Top Best Hottest Coolest Smartphones Review of Reviews: Moto Droid RAZR, HTC Rezound, iPhone 4S, Samsung Galaxy SII and Nexus Tops C-List

CNET updates it top best smartphones frequently. Wireless and Mobile News reviewed their best ratings to calculate what will be the top ten best hottest coolest smartphones of the year.  CNET does in-depth reviews and generally holds a good balance between tech-envy and practicality.

Update 2012 - We've rounded-up the 2012 results for best smartphone from Consumer Reports, T-Mobile, DT, HTC, Droid, Motorola, Sprint, AT&T, Verizon, trends, sales figures and the best for 2012.

CNET reviewers spend time evaluating the functions and features of smartphones and we take their opinions seriously.  In the past CNET,  loved the iPhone the most. While the iPhone dropped out other "best of 2011" lists this year, such as Consumer Reports, whose choices for Verizon Wireless, T-Mobile, AT&T and Sprint are geared more toward usability, CNET still gave the iPhone top honors.

 Another first this year, is the inclusion of an unlocked smartphone the Samsung Galaxy Nexus which will eventually be released by Verizon Wireless but has recently been delayed.  We suggest you read the full reviews of the smartphones that interest you the most.  

Currently, there are no T-Mobile smartphone in the top five, but those desperate for the best can always buy an unlocked Nexus.

After the CNET summary, when available we added our Wireless and Mobile News' Review of Reviews and the lowest price found as of this writing.

CNET Top Best Smartphones of the Year (12/11/2011)

Motorola  Droid RAZR 4.5 - CNET  liked the water-repellent lightweight design, 4.3" Super AMOLED touchscreen, data speeds, 1.2GHz  dual-core processor, media features, security, Webtop connections/app and battery life.  WMNS ROR'  reviewers of the DROID RAZR gave it Editors' Choice and rated it well for being the fastest and thinnest for now.

Verizon Wireless sells the DROID RAZR for $299 and is offering double data through the holidays as well as $100 off a Droid Xyboard and $50 off Motorola accessories. Amazon Wireless  as of this writing is selling it for $199 for new customers.

Samsung Galaxy S II (ATT) 4 - With a beautiful touchscreen, dual-core processor, great performance, excellent camera and good battery life, the only fault CNET found was its flimsy feel. The best price for new customers today is Amazon Wireless at $129.99 for new customers and renewing customers pay $149.99.

HTC Rezound  (Verizon Wireless) 4 - CNET liked the screen processor, camera, 4G LTE and Beats earbuds but disliked the size and call quality.  WMNS Dare 2 Compare of the RAZR vs Rezound, revealed the RAZR winning one and losing the other comparison. HTC Rezound  at Amazon is $199.99 for new customers and $219.99 for renewing customers.

Apple iPhone 4S (Mutiple Carriers)  4 -  A member of the cell phone royal family, it still has a great camera, new OS and the smart(ass) assistant Siri.  iPhones are seldom discounted.

Samsung Galaxy Nexus (Unlocked) 4 - called just another Android device CNET noted the welcome features in Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, gorgeous screen and fast performance.   Unliked features include a high learning curve and absence of a microSD care. It's too soon for a Review of Reviews.

The CNET holiday buying guide offered more guidance dividing smartphones into 4G and 3G.

Best 4G smartphones are the HTC Rezound, Motorola  Droid RAZR 4.5, Samsung Galaxy S II Skyrocket, HTC EVO 3D, Motorola Photon 4 and Sony Xperia Play 4G (AT&T)

For the top 3G smartphones they chose: iPhone 4S , BlackBerry Bold 9930, LQ Marquee,  HTC Rhyme, Motorola Triumph, Samsung Convoy 2, Samsung Character and Pantech Breeze.

For Cheap and cheerful they chose HTC Inspire 4G, iPhone 4, Samsung Focus Flash, Motorola Atrix,  HTC EVO Design 4G, HTC Wildfire,

Be sure to check back at Wireless and News for all the best smartphones of the year reviewed in one place.