*NOTE: All reviews posted here are written by gsmarena.com ,i've only given the ranking.
#1:Nokia N97 mini
Introduction
The Nokia army of touchscreen smartphones gets larger by the hour and the Nokia N97 mini is surely one of the most interesting new recruits. The Finnish company has obviously reconsidered its priories and now focuses on optimization, rather than expansion with its flagships.
Nokia N97 mini official photos
The original Nokia N97 was the first sign of that as it hardly offered any ground-breaking features, instead relaying on the good all-round performance. However the first high-end S60 touchscreen handset left enough room for another similar handset in the portfolio and Nokia feel that its downsized version is enough to fill the gap.
Key features
- Slide-n-tilt 3.2" 16M-color resistive touchscreen of 640 x 360 pixel resolution
- 5 megapixel autofocus camera with dual-LED flash and VGA@30fps video recording
- Symbian OS 9.4 with S60 5th edition UI with kinetic scrolling
- Slide-out three-row full QWERTY keyboard
- ARM 11 434MHz CPU and 128 MB of RAM
- Quad-band GSM and tri-band 3G with 3.6Mbps HSDPA support
- Wi-Fi and GPS with A-GPS
- Digital compass
- 8GB onboard storage
- microSD card slot with microSDHC support
- Built-in accelerometer
- 3.5 mm audio jack and TV-out
- Stereo FM Radio with RDS
- microUSB port (charging) and stereo Bluetooth v2.0
- Web browser has full Flash and Java support
- Nice audio reproduction quality
- Office document viewer
Main disadvantages
- The S60 touch UI is still inconsistent
- Outdated camera interface and features
- No DivX or XviD video support out-of-the-box
- No smart dialing
- No office document editing (without a paid upgrade)
- No camera lens protection
- No FM transmitter (though that may be stretching it too far)
Nokia N97 mini vs Nokia N97
- More compact (113 x 52.5 x 14.2 mm, 75 cc vs 117.2 x 55.3 x 15.9 mm, 88 cc)
- Lighter (138g vs 150g)
- Smaller display (3.2" vs 3.5")
- Less internal memory (8GB vs 32GB)
- Smaller battery (1200 mAh vs 1500 mAh)
- No lens cover
- No FM transmitter
- Arrow keys vs D-pad
The N97 mini has quite a task on its hands, constantly being compared to the moe high ranking Nokia N97 even though it comes later to the market. As usually happens in such cases, the price difference that would have been present if both handsets were launched simultaneously is reduced and the balance of powers has shifted.
Nokia N97 mini at ours
Still the reduced display (and mostly body size) is a welcome change for many users, who used to find the Nokia N97 intolerably bulky. We certainly hope it's got a few tricks up its sleeves so it can put up the original N97 a good fight and differentiate enough beyond size and pricing. Well, we're about to check that and much more in one of our trademark reviews, starting with the unboxing on the next page.
**NOTE: All reviews written here are by gsmarena.com ,i've only given the ranking.
#2:Nokia 5800 XpressMusic
It's touchscreen o'clock for Nokia and the stage is set for the 5800 XpressMusic. Go ahead and touch it. We did and we've got a story to tell.
Now, it's technically not the first time Nokia get their hands dirty with touch screens, but it sure feels they really mean business this time. For Nokia 5800 is not the only story here. The smart platform with the most influential touch receives its first trial by touch. Being the first device running Series 60 5th alone is enough for the 5800 to be remembered by.
Nokia 5800 XpressMusic official photos
Update, 03 Feb 2010: After this review was published Nokia optimized several aspects of the performance of the Nokia 5800 XpressMusic through firmware updates so we felt an update was due. You'll find the updated bits and pieces throughout the review marked in bold.
You can check whether you have the latest firmware for your Nokia 5800 XpressMusic over here.
It's a first try and proceeding with caution is only fair. Nokia 5800 is unthreateningly and unobtrusively positioned in the mid-range and the XpressMusic branding helps share some of that first-S60-touchscreen weight. Still, it's way more than an affordable music-centered handset. The 5800 has a strong and unmistakable Nokia identity and delivers multimedia prowess. So, let's touch, shall we?
At this point, Nokia 5800 may as well be more of a trespasser than a worthy rival. We mean, stealing even the tiniest bit of market off such formidable competition should be a win to savor for every newcomer. And still, we shouldn't be looking at the actual handset alone. Maybe the 5800 isn't make or break for Nokia, but S60 5th should darn well be.
Nokia 5800 XpressMusic at ours
We're looking at the first S60 touchscreen. A lot less hoping for the best than preparing for the worst may sound like the right kind of attitude. Because a first try will be measured by just anything that lives and breathes, and has a touchscreen. So, let's see what Nokia 5800 XpressMusic is up against. Just mind you that it's more than just the names of a few handsets - it's generations of touchscreen development.
Apple may be looking down with amused detachment at yet another iPhone-killer wannabe. We guess Nokia 5800 XpressMusic doesn't want that label but it won't escape it. We are talking the market leader against the touch interface pacesetter. Maybe not this time, but this one is worth keeping an eye on in the long run. At this point though, for the price of an unlocked contract-free iPhone 3G you can easily obtain two Nokia 5800 XpressMusic handsets - sounds a bargain, doesn't it?
The Nokia 5800 vs Apple iPhone 3G
Windows Mobile is well into the picture too. Recent HTC models (Diamond, Touch HD) and Samsung i900 Omnia have shown that powerful multimedia is no orphan in the WinMo world. Loads of 3rd party software and cool and nifty UI plug-ins (TouchFLO 3D, TouchWiz) are great assets but the heftier price tag sets them back a bit. The Diamond comes closest to the Nokia, but it's still about 30 euro (40 US dollars) more.
The Nokia 5800 XpressMusic next to HTC Touch Diamond and Samsung i900 Omnia
LG and Samsung are also quite versed in the ways of touchscreen. Both makers have sizeable touch portfolios, ranging from affordable, non-smart touchscreens to 8 megapixel multimedia monsters. Samsung do boast a bunch of WinMo touch devices too. What's more, the company is keen enough on Symbian too, so that's potentially another "touching" chapter in the rivalry between the top two market-share leaders.
So, obviously the touchscreen game is no joke - it's getting tougher by the minute out there. Let's now check if the Nokia 5800 XpressMusic has what it takes to play along. We just took a peek in the retail package and - boy, are we impressed.
**NOTE: All reviews written here are by gsmarena.com ,i've only given the ranking.
Now, it's technically not the first time Nokia get their hands dirty with touch screens, but it sure feels they really mean business this time. For Nokia 5800 is not the only story here. The smart platform with the most influential touch receives its first trial by touch. Being the first device running Series 60 5th alone is enough for the 5800 to be remembered by.
Nokia 5800 XpressMusic official photos
Update, 03 Feb 2010: After this review was published Nokia optimized several aspects of the performance of the Nokia 5800 XpressMusic through firmware updates so we felt an update was due. You'll find the updated bits and pieces throughout the review marked in bold.
You can check whether you have the latest firmware for your Nokia 5800 XpressMusic over here.
It's a first try and proceeding with caution is only fair. Nokia 5800 is unthreateningly and unobtrusively positioned in the mid-range and the XpressMusic branding helps share some of that first-S60-touchscreen weight. Still, it's way more than an affordable music-centered handset. The 5800 has a strong and unmistakable Nokia identity and delivers multimedia prowess. So, let's touch, shall we?
Key features:
- 3.2" 16M-color TFT LCD 16:9 touchscreen display (360 x 640 pixels)
- Symbian S60 5th edition
- ARM 11 434 MHz CPU, 128 MB of SDRAM memory
- 3.2 megapixel autofocus camera with dual-LED flash
- VGA video recording at 30fps
- Dual-band 3G with HSDPA support
- Quad-band GSM support
- Wi-Fi
- Capable GPS receiver and Nokia Maps 2.0 Touch
- microSD card memory expansion, ships with an 8GB card
- TV out
- FM radio with RDS
- Bluetooth and USB v2.0
- 3.5mm standard audio jack
- Excellent audio quality
- Landscape on-screen virtual QWERTY keyboard
- Proximity sensor for screen auto turn-off
- Accelerometer sensor for automatic UI rotation and motion-based gaming
- Rich retail package
- Affordable price
- Office document viewer
- OVI and MySpace integration (direct image and video uploads)
Main disadvantages:
- Limited 3rd party software availability
- UI is still immature with somewhat dodgy user experience
- Touchscreen sensitivity not the best in the class
- No smart dialing
- Poor camera image quality
- Touch web browser not quite polished
- No office document editing out-of-the-box
- Doesn't charge off microUSB
At this point, Nokia 5800 may as well be more of a trespasser than a worthy rival. We mean, stealing even the tiniest bit of market off such formidable competition should be a win to savor for every newcomer. And still, we shouldn't be looking at the actual handset alone. Maybe the 5800 isn't make or break for Nokia, but S60 5th should darn well be.
Nokia 5800 XpressMusic at ours
We're looking at the first S60 touchscreen. A lot less hoping for the best than preparing for the worst may sound like the right kind of attitude. Because a first try will be measured by just anything that lives and breathes, and has a touchscreen. So, let's see what Nokia 5800 XpressMusic is up against. Just mind you that it's more than just the names of a few handsets - it's generations of touchscreen development.
Apple may be looking down with amused detachment at yet another iPhone-killer wannabe. We guess Nokia 5800 XpressMusic doesn't want that label but it won't escape it. We are talking the market leader against the touch interface pacesetter. Maybe not this time, but this one is worth keeping an eye on in the long run. At this point though, for the price of an unlocked contract-free iPhone 3G you can easily obtain two Nokia 5800 XpressMusic handsets - sounds a bargain, doesn't it?
The Nokia 5800 vs Apple iPhone 3G
Windows Mobile is well into the picture too. Recent HTC models (Diamond, Touch HD) and Samsung i900 Omnia have shown that powerful multimedia is no orphan in the WinMo world. Loads of 3rd party software and cool and nifty UI plug-ins (TouchFLO 3D, TouchWiz) are great assets but the heftier price tag sets them back a bit. The Diamond comes closest to the Nokia, but it's still about 30 euro (40 US dollars) more.
The Nokia 5800 XpressMusic next to HTC Touch Diamond and Samsung i900 Omnia
LG and Samsung are also quite versed in the ways of touchscreen. Both makers have sizeable touch portfolios, ranging from affordable, non-smart touchscreens to 8 megapixel multimedia monsters. Samsung do boast a bunch of WinMo touch devices too. What's more, the company is keen enough on Symbian too, so that's potentially another "touching" chapter in the rivalry between the top two market-share leaders.
So, obviously the touchscreen game is no joke - it's getting tougher by the minute out there. Let's now check if the Nokia 5800 XpressMusic has what it takes to play along. We just took a peek in the retail package and - boy, are we impressed.
**NOTE: All reviews written here are by gsmarena.com ,i've only given the ranking.
#3:HTC Touch Diamond
We called it a game for the Diamond and Omnia but the crowd is still on their feet, so there we go with the HTC Diamond's lap of honor. The latest HTC squad member, HTC Touch Diamond, might as well be starting a new era for Microsoft OS-powered mobiles.
Never before has Windows Mobile looked this sharp, nor has it been as feature-loaded. Gem-inspired design, VGA screen, GPS and a built-in accelerometer might just be enough to get WinMo fans exited but the HTC Touch Diamond reaches beyond. A usable 3 megapixel camera and the latest edition of the TouchFLO UI are running on the brand new 6.1 version of the Windows Mobile Professional OS. And all that is packed into a package that's as compact as they get.
We already saw the Diamond in action - and up against some cutthroat competition. It now has the spotlight all to itself and we're about to see if it's got the diamond-hard performance to become a true blockbuster.
HTC Touch Diamond official photos
Never before has Windows Mobile looked this sharp, nor has it been as feature-loaded. Gem-inspired design, VGA screen, GPS and a built-in accelerometer might just be enough to get WinMo fans exited but the HTC Touch Diamond reaches beyond. A usable 3 megapixel camera and the latest edition of the TouchFLO UI are running on the brand new 6.1 version of the Windows Mobile Professional OS. And all that is packed into a package that's as compact as they get.
We already saw the Diamond in action - and up against some cutthroat competition. It now has the spotlight all to itself and we're about to see if it's got the diamond-hard performance to become a true blockbuster.
HTC Touch Diamond official photos
Key features
- 2.8" 65K-color VGA display
- TouchFLO 3D Home screen and gesture controls
- 4 GB of internal storage
- Wi-Fi
- Qualcomm MSM7201A 528 Mhz CPU and 192 MB DDR SDRAM
- Dedicated graphics chip (64MB RAM reserved for graphics)
- HSDPA 7.2Mbps
- Built-in GPS receiver
- Standout design
- Compact and lightweight
- Stereo FM radio with RDS
- 3.15 MP auto focus camera
- Active magnetic stylus
- Touch-sensitive scroll wheel
- MS Office Mobile document editor
- Opera 9.5 web browser
- Standard miniUSB slot and Bluetooth v2.0 with A2DP
- Comes with the amusing Teeter game
- YouTube client
- Excellent video playback performance
Main disadvantages:
- Poor battery life
- Fingerprint nightmare
- Average sunlight legibility
- No memory card slot
- Questionable build quality
- Tri-band GSM support only
- No TV out port
- No standard 3.5mm audio jack
- Back panel design has negative impact on usability and camera image quality
- Back panel finish started to wear off in a few weeks of usage
- Limited scroll wheel usage
It's rather hard to find a Windows mobile device to boast the same extras as the Diamond and be just as pocket-friendly. The compact size of the HTC Touch Diamond and the VGA screen are its best ammo in the market share war.
HTC Touch Diamond all over
We already stood the HTC Touch Diamond against the other most interesting WinMo device to recently surface - the Samsung i900 Omnia. You can replay the PocketPC championship game here.
HTC Touch Diamond and Samsung i900 Omnia head to head
Alongside the Omnia, there are a couple of other devices to fight the HTC Touch Diamond for a place under the sun. Here are a few alternatives to check out before cashing out for the Diamond.
Eten glofiish X900 has virtually the same feature pack as the HTC Touch Diamond, although it weighs a good 37 grams more. However, it packs quad-band GSM and tri-band UMTS (with HSDPA), which might make all the difference for frequent travelers. The glofiish V900 is another interesting offer by Eten not to be overlooked, especially with that built-in DVB-H/DVB-T/T-DMB/DAB TV broadcast receiver in mind. Neither of Eten devices however has hit the shelves, so we are yet to see if their performance is a match for the Diamond.
A few members of the Gigabyte g-Smart lineup also feature VGA screens and comparably lightweight bodies. i350, t600 and MW998 are a few names that come to mind. We doubt it however that the PocketPCs manufactured by the relatively less popular GigaByte can be considered as a serious rival of the Diamond.
**NOTE: All reviews written here are by gsmarena.com ,i've only given the ranking.
**NOTE: All reviews written here are by gsmarena.com ,i've only given the ranking.
#4:Samsung S8000 Jet
Introduction
It's that time of the year and the living is easy: pool parties, blockbuster movies and new gadgets. The Samsung S8000 Jet sure knows good timing and gallantly promises a bit of everything - style, entertainment and impressively light and lively handling. It's a thing to show off to your friends and help you enjoy and capture the hot moments of the season.
The S8000 Jet is not exactly jet set stuff but claims a big piece of the touchscreen action. And it knows who it needs to kill to get it. The Jet is the direct and brave answer to the LG KM900 Arena and boy isn't it a tough call between these two. The S8000 Jet has the fancy 3D interface upgrade, 5MP camera with D1 recording, Wi-Fi, GPS and all the stuff to put this touchscreen phone in the desirable category. We have a thriller of a local derby and the high-end contenders need to do everything and do it well.
Samsung S8000 Jet offical photos
We were impressed in our preview with the new visual upgrades of the TouchWiz interface, which combine the best part of the 3D LG cube and page-organized iPhone menus. But now it's time for the final and deciding round with the Samsung S800 Jet.
Here is the full ammo of the S8000 Jet, along with what might be the deal breakers.
Key features
- 3.1" 16M-color resistive AMOLED touchscreen of 800 x 480 pixel resolution
- 800 MHz processor
- 5 megapixel auto focus camera with dual-LED
- Geotagging, image stabilization, face detection, Smile Shot, Wide Dynamic Range (WDR)
- Latest TouchWiz 2.0 UI with Motion UI, Media Gate 3D, Smart Unlock
- Quad-band GSM support and 3G with HSDPA 3.6 Mbps and HSUPA support
- Wi-Fi
- GPS receiver
- 2 / 8 GB onboard storage
- microSD card slot with microSDHC support
- Built-in accelerometer for screen auto rotate and turn-to-mute
- Proximity sensor for display auto turn-off
- TV out
- 3.5 mm audio jack
- Stereo FM Radio with RDS
- microUSB port and stereo Bluetooth v2.0
- Web browser has full Flash and Java support
- DivX/XviD video support
- DNSe and SRS sound effect
- Smart dialing
- Speaker Call
Main disadvantages
- microSD slot is under the back cover
- No preinstalled GPS navigation software
- Touch sensitivty is less for its range
- As always Touch wiz creates lotta problem in creating good user interface!
- No 3rd party java application support!
As the specs suggest, the Samsung S8000 Jet is nothing short of a multimedia monster. The picture is complete with full Flash support - still quite a rarity among today's handsets - DivX/XviD video codecs and great music package. The camera is a high-end snapper with premium features that the LG Arena doesn't have, while the Smart Unlock, Speaker Call and Motion UI just add to its uniqueness.
#5:Nokia 5230
Introduction
When touchscreen handsets start to take over the lower segments of the market you know the rules of the game have changed. The Nokia 5230 is a smartphone but it doesn’t mind rubbing shoulders with the common run of handsets. So, it’s free to explore grounds where few smartphones have ever gone, let alone full touchscreen gadgets.
Nokia 5230 official photos
The land of affordability was the last territory for touchscreen phones to settle in and not quite the place smartphones would call home. So it was, but Nokia just won’t wait for a special invitation when a niche is wide open. And they’ve got quite a fleet already of low key touchscreen smartphones that’s certain to make an impact. The Nokia 5530 XpressMusic had a great bang for the buck and the 5230 is welcome to try and beat the bargain.
Cheap is nice but free is even better – and we guess the 5230 will be available both ways through retail stores and carriers. But let’s see what it has and what’s been left out.
Key features:
- 3.2" 16M-color TFT LCD 16:9 touchscreen display (360 x 640 pixels)
- Symbian S60 5th edition
- ARM 11 434 MHz CPU, 128MB RAM memory
- Quad-band GSM support
- 3G with HSDPA 3.6Mbps support
- Built-in GPS receiver with A-GPS support; Ovi maps
- 2 megapixel fixed focus camera with and VGA@30fps video
- microSD card memory expansion
- FM radio with RDS
- Bluetooth with A2DP and USB v2.0
- Standard 3.5mm audio jack
- Accelerometer sensor for automatic UI rotation, motion-based gaming and turn-to-mute
- Ovi integration (direct image and video uploads, Ovi Contacts)
- Landscape on-screen virtual QWERTY keyboard
- Excellent audio quality
- Price tag on the cheap side
- Changeable color battery covers (two extra ones available in-box)
- Plectrum dongle available in the retail package
Main disadvantages:
- No Wi-Fi support
- Display has poor sunlight legibility
- Default font size is a bit small due to the smallish but high-res screen
- 3rd party software is still somewhat limited
- Extremely limited camera
- Doesn't charge off its microUSB port
- No smart dialing
- No DivX/XviD video support out of the box
- No TV-out functionality
- No data-cable or memory card in retail package
- No office document viewer
- Below par speaker volume
It’s pretty obvious where Nokia are heading with the 5230. In this price range it is impossible to give users every available feature, so the Finns are at least giving them a choice.
There is Nokia 5230, 5530 XpressMusic,and that basically means you can choose between Wi-Fi and 3G with GPS. You can have them all in a single device too, but for a price premium (5800 XpressMusic). Custom made phones to completely match one’s taste and needs are not yet an option. You don’t get to choose the level of equipment like you would when buying a car. So, until that becomes available – if ever – we cannot see a better dealing with the problem than Nokia’s approach.
Nokia 5230 at ours
The R&D costs to release three similar models are probably low enough and there may be plenty of users to find the given choice absolutely adequate. What’s left to see is if there are any differences in performance or is it just the level of equipment that sets those three handsets apart.
#6:Sony Ericsson XPERIA X1
There's a lot to fall for in Sony Ericsson XPERIA X1. Possibly the hottest looker of a PocketPC is also heavy on skill. Heavy enough to not just scratch out a living as a one-hit-wonder but aim for the WinMo top.
The extra solid metal looks, gorgeous screen and the right pinch of novelty called XPERIA panels look to us as good enough reasons for the X1 to be hyped and romanticized. By the way, romance or not, Sony Ericsson and HTC have hit their perfect shape with that one.
The XPERIA X1 is surely the most eagerly anticipated device in the world of Windows Mobile. Getting our review out was surely quite a wait too, we know. Better late than ever, as some folks say. We'll still have our say 'cause for the XPERIA it's a load of high expectations to live up to.
#6:Sony Ericsson XPERIA X1
There's a lot to fall for in Sony Ericsson XPERIA X1. Possibly the hottest looker of a PocketPC is also heavy on skill. Heavy enough to not just scratch out a living as a one-hit-wonder but aim for the WinMo top.
The extra solid metal looks, gorgeous screen and the right pinch of novelty called XPERIA panels look to us as good enough reasons for the X1 to be hyped and romanticized. By the way, romance or not, Sony Ericsson and HTC have hit their perfect shape with that one.
The XPERIA X1 is surely the most eagerly anticipated device in the world of Windows Mobile. Getting our review out was surely quite a wait too, we know. Better late than ever, as some folks say. We'll still have our say 'cause for the XPERIA it's a load of high expectations to live up to.
Sony Ericsson XPERIA X1 official photos
Key features:
- Quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE support plus HSDPA 7.2Mbps
- 3-inch 65K-color WVGA touchscreen
- Qualcomm MSM7200 528 Mhz CPU and 256 MB DDR SDRAM
- 3.15 MP auto focus camera with VGA video recording
- Four-row full QWERTY slide-out keyboard
- Wi-Fi and built-in GPS receiver with A-GPS
- X-Panels interface
- Optical trackpad
- Exquisite and solid metallic body
- Standard miniUSB port and Bluetooth v2.0 with A2DP
- microSD memory expansion
- FM radio with RDS
- 3.5mm standard audio jack
- MS Office Mobile document editor
- Opera 9.5 web browser
- Excellent video playback performance
- Superb audio quality
Main disadvantages:
- Body is a bit on the bulky side
- User interface is hardly thumb-optimized
- Mediocre camera performance
- No built-in accelerometer
- Poor display sunlight legibility
- Records low quality VGA@30fps video in 3GP format
- No TV-out port
- No full Flash support for the browser (hence no full-featured YouTube)
The XPERIA X1 is one of the best-equipped Windows Mobile devices to ever set foot on the market. But hey, is it not the most elaborate and charismatic PocketPC too? As to skills, the high-res 3" screen and the full QWERTY keyboard seem the most important parts of its magnificent ammo though its processing power is not to be neglected either.
Sony Ericsson XPERIA X1 in our office
Many devices find their identity in standing up to a rival. The XPERIA though is fatefully bound to always have one foot on alien ground. The haunting name for the X1 is HTC - manufacturer and main competitor.
As you probably guessed by yourselves the main alternative to the XPERIA X1 is HTC Touch Pro. It has a smaller screen than the XPERIA X1 and features a slightly lower resolution. In addition it is heavier and, if we were to be asked, not nearly as hot as the XPERIA.
However, the QWERTY keyboard of the Touch Pro is well ahead of what the X1 has to offer. The Touch Pro accelerometer and active magnetic stylus are small but nice touches that add to its allure. There are other advantages too, but we'll try to list them in the dedicated chapter of this review.
HTC Touch Pro
Furthermore, the Touch Pro had a nice two-month advantage since it hit the shelves back in August and this could be quite decisive for the sales. After all two months is quite a long time in the world of mobile phones, isn't it?
#7:BlackBerry Storm 9500
#7:BlackBerry Storm 9500
It's not everyday that you see a BlackBerry review on our homepage but it's not like RIM routinely churn out devices like the Storm either. Messaging is still the legendary name but… well… touchscreen is the game. Keeping the business appeal of its siblings, the 9500 Storm sure stands out in the Berry crowd. But it also tries to set itself apart from the other touchscreens by promising a whole new touch experience.
BlackBerry Storm official photos
The Canadian manufacturer RIM is walking an unbeaten path by adding unique clickability to the fluid precision of the capacitive touchscreen technology. The award-winning SurePress screen may not be everyone's cup of coffee but we're not talking teacup either, just yet.
BlackBerry Storm 9500 views
Well, our approach may seem like comparing apples to oranges but only at first sight. The first thing about the Storm 9500 is the attempt to reach beyond the core group of diehard BlackBerry users. We're talking stealing some market here, so if Blackberry are playing to win, they should well be ready to take some hard beating too. First-rate email is nice and all, but the Storm will only be as good as its user interface and multimedia. For the rest (which means WLAN too) there's Curve and Bold.
The BlackBerry Storm 9500 next to the Samsung i900 Omnia and Apple iPhone 3G
**NOTE: All reviews written here are by gsmarena.com ,i've only given the ranking.
BlackBerry Storm official photos
The Canadian manufacturer RIM is walking an unbeaten path by adding unique clickability to the fluid precision of the capacitive touchscreen technology. The award-winning SurePress screen may not be everyone's cup of coffee but we're not talking teacup either, just yet.
Key features:
- 3.25" 65K-color capacitive touchscreen of 360 x 480 pixel resolution
- A new touchscreen experience thanks to SurePress screen
- Quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE and 2100 MHz 3G with HSDPA support
- 3.15 MP autofocus camera, LED flash
- BlackBerry OS 4.7
- Qualcomm MSM7600 528 MHz CPU, 128 MB RAM
- Built-in GPS and BlackBerry maps preloaded
- 1 GB internal storage
- Hot-swappable microSD card slot, ships with an 8GB card
- Landscape virtual QWERTY keyboard goes as close to hardware keys as we have seen
- Great build quality
- Solid looks
- 3.5mm standard audio jack
- Bluetooth and USB v2.0
- Really nice web browser
- Document editor
- Excellent audio quality
Main disadvantages:
- No Wi-fi
- No email support without BlackBerry Internet Service account
- Interface not as quick as competitors
- Chubbier than most touchscreen phones
- Mediocre camera
- No FM radio
- No Flash support
- Fingerprint-prone front panel
- No video-call camera
BlackBerry Storm 9500 views
Well, our approach may seem like comparing apples to oranges but only at first sight. The first thing about the Storm 9500 is the attempt to reach beyond the core group of diehard BlackBerry users. We're talking stealing some market here, so if Blackberry are playing to win, they should well be ready to take some hard beating too. First-rate email is nice and all, but the Storm will only be as good as its user interface and multimedia. For the rest (which means WLAN too) there's Curve and Bold.
The BlackBerry Storm 9500 next to the Samsung i900 Omnia and Apple iPhone 3G
**NOTE: All reviews written here are by gsmarena.com ,i've only given the ranking.
#8:Samsung i900 Omnia
Introduction
Now that the dust of the Diamond vs. Omnia PocketPC battle settles down, our up close and personal look at the rivals continues with Samsung i900 Omnia. Slick looks, great feature-pack and ingenious software solutions are things that hold true for the i900 Omnia in the same extent as for the Diamond.
And since the Samsung i900 Omnia boasts loads of character and personality it's no wonder it holds the crowd hooked ever since it was announced. The first five megapixel Windows Mobile cameraphone has inspired quite a following and now that it's already market available in Europe we are more than happy to welcome the Omnia back after a well deserved breather. Well then, we've seen it race, let's watch it cruise.
Samsung i900 Omnia official photos
Key features:
- Quad-band GSM support
- 3G with HSDPA 7.2 Mbps
- Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional OS
- 624MHz Marvell PXA312 CPU and 128 MB RAM
- 3.2" 65K-color touchscreen with resolution of 240 x 400 pixels
- 5 megapixel autofocus camera with wide dynamic range mode, face tracking, smile detection, geotagging
- 8 to 16 GB of storage memory, microSD expansion
- Built-in GPS receiver with A-GPS
- Wi-Fi
- Stereo Bluetooth and USB connectivity
- FM radio with RDS
- Optical joystick with virtual mouse functionality
- Built-in accelerometer for auto screen rotation and call muting
- TV-out
- Solid build and great finish
- Slick design and slim body
- Nice battery life
- Fast response and performance
- Excellent thumb-optimized software package
- Thumbable virtual QWERTY keyboard with optional landscape mode
- TouchWiz UI
- DivX video support right out of the box
- Above average audio quality
- Headset comes with a 3.5mm audio jack
Main disadvantages:
- No stylus slot
- Poor sunlight legibility
- Memory card not hot-swappable
- Non-standard display resolution
- No dedicated 3D accelerator
- Non-standard USB port
- Web browser lacks real Flash support
The PocketPC mid-season may as well be a hush before the storm with the HTC Touch Pro and Xperia waiting to be unleashed. But for now we have two other bitter rivals to keep us busy: Samsung i900 Omnia and HTC Touch Diamond. It truly is a great achievement for Samsung to have a gadget fit to stand up to the top PocketPC manufacturer HTC.
Samsung i900 Omnia all over
The two devices are doing a great job standing their ground to the Apple iPhone 3G and it's no wonder since each of them is technically more advanced than Apple's creation. In fact, they have a lot of things in common with the iPhone - the full Touch UI, the nice multimedia capabilities and the superior web browsing experience. But we digress.
We already saw the Diamond and Omnia in action and you're free to replay the game here. The Diamond surely has a few things to offer over the Omnia (VGA screen, smaller size, 3D acceleration, and magnetic stylus) but it also has its issues here and there to make it a tough call indeed. We do hope however that this review will bring you a little closer to deciding your allegiance.
Some of you that have already gone through the Diamond vs Omnia article might be probably wondering if this review is worth your time. Well, truthfully, we have put our every effort to make it worth it.
#9:Samsung I7500 Galaxy
Introduction
Android is set on grabbing the number two spot in the smartphone market by 2012 and the Samsung I7500 Galaxy might be the type of phone to get it there. Perhaps less for the Galaxy at this point, and more for the Samsung, but we'll see about that.
Samsung I7500 Galaxy official photos
The I7500 Galaxy is a "Google experience" phone, and has the intrinsic advantage of having the search giant's infrastructure behind its back. For one, YouTube and Picasa integration sure add value to the 5-megapixel camera.
And as to people who spend their time digging around the Internet for oft hard to find information, we really appreciate the improved search widget. And that thingy is about to get better - Android is a bit like Google's other projects, a perpetual work in progress that keeps getting new features and polishes the occasional rough edges.
The I7500 Galaxy is the company's first take on Android but if we put the OS aside, it should be a solid Samsung touchscreen with all the gadgetry we've got used to in smartphones. Of course, the Android platform still has a few issues to address and get some annoying limitations out of the way. Let's see what this here Android by Samsung can do for you and where it might fail.
Key features
- Quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE support
- 3G with HSDPA 7.2 Mbps and HSUPA 5.76Mbps
- Android OS v1.5 (codenamed Cupcake) without customizations
- 3.2" capacitive AMOLED touchscreen of HVGA resolution
- Qualcomm MSM72000A 528MHz CPU, 128MB RAM
- 5 MP autofocus camera with LED flash, geo-tagging, YouTube and Picasa integration
- Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g and GPS receiver
- Accelerometer sensor for auto-rotate and turn-to-mute
- Digital compass for automatic navigation of maps
- Standard microUSB port for charging and data
- microSD card slot with microSDHC support
- 8GB internal storage
- Stereo Bluetooth (A2DP)
- 3.5 mm audio jack
Main disadvantages
- No smart dialing
- Camera features are a bit outdated
- No videocalling
- No multi-touch gestures
- No Flash support in the web browser (coming soon via the Open Screen Project)
- No DivX/XviD video support or a third-party application to play that
- No FM radio
- No TV-out port
- No voice dialing
- Somewhat limited 3rd party software availability
- No Bluetooth file transfers (not without rooting)
- No tethering (not without a custom ROM)
Samsung I7500 Galaxy live shots
Samsung have established a strong presence in the touchscreen market. Their usual weapon of choice is TouchWiz, which brings PocketPCs and feature phones closer together, projecting a consistent brand image.
With the Galaxy, they're stepping out of their comfort zone - a new OS and a new interface. TouchWiz for Android is yet to come (and in the case of I7500 never is more likely than later).
To make sure it does well, Samsung have equipped the Galaxy to match to specs of the top Android phones available on the market. And it sure needs every bit of ammo if it's going to challenge the well-entrenched HTC Hero. The I7500 Galaxy can take it on spec for spec and even win a few rounds.
#10:LG KM900 Arena
One of the most exciting handsets the season - the LG KM900 Arena - returns to our office and this time it is going to stay a bit longer. After getting off to a flying start in both sales and reviews the Arena certainly looks like the next big thing from LG. In these tough economic times no company can afford too many blunders so it better live up to those high expectations.
The LG KM900 Arena grabbed our attention for the first time back in February at the MWC and even more so last month when we previewed it. Let's see if it's third time lucky and if it will be able to completely sweep us off our feet in a full review.
LG KM900 Arena official photos
The LG KM900 Arena grabbed our attention for the first time back in February at the MWC and even more so last month when we previewed it. Let's see if it's third time lucky and if it will be able to completely sweep us off our feet in a full review.
LG KM900 Arena official photos
Key features:
- 3" 16M-color capacitive TFT touchscreen of WVGA resolution (480 x 800 pixels)
- S-Class Touch UI
- Quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE support
- 3G with HSDPA (7.2 Mbps)
- Wi-Fi and GPS receiver with A-GPS
- 5 megapixel autofocus camera with Schneider-Kreuznach optics, LED flash, geotagging
- D1 (720x480 pixels)@30fps, VGA@30fps, QVGA fast-motion video and QVGA slo-mo video
- 8GB built-in storage
- Hot-swappable microSD card slot
- Standard 3.5mm audio jack and TV out
- USB Mass Storage
- Bluetooth 2.0 with A2DP
- Accelerometer for screen auto rotate
- Multi-touch input
- 3D hardware accelerator
- DivX and XviD support
- Dolby for Mobile audio enhancement
- FM radio with FM transmitter
- Office document viewer
- Smart dialing
Main disadvantages:
- Poor sunlight legibility
- Inadequate flash performance
- No voice-guided GPS navigation software available
- No standard USB port
- Records video in 3GP file format
- Maximum email attachment size is 1MB only (both ways)
- Limited DivX/XviD video support
The LG KM900 Arena is the pioneer of the new UI designed by the South Korean company, boldly named S-class. Promising fluidity never seen before and uncompromising looks and functionality, it is starting to take the world by storm. We doubt that it will be of a measure equal to the hurricane created by the iPhone's UI but the whole package might well surprise us.
We enjoy having the LG KM900 Arena back on board in a retail outfit
Mainly because the LG KM900 Arena has none of the (absurd) limitations of the original iPhone - no proper Bluetooth functionality, no FM radio, lack of file manager and so on. Instead the Arena comes as a exceptionally well equipped phone with almost every feature in the book included. From 3G with HSDPA, through Wi-Fi and GPS to FM transmitter - the LG KM900 has it all.
The Arena is ready to take on the iPhone - and most other full touch phones for that matter
................................................................................................................................................................................
Conclusion
So, which touchscreen to take? Well, it's not an easy question, even after we've run down the Top 10.
The Nokia's always been a good choice for many a more casual user, and we definitely miss IPHONE 3G S HERE . That doesn't mean it's for everyone though. The top-end Samsung phones have far superior hardware ,(only if you are ready to compromise touch sensitivity ),while HTC's workings with Android are giving the iPhone's ease of use crown a run for its money. If you're after a Qwerty though, HTC and Blackberry is the way to go.
So, which touchscreen to take? Well, it's not an easy question, even after we've run down the Top 10.
The Nokia's always been a good choice for many a more casual user, and we definitely miss IPHONE 3G S HERE . That doesn't mean it's for everyone though. The top-end Samsung phones have far superior hardware ,(only if you are ready to compromise touch sensitivity ),while HTC's workings with Android are giving the iPhone's ease of use crown a run for its money. If you're after a Qwerty though, HTC and Blackberry is the way to go.
*NOTE: All reviews written here are by gsmarena.com ,i've only given the ranking.
15 Leave a comment:
With all the phones they had introduced it is really quite hard to choose one since it seems like all these mobile units offers great features.
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