and BlackBerry. And who can blame them – the iPhone and RIM’s more business-orientated offerings have long been considered the cream of the crop and represent the safest of choices.

 

Apple iPhone 4S

The iPhone is the phone that everybody has heard of because it revolutionised, in a way that only Apple could, how phones work.

Now with the iPhone 4S, Apple has addressed the well-documented reception problems by adding an extra aerial and added a 'personal assistant' called Siri, which lets you speak to the iPhone asking it to set alarms, search the web or using it to write emails.

While some of us were hoping for an iPhone 5, the gradual evolution of the 4S is no bad thing. In the same way that a Porsche 911 is instantly recognisable regardless of iteration, the sleek and simple iPhone is unmistakably Apple and undoubtedly a future design classic.

We say: Style and substance – Apple’s iPhone continues to lead the way

BlackBerry Bold 9900

The new Bold 9900 makes a welcome return to the wide-body design of the original 9000, in a much sleeker package. Goodbye plastic and chrome, hello metal! And with the addition of a touchscreen on the outside and hardware platform upgrades on the inside that deliver more performance than we've ever seen from a BlackBerry smartphone, Research In Motion’s current flagship model remains a favourite for the serious business user.

With an excellent keyboard and unbeatable push email handling, the 9900 is great at what it does best but the lack of downloadable applications (when compared to android and Apple), a restrictive browsing experience, relatively small screen and poor battery life may turn some people off.

We say: The best business accessory – BlackBerry’s boldest offering yet