Smartphones for world travel

April 21, 2011 6:30 PM

What's the state of the art in quad-band capable Android smartphones? Essentially I'm looking for alternatives with capabilities similar to the Motorola Atrix 4G. It needs to be carrier unlocked and support 850/900/1800/1900MHz GSM 2G functions and 2100MHz WCDMA.

Requirements:

I'll need to use it as a 2G phone for voice/SMS with random GSM services overseas.

850/900/1800/1900 MHz 2G functionality
2100MHz WCDMA
4.0 inch screen
Front and rear cameras
microSDHC card slot (no Google Nexus S with 16GB fixed flash RAM).
Onboard flash + microSDHC card would be nice, like the Atrix 4G has 16GB onboard and you can then add a 32GB card for 48GB total
Android 2.2, 2.3
A-GPS

Any suggestions?

posted by thewalrus to technology (5 answers total)

You're looking for the T-Mobile G2X. $500 unlocked. Hits every one of your requirements, and has a snappy dual-core processor.
posted by violinflu at 7:12 PM on April 21, 2011

That T-Mobile thing is an HTC device, right? I'm not in the US so I'd be buying it from one of the higher rated eBay sellers that ship from Hong Kong or Singapore.

It looks like my other options are the Samsung Galaxy S II which will be released imminently, or the LG Optimus 2X. I probably wouldn't choose the LG because it has only 512MB of RAM.
posted by thewalrus at 7:17 PM on April 21, 2011

The G2X is made by LG, and is in fact a rebranded LG Optimus 2X. Main difference seems to be that the T-Mobile version comes with stock Android 2.2, while the Optimus 2X has a sluggish extra layer of UI. This seems to make a big difference - reviews of the G2X consistently talk about how responsive it is, despite "only" 512 MB.

Galaxy S II looks great, too. A bigger screen, and "touchwiz" UI on top of Android 2.3... I'm partial to vanilla Android, but YMMV.
posted by violinflu at 7:47 PM on April 21, 2011 [1 favorite]

The T-Mobile G2X is LG -- it's the US version of the LG Optimus 2X.
posted by brainmouse at 7:48 PM on April 21, 2011

There's some dispute as to whether the G2X can handle the bands T-Mobile says it can. Google XDA forums for more.
posted by Mo Nickels at 8:56 PM on April 21, 2011