Happy New Year! Hopefully, you got a new smartphone in your stocking over the holidays, but if not, here’s your up-to-date guide to the best handsets on each carrier. If you’re new to the buyer’s guide, check out these tips before proceeding:

• Remember to choose your carrier before your phone. Having the greatest phone in the world isn’t great if it can’t make or receive calls where you use it most. I’ve put together a helpful list of guidelines for choosing a carrier here.
• After picking out your phone, check online outlets such as Amazon Wireless or Wirefly. They’re pricing is generally much better than what you get at the retail outlets. The downside is in person support and setup, so if you feel you’ll need that, you may want to pay the extra money in the store for peace of mind.

Now that the PSAs are out of the way, here’s the first guide of the New Year!


Best overall phone
Galaxy Nexus by Samsung
The Nexus is the latest in the seemingly endless stream of  ”best-ever” Android devices. While its specs won’t necessarily blow you away, the Android 4.0 software will. It’s the latest “Google Experience” phone which means it doesn’t haven’t any customization and will be the first device to get Android software updates. That fact alone makes it worth a second look, as I wrote here last month. Right now, Verizon Wireless is the only carrier that is offering it subsidized on contract, but you can get an unlocked GSM version (for AT&T and T-mobile) from a number of online retailers.


Verizon Wireless
Best phone: Galaxy Nexus by Samsung
The best overall phone is the best phone available on Verizon.

Runner-up: DROID RAZR by Motorola
Thin is in, and you’ll be hard pressed to find a thinner handset than the RAZR. Apple fans may opt for an iPhone 4S instead, but I can’t recommend any device on Verizon that doesn’t have 4G LTE support. I mean, you’re paying for it with your service, why not have a phone that can use it!

Budget phone (<$100): Thunderbolt by HTC
If you must save a few bucks, I’d go with the Thunderbolt. It was a great device when it was released early last year, and it can still hold its own with the big boys thanks to its 4G support.


AT&T Wireless
Best phone: iPhone 4S
I’ll give the nod to the iPhone 4S based on overall software polish, but the Samsung Galaxy S II is a worthy challenger.

Runner-up: Samsung Galaxy S II
If the iPhone is not your thing, you won’t be disappointed with the Galaxy S II. You also may want to consider the Skyrocket version, which is the first phone with AT&T 4G LTE capability. Since AT&T’s LTE network is still in its infancy, this version of the device may or may not be available in your local store.

Budget phone (<$100): Apple iPhone4
The iPhone4 is still a great phone, especially when you can get it for under $100. The Siri voice recognition app and an improved camera are the only items you’ll be missing if you choose it over the iPhone 4S.


Sprint
Best phone: Samsung Galaxy S II (Epic 4G Touch)
The Galaxy S II gets the edge on Sprint because of 4G support.

Runner-up: iPhone 4S
Another close call with the Galaxy S II, and by now, you should get the picture – whether you choose the Galaxy S II or the iPhone 4S, you won’t be disappointed.

Budget phone (<$100): Nexus S 4G from Google
Even though it’s been out for a year, the Nexus S is still a good choice – mainly because it was last year’s “Google Experience” phone which means it will be one of the few existing Android devices that will get updated to Android 4.0.


T-mobile
Best phone: Samsung Galaxy S II
No surprise here. It’s near the top of every carrier list for a reason.

Runner-up: HTC Amaze 4G
HTC does a great job with the styling of their phones, I’m just not a big fan of their Sense UI. If Sense doesn’t bother you (or you like it), you should give the Amaze serious consideration.

Budget phone (<$100): Samsung Exhibit II 4G
If there’s one thing that T-mobile does well, it’s budget phones. The Exhibit II may not be the best phone out there, but at only $30 on contract, it’s worth a look if you’re trying to save some money.


As always, if you have questions about any devices, feel as though I left one out, or have personal experience with any of devices that you’d like to share, sound off in the comments.

Related posts:

1. miniListings Buyer’s Guide – February 2012
2. miniListings Buyer’s Guide – May 2012
3. miniListings Buyer’s Guide – December 2011
4. miniListings Buyer’s Guide – April 2012