Apple has launched its highly anticipated iPhone 4, Google's Android operating system is going from strength to strength, and BlackBerry continues to push its e-mail-centric smartphones. But which mobile phone is best for you?
To help aid your buying decision, we've rounded up the 10 best mobile phones of 2010 so far. From the usual suspects like Apple and Nokia to the ever-impressive HTC and Samsung, BlackBerry and Sony Ericsson, there is something for everyone.
Apple iPhone 4
Despite well-publicised antenna issues, Apple's iPhone 4 is definitely the best iPhone yet. Its superb design, outstanding display and excellent camera make it an ideal upgrade for owners of older Apple handsets and enticing for non-iPhone owners. Many competing smartphones can do more, but none of them do it in a manner that's as slick or polished as the iPhone 4.
Outright price: $999 (32GB), $859 (16GB)
Available through: Apple online store, Apple retail stores and licensed dealers, Telstra, Optus, Vodafone, 3, Virgin Mobile
Read our full review of the Apple iPhone 4 for hands-on analysis and expert star rating.
Need help choosing an iPhone plan from Telstra, Optus, Vodafone/3 or Virgin? Check out all the Australian iPhone 4 plans.
HTC Desire
The HTC Desire was the first Android phone to be released by Telstra, and we think it's the best Android phone period. A highly impressive design, a superb customisable user interface and all the features and capabilities of Android combine to produce an excellent smartphone. Better still, the HTC Desire continues to improve with software updates. If you're after an iPhone alternative, look no further.
Outright price: $779
Available through: Telstra
Read our full review of the HTC Desire for hands-on analysis and expert star rating.
Check out our iPhone 4 vs HTC Desire smartphone showdown.
Samsung Galaxy S
The Samsung Galaxy S possesses the best display we've seen on a smartphone — with the exception of the iPhone 4 — and benefits from Android's customisable and slick interface. However, this Android smartphone is let down by a few niggling annoyances, particularly the all-plastic body and the TouchWIZ UI, which that lacks the polish this premium smartphone deserves. The Samsung Galaxy S is a great smartphone, but it sits a notch below the HTC Desire.
Outright price: $779
Available through: Optus
Read our full review of the Samsung Galaxy S for hands-on analysis and expert star rating.
Google Nexus One
The Nexus One smartphone isn't as revolutionary as Google might have you believe, but it remains an excellent mobile phone regardless. The Android platform is only going to get better and the Nexus One's excellent display and sleek hardware are a winning combination.
Outright price: Not available outright
Available through: Vodafone
Read our full review of the Google Nexus One for hands-on analysis and expert star rating.
Check out the best Android phones.
Samsung Wave
The Samsung Wave features the new Bada OS. The Wave possesses excellent build quality, an outstanding display, great multimedia capabilities and impressive performance — all wrapped up in a slick, easy to use interface that will only get better.
Outright price: $599
Available through: Telstra, Optus, Vodafone, 3, Virgin Mobile
Read our full review of the Samsung Wave for hands-on analysis and expert star rating.
HTC Legend
HTC's Legend may lack the extra-large screen of the company's flagship HTC Desire, but the unibody aluminium casing is a superb piece of industrial design. The Legend is an excellent smartphone and a solid improvement over its predecessor, the HTC Hero. It is also one of the sexiest looking mobile phones we've ever reviewed.
Outright price: $599
Available through: Vodafone
Read our full review of the HTC Legend for hands-on analysis and expert star rating.
RIM BlackBerry Bold 9700
RIM's latest BlackBerry Bold remains a great business smartphone and is a sleeker and more compact device than the original Bold. The compact size results in a smaller keyboard and display, though, which power users may not appreciate. There is plenty to like about the BlackBerry Bold 9700, even if RIM hasn't offered anything innovative in this release.
Outright price: $999
Available through: Telstra, Optus, Vodafone, 3
Read our full review of the BlackBerry Bold 9700 for hands-on analysis and expert star rating.
Check out our iPhone 4 vs Samsung Galaxy S smartphone showdown.
Sony Ericsson XPERIA X10 Mini Pro
Sony Ericsson deserves a lot of credit for the XPERIA X10 Mini Pro's excellent UI and a great physical keyboard, not to mention the fact that this is a fully fledged Android smartphone that doesn't skimp on the features found on larger, more expensive devices. Many people will find the XPERIA X10 Mini Pro too small; we think it is a quirky but compelling mobile phone.
Outright price: $629
Available through: Telstra,
Read our full review of the Sony Ericsson XPERIA X10 Mini Pro for hands-on analysis and expert star rating.
Check out the best budget Android phones.
Nokia N900
The Nokia N900 is best classified as an interesting but ultimately incomplete mobile phone. The Linux-based Maemo 5 OS does some things superbly and others poorly. This smartphone offers one of the best mobile Web experiences available but there is plenty of room for improvement elsewhere. Watch this space.
Outright price: $889
Available through: Telechoice, Harvey Norman
Read our full review of the Nokia N900 for hands-on analysis and expert star rating.
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