3G technology has taken longer than expected to take off in Australia. But despite this, 3G mobile phones are growing in popularity. When first released, video calling was touted as a big advantage of 3G technology. Today, 3G mobile phones are better known for high-speed mobile Internet access and providing entertainment and information services, such as news and TV shows, and access to content such as ring tones and wallpapers.
With four 3G networks up and running in Australia — Telstra’s Next G, Optus (and Virgin Mobile), Vodafone and 3 Mobile — there has never been a better time to purchase a 3G mobile phone.
With this in mind, we’ve compiled a list of the 10 best 3G phones available on the market right now. The choice is yours!
Sony Ericsson W980i
RRP: $999
The W890i is Sony Ericsson’s most stylish clamshell yet. A great combination of style and features, 8GB of memory and excellent headphones make this one of the best music handsets currently on the market. The touch-sensitive music controls on the front allow you to control and access the full features of the Walkman player without opening the handset.
Apple iPhone 3G
RRP: Varied, depending on model and carrier
What would a guide to 3G mobile phones be without the highly popular iPhone 3G? Still causing a storm more than two months after its release in Australia, the iPhone 3G is appealing thanks to a full touch-screen interface and mobile Internet access via the Safari browser.
RRP: $899
A stylish combination of features and glamour, LG’s Secret features a tempered glass front, chrome edging and a stylish neon touch navigation system. This handset isn’t all about looks though, as under the hood there are HSDPA capabilities, a 5-megapixel camera and a microSD card slot.
Samsung U900
RRP: $699
Although the Samsung U900 isn't a full touch-screen device, it boasts an intuitive and extremely capable adaptive touch window. In addition, this slider offers 7.2Mbps HSDPA technology and a 5-megapixel camera with LED flash.
Nokia 6220 classic
RRP: $689
Don’t let its run-of-the-mill appearance fool you — under the hood of this beast is a wealth of features, including built-in GPS and a Carl Zeiss 5-megapixel camera with Xenon flash. The useability of the 6220 classic is a product of more than just its physical characteristics — the refreshed Symbian S60 operating system is a breeze to use.
Motorola MOTORAZR2 V9 Ferrari Special Edition
RRP: $629
Motorola’s iconic RAZR seems to have more lives than a cat. This edition is a joint collaboration with Italian sports car manufacturer Ferrari. The RAZR2 Ferrari Special Edition retains all the technical specifications of the original MOTORAZR2 V9, but adds exclusive Ferrari content, a checker flag pattern, red accents and a Ferrari-branded leather case.