Top five Android phones of 2010

2010 has been an interesting year in the fast-changing world of the smartphone. It has seen the mobile world gripped by the frustration of death-grip gate, Microsoft launch its new mobile hope, Windows Phone 7 and Google's Android become the all-conquering mobile platform, that we all knew it could be.

With that in mind, we felt Android deserved a little extra love this Christmas so we decided to take a look at the very best Google's open OS has to offer and come up with our top five Android handsets of 2010.

5 - LG proved that price isn't everything this year, with the release of its amazing Optimus One P500, a device which surpassed all expectations.

The Optimus One shows that you can get everything you need in an Android smartphone without breaking the bank, and impressed with its excellent build quality, speedy 600MHz processor and 512MB RAM. The inclusion of Android 2.2 as standard didn't hurt matters either, making the Optimus One a budget device which stood toe-to-toe with the big boys.

4 - February saw the launch of HTC's Desire, a device which was to bring the Android platform to the masses. With its 1Ghz CPU, high-end 5-megapixel camera and silky smooth Sense UI overlay, the Desire proved to be the definitive iPhone killer after many devices had tried and failed to take-on Apple's superphone. The year has been kind to the Desire too, and a recent upgrade to Android 2.2 brought the device bang up to date, making it as much of a contender as it ever has been.

3 - When Samsung's Galaxy S launched it raised the bar for Android as a platform. The device comes with cutting-edge hardware in the form of an ARM Cortex 1GHz CPU, dedicated GPU and an ample 512MB RAM.

Add to that the 8GB of on-board storage, top-class 5-megapixel camera and the breathtaking 4-inch Super AMOLED display and you have a world beater on your hands. Like the Desire, recent firmware upgrades have made the Galaxy S even better than it was, and owing to newer devices being launched it can be snagged cheaper than ever, making it a hugely attractive device.

2 - The device which launched Android was HTC's Dream, it was revered for its sturdy hardware and practical Android software and without that quality Android wouldn't be where it is today. Roll forward two years and the device's successor, the HTC Desire Z, picks up where it's older brother left off.

With its amazing 3.7-inch Super LCD display, 800MHz Qualcomm CPU and hugely impressive hardware QWERTY keyboard, the Desire Z personifies the evolution of Android as an operating system and offers not only the definitive messaging experience to be had on the platform, but solid all-round charm with HTC's custom Sense UI and a great 5 mega-pixel snapper adding to the already complete package.

1 - Unsurprisingly the holder of the top spot is a new kid on the block. Over the closing weeks of 2010 the internet was abuzz with talk of a super secret project being undertaken by Samsung at the behest of Android founders, Google. As Christmas grew near the mysterious device was unveiled as the Nexus S, a device which brings the practical charm of a pure Google experience, married with the cutting-edge hardware that Samsung have become renown for.

As well as packing a 1GHz Hummingbird CPU, dedicated GPU, 16GB of on-board storage, 512MB RAM, NFC support and a 5 mega-pixel camera with flash, the Nexus S also includes the latest iteration of Android, version 2.3 (Gingerbread) a revision which includes not only an overhauled user interface but a huge array of speed-fixes, security improvements and other updates. Simply put, it's the Android device, from the Android people, Google. There's nothing else around to beat it.

So there you have it. That's our list of the top Android devices of 2010. The list's far from exhaustive though and if you look around you'll find dozens more Android smartphones which are certain to impress. 2011 looks like it's going to be an even bigger year for the little green robot though, so stay-tuned as we're sure Google and its partners will continue to impress.