Chances are you've probably heard of LTE. Designed to pump even more data than the now-common 3G, there can be little doubt that LTE (and technologies like it) are the future of smartphones. If this interests you (we're betting it does) and you happen to be signed on with or plan to sign on with Verizon, you currently have 3 options to choose from:

• LG Revolution
• Samsung Droid Charge
• HTC Thunderbolt

Before we get into how these phones are different, let's look at what all 3 offer across the board:

• Android 2.2 (The current version of the Android operating system.)
• A 1GHz processor
• HD video recording
• Mobile hotspots (To share your phone's connection with other devices.)
• A 1.3 MP front-facing camera (Designed for video chats.)

Now let's look at a few other factors and see how they compare:

Weight

We know you'll be carrying this thing around with you everywhere you go, so every ounce counts. The Droid Charge wins this battle, weighing in a full ounce lighter than its competitors (about 5 as opposed to about 6 oz.).

Display

Undoubtedly the most-used component on any smartphone, each of these phones offers a 480x800 display. The Droid Charge offers a Super AMOLED Plus display to boot.

Camera

More than likely the second-most-used component on any phone these days, the Droid Charge and Thunderbolt offer 8 MP cameras. The LG Revolution offers only a 5 MP shooter. If you plan to use your phone as your primary camera, you'll definitely want to keep this in mind.

Price

As the old saying goes, "you get what you pay for." As the lightest and longest-lasting-talk-timer, the Droid Charge comes in $50 higher than the others ($299 as opposed to $249 on a 2-year contract).

Conclusion

If you're seriously considering ponying up for one of these phones, there is no substitute for going hands-on in the store. Remember: You're most likely making a 2-year committment to this device so it's very important that you get what you want. Every person uses their phone a little differently and each phone has a "personality" that caters more to one group than the others. That said, consider the factors above when making your decision. After all, what's better than finding the right phone for you and knowing you did the research to back your selection up? Happy hunting!

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