The Sony Ericsson K800i outshines all other camera phones in term of features and user-friendly design. Aside from a few squabbles with the extra bulk, the K800i makes it easy for first-time 3G users and is an ideal companion for anyone wanting to take happy-snaps on-the-go.
While Motorola"s RAZR still manages to trigger ultra-thin fashion clones, LG has moved in a different direction with the Chocolate KG800, an understated and stylish mobile phone with a beguiling design twist.
Samsung D900 (Ultra Edition 12.9)
Samsung"s D900 proves that"s it"s entirely possible to take an existing phone design and put it on a serious slimming diet.
With consumer-friendly mobile email, instant messaging, SMS and even Web browsing, and a deal that gives you almost unlimited data for $1 per day, Telstra"s hiptop 2 looks set to become BlackBerry for teens and twentysomethings -- it could even topple an iPod as the hottest thing under the Christmas tree this year.
The BlackBerry 8700 series is ideal for mobile professionals who require always-on e-mail access, but its cost and functionality won"t be attractive to most non-business users.
Sony Ericsson"s Z610i is a hot 3G phone for this summer with some serious features under the hood, but you may not want to use it as your main camera or video player.
Basically a candybar version of the RAZR, Motorola"s SLVR is a stylish, multimedia-savvy phone that slips easily into your pocket.
This fashion-focused phone screamed "tack-o-rama" according to our simple tastes, but label lovers might be sold on the gold.
An excellent phone with plenty of storage space for photos. The camera is above average for a mobile phone, as are the supplied headphones. While there is no need for W800i users to upgrade to this model, the W810i offers an impressive feature set for those considering the purchase.
Consumers that have already been lured by the BlackBerry"s popular email functions will love the new-look Pearl, but may be disappointed when comparing it to other high-end consumer devices with 2-megapixel cameras and Wi-Fi connectivity.
What do you call something that looks like a Blackberry, acts like a Blackberry and yet offers a lot more than most Blackberry devices? Nokia calls it the E61.
The 5500"s training features improve on its predecessors, but are at best a novelty for those starting out, rather than fitness fanatics. As a sturdy phone, however, the 5500 shines.
Overall, a great phone with a host of features in addition to GPS capabilities, the experience is only marred by the high price and ergonomic issues.
Provided you"re willing to compromise a bit of pocket space, the Nokia 6280 has a range of multimedia applications and a dazzling big, bright screen. We"d like to have seen better camera performance, but as far as capturing video goes, it"s hard to beat this phone at the moment in terms of quality.
The N91 sees Nokia take two steps forward with functionality and one step back in its design efforts, making the phone suitable for feature-mongers but not so attractive to budding fashionistas.
It"s hard to pigeonhole Nokia"s flaship multimedia device, the N95, as a mobile phone. Due in January 2007, it combines a quadband handset (with support for 3G and HSDPA networks) with a GPS navigator and mapping application, 5-megapixel camera, Wi-Fi connectivity, a Web browser and a whole lot more.
