Top 10 Smartphones for Summer Holiday & Back-to-School Gift List

Summer Holiday is underway and I think you may have planned to get a new smartphone, or decide to get one as a back-to-school gift.

1. Samsung Galaxy S III

This is Samsung's flagship smartphone for the rest of 2012, as it offers just about everything one could want in a cutting-edge Android handset -- including a number of notcable improvments over its predecessor. It sports a 4.8-inch display, the latest version of Google's Android OS, 4G, and plenty more.

Samsung Galaxy S III fun: Download YouTube Video to Galaxy 3

2. HTC One X

The One X has a range of high-end features, including a very large display, 4G, high-res camera, much more. It was the first handset released by HTC with Android OS 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich).

There are actually two versions of this smartphone. The U.S. one supports AT&T's 4G LTE network but has a dual-core processor. The international (European) version has a quad-core processor but no LTE.

HTC One X: Download YouTube Video to HTC One X

3. Samsung Galaxy Player 3.6

The Galaxy Player 3.6 is an Android-based handheld computer created for those who want all the features of a smartphone except the phone. This is smallest, and least expensive, model in a series of Galaxy Player models.

4. Nokia Lumia 900

The Lumia 900 is the flagship of Nokia's new Windows Phone line of smartphones. It packs a 4.3-inch ClearBlack AMOLED display, as well as a range of other cutting-edge features, including LTE. It will have just a single-core processor, however. In the U.S., it is available exclusivly from AT&T.

Nokia Lumia 900 fun: Download YouTube Video to Lumia 900

5. Samsung Galaxy Nexus

This Samsung model has a 4.65-inch, 1280 x 720 Super AMOLED display. It runs Android OS 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) on a 1.2GHz dual-core processor and has 16GB of internal storage. Verizon's version has 4G LTE, NFC, plus it has a 5 megapixel rear-facing camera and a 1.3 megapixel one on the front.

Samsung Galaxy Nexus fun: Rip DVD to Samsung Galaxy Nexus

6. HTC One S

The One S sports a large touchscreen, 4G (HSPA+) capability, and was the first handset from T-Mobile to feature Android OS 4.0. It isn't HTC's flagship smartphone, but it is a powerful device that is a bit smaller than the One X.

HTC One S fun: Rip DVD to HTC One S

7. Samsung Galaxy Note

Thanks to its 5.3-inch Super AMOLED display, the Galaxy Note skirts the line between smartphone and tablet. It also has a stylus. This device runs Android OS 2.3, but an upgrade to OS 4.0 is in development The Note includes a rear-facing 8MP camera plus a 2MP front-facing camera that enables video conferencing when on the go. AT&T is the only U.S. carrier that offers it.

Samsung Galaxy Note: Download YouTube Video to Galaxy Note

8. BlackBerry Bold 9930

The most powerful of RIM's latest models is the Bold 9930, which runs BlackBerry OS 7 on a 1.2GHz processor. This is the first in Bold series with a 2.8-inch touchscreen as well as a keyboard. It is offered by both Verizon and Sprint.

BlackBerry Bold 9930 fun:

BlackBerry Bold 9930 fun: Rip Blu-ray to BlackBerry Bold 9930

9. Samsung Focus 2

The Samsung Focus 2 has an entry-level price but is a cut above most entry-level phones, making it a viable option for those seeking a bargain on a Windows Phone with 4G LTE. It is available from AT&T.

10. Apple iPhone 4S

The fifth-generation iPhone wasn't what many had expected, but it's nevertheless selling very well. It's a moderately-updated version of its predecessor, with a 1GHz dual-core processor and an 8 megapixel camera. The Retina screen and over-all design of the handset have not changed. The device is available from AT&T, Verizon, and Sprint.

iPhone 4S fun: Convert Video to iPhone 4S