The battle for leadership in the smart-phone segment is on and has been intensified by Apple in the fray. But another player is on the horizon, the Google Android – Not a phone, but a mobile phone software platform that is slowly creeping in and threatens to displace the market share of the incumbents.

Its low-cost licensing model, semi open-source structure, a software platform packed with features and Google’s support for cloud services has made it a hit with handset vendors and operators. A bevy of major players are geared up to launch Android based phones; the list includes HTC, Sony Ericsson, Motorola, Samsung, LG, Lenovo, Vodafone, T Mobile and more.

According to the research firm Strategy Analytics, riding on this wave of adoption, Google’s Android is estimated to grow by 900% in 2009!. Interestingly, Apple iPhone is expected to grow 79% during this period.

Here are some Android based phones that are out in the market or expected to launch soon.

The HTC Magic

HTC Magic - Powered by Google Android

HTC was the first to launch the Google Android phone, but the HTC Magic takes the cake with its looks and appeal.
 

The Samsung i7500 phone

Samsung i7500

Samsung is one of the earliest members of the Open Handset Alliance (of which Google is also a member), and the i7500 is their first attempt with the Google’s Android platform. This impressive phone boasts 8 GB of internal memory with support for up to 32 GB external memory.

The Lenovo O-Phone

Lenovo O-Phone

This iPhone look-a-like is designed to comply with China Mobile’s Open Mobile System, bringing together Android’s core with support and applications for the carrier’s homegrown TD-SCDMA 3G network. However, the O-Phone is presently available only for the China market.

Here is a video demonstration.

Also expect an explosion of software around the Google Android platform, that could become incentive enough for users to switch to Android phones.