Best Verizon Smartphones

Verizon's Android march will continue. Within a few months, we're going to see a version of Google's Nexus One phone for Verizon. That's not a rumor; Google promises it will happen. If you believe the rumor sites, there's much more to come. 


Mentioned in this roundup:
Blackberry Storm2 (Verizon Wireless)
$179.99 and up

The Storm2 cured almost all of the original Storm's ills, providing a solid BlackBerry interface on a touchscreen phone. Now if only RIM could fix their Web browser.
Google Nexus One (T-Mobile)
$299.99 and up

The Google Nexus One is the most powerful Android smartphone yet, but its software and sales strategy are geared strictly to self-supporting geeks. We'll see if that changes by the time Verizon gets this phone.
HTC Droid Eris (Verizon Wireless)
$89.99 and up

The HTC Droid Eris is an easier-to-use, lower-cost but less-powerful Android alternative to the sometimes fearsome Motorola Droid.
HTC Imagio (Verizon Wireless)
$199.99 and up

The HTC Imagio is one of the best Microsoft smartphones out there, thanks to its refreshed Windows Mobile 6.5 OS, its beautiful TouchFLO 3D interface, and genuine broadcast mobile television.
Motorola DROID (Verizon Wireless)
$199.99 and up
 
The Motorola Droid signaled Verizon's comeback on the smartphone scene with its speedy processor, high-res screen and Android 2.0 operating system.
Palm Pixi Plus (Verizon Wireless)
$48.99 and up

The Palm Pixi Plus is an inexpensive little messaging smartphone that can also kick your laptop onto the Internet, and it makes a good alternative to texting phones like the LG EnV series.
Palm Pre Plus (Verizon Wireless)
$82.95 and up

With a very easy-to-use operating system and a sliding keyboard, the Palm Pre Plus is an e-mail, music, and calendar-oriented smartphone with a twist: it'll get your laptop online (at a price.) 

Best Touch-Screen Phones

Four years later, though, there's no shortage of innovative, easy-to-use touch-screen-only smartphones, so we've picked the top models on each major carrier, along with the best unlocked phone. If you're looking for phone with a hardware keyboard, you won't find it here. (Though we've rounded up the Best Phones With Keyboards, too.) But if you're willing to say farewell to the physical keyboard for good, look no further than our favorite touch-screen phones.

Touch-Screen Phones Included in this Roundup
AT&T
Apple iPhone 4

Apple's iPhone 4 adds a gorgeous screen, a terrific camera, and a faster processor to add to the already-awesome iPhone app experience, but voice calling still isn't this phone's priority.

HTC Inspire 4G

The HTC Inspire 4G, AT&T's premiere Android phone (at least for now) can hold its own against the iPhone 4 and other top smartphones.


Motorola Atrix 4G

Motorola's Atrix 4G, the unique bleeding-edge superphone that can transform itself into a PC, shows how we'll likely be using our mobile devices in the year 2020. But to get a taste of the future, you'll have to pay, and deal with some bugs along the way.


SPRINT
HTC EVO 4G

If you live online, the EVO offers a big, beautiful, and powerful window to the world. The first WiMAX phone in the U.S. is a terrific platform for streaming media and Web browsing, and it gets your laptop online with Sprint's 4G network.


T-MOBILE
T-Mobile G2x With Google

The loaded T-Mobile G2x with Google is the fastest, smoothest Android smartphone available today.

HTC Sensation 4G

The touch-screen, Android-based HTC Sensation is T-Mobile's biggest and best smartphone yet.



VERIZON WIRELESS
Motorola Droid X

Motorola Droid X takes the crown for the most powerful Android smartphone away from the HTC Droid Incredible. The huge 4.3-inch, 854-by-480 screen makes maneuvering the phone's excellent interface with your finger a breeze.

HTC Thunderbolt

The HTC Thunderbolt, the first 4G LTE smartphone for Verizon Wireless, has the fastest Web speeds we've ever seen, but be prepared to carry an extra battery.


Samsung Droid Charge

The Samsung Droid Charge skips the HTC Thunderbolt's Sense UI layer in favor of lighter weight and a better camera; both are killer handsets, as long as you don't need great battery life.


UNLOCKED
Samsung Galaxy S II

The top-of-the heap unlocked Samsung Galaxy S II delivers in almost every way. Thing is, it's so expensive, it almost prices itself out of the market.

Best Headset for Gaming

Some headsets, like those from Razer and Logitech, are purely designed for PC gaming, while others, like the Creative Sound Blaster Tactic 3D Omega , can also work with game consoles. It’s important to know the difference between a PC-only headset and a console headset because it can be difficult (or in some cases nearly impossible) to get a PC headset to work with a game console.
If you prefer single-player games like The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, you don’t need a headset at all. You can use speakers and enjoy the room-filling atmosphere. If you need to work with or against anyone online, however, a headset’s vital. The next time you deathmatch, raid, or capture objectives, make sure you’re shouting into the boom mic of a good headset. To find the right one, check out our latest reviews below.

Wired Headsets:

Logitech G35 Surround Sound Headset

$129.99
Compatibility: PC
As a gaming headset, the Logitech G35 sounds good and is well-designed. As a surround sound gaming headset, however, it doesn’t live up to its promises. Read the full review ››

---

Razer Tiamat 7.1

$179.99
Compatibility: PC
The Razer Tiamat 7.1 is an excellent-sounding gaming headset with plenty of bass, and while it's pricey for a wired headset, it's one of the best we've seen yet. Read the full review ››

---

Star Wars: The Old Republic Gaming Headset by Razer

$129.99
Compatibility: PC
Razer's Star Wars: The Old Republic gaming headset looks striking and sounds great for gaming and other activities, but its high price and specific branding might limit its appeal. Read the full review ››

---

Tritton AX 180

$69.99
Compatibility: PC, Xbox 360, PS3
The Tritton AX 180 is a well-made gaming headset, but it isn’t anything special and its sound quality pales compared to similarly priced, dedicated headphones. Read the full review ››

---

Turtle Beach Ear Force Z6A

$99.95
Compatibility: PC, Xbox 360 (with optional cable)
The Turtle Beach Ear Force Z6A is a great PC gaming headset if you have a 5.1-channel sound card, but if you don’t, you’re going to get some adapters to even listen to it in stereo. Read the full review ››

---

Wireless Headsets:

Creative Sound Blaster Tactic 3D Omega

$199.99
Compatibility: PC, Xbox 360, PS3
The Creative Sound Blaster Tactic 3D Omega isn’t just a great wireless gaming headset, it’s a solid set of wireless headphones too, and it can work with both consoles and PCs. Just don’t expect too much in terms of bass power. Read the full review ››

---

Logitech Wireless Gaming Headset G930

$159.99
Compatibility: PC
The Logitech Wireless Gaming Headset G930 stands as one of the best wireless PC gaming headsets you can find, with high-quality audio output, smart design, and an impressive range. Read the full review ››