How to buy an Android phone
<p>Recently there was a request  for advice on a mailing list I frequent, on how to choose an Android phone from the plethora of offerings out there. Here&#8217;s what I had to say on the matter:</p>
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<p> 1) Because Android is Android, the underlying hardware &#8211; and thus the vendor &#8211; is a significant differentiator.  Pick one with a good track record. My favorite is still HTC, but Samsung and Motorola are turning out good kit as well. Stay out of Motorola&#8217;s price basement, though, some of their low-end handsets are best avoided.</p>
<p>2) Staying out of the price basement is in general a good idea.  It&#8217;s not so much that the low-end phones lack features as that they&#8217;re more likely to be afflicted by poor build quality and carrier crapware.</p>
<p>3) Do not buy a phone running an Android variant that has been skinned. If you see &#8220;runs MotoBlur&#8221; or &#8220;runs SenseUI&#8221;, avoid.  These skins don&#8217;t add any value and tend to be flying cover for crapware and promotional tie-ins. Thankfully this is a receding problem and will probably be history by year end.</p>
<p>4) <em>Do</em> give extra consideration to any handset supported by <a href="http://wiki.cyanogenmod.com/index.php?title=Main_Page">CyanogenMOD</a>. This will guarantee you an upgrade path even if the vendor drags its feet about them.</p>
