Android Smartphone Of The Month - May 2013 (Tier 3 only)

Well, this is the other part of May's best smartphones. Like i said (or typed?) before, Tier III will be divided into 2 subclasses: subclass 3.1 includes 3.7"-4.0" sized smartphones, and 4.0"+ in subclass 3.2. Although Tier III is for mid-end dual-cores and fast-class dual-cores, we only show the best here. So, some new smartphones will not be shown here (doesn't mean they're bad, but if i include all, this article will be too long), and some oldies like Galaxy S2 and Xperia S still shown, because they're great oldies.


Tier III - $250-$490

1. Samsung Galaxy Ace 2 I8160

800MHz dual-core CPU | Mali-400MP GPU | 768MB RAM, 4GB User Memory | 3.8" WVGA (480x800) | 3.5G HSDPA | Card slot (MicroSD) up to 32GB | 5MP AF Camera | Android 2.3 Gingerbread (upgradable to 4.1 Jelly Bean)

The value-for-money for this class. Not much features, but fairly fast hardwares. Recommended if you'd love to watch HD videos or play HD games on your smartphone but can't afford at expensive ones.

+ Pretty fast, great thing with relatively cheap price.
- CPU underclocked to 800MHz, all-plastic body, no Gorilla Glass protection, RAM is below standard

2. Samsung Galaxy S3 Mini I8190

1GHz dual-core CPU | Mali-400MP GPU | 1GB RAM, 8/16GB User Memory | 4.0" WVGA (480x800) | 3.5G HSDPA | Card slot (MicroSD) up to 32GB | 5MP AF Camera | Android 4.1 Jelly Bean

Pretty similar design to the original S3, it's not as fast and vivid as S3 but still a good one for it's class. Lots of features derived from S3 is the main plus point.

+ Solid build quality like S3, lots of features derived from S3, 4.1 Jelly Bean out of the box.
- Screen resolution is still WVGA, no LED Notification light.


3. Sony Xperia P LT22i

1GHz dual-core CPU | Mali-400MP GPU | 1GB RAM, 16GB User Memory | 4.0" qHD (540x960) | 3.5G HSDPA | No card slot | 8MP AF Camera | Android 4.0 ICS

Part of the NXT Trio with stunning design, weird but nice! Pretty much the same like S3 Mini, P is designed to be miniature of Xperia S. As usual, we can expect great performance from NovaThor U8420/8500. Just like Galaxy Ace 2, S Advance, and S3 Mini.

+ Solid build quality like Xperia S, futuristic design, fast performance, qHD screen, 8MP Camera.
- No memory card slot, non-removable battery.




4. Samsung Galaxy S2 I9100

1.2GHz dual-core CPU | Mali-400MP GPU | 1GB RAM, 16/32GB User Memory | 4.3" WVGA (480x800) | 3.5G HSDPA | Card slot (MicroSD) up to 32GB | 8MP AF Camera | Android 4.0 Gingerbread (upgradable to 4.0 ICS and 4.1 Jelly Bean)

The flagship on his age, S2 is the real beast with Exynos chipset. Launched in the Gingerbread age and still can bear 4.1 Jelly Bean (with 4.2 update in research) - the evidence that this oldie is still great!

+ Solid build quality, huge 4.3" screen, great performance until now.
- Screen resolution is still WVGA, no LED Notification light, all-plastic body.



5. Sony Xperia S LT26i

1.5GHz dual-core CPU | Adreno 220 GPU | 1GB RAM, 32GB User Memory | 4.3" HD (720x1280) | 3.5G HSDPA | No card slot | 12MP AF Camera | Android 2.3 Gingerbread/4.0 ICS

Part of the NXT Trio with stunning design, weird but nice! The 12MP camera is Sony's answer to Nokia's N8, and this oldie is is still the beast too. Equipped with HDMI port. Recommended.

+ Solid build quality, futuristic design, great performance until now, 720p HD screen, 12MP Camera, miniHDMI available.
- No memory card slot, non-removable battery.



6. Sony Xperia SP C5302

1.7GHz dual-core CPU | Adreno 320 GPU | 1GB RAM, 8GB User Memory | 4.6" HD (720x1280) | 3.5G HSDPA | Card slot (MicroSD) up to 32GB | 8MP AF Camera | Android 4.1 Jelly Bean

Fresh new stuff! Xperia SP is just... Great. Great performance, great design. Nothing much i can say about this. Recommended.

+ Fast performance, removable battery (on Sony smartphones it's a miracle), nice design.
- Not waterproof (seems ridiculous, but since it's almost decent and it's a Sony, it's okay).



7. Samsung-Google Galaxy Nexus I9250

1.2GHz dual-core CPU | PowerVR SGX540 GPU | 1GB RAM, 16GB User Memory | 4.6" HD (720x1280) | 3.5G HSDPA | No card slot | 5MP AF Camera | Android 4.0 ICS (upgradable to 4.2 Jelly Bean MR1)

Google's second partnership with Samsung makes GalNexus. Performance is quite good until now, I recommend this pure-blooded Android.

+ Pure-blooded, HD screen, oleophobic curved screen coating, simple but nice design.
- No memory card slot, all-plastic body.




8. LG Optimus L9 P760

1GHz dual-core CPU | PowerVR SGX540 GPU | 1GB RAM, 4GB User Memory | 4.7" qHD (540x960) | 3.5G HSDPA |Card slot (MicroSD) up to 32GB | 5MP AF Camera | Android 4.0 ICS (upgradable to 4.1 Jelly Bean)

LG's stuff for Tier 3. With same hardwares with Galaxy Nexus, good performance guaranteed.

+ Simple but nice design, fairly good performance, huge screen.
- qHD on 4.7" screen means less density.






9. Sony Xperia TX LT29i

1.5GHz dual-core CPU | Adreno 225 GPU | 1GB RAM, 16GB User Memory | 4.5" HD (720x1280) | 3.5G HSDPA | Card slot (MicroSD) up to 32GB | 13MP AF Camera | Android 4.0 ICS

Bond's phone they said, along with Xperia T and V. Again, Sony's stunning design. Decent performance for a dual-core. Recommended, if you can afford :p

+ Fast performance, removable battery (on Sony smartphones it's a miracle), nice design, 13MP camera.
- Jelly Bean update is still on research.

Enough for this time, since Tier 3 is too much, Tier 4 will be postponed, and i will post them tomorrow. See ya!