Throwback Monday: Which manufacturer had the best-looking flagship in 2011?
posted by Chris P.
/ Dec 14, 2015, 3:56 AM
With 2015 nearing its end, you've probably noticed that we've already started looking back on the year and thinking on what it meant for the industry as a whole. Retrospection is a funny thing, however — drop your guard for a moment, and you might just find yourself recounting years long past. For whatever reason, we found ourselves digging through the 2011 archives and reminiscing on the greats of the day — say the iPhone 4S, the GALAXY Nexus, or even the Sony Ericsson Xperia arc S.
Beyond the obvious upgrades in hardware, it's hard not to notice that design has changed quite a bit since. Sure, fundamentally, the form factor is mostly the same, but there's still a world of difference from the long-expired designs of 2011 to the ones today. Don't get us wrong, we still appreciate the fine work phone makers delivered that year, and in fact can't settle on which one got it down cold best. That's where you come in.
Take a glance through the slideshow below with our nine contestants today — all 2011 flagships from major brands — and vote for the one you think looks best in the poll immediately below. Come back tomorrow for the results!
49 Comments
1. tiara6918
Posts: 2262; Member since: Apr 26, 2012
Samsung with their galaxy s2. I wish they'd go back to that design language
posted on Dec 14, 2015, 4:05 AM 8
16. XperiaFanZone
Posts: 2277; Member since: Sep 21, 2012
@PA it's Sony Ericsson, not Sony
posted on Dec 14, 2015, 4:42 AM 0
2. rick_mobile
Posts: 358; Member since: Dec 13, 2010
My personal ones are the xperia, iphone and the nexus. I used to really like the little logo on the sony ericsson phones. Kinda wish sony had kept it.
posted on Dec 14, 2015, 4:07 AM 5
3. AlikMalix unregistered
rick, I will agree with you, I had couple of sony ericsson phones - that logo was inspiring...
posted on Dec 14, 2015, 4:10 AM 0
7. rick_mobile
Posts: 358; Member since: Dec 13, 2010
I know right, there was something appealing about it. Too bad really.
posted on Dec 14, 2015, 4:18 AM 0
9. Finalflash
Posts: 4062; Member since: Jul 23, 2013
lol yea, between the Sony and iPhone for me with the sony one edging it out slightly.
posted on Dec 14, 2015, 4:25 AM 0
17. AkoSiKuting
Posts: 88; Member since: Dec 09, 2015
C'mon, it's obviously iPhone 4s no competition, the one and only phone with retina display in 2011
posted on Dec 14, 2015, 4:47 AM 4
28. XperiaFanZone
Posts: 2277; Member since: Sep 21, 2012
The Xperia X1, X2, Samsung Jet and LG GD880 mini all had "retina" displays"..all released before the iPhone 4 let alone the 4s. And I didn't know the number of pixels determine the design of the smartphone.
posted on Dec 14, 2015, 5:45 AM 14
30. Commentator
Posts: 3722; Member since: Aug 16, 2011
None of those phones are in the poll.
However, the Galaxy Nexus did have a Retina display in 2011, and it is in the poll.
posted on Dec 14, 2015, 6:26 AM 0
4. iampun33t
Posts: 132; Member since: Apr 17, 2013
Samsung Galaxy S2 was probably the best Galaxy phone Samsung ever made. It was compact, stylish and had a more professional design than any ever made. I wish they go back to it, adding a few design elements from this year.
posted on Dec 14, 2015, 4:11 AM 1
5. AlikMalix unregistered
To me, some of the others look good too for what they are, but the iphone was clean, designed out of aluminum and glass that looked so good then, that Samsung (and some others) are making the same glass-sandwich designs Today....
It's like a 70's muscle car that inspires designs of cars today...
posted on Dec 14, 2015, 4:12 AM 0
8. kent-gaga
Posts: 609; Member since: Apr 10, 2012
Xperia Arc S, Lumia 800 and the iPhone 4S surely take the highest places
posted on Dec 14, 2015, 4:25 AM 11
10. AlikMalix unregistered
4S wont, because not as many iPhone fans vs Android fans on PA, and unfortunately people here vote with their emotions not logic... (or eyes in this case)
posted on Dec 14, 2015, 4:27 AM 2
26. rick_mobile
Posts: 358; Member since: Dec 13, 2010
logic?? what does logic have to do here?? people have different taste in LOOKS, the iphone is nice but people can like something different.
Example: I think the best one is the xperia, followed by the nexus and followed by the iphone. Thats just personal taste of what I think the best looking ones are. The iphoe has a nice premium design which makes it nice, but a boring designed compared to the xperia and the nexus.(in my opinion).
This has nothing to do with being a fan.
I like android but I still think the iphone is good looking, not as good as my favorite ones but I still like it. You are starting to make this about fanboyism, just when I thought you actually had some brains.
Please don't make me go get more aluminum foil.
posted on Dec 14, 2015, 5:36 AM 7
43. AlikMalix unregistered
I was speaking generally on PA but I put in perentesies "in this case" - because that doesn't apply here. But emotional vote is strong here. Lots of people don't vote for something, but instead against apple products - not logical, but emotional. Re-read my post.
posted on Dec 14, 2015, 9:21 AM 1
11. Kumar123 unregistered
First, Apple iPhone 4S
Second, Xperia Arc S
Third, Lumia 800
posted on Dec 14, 2015, 4:32 AM 1
12. Diezparda
Posts: 941; Member since: Oct 23, 2013
It's kinda personal i don't mind glass and aluminum body of the iPhone 4, i don't even mind plastic since i believe majority of people will use a plastic case to cover such beauty so personally i'll pick larger screen device over anything else.
posted on Dec 14, 2015, 4:32 AM 0
13. MaryPoopins
Posts: 324; Member since: Jan 15, 2015
Arc S, no competition.
I had one :)
posted on Dec 14, 2015, 4:34 AM 3
14. KillerKeyboard
Posts: 372; Member since: Nov 21, 2013
Arc, 4s, S2
posted on Dec 14, 2015, 4:37 AM 0
19. cnour
Posts: 2305; Member since: Sep 11, 2014
First, Apple iPhone 4S
Second, Apple iPhone 4S
Third, Apple iPhone 4S
posted on Dec 14, 2015, 5:03 AM 1
21. GeekMovement unregistered
Sony Xperia Arc S, Nokia Lumia 800, and iPhone 4S for me.
posted on Dec 14, 2015, 5:06 AM 2
23. darkkjedii
Posts: 30715; Member since: Feb 05, 2011
Now this is the popcorn article. I'm gonna go with the HTC lineup.
