Market share: While Android’s market share is gaining among smartphones in the U.S., Apple and RIM (NSDQ: RIMM) still have a sizable lead. RIM’s in first place with 35 percent of the market; Apple is in second with 28 percent; Windows Mobile is in third with 19 percent, and Android is in fourth with 9 percent, according to new research released by Nielsen. However, the market dynamic is changing quickly. In the first quarter, Android and iPhone’s share grew by 2 percent each with both Blackberry and Windows losing 2 percent vs. the previous quarter.

What may be the biggest indication of all is future consumer intent. Nielsen said 80 percent of iPhone users want their next device to run iPhone OS while 70 percent of Android users want another Android device. This is in stark comparison to other major smartphone players: only 47 percent of Blackberry users want another Blackberry and only 34 percent of Windows users want another Windows device. Overall, 23 percent of U.S. consumers have a smartphone.

If users were going to try an Android phone, here’s some of the top choices that are available today:

—Sprint’s EVO 4G by HTC: The EVO 4G is the first major phone to market that connects to the 4G WiMax network. It has a forward-facing camera to enable video chat, and a large 4.3 inch screen. It allows up to eight devices to be tethered to it at once for internet connectivity. The phone went on sale Friday for $200, including a two-year contract. Unlimited voice and data plans for all of the above cost $110 a month.

—MyTouch 3G Slider: This phone is part of T-Mobile’s “myTouch franchise.” As the first carrier to release a Google (NSDQ: GOOG) phone, T-Mobile has a jump on everyone else. It has created special apps, including a lot of voice commands, and an easy to use introductory set-up for new users. The hardware is not as top-notch as some of the more pricey phones, but could win over folks because of its slide-out keyboard. It costs $180 on contract and $80 a month for an unlimited plan.

—HTC Incredible: Verizon Wireless has struggled to keep this one in stock. It is the most comparable to the Nexus One and is said to have a “sports car-inspired body.” It has a 8 MP camera, a zippy 1 GHz Snapdragon processor, and a 3.7 inch screen. It’s much smaller than the Droid, but then again, it doesn’t have a slide-out keyboard. It costs $200 on contract, and could run you up to $120 if you want unlimited talk, text and Web. Even more if you want an “enterprise plan.”