Droid Razr vs Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc S: Android Throwdown

Two highly stylized devices have recently launched that have elevated the design aesthetics of mobile phones to a whole new level. Droid Razr is a marvel of thin design and a dazzling display, and the Xperia Arc S is an elegantly crafted model of technological wonder. The photos here really are worth going over once more because few devices are likely to be as memorable or double take worthy this year.

Both devices run the newest version of the Android mobile operating system and will get the Android 4.0 update early in 2012. They also both have large screens, super fast processors and ultra-thin frames. Droid Razr is being touted as the world's thinnest smartphone, and it is quite slim at only 7.1 mm. But, the Xperia Arc S is only 8.7 mm thick, also quite thin. Where they differ is in things like camera quality, screen resolution and price.Verizon is offering the Droid Razr for $300 with a new two year contract. The Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc S is not offered by any major U.S. carrier, so it does not benefit from the vendor subsidy so familiar to smartphone buyers. It costs $550 and is unlocked so it can be used on your choice of carrier. That money does get you the best camera of any smartphone on the market, however, and it's not even close. It can take 3D panoramic photos with its 8.1 megapixel camera, and its got touch focus, smile detection and a video stabilizer.

Droid Razer beats the Xperia Arc S on the screen resolution, though. Razor sports a 4.3-inch display with 540 x 960 resolution to the Xperia Arc S at 4.2-inches and 480 x 854 resolution.

This is a good battle because both phones have plenty to like, but the Droid Razr wins this Android brawl on price alone. It's still quite expensive, but with Verizon, Razr can take advantage of the LTE network's high download and upload speeds. Of course, you could use the Xperia Arc S on Verizon if you wanted, and who knows, maybe the Xperia Arc S will spark a Sony revolution and lead them to create more amazing phones in 2012.

Let us know if you think it's ever worth it to buy a phone off contract and if you'd lean towards the Droid Razr or Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc S.