Consumer Reports tips hat to iPhone 4S, still thinks Android phones are better

Consumer Reports just can’t avoid getting in the mobile fanboy crosshairs.

The review outfit today officially recommended Apple’s iPhone 4S, after famously dissing last year’s iPhone 4 because of antenna problems.

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But despite the recommendation, Consumer Reports still rated several Android phones higher than the iPhone 4S — which will surely rile Apple fans once again.

Consumer Reports’ Mike Gigas writes, “In special reception tests of the iPhone 4S that duplicated those we did on the iPhone 4, the newer phone did not display the same reception flaw, which involves a loss of signal strength when you touch a spot on the phone’s lower left side while you’re in an area with a weak signal.”

Because of the iPhone 4 antenna issue, dubbed antennagate, Apple was forced to hand out free bumper cases. “We aren’t perfect,” Apple CEO Steve Jobs said last year about the situation, in a rare apologetic moment.

Consumer Reports noted that the iPhone 4S scored well in its battery testing, despite consumers complaining of battery issues (this writer’s iPhone 4S had to be replaced because of battery problems). The outfit says it will retest the iPhone 4S after Apple releases its battery fix.

Consumer Reports still rated high-end Android phones higher, like the Samsung Galaxy S II and the Motorola Droid Bionic, because of their bigger screens and fast 4G LTE connectivity. The organization also rated the LG Thrill higher than the iPhone 4S because of its ability to create 3D photos and videos, both relatively gimmicky features. It’s a recommendation that, honestly, makes me think twice about trusting anything Consumer Reports says now.