3G mobile phones: The best of the best
- 28 August, 2008 15:20
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.
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Sony Ericsson W760i
RRP: $799
The first Walkman handset to be exclusively available on Telstra’s Next G network, the W760i is a combination of a smooth design and excellent build quality. Built in-GPS, good multimedia abilities and a great interface all combine to make the W760i an excellent all-rounder.
LG KF700
RRP: $699
LG is leading the charge against the iPhone with its Touch series, headed by the HSDPA-capable KF700. This sleek and stylish slider offers the convenience of a finger-operated interface, but also gives users a slide-out keypad and shortcut dial. HSDPA connectivity, a touch-screen Web browser and Bluetooth with the A2DP profile prove that this handset isn’t just about looks.
Sony Ericsson C902
RRP: $899
An impressive mix of imaging and phone functions, Sony Ericsson’s C902 sports a 5-megapixel camera with face-detection technology, autofocus and flash. This stylish candybar handset is also HSDPA-capable. It's also just 11mm thick! The large display works well with the phone's camera.
Samsung G800
RRP: $799
The first mobile phone with a camera that features optical zoom, Samsung’s G800 represents a huge step forward for the camera phone market. In addition to its imaging capabilities, this chunky beast is HSDPA-capable. The camera produces reasonable images and has a host of options, including red eye reduction, a self-timer, face detection and an anti-shake feature.
