The Best 4G Phones

June 29, 2011—The future of wireless data connectivity is 4G. Actually, in a world where most smartphones require two-year contracts, 4G is essentially now. Granted, wireless carriers currently offer a limited number of 4G-compatible handsets, and networks are still being built out, but it’s safe to say that 4G is quickly replacing 3G as the fastest way to access the wireless Internet. Verizon has plans to cover almost its entire network with 4G by 2013, and AT&T promises to upgrade its network and offer faster 4G to 80 percent of Americans in the same timeframe. If you’re in the market for a powerful, cutting-edge smartphone to take you through the next couple of years, you should consider a 4G-compatible handset.

But all 4G phones and networks are not created equal. Verizon, for example, uses LTE for its 4G network. LTE is currently the finest 4G in the land, and can provide download speeds that are faster than your home Internet connection. Sprint, on the other hand, was the first carrier to enter the 4G game with WiMAX, and still uses that standard. WiMAX can lap 3G, but it’s not nearly as fast as LTE. AT&T and T-Mobile use HSPA+ for 4G. AT&T plans to upgrade to LTE in the next two years, but currently uses HSPA+ 21, while T-Mobile is moving to a faster HSPA+ 42.

Basically, just like there’s no single standard for 3G connectivity, 4G technologies and speeds vary. The wireless carrier you choose will determine just how fast your data network is, so we picked the top 4G phones on each major carrier, and threw in the best unlocked model for the contract-phobic.

Read more - http://www.pcmag.com/slideshow/story/266291/the-best-4g-phones