For a late-2012 Sprint customer, the Samsung Galaxy S III was the best all-around choice. It balanced a large HD display, strong performance, LTE, expandable storage, NFC, camera quality and a removable battery better than any rival. The iPhone 5 was the better pick for iOS users and compact design, while the LG Optimus G led on raw specifications. The Galaxy Note II, HTC EVO 4G LTE, Motorola PHOTON Q, Galaxy Nexus and LG Viper each won a more specific category.
This is a historical buying guide to phones sold by Sprint during calendar year 2012—not a recommendation for a daily phone in 2026. Sprint’s first LTE markets were limited, so an LTE-capable handset could still spend most of its time on Sprint’s 3G network.
What “of 2012” means
There are three reasonable ways to define the phrase:
- Phones launched on Sprint during 2012.
- Phones still sold by Sprint at the end of 2012.
- Phones that represented a strong buying decision at some point during the year, including models released earlier.
The ranking below emphasizes the late-2012 Sprint lineup, then adds earlier or niche devices that mattered to a full-year retrospective. “Best” is an editorial judgment based on Sprint availability, hardware, display, camera, battery, storage, software, ergonomics, update prospects and the reality of Sprint’s early LTE rollout.
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Quick comparison
| Phone | Best for | Key Sprint specifications | Main drawback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Samsung Galaxy S III (SPH-L710) | Best overall Android phone | 4.8-inch 1280×720 HD Super AMOLED; 1.5GHz dual-core; 2GB RAM; 16GB plus microSD; 8MP camera; LTE; NFC | Large plastic body and complex TouchWiz software |
| Apple iPhone 5 | iOS, simplicity and compact design | Taller display; thinner, lighter body; faster processor; improved camera; Sprint LTE | Small screen, no microSD and limited customization |
| LG Optimus G (LS970) | Raw performance and specifications | 1.5GHz quad-core Snapdragon S4 Pro; 2GB RAM; 32GB; 4.7-inch 768×1280 IPS Plus; 13MP camera; LTE; NFC | Non-removable battery and less proven update support |
| Samsung Galaxy Note II | Large-screen productivity and stylus use | 5.5-inch display; quad-core processor; S Pen; Multi-Window; removable battery; microSD | Heavy and awkward for one-handed use |
| HTC EVO 4G LTE | HTC design and camera features | 4.7-inch Super LCD; LTE; microSD; removable battery; kickstand | Battery concerns and early availability delays |
| Motorola PHOTON Q 4G LTE | Physical-keyboard typing | Slide-out, backlit QWERTY keyboard; LTE | Thick, heavy design and weaker flagship specifications |
| Samsung Galaxy Nexus | Clean Google Android | 4.6-inch Super AMOLED; NFC; Google Wallet; Jelly Bean update | Older camera, battery and processor hardware |
| LG Viper 4G LTE | Lower-cost LTE entry | Early Sprint LTE handset in a lower tier | Clearly behind the flagships in display, camera and performance |
1. Samsung Galaxy S III — best overall
The Sprint Galaxy S III (SPH-L710) is the most defensible overall winner. Samsung lists a 4.8-inch 1280×720 HD Super AMOLED display, 1.5GHz dual-core processor, 2GB of RAM, 16GB of storage with microSD expansion, LTE, NFC and an 8-megapixel rear camera on its Sprint specification page. Contemporary year-end coverage also placed it among the leading Android phones of 2012 (Droid Life; GottaBeMobile).
Its advantage was balance rather than one spectacular specification. The display was spacious, performance was sufficient for demanding Android software, and the removable battery and microSD slot were practical advantages over the iPhone 5 and Optimus G. NFC, Smart Stay, S Voice, Pop-up Play, Share Shot and motion controls gave it a feature-rich identity.
The compromises were equally clear: the plastic body felt less premium than the iPhone 5 or HTC EVO, TouchWiz added clutter to Android, and the 4.8-inch screen made one-handed use harder. Most importantly, LTE performance depended on whether Sprint had launched LTE in your market.
2. Apple iPhone 5 — best for iOS and compact simplicity
The iPhone 5 was available on Sprint and was ranked by contemporary coverage as one of 2012’s leading smartphones (Complex; GottaBeMobile). Its taller display, thinner and lighter construction, faster processor and improved camera made it a substantial step beyond the iPhone 4S.
Choose it when iOS, straightforward operation, Apple’s app ecosystem and a compact body matter more than Android’s flexibility. It was also the natural choice for households already using Apple devices and services.
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The iPhone 5 was not the universal winner. Its screen was smaller than every major Android rival’s, it had no microSD slot or removable battery, and iOS offered less customization. Sprint LTE also required an LTE launch in your area; the handset’s LTE radio did not create coverage where Sprint had not deployed it.
3. LG Optimus G — best raw hardware
The Sprint Optimus G (LS970) was the specification leader among the late-2012 contenders. LG’s product page and Sprint specification sheet list a 1.5GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro, 2GB RAM, 32GB internal storage, a 4.7-inch 768×1280 True HD IPS Plus display, NFC, LTE and a 13-megapixel rear camera. LG called it the first commercial LTE smartphone using that Snapdragon S4 Pro platform in its August 2012 announcement.
That combination made the Optimus G excellent for multitasking and technically demanding Android applications. LG’s QSlide and QuickMemo features added useful multitasking tools, and 32GB was generous for the period.
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Its non-removable battery and LG’s less established update reputation weakened the ownership case. The 13MP figure establishes resolution, not superior image quality; camera processing, autofocus and low-light performance require actual comparative testing. Also avoid mixing carrier variants: LG’s AT&T specification sheet differs from the Sprint model, including camera and network details.
4. Samsung Galaxy Note II — best large-screen productivity phone
The Galaxy Note II was a specialist device whose 5.5-inch screen, S Pen and Multi-Window multitasking made it unusually capable for notes, documents, media and side-by-side apps. Contemporary rankings highlighted its quad-core performance, Jelly Bean software and pen features (Droid Life; Complex; GottaBeMobile).
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It also offered a large battery, removable battery and microSD expansion. The defining question was whether you wanted a phone approaching mini-tablet size. It was heavy, conspicuous and inconvenient for one-handed use, while the S Pen’s value depended on actually writing, annotating or selecting precisely.
5. HTC EVO 4G LTE — best HTC and camera-oriented alternative
The EVO 4G LTE combined a distinctive metal-and-polycarbonate design with a 4.7-inch Super LCD, LTE, microSD storage, a removable battery and a built-in kickstand. Period coverage praised HTC’s camera technology and display while noting battery and early network-related limitations (Complex; GottaBeMobile).
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1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsHTC’s camera software, Sense interface and media features gave it a character different from Samsung’s phones. Release delays reduced its early momentum, battery life was not a standout, and the kickstand was useful only in situations where you could prop the phone up. It remained a strong top-five choice for buyers who preferred HTC design or camera tools.
6. Motorola PHOTON Q 4G LTE — best physical-keyboard phone
The PHOTON Q was one of the last major Sprint smartphones with a slide-out physical QWERTY keyboard. Contemporary 2012 coverage emphasized its tactile, backlit keys (Complex).
For heavy texters and business users, the keyboard could be more accurate and comfortable than an on-screen keyboard. Motorola’s Smart Actions software and LTE added useful extras. The trade-off was unavoidable bulk: the sliding mechanism made the phone thicker and heavier, while its display, camera and processing platform were less compelling than the Galaxy S III or Optimus G. It belongs in the ranking as a category winner, not as the best all-purpose flagship.
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7. Samsung Galaxy Nexus — best Google-first Android experience
The Sprint Galaxy Nexus offered a near-stock Android interface, a curved 4.6-inch Super AMOLED display, NFC, Google Wallet support and Google’s Jelly Bean software direction. It appealed to enthusiasts and developers who wanted fewer carrier and manufacturer changes, a distinction noted in contemporary rankings (Complex).
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By late 2012, however, its processor, camera and battery were aging beside the Galaxy S III, Note II and Optimus G. It was the software-purity recommendation, not the strongest mainstream hardware purchase.
8. LG Viper 4G LTE — an affordable LTE alternative
LG presented the Viper as an early Sprint 4G LTE device in its 2012 CTIA announcement. Its appeal was access to LTE hardware at a lower tier and a more compact form than the flagships.
By the end of 2012, its weaker processor, display, camera and overall specification made it difficult to recommend over the higher-end LTE phones unless price or availability outweighed every other consideration.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How Sprint LTE changed the buying decision
Sprint launched 4G LTE in 2012, but coverage remained limited compared with its nationwide 3G footprint. The December 2012 Sprint coverage and LG’s Sprint Optimus G documentation both stress that LTE was not available everywhere. An LTE logo therefore described the phone’s capability, not the service you would receive at home, work or while traveling.
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- Best hardware: Optimus G or Galaxy S III, depending on whether specifications or balance mattered more.
- Best Sprint experience: The phone whose LTE band and 3G fallback matched your local coverage.
- Best value: Often a non-flagship or an existing 3G phone if your market had no LTE.
- Best coverage fit: Any compatible Sprint model that remained useful on 3G outside LTE markets.
Choose by priority
- Want iOS, a compact phone or Apple’s app ecosystem? Choose the iPhone 5.
- Want the strongest all-around Android balance? Choose the Galaxy S III.
- Want maximum 2012 hardware and 32GB built in? Choose the Optimus G.
- Want handwriting, a huge screen and multitasking? Choose the Galaxy Note II.
- Want HTC’s camera software, design and a kickstand? Choose the EVO 4G LTE.
- Want a real keyboard? Choose the PHOTON Q.
- Want clean Google Android? Choose the Galaxy Nexus.
- Want the least expensive route into Sprint LTE? Consider the LG Viper, accepting its lower-tier hardware.
What a 2012 buyer needed to check
- Sprint model number and LTE band, rather than a generic international or rival-carrier listing.
- Whether Sprint LTE had launched in the intended locations.
- Two-year-contract, upgrade, rebate and plan requirements before comparing prices.
- Storage needs: the Galaxy S III, EVO 4G LTE and Note II accepted microSD cards; the iPhone 5 did not.
- Battery preference: the Galaxy S III, EVO and Note II had removable batteries, while the Optimus G and iPhone 5 did not.
- Actual size tolerance: the Note II’s large body was its central feature, not a minor specification.
Historical ranking and significance
For a broad late-2012 Sprint recommendation, the order is Galaxy S III, iPhone 5, Optimus G, Galaxy Note II, EVO 4G LTE, PHOTON Q, Galaxy Nexus and LG Viper. The Galaxy S III won because it delivered the fewest serious compromises. The iPhone 5 was arguably No. 1 for an iOS buyer; the Optimus G was the specifications champion; the Note II pioneered a productive large-screen format; the PHOTON Q preserved physical typing as touchscreens took over.
These phones also capture the transition from 3G to early LTE, from removable batteries and microSD cards toward sealed designs, and from physical keyboards toward all-touch devices. In 2026 they are obsolete hardware, useful mainly for historical study, collecting, repair projects or nostalgia. They should not be treated as secure daily phones for banking, authentication, navigation or modern messaging.
Buying one today: archival use only
Used listings can be found for the Sprint Galaxy S III, iPhone 5, Sprint Optimus G, EVO 4G LTE, Sprint Note II and PHOTON Q. Verify the exact carrier variant, unlocked status, battery condition, IMEI or activation status, accessories and return policy. Sprint service is no longer the relevant U.S. network context, and legacy CDMA compatibility cannot be inferred from the old “4G LTE” label. A modern unlocked Android phone or current iPhone is the practical choice for everyday use.
Frequently Asked Questions
Was the Galaxy S III objectively the fastest Sprint phone in 2012?
Not universally. The LG Optimus G had a newer 1.5GHz quad-core Snapdragon S4 Pro and 2GB of RAM, so it led on headline hardware. The Galaxy S III ranked first overall because its display, software ecosystem, storage expansion, battery design and feature balance made it a better general recommendation.
Did every Sprint LTE phone receive LTE service in 2012?
No. Sprint LTE was available only in selected markets during 2012. Outside those areas, an LTE handset generally used Sprint’s 3G network.
Are these phones sensible purchases in 2026?
No. They are discontinued, lack current security support, may not run modern apps and can have degraded batteries or network compatibility problems. Treat them as collectibles or historical devices.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
