Considered as one of the best Android phones today, the HTC Desire HD is certainly a device that most people would desire for. Its key features would be its huge 4.3-inch display, a 1 GHz processor with a 768 MB RAM and an 8 megapixel camera. Running on Android 2.2 Froyo with the user interface HTC Sense just makes it even more desirable.

Design and Construction

Although it can no way be classified as a compact phone with dimensions of 123 mm by 68 mm by 11.8 mm, its bulkiness is something that you can overlook with the 4.3-inch TFT touchscreen display. Below, the display, you would see the standard keys: the Home, Menu, Back and Search buttons. On the top, you would see the Power key and on the bottom, you would see the audio jack and the microUSB port. On the left side, there is the volume control rocker. The 8 megapixel camera with the dual LED flash is found at the back. The design layout is simple and typical, making it easy to use.

User Interface

Having the latest Android OS version, Android 2.2 Froyo, the HTC Desire HD has a very intuitive user interface, which also offers plenty as far as aesthetics are concerned. The Sense UI also offers the same things offered in other devices that have the older versions such as homescreen, widgets, notifications and social networking integration.

Features

The HTC Desire HD is a complete multimedia package as it comes with an 8 megapixel autofocus camera with a dual LED flash. The image capture quality is good and is better than most of the other Android smartphones in this feature. It allows 720p HD video recording.

The phone also comes with an integrated gallery which can be used with Flickr and Facebook. Aside from this, it also has a built-in FM radio and a capable music player and video player which are made even better with its superb display and good audio quality through Dolby Mobile and SRS enhancements.

As for connectivity, the HTC Desire HD supports GPRS, EDGE, Wi-Fi, 3G HSDPA, Bluetooth 2.1 and microUSB 2.0 connectivity. It also has a GPS transceiver. The unit also supports Flash and comes loaded with several Facebook and Twitter applications. You also have countless options for games and applications as it has full support for the Android Market.

Performance

As for performance, there really is nothing that you can complain about the HTC Desire HD. It runs on a Qualcomm Snapdragon 1 GHz processor with 768 MB of RAM, making it possibly the most powerful hardware combination in Android phones so far.

The Verdict

The HTC Desire HD is definitely one of the best Android phones available today. With a great camera, a superb display and a wide range of features and capabilities, it is understandable how popular it has become among phone-users all over the globe.

Design and Construction: 4 out of 5

User Interface: 5 out of 5

Features: 4 out of 5

Performance: 5 out of 5

Overall Rating: 4.5 out of 5

If you are in the market for a capable Android device that does not come with a hefty price tag, then the HTC Wildfire is exactly what you need. Read on for a useful review.

Design

The HTC Wildfire has a compact design with dimensions of 106.8 mm by 60.4 mm by 12 mm. It is shorter than the HTC Desire and is more lightweight, with a weight of about 18 grams. Overall, it has a stylish appearance that is similar to the Desire and the Nexus.

It has a 3.2-inch touchscreen TFT display with a 240 by 320 pixel resolution. Although it is not comparable to the AMOLED display of the HTC Desire, it still offers a fairly good display quality. Below the display, you would see four touch-sensitive keys and the optional joystick. On the left portion of the unit, you would see the microUSB port and the volume control rocker. On the top, you would see the audio jack and the power key; and on the back, you would find the 5 megapixel camera and its LED flash.

Considering its low price, the design and build quality of the HTC Wildfire is definitely nothing to complain about.

User Interface

It runs on Android 2.1 Eclair with Sense UI on top. The HTC Sense UI you get with the phone is the same one that can be seen in the other HTC phones. Overall, the HTC Wildfire has an easy-to-use interface and supports the Android Market.

Features

One of the great things that you would be getting without having to pay loads of cash on this Android phone would be its 5 megapixel autofocus camera. It can capture fairly decent quality images and because of its LED flash and other advanced customization options, you would be able to take a wide variety of shots.

The HTC Wildfire also comes with a range of good multimedia features such as nice image gallery, an FM Radio with RDS, a music player and a video player.

For connectivity, it supports GPRS, 3G HSDPA, EDGE, Wi-Fi, microUSB 2.0 and Bluetooth 2.1.

Performance

The HTC Wildfire comes with decent hardware specification with its Qualcomm528 MHz processor and 384 MB RAM. Although it is one of the lower end Android phones, it does its job with almost seamless transition between applications.

The Verdict

The HTC Wildfire is a budget Android smartphone that would certainly give you a bang for your buck. Although it does not offer amazing features, it does come with the basic ones that you need while running on an Android OS.

Design and Construction: 4 out of 5

User Interface: 3.5 out of 5

Features: 3 out of 5

Performance: 3 out of 5

Overall Rating: 3.4 out of 5

After losing its throne in the smartphone industry to powerful contenders such as the Apple iPhone, Motorola Droid and Samsung Vibrant, Blackberry released the Blackberry Torch 9800 that has been designed to catapult them back right to the top. Being one of the first Blackberry phones to have the BlackBerry 6 OS, the Blackberry Torch 9800 seem to be a new and improved version of all the other units from BlackBerry. To know how this device really scores, read on.

Design and Construction

The BlackBerry Torch 9800 has a simple yet stylish design, while carrying the traditional look that all BlackBerry phones have. Although it is a touchscreen phone, it also comes with a slide-out QWERTY keyboard, making it a unique device among the other touchscreen gadgets in the market.

User Interface

RIM was able to do an amazing job with the upgrade to the BlackBerry OS 6. Once you turn on the device, you would see a clean empty background which is ready to be customized. Similar to an Android phone, you could also just click on the bottom arrow to see your applications. Through the new OS and the touchscreen feature, the BlackBerry Torch 9800 is very accessible for both old and new users. However, it does not quite surpass the capabilities of the iPhone OS or the Android 2.1.

Features

The unit comes with features that would appeal to both professional and regular users. One of the best improvements that came with the OS upgrade would be the web browser. The new browser now supports full web pages and has a zoom functionality, making it comparable to the browsers that Android OS phones and the iPhone have. The BlackBerry Torch 9800 also comes with an improved media player which comes with a wireless syncing features.

Performance

The BlackBerry Torch 9800 is certainly not lacking as far as its performance is concerned since it does have a 624 MHz processor; however, if you compare it to the newer models that already run on 1 GHz processor, it seems to be a weak contender. However, after trying to perform tasks and run applications, its processor seems enough since there is smooth transition between applications and windows. Call quality is also clear and crisp, something which BlackBerry phones are generally praised for.

The Verdict

The BlackBerry Torch is definitely a big improvement from RIM. Because of the upgrades and improvements offered in it, it can easily be a good contender against the current power players in the market. It is also a lot less expensive, making it a great choice for those who want a good and capable smartphone without having to spend a fortune.

Design and Construction: 3 out of 5

User Interface: 4 out of 5

Features: 3 out of 5

Performance: 4 out of 5

Overall Rating: 3.5 out of 5

Many consider the Samsung Galaxy S to be a monster of a phone, with all its features that could definitely rival the iPhone 4. If you are thinking of getting one, read on for a review.

Design and Construction

Having a surface that measures 122.4 mm by 64.2 mm, the Samsung Galaxy S is not a small device; however, you do get a 4-inch screen. Also, because it has the Super AMOLED technology, it is definitely a slim phone with a thickness of just 9.9 mm.

The unit sports a minimal look and is almost completely, making it a great fit for just about anybody, appearance-wise. Below the display, there are three touch-sensitive keys. On the left side, you would see the volume control rockers and on the right side, you would find the power button. On its top, there is the 3.5mm audio jack and the microUSB slot. The 5 megapixel camera is found at the back. Overall, it has a practical design; the only thing that some people find a bit disappointing would be its lack of a dedicated camera key.

User Interface

The Samsung Galaxy s comes with the OS Android 2.1 Eclair with Samsung TouchWiz 3.0 on top. Its user interface is quite intuitive and easy to use. You also get seven homescreen panes which you can place widgets on.

Features

Although it does not have the best camera among mobile devices today, its 5 megapixel camera can capture fairly good images in daylight. The camera interface is also easy to use, even if it comes with plenty of advanced customization controls such as geotagging, face detection and touch focus.

It is also considered as a multimedia powerhouse. Because of its exceptional display, it is a great for watching videos, movies and playing music.

As for connectivity, it supports GPRS, EDGE, Wi-Fi, 3G HSDPA and Bluetooth 3.0. It also comes with microUSB 2.0 connectivity and a GPS transceiver. There are also plenty of applications available that can be used on the device.

Performance

The Samsung Galaxy S is powered by the fast ARM Cortex A8 processor which clocks in at 1 GHz. Combined with a 512 MB RAM and a 16 GB internal memory, it is ready to face any task that you need to do on it.

The Verdict

Overall, the Samsung Galaxy S can easily be considered as one of the best smartphones today. As a matter of fact, a lot of people are leaning towards getting it instead of the iPhone 4, since it basically has all the features that the iPhone 4 has, except it comes with a stunning AMOLED display.

Design and Construction: 4.5 out of 5

User Interface: 4.5 out of 5

Features: 4.5 out of 5

Performance: 4.5 out of 5

Overall Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Although the Nokia X5-01 looks a bit awkward at first, having a unique square shape amidst a sea of bar-shaped phones, it certainly is not a “square” phone when it comes to its features. It mainly appeals to individuals who are young at heart since its best features would be its messaging and music-playing capabilities but it has several other features that make it a compact yet capable device. If you are thinking whether or not this smartphone is for you, read on for a review.

Contents of the Box

The Nokia X5-01 comes with the basic hardware including a charger, a one-piece headset, a short microUSB cable and a 2GB microSD card. They are nothing out of the ordinary and for those who are hoping to get the more compact variety of charger, the big charger that comes with it could be a bit disappointing. The best thing in the package aside from the phone itself would probably be the 2GB microSD card.

Design and Construction

Aside from having a unique square shape, the Nokia X5-01 can also be categorized as a compact device. With the face measuring just 74.3 mm by 66.4 mm, it certainly is smaller compared to other smartphones; however, it might not be as easy to fit into tight pockets as it has a thickness of 16.9 mm.

Its front side has the earpiece and the 2.36-inch screen with a 256K color display of 320 by 240 pixels. Below the display, there is a softkey panel which has two softkeys, a five-way scroll key or the D-pad, call begin and call-end buttons, and dedicated media play and homescreen buttons. When you slide up the display panel, there is a full QWERTY keyboard to allow you to type with ease. The 5 megapixel camera that comes with an auto exposure flash is at the back; and the volume control buttons can be found at the right side of the phone.

The design and construction of the phone is pretty much ordinary and is quite simple and easy to use, making it perfect for those who are looking for a simple yet capable device. It is available in various colors including Pink, Graphite Black, Azure, Purple and Yellow Green, so you should be able to choose one that would fit your personality.

User Interface

The user interface of the Nokia X5-01 is based on the Symbian OS 9.3 S60 v3.2. If you are used to working with Symbian S60 phones, then this phone would definitely be a comfortable device to use. It has an Active Standby homescreen which can be configured using various layouts to display the specific shortcuts that you need.

Features

The Nokia X5-01 handles all of the common message types including SMS, MMS and email. Aside from these, it can also support the Microsoft Office Communicator and the popular social networking platforms such as Facebook. Twitter and MySpace. When sending email messages, it can support attachments, signatures and most of the typical things that you need when sending emails. It even has an installed document viewer, allowing you to view attached office files.

It comes with an impressive music player, which is the same one that is found in other X Series devices. It can either be accessed through the main menu, the homescreen shortcut or the dedicated hardware music key. The player supports the common audio formats including MP3, AAC, WMA and eAAC+. The audio quality is also great, as it not just one of the loudest handsets so far, but also offers one of the cleanest outputs. Aside from this, the phone also has a standard 3.5mm audio jack, so you can easily use your favorite earphones or headphones with it.

Some of the other noteworthy features of the Nokia X5-01 include: a 5 megapixel fixed-focus camera that can take good quality pictures; a stereo FM radio with RDS; and USB, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, GPRS and EDGE connectivity.

Performance

As far as performance goes, the Nokia X5-01 is good. It is powered by a 600MHz processor with 256MB RAM, which is actually more than enough for a Symbian phone, so you should not have any problem going through the menus and the different applications. Also, because it does not come with a GPS feature, its battery can last for up to 384 hours on stand-by. It can last for up to 5 hours on calls and up to 3 to 4 hours on 3G. If you are planning to use it as a music player, it can last for up to 24 hours playing your favorite music.

The Verdict

Overall, the Nokia X5-01 would not amaze you with endless features; however, if you are in the market for a unique and stylish smartphone that is geared towards messaging, music-playing and social networking, then it is definitely one of the best devices that you can get.

Contents of the Box: 3.5 out of 5

Design and Construction: 4 out of 5

User Interface: 4 out of 5

Features: 3 out of 5

Performance: 4 out of 5

Overall Rating: 3.7 out of 5

When the Nokia N8 was released, it seemed like Nokia’s way of announcing to the world that they still have what it takes in the world of smartphones. The phone is considered to be the best among the Nokia N Series phones so far, pioneering the Symbian ^3 OS and having a lot of features that appeal to all kinds of individuals. Although many (probably including the very engineers who designed it) would say that the Nokia N8 was never designed to compete with the iPhone 4, it does offer the best camera in smartphones today. Read on to learn more about this powerful device that is the best that Nokia has to offer to date.

Contents of the Box

The Nokia N8 comes with plenty of hardware that would allow you to use all of the features of the phone to your heart’s content. Aside from the charger, manual and data cable, it also comes with several other short cables. This includes one that plugs into the microUSB port with a female USB jack end, and another which is a male miniHDMI to a female standard HDMI adapter that would allow you to use a regular cable to connect your phone to your HDTV.

Design and Construction

There is really nothing to dislike about the overall appearance of the Nokia N8. It has sleek aluminum on its sides and its back and a large AMOLED touchscreen. On the right side, you would find the camera button, the volume control buttons and a hidden 3.5mm audio jack. On the left side, you would find the slots for the microSD card and a microUSB jack. On the top portion of the unit, there are two TV-out slots: one is for Dolby digital and the other is for 720p video. On the bottom, you would see the power adapter plug and at the back, you would see the 12 megapixel camera.

It comes in five colors that use anodized scratch-proof paint: Dark Gray, Green, Blue, Orange and Silver White. If you love phones that are made of metal, then the N8 is something that you would fall for at first glance. It scores high for looks and durability; the only thing that you might not like about it would be that it has a non-removable battery, but then again, so does the iPhone 4.

User Interface

The Nokia N8 is the first device to use the Symbian^3 OS, which Nokia announced to be their answer to the iOS and Android. However, although it is a big step towards the right direction, it is not in the same level as the iOS as it still needs several improvements. It does offer plenty of nice changes in the user interface layout and functionality.

Features

The most notable among the long list of features that the Nokia N8 has would be its 12 megapixel camera which comes with a powerful xenon flash, a mechanical shutter, a 28mm wide-angle lens, a built-in ND filter and a front glass element that is made with hardened glass. It is definitely the phone that you would like to have if you leave your trusty camera at home on a once-in-a-lifetime trip since it also allows 720p video recording.

Some of the other features of the Nokia N8 include a stereo FM Radio, an A-GPS receiver that comes pre-installed with Ovi Maps 3.0. It supports SMS, Email, Push Email and most Social Networking platforms. It has a capable music player that supports common audio formats including MP3, WMA, WAV and eAAC+; and a video player that supports DivX, XviD, MP4, H.264, H.263 and WMV.

For connectivity, it has GPRS, EDGE, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 3.0; and for storage, it comes with 16GB of internal storage and can support up to 32GB external storage via a microSD.

Performance

In the past, a lot of Nokia smartphones have been criticized for the poor performance of their cameras; with the Nokia N8, this issue seems to be a thing of the past. The unit also comes with a 680 MHz ARM 11 processor and an integrated 3D graphics accelerator, making it a breeze to work with, whether you are sending email messages or viewing videos.

The Verdict

You are definitely getting a lot of value for your money by buying the Nokia N8, as far as its design, quality and features are concerned. If you are looking for a good overall device for just about anything you can think of, the Nokia N8 is sure to do the job.

Contents of the Box: 4.5 out of 5

Design and Construction: 4.5 out of 5

User Interface: 4 out of 5

Features: 5 out of 5

Performance: 4.5 out of 5

Overall Rating: 4.5 out of 5