Last year we showed you our top phones of 2010 where the HTC Desire went number 1. 2011 is almost ending and we’ve seen a lot of smartphones released this year, some with notable innovations. One thing we can easily say is that Android still reigns in smartphones mainly due to the amount of choices consumer can make.
Here’s our top 5 phones of 2011 which is not only driven by popularity and market sales but also technological breakthrough and the impact they have in our mobile landscape.
5. HTC Sensation XE
HTC phones are a bit so-so this year with most being just a slight upgrade from last year’s models. However, their partnership with Beats in the 3rd quarter of 2011 to get the logo, audio and earpiece into their smartphone seems to be a good move for our country who values brand recognition. The HTC Sensation XE runs on dual-core processor which makes it eligible for future Android upgrades and the included Beats audio and earphones makes this phone a value for your money if you’re into that Beats hype.
4. BlackBerry Bold 9900
Although a lot of people are currently seeing the future of BlackBerry as bleak, it’s hard not to discount the impact the BlackBerry Bold 9900 had on their berries lineup. It features the best in class specs RIM has to offer in a sleek and slim body to go along with the latest BlackBerry 7 OS. The Bold 9900 just screams “style” to the BB-toting executive.
3. Nokia N9
The Nokia N9 was the breath of fresh and savory air that Nokia very much needed this year. It was lagging in the smartphone race which their Symbian OS cannot overcome but who knew that MeeGo OS would work for the Finnish company with the introduction of the N9. A lot of people in the IT industry went gaga over this phone even with the knowledge that it’s the last MeeGo for Nokia. I guess it brings a certain charm to it to go along with the superb display, stylish body and impressively quick lens for a phone. I would be happy to give this the number 2 spot if only it has been making a lot of noise in the local market.
2. Apple iPhone 4S
Even though there’s nothing much new with the iPhone 4S compared to its previous generation, it still made quite a scene when it was launched this month. The iPhone 4S was a disappointment during the launch, but eventually, it’s still an iPhone, an Apple product, a legacy of Steve Jobs, and a lot of people loved it and some even converted to iOS because of it. It certainly helped that both Smart and Globe now offers the iPhone 4S making it accessible to a lot of people and eventually to our number 2 spot.
1. Samsung Galaxy SII
The Samsung Galaxy SII sounds boring and old considering the company has released quite a number of Galaxy devices after it. It was launched in April, has a dual-core processor, Super AMOLED screen, thin and light profile… sounds ordinary but why is it our number 1 phone of 2011? It is the major factor that resulted in record-breaking annual sales figure for Samsung accounting to over 10 million sold since April. It’s the fastest selling Android phone in the world and even this holiday season I’m sure numbers are still going up. A friend selling mobile phones told me he was moving an average 6 Galaxy SII’s per day this December.
Honorable Mention
We just have to make room for the Sony Ericsson Xperia Play being the only true gaming Android phone thanks to its PlayStation certified slideout controls. I was willing to put it in the top 5 but I found out that the PS controls don’t work in all Android games. Instead, you need to download an Xperia Play version of the game in order to use the gamepad. Sucks, I was ready to kick ass with Barry Steakfries. Anyway, the phone still has a decent amount of games made specifically just for its controllers.
Popular Phone Award
Popular phone award goes to the Samsung Galaxy Y, Sammy’s latest entry-level phone targeting the “Young” generation. This phone is selling like hotcakes thanks to Smart and Globe offering it for free on Plan 349. The phone is a perfect for those wanting to take baby steps with the Android platform before switching to a more expensive handset. For the month of December, we’re hearing problems with supply as the demand skyrocketed earning it our Popular Phone Award.
We also believe it’s just right to also mention the Nokia X1-01 dual-sim phone, or what people know as the “Bossing Phone” thanks to Vic Sotto’s constant promotion. A lot of Filipinos are suckers for dual-sim phones and making it as affordable (P2k) yet sturdy from a popular brand (Nokia) can guarantee impressive sales figures. I’m guessing the Nokia Asha 303 will follow suit in 2012.
31 comments
Oh yeah, the bossing phone…
wheres moto Razr?
motorola didn’t make an impact at all in the philippines. siguro mga select few Pinoys lang here consider it for a phone. wala kasing support and marketing eh.
Nice review sir Calvs.. Im glad Xperia Play made it atleast Honorable Mention hehe.
For me BB Torch have more impact than BB 9900. Thumbs up for the SE Xplay aka SEXplay >:) for the Honorable mention. I agree that SGS2 to be in the number one spot, massive apps available, neat specs and much cheaper than the iphone =))
Good choices. But I would change the rank as
1. Samsung Galaxy SII
2. HTC Sensation
3. iPhone 4S
4. Nokia N9
5. Blackberry 9900
🙂
Great list! Although iPhone 4S should be lower.
i forgot about the LG Optimus Black…. ok din sya eh. nice features for its price. what do you guys think? should the optimus black be there somewhere?
definitely. a lot did buy that phone although i am sure they are frustrated due to the delayed release of Gingerbread. the LG 2X would need an honorable mention too lol for being the “first” dual core phone.
yeps sir Calvin you’ve forgot the LG’s especially the Optimus Black. If that is in then the list would be this…..
1.) Samsung GS2
2.) LG Optimus Black
3.) HTC Sensation XE
4.) Nokia N9
5.) BB 9900
* oopps i did drop the I4s..!!! why? coz so very exclusive and very pricey I can’t afford!!! 🙂
nope… dahil mabagal si LG sa pagdeliver ng gingerbread, nasapawan na sya ng iang single core 1GHz phones. sayang pa naman being the brightest android phone title nya.
Yay! Samsyng Galaxy Y made it!
I’am wondering why Xperia arc (s) didn’t make it to the list
I agree with most of the top 5 but to me HTC Sensation should be included, at #2 or #3. I’m glad the Nokia N9 was recognized and I also agree with Galaxy Y being a very popular phone.
yeah sensation XE’s number 5 lang? should be at least neck and neck with the s2’s cheapass build quality.
no xperia arc? but why? 🙁
+1 hmm N9’s included? Id rather have the arc or the LG optimus black
Nice choices. I think it’s just right. These are the phones that have really made an impact this year, and each one has its own set of unique features that would really make it difficult to choose between them. I’m glad none of the LG phones that are stuck on Froyo made the list because that would really have undermined the importance of manufacturers properly supporting their phones.
for me, if Apple releases Iphone 4S 2 months ahead of SGS2, Iphone 4S would be in the number 1 spot. i think Galaxy Note should be included in the top 5 or maybe honorable mention.
yeah but for most people it’s still hard to categorize the note as a phone. parang tablet pa rin.
in fairness tama ka dyan boss calvin. boss what ado you think with SG Nexus? pwede din yan pang 2nd honorable mention.
the nexus is not yet officially available in our market so it won’t get a mention.
Nice list. But I think if you consider the Philippine market only,
Galaxy Y should be in the top 5 list. This particular
model was sold out in mid December even Samsung
Philippines didn’t anticipate the market demand and next shipment
will arrived in Jan next year according to them.
Only the telcos had them but with plan and one store “Aerofone” in
SM Mla & Sn Lazaro which sell it at 6780 more than 1000 pesos
over price from 5500 I first ask them in Nov.
Unfortunately I’m also a victim bec I’ve promise my daughter for her
Xmas gift so I had no choice to buy it from them. Anyway I think it’s
worth it bec my daughter is very very happy. LoL
well we did have it as honorable mention. the reason why it only became popular it’s because of the price. if it’s priced like that of the galaxy 5 when it first came out i doubt the galaxy y will have the same market response.
Sad! no windows phone
yeah sadly mango phones didn’t make an impact this year. maybe next year with nokia.
hopefully may Mango 8.0 na at may handset manufacturer na gagawa na mas affordable phone running on Mango.
what’s affordable to you? mahirap kasi sa mga affordable phones you won’t get the experience the OS was built for. parang sa anroid, limited yung mga nagagawa ng mga murang phones as compared to high-end ones with big screens and powerful procs.
the original htc sensation should replace the XE. walang XE kung wlang Sensation. Hehe. and for quite a while nag head-to-head talaga ang Sensation and S2.
Sensation XE ftw…
FYI, I dumped the SGS2 in favor of my old iPhone 4. 😀