Apple iPhone 5 - Top 3 new Android smartphones that can beat iPhone?

Apple iPhone has been ruling the smartphone jungle for quite some time and the launch of the next generation iPhone (dubbed iPhone 5) is expected to consolidate its position but could a slew of new Android smartphones set for launch later this year upset its dominance?

The first among them is HTC myTouch 4G Slide which will run on T-Mobile network. The myTouch 4G Slide smartphone offers support for T-Mobiles HSPA+ 4G network (as the name suggests). The myTouch 4G Slide boasts of impressive specs like Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) OS and HTC Sense 3.0, dual-core 1.2 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon, 3.7-inch WVGA display, 8-megapixel camera with 1080p video recording, front-facing camera for video chat, SWYPE support, slide-out Qwerty keyboard and pre-installed Netflix software.

More details on myTouch 4G Slide are unavailable at the moment but T-Mobile promises that it is the new best-in-class smartphone that allows our customers to leave their cameras at home.

According to Andrew Sherrard, senior vice president, marketing, T-Mobile USA, myTouch combines high-quality smartphone hardware with features that customers would expect from a top-of-the-line digital camera.

The myTouch 4G Slide is ideal for capturing that perfect moment with photos that rival high-end dedicated digital cameras, T-Mobile said.

The smartphone comes with an 8-megapixel camera with a dual LED flash and a host of advanced digital camera features, including the following:
> Improved low-light Performance: with a backside illuminated sensor and a wide aperture lens (f/2.2)
> Zero shutter lag: innovative software features allow for an instantaneous shot at that precise moment
> SweepShot™: for capturing panoramic shots by sweeping across an entire scene in a single motion
> ClearShot™ HDR: for capturing objects in bright settings so your photos are not affected by high-contrast lighting
> BurstShot™: for capturing multiple photos in a quick burst so you don’t miss the perfect photo

The myTouch 4G Slide is poised for release in July and will be available in 2 colors - black and khaki. It is expected to retail for $199.99 with a 2-year contract.

The other iPhone rival could be the mysterious new smartphone that's being billed as Motorola XPRT's successor. Little details are available on that too but BGR says it looks more of a BlackBerry than an Android device and packs a full QWERTY keyboard and a rounded form factor.

The smartphone supposedly runs on Android 2.3 Gingerbread and may offer support for Sprint's 4G WiMAX network. Also expect a 3.1-inch display and a small Palm Pre-type QWERTY keyboard. If it's for real, it could be Motorola's first sliding portrait QWERTY handset.

The other smartphone - Samsung Epic 2 - from Sprint, however, is less of a rumor.

Samsung Epic 2 will sport a 1.2GHz single core Hummingbird processor, a 4-inch Super AMOLED Plus display and an 8-megapixel camera.

All three smartphones look good enough to give iPhone 4 a run for its money but can it beat iPhone 5?

The answer is no.

iPhone 5, which is expected to be launched in September, will reportedly feature a radical new case design, keeping in line with Apple's reputation as a company which is always on the bleeding edge of industry design.

iPhone 5 is expected to boast of the following features:

> A5 processor in the range of 1.2-1.5 GHz
> Aluminum metal backing of the original iPhone instead of the current glass surface back piece
> A teardrop design, like the new iPod Touch, with the top being thick and then tapering to a skinnier bottom
> An improved antenna (no more Antennagate, yay!)
> More RAM, possibly 1GB
> Better camera (perhaps 8-megapixel) with 1080p video playback and panaromic photo capture capability and an improved dual-LED flash unit
> Bigger-edge-to-edge 3.7- to 4-inch curved glass screen (iPHone 4 has 3.5-inch screen)
> A SIM-less design
> 3-4 internal antennas for both GSM and CDMA networks
> 4G connectivity
> iOS 5, which will be true multitask capable and come with loads of new features such as News Stand, Reminders, Delta Updates and iMessage
> Improved speech recognition features, and
> Wireless charging capability
> Better talktime and standy time

In conclusion, the above-mentioned Android smartphones cannot hold a candle to iPhone 5. Period.

What do you think? Is there any Android smartphone that looks good enough on paper to beat the rumored specs of iPhone 5? leave your comments below.