2012 Holiday Gift Guide: The 10 Best Smartphones $300 and Under

HTC Droid DNA

Carrier: Verizon
Price: $200 (w/two-year contract)
After failing to recreate the magic of its first flagship product, the Droid Incredible, HTC went back to the drawing board—bringing over the major facets of its One Series, updating the spec sheet, and rebranding the franchise. The end result: the most powerful Droid and Verizon phone of the holidays, the Droid DNA. A dominant 1.5GHz quad-core Snapdragon S4 Pro CPU and stunning 5-inch FHD Super LCD 3 screen capable of generating 1080p resolution and 440ppi spotlight the phone’s prominent attributes. However, we found its opulent profile and enhanced front-facing 2.1MP camera to be the scene-stealers here. Include the latest software updates (Sense 4+ and Jelly Bean) and HTC’s patented shooter technology, Big Red has a Frankenstein on its hands.

LG Optimus G

Carrier: AT&T and Sprint
Price: $200 (w/two-year contract)
LG’s stepped up its mobile game heavily this season and the Optimus G is proof of it. A dynamic quad-core processor, fast LTE speeds, and marveling 4.7-inch HD IPS Plus display promote the phone’s high performance value. Its elegant design and battery-saving Eco Mode feature make it a heavy hitter on the Android horizon.