The 7 Best Smartphones Announced At Mobile World Congress 2012

For over three decades, the Mobile World Congress has become a breeding ground for the latest and greatest in mobile communications. Last year’s MWC showcase welcomed the world’s first 3D smartphone courtesy of the LG Optimus 3D, as well as the highly anticipated Samsung Galaxy S II. The 2012 expo ushered in a new wave of high-tech smartphones that left those in attendance (and watching from home) both amazed and bewildered. HTC came in gunning for top honors, while Nokia and Samsung elevated smartphone hardware to unthinkable heights with its latest gadgets. Then there were a few surprise standouts such as Sony who wowed the crowds with its modernistic designs. This year’s MWC line-up pushed the boundaries of mobile technology and style. If you want to know which dope handsets to lookout for in the coming months, check out the 7 Best Smartphones Announced At Mobile World Congress 2012.

Carrier/Availability: AT&T, April 2012

HTC stole the show once it placed the One Series in everyone’s hands. Our hands-on with all three phones was very impressive, but we gave the edge to the One X for its bigger 4.7″ Super LCD 2 HD screen and LTE coverage. That’s just the tip of the iceberg. HTC loads this beauty with Ice Cream Sandwich and the all-new Sense 4.0 UI with ImageSense camera features that may position the handset as the best camera phone on the market. Not only does the software come with some sweet editing tools, the 8MP HDR camera captures multiple shots per second like an SLR and can snap screenshots from recorded clips. Processing power is solid, Beats audio sounds good, and the 8.9mm thinness makes it a featherweight carry. Ma Bell has a new premium Android handset.

Carrier/Availability: TBA, Summer 2012 (rumored)

First came the Galaxy Note, a smartphone-tablet hybrid, and now Samsung’s created a handset with a built-in, 15-lumen pico projector. Insane. The Beam can generate 640 x 360 16:9 nHD resolution, allowing users to project all mobile content (photos, videos, slides, etc.) up to 50 inches on any surface via app. And to assure long-lasting power, a 2000 mAh battery lies under the hood and is said to offer approx. 3 hours projection time. Granted the phone comes preloaded with Gingerbread, an ICS update might be available in the near future. Now what's good with the Galaxy III, Samsung?

Carrier/Availability: TBA, Q2 2012

Sony announced a trio of new Xperia phones at MWC, with the P at the premium forefront. There’s been some buzz surrounding the phone’s 4-inch Retina Display, which is powered by the Mobile BRAVIA engine and utilizes Sony’s new WhiteMagic technology to produce better outdoor visuals, wider viewing angles, and brighter output. It’ll come bundled with 16GB of internal memory, 1GB of RAM, and be NFC-enabled as well. Plus Sony promises an ICS update by Q2 this year. The Xperia P should be available by late Spring in three colors: Silver, Black, and Red.

Carrier/Availability: TBA

With its last two LTE handsets (the Nitro HD and Spectrum) earning critical praise, LG’s solidified itself as one of the premiere Android staples in the business. Now all eyes are on the quad-core-powered Optimus 4X HD. The NVIDIA chip will use its “4-PLUS-1” architecture to run four CPUs at once and enhance mobile productivity. When you combine that with 16GB of storage, 1GB of RAM, a 2,150mAh battery, and ICS out the box it's easy to consider it the most powerful handset out there. LG’s monster is due in Eurpore mid-2012, but could be repackaged under a different name if brought to the U.S.

Carrier/Availability: TBA

After finally gaining momentum in the mobile market with its latest Windows Phone 7 line-up, the last thing we expected Nokia to announce was a freaking 41MP camera phone running on a new Symbian OS dubbed Belle. The enhanced shooter captures photos at 7728x5354 pixel resolution in 16:9 format or 7152x5368 pixels in 4:3 format, while featuring 3X zoom in capability. Though the PureView might bear second-gen specs (512MB of RAM and 1.3GHz single-core), it's still a powerful handset that many on-the-go photogs will kill for. If all goes well, we could possibly see the camera technology intergrated in future WP7 handsets. Just wishful thinking.

Carrier/Availability: T-Mobile, Spring 2012

The One S welcomes the same awesome software upgrades (Sense 4.0 and ICS), along with the dope camera features and slim profile of its AT&T brethren. Unlike the One X, this model flaunts an ultra-matte Ceramic Metal finish that’s “four times harder than anodized aluminum” and feels incredibly comfortable in-hand. The 4.3-inch qHD screen looks awesome and the 1.5GHz dual-core runs smooth. And with 16GB of internal memory and Beats audio integration, it's a good iPhone alternative for those looking for an Android multimedia phone. Until we get our hands on Samsung’s Galaxy S Blaze 4G, HTC’s stunner wears the crown for T-Mobile’s hottest phone thus far.

Carrier/Availability: TBA

The thought of Panasonic releasing a smartphone doesn’t sound so thrilling. We shared the same sentiments at first until the electronics giant unveiled the high-powered, ICS-ready Eluga Power at MWC. Aside from its standout 5-inch touchscreen and 1.5GHz dual-core, the Eluga's biggest attraction is its 1,800mAh battery—boosting battery life up to 50 percent in 30 minutes. Not to mention the device’s unique aluminum design with power button and volume rockers located in the rear. Reports have it limited to international markets for now, but only time will tell if it hits the states this year.