US$ 473 US$ 349.00

While HTC might be dominating the Android phone market, its competitors such as Samsung and now Acer are run closely after it. In fact, Acer just kicked out its first Android handsets-Acer Liquid into the mystical kingdom of donuts (Android 1.6) and snapdragons, which is running a 1GHz Snapdragon that's been under-clocked to 768MHz. And come with a bevy of additions -- but as always, the verdict is out until we get our hands on it.

What’s inside? The phone, a battery, a charger, a data cable, a handsfree set, a pouch, a CD and user’s guide.

The Acer Liquid got 3.5” WVGA glossy screen. Unfortunately, you have to greet it with fingerprint smudges. It relies heavily on the touchscreen capabilities with a few buttons underneath. Start from the left: Home button, Search button, Back button and the Menu button. Actually, you have to take some time to figure out where the Menu button will be as it is with no related icons present.

At the top of the device, you may find the 3.5mm audio port. The black bar actually is the indicator for the incoming call, mail/message and low battery.

On the right side, you may find the camera button and volume Rocker.

The power button is located on the right side. The white border looks clean and simple.

The Mini USB connector and the Microphone are located on the bottom.

At the back, you may find the 5MP camera.

Here is the main menu of Liquid. It holds true to the original Android UI and leaves it as intact as possible. Like HTC or other manufacturers, Liquid is also got its own widget presence in the Android OS, such as Bookmark widget, Multimedia widget.

For typing, you can use either the multi-tap alphanumeric keypad, or you can rotate it and go for the QWERTY keyboard. The touch feedback is very responsive, and typing is very accurate. The touchscreen is sense by heat only that can avoid you from any careless touch by the object inside your bag. Good though!

The Android 1.6 rides that peppy Snapdragon processor that makes this the fastest Android handset on the planet. The touch is very responsive, fast and received a nicer touch-optimized interface when you’re browsing the website, which can compete with iPhone. However, it doesn’t have the multi-touch but the zoom bar on the bottom right of the screen for zooming.

Liquid got a bevy of unique features such as improved power management, a new UI with tight entertainment and web integration, geo-tagging, a "Spinlets" application for access to streaming video and music, and full address book integration with Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, and other social media houses. Together with the upgraded Android OS and the powerful Qualcomn Snapdragon processor, Acer liquid is definitely the most unique and modern device to date