Whirlpool

With all these new phones coming out to the market what is the best? The iPhone is now getting some very serious competition!!!

Lets start with the phones competing. We have the infamous iPhone, a Nokia N96, Sony Ericsson Xperia X1(made by HTC) and the Garmin Nuvifone.

So what is the fuss? They are are stylish large screen touch phones (except N96). Its all about tech and fashion.But what is the best.
Do you think one of these is the iPhone Killer?

iPhone
Size:115 x 61 x 11.6mm - 135grams
8GB or 16GB flash drive no expansion
OS X
2G EDGE , Wi-Fi (802.11b/g) , Bluetooth 2.0+EDR
2.0 megapixel Camera
3.5-inch (diagonal) widescreen Multi-Touch display
On Screen Keyboard
Built-in rechargeable lithium ion battery
Talk time: Up to 8 hours
Standby time: Up to 250 hours
Internet use: Up to 6 hours
Video playback: Up to 7 hours
Audio playback: Up to 24 hours
Photo

Nokia N96
Size: 103 x 55 x 18mm - 125grams
16GB internal flash memory, plus microSD memory card slot
Symbian S60 3rd edition FP2
3.5G EDGE, DVB-H Class C, Wi-Fi802.11 g/b with UPnP, Bluetooth 2.0+A2DP+EDR, GPS
5.0 megapixel Camera (Carl Zeiss Optics) + VGA 640 x 480
2.8” QVGA (not touch screen)
Standard Mobile Keypad (1-9[a-Z])
Battery: Nokia Battery BL-5F, 950 mAh
Talk time: up to 150 / 220 minutes (WCDMA / GSM)
Standby: up to 200 / 220 hours (WCDMA / GSM)
Video playback: up to 5 hours (offline mode)
Music playback: up to 14 hours (offline mode)
TV playback: up to 4 hours (DVB-H)
Photo

Sony Ericsson Xperia X1
Size:110 x 53 x 17mm - 145grams
400 MB Phone Memory/Memory Stick SanDisk Micro
Windows Mobile 6
3.5G EDGE, Wi-Fi(802.11b/g), Bluetooth 2.0+A2DP+EDR, GPS
3.2 megapixel Camera
3.0" wVGA Touch Screen
Slide out keyboard (Arc Design)
Battery performance may vary depending on network and phone usage. * To be announced.
Photo

Garmin Nuvifone
Size:unknown
Memory Unkown
3G EDGE, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS
Camera (unknown res)
3.5" Touch Screen
Battery Performance unknown
Photo

You can't compare phone that is released to phones that have not been released as they can change before they are released.

Why on earth are people still comparing a prehistoric GSM only phone to state of the art 3G phones that are vastly superior????
Is it something about the Apple logo that turns consumer brains into mush?

iPhone looks very weak in that group

Compare these:
Apple iPhone 2
Nokia N98
SE Xperia X1
Garmin Nuvifone

I'll go for the one with 3G, GPS, 8gig+ 3+mp camera w/flash, mp3/aac, FM Radio, 3rd party apps, and a 3.5inch touch screen :)

iPhone wins because you can buy it now.

There hasn't been much info on the iPhone 2 the reason I didn't put it in the list but it would be more of a competitor to the rest of the group.

The N98 still a concept but is another contender. Specs are as follows:
* 7.2 mega pixel camera with Carl Zeiss lens
* Optical zoom x5 and digital zoom x20
* 3.5 inch VGA 16 million color touch screen
* GPS
* Symbian S70 3rd edition (now that would be something)
* Graphics accelerator
* Bluetooth/WIFI b+g+n/HSDPA

i167.photobucket.com/alb...obile/n98cw8.jpg

Russo87 writes...

The N98 still a concept but is another contender.

N98 looks great....I would get an N98 over any iPhone incarnations. Man, it's gonna be hard to choose a phone come Christmas this year

Russo87 writes...

The N98 still a concept but is another contender.

More like a unconfirmed rumor.

Don’t get me wrong, I think the iPhone is great but not outstanding compare to what is coming it’s way. The iPhone is more of a fashion statement rather than a technical statement with its design and great UI (minus the onscreen keyboard).The current gen iPhone lacks 3G and GPS compared to the others. Maybe something iPhone 2 will see perhaps. It would definitely make my choice of what phone to buy.

The N98 is by far the most advanced phone on paper, but when it is released I will believe it and Nokia GPS software has never been the best so I will still be comparing the N96 which is still nothing to be sneezed at, it only lacks a touchscreen. The Xperia X1 is the logical phone..it has the best of what the iPhone lacks ie, a real keyboard, 3G and GPS. The OS WAR Windows vs Mac is back in a mobile form? Both have their ups and downs. The Xperia X1 would have the upper hand in the GPS market though as more companies make GPS software for it such as TomTom. The Nuvifone will be the best GPS as it is what they do best, but how will it fair as a phone? What extra features will it have that will make it stand out? Or will it be a Good GPS with the basic functionality of a phone/sms.

iPhone by miles for now and possibly Nuvifone in the Future.

As for push button phones they are thing of the past!

What I use in a Phone: SMS, Phone, Music, Videos, Internet.

What i dont use: Photo, GPS!

In my case, iPhone wins hands down. The user interface (especially when on the net) is second to none and that is whats important to me!!!!!!!!

omg why are people still mentioning iphone. GOd IPHONE X 100!
Where is the:
*Video camera support
*GPS
*3g/HSDPA
*3rd party applications support (not atm)
Apart from that, its camera is horrible...

Wtf is this Nuvifone...

if the Iphone 2 fixes all these problems or shortcomings, then it will be worth getting.

~RaveN~ writes...

Where is the:
*Video camera support - Showtime App (but honestly who cares about video record)
*GPS - Dont care, as navman/tom toms are much better than all (iPhone has google maps anyway)
*3g/HSDPA - What is this? My iPhone makes/receives calls/sms. Thats all i care about!
*3rd party applications support (not atm) - You cant have an iPhone is Aus without it being jailbroken which therefore means third party apps till your hearts content!!

Obviously this is MY OPINION, and others will definitely disagree and of course thats fine.

TezBiAn writes...

*GPS - Dont care, as navman/tom toms are much better than all (iPhone has google maps anyway)

Tomtom running on HTC Touch Cruise is comparable to Tomtom One so I don't know how you can say Navman/Tomtom is better then all especially as Windows Mobile devices are able to run the same software that runs on dedicated systems (e.g iGo Myway 2006 Plus, MioMap 3.3, Destinator 7 and Tomtom). This is not to mention the flexibility of running multiple GPS navigation systems on the same device!

Alot of people say iPhone 2 will be the way? Why so? What makes it stand out compare to these?

Lets say a scenario, you walk into a store to buy a new phone all of these are available..what would you buy?

TezBiAn writes...

Obviously this is MY OPINION, and others will definitely disagree and of course thats fine.

Always welcome to share your opinions :-D
If you're happy with your phone, it's all that matters.

a821me writes...

Always welcome to share your opinions :-D
If you're happy with your phone, it's all that matters.

:)
Thanks.

What a nice post.
:)

Russo87 writes...

Alot of people say iPhone 2 will be the way? Why so? What makes it stand out compare to these?


iPhone already stands out. If it was on sale in Australia, I think a lot of people would buy it.

iPhone 2 to come with 3G that would be so tempting. The web browser IMO is the best and the screen res is absolutely to die for.

Lets say a scenario, you walk into a store to buy a new phone all of these are available..what would you buy?

Being a Windows Mobile user, I'll go for the Xperia X1

It would be a hard choice. The Xperia actually has the best screen, the highest res and WVGA over conventional QVGA.

I like the tech specs of the Xperia but the look, feel and interface of the iPhone.

Hopefully the iPhone 2 is the mix of both.

Xperia ftw. cant wait till it comes out!

It's is the underdog in all of this :)

iPhone v2 with 3G, GPS, 3.2mp cam, office suite editing apps (through the SDK) plus whatever else they've got cooking.

i0Nic writes...

iPhone v2 with 3G, GPS, 3.2mp cam, office suite editing apps (through the SDK) plus whatever else they've got cooking.

Yep that would be perfect for the iPhone 2. But I wouldn't expect GPS because of the favour in google maps..unless they develop gps software based on that...which would be awesome.

Anyone know any costs of the mentioned handsets?

HaHa!
These phones (bar the iphone) are at LEAST 6 months away. In six months we could be using another currency (not likely, but as reliable as guessing the price).

I dont want to be mean, i think all three will be in the top price tier (around a grand unlock or about $500 on a plan).

Who knows.........

Russo87 writes...

It's is the underdog in all of this :)

Xperia underdog? No, every phone listed in topic has its strong features and its fans. You cannot say one is better than the other 3 as each one has features that better the others.

One model I forgot to mention in this was the LG KU990

3" Full Touchscreen 262K
103.5x54.4x14.8mm 112g
3G 900/1800/1900/2100, Bluetooth,usb
Camera : 5MP, 16x zoom, ISO 800 & Flash

au.lge.com/products/mode...3g__ku990.jhtml#

This is more of a camera than a fancy phone. No Wi-Fi, no decent web browser.

Russo87 writes...

One model I forgot to mention in this was the LG KU990
3G 900/1800/1900/2100, Bluetooth,usb

LG is quite deceptive with their specifications sheet.
It's a GSM 900/1800/1900 and UMTS 2100 only handset so it's useless on the NextG network and on the future expansion in the UMTS 900 band for Optus and Vodafone.

davmel writes...

LG is quite deceptive with their specifications sheet.
It's a GSM 900/1800/1900 and UMTS 2100 only handset so it's useless on the NextG network and on the future expansion in the UMTS 900 band for Optus and Vodafone.

That is really annoying. Though good to see alot of different phones on the market from different manufactures.

davmel writes...

It's a GSM 900/1800/1900 and UMTS 2100 only handset so it's useless on the NextG network and on the future expansion in the UMTS 900 band for Optus and Vodafone.

That's ok. Not everyone needs to go on NextG and by the by the time UTMS 900 comes out, might be time to upgrade handset

Hopefully it will be out before end of year. My current contract finishes in December so hopefully there will be a good range of phones out by then to.

Are there any other amazing phone that sould be noted? ie from samsung etc.

Russo87 writes...

My current contract finishes in December so hopefully there will be a good range of phones out by then to.

You're in a very good position. Definitely, the way mobiles are evolving, you'll get a good range of mobiles to choose from round about Christmas time.

Russo87 writes...

Are there any other amazing phone that sould be noted?

Samsung SGH-i900 :)

Nami~Swan~ writes...

Samsung SGH-i900 :)

Here are the specs. Not a bad phone

Release Date: June, 2008
Dimensions: 56 x 112 x 12.5 millimetres
OS: Microsoft Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional
ROM capacity: 8192 MB
RAM capacity: 128 MB
Display Type: color transflective TFT , 262144 scales
Display Resolution: 400 x 240
Display Diagonal: 3.5 "
Microphone: mono
Speaker: mono
Audio Output: Proprietary plug
Cellular Networks: GSM850, GSM900, GSM1800, GSM1900, UMTS2100
Cellular Data Link: CSD, GPRS, EDGE, UMTS, HSDPA
Call Alert: 64 -chord melody
Vibrating Alert: Supported
Positioning Device: Touchscreen
Primary Keyboard: Not supported
Directional Pad: 5 -way block
Expansion Slots: microSD, microSDHC, TransFlash, SDIO
USB: USB 2.0 client, Full-Speed (12Mbit/s)
Bluetooth: Bluetooth 2.0 + EDR
Wireless LAN: 802.11b, 802.11g
Multimedia Telecommunication
Analog Radio: FM radio reciever
Built-in GPS: NMEA 0183
Built-in Digital Camera
Main Camera: CMOS sensor, 5MP
Autofocus (AF): Supported
Optical Zoom: 1 x
Built-in Flash: None
Power Supply
Battery: Lithium-ion , removable
Battery Capacity: 1500 mAh

Image: www.letsgomobile.org/ima...ung-sgh-i900.jpg

Russo87 writes...

Image: www.letsgomobile.org/ima...ung-sgh-i900.jpg

Yeah...looks good....the 8GB ROM is whooo...very tempting

yes, it basically all comes down to price. Apple if they really wanted could put GPS and all those other better things in, but you would have to pay like $1000 compared to it's $US400 or whatever it is these days

Russo87 writes...

Are there any other amazing phone that sould be noted?

How about the LG KS20???

available right now.....

www.engadgetmobile.com/2...ilable-in-europe

and eten V900

jameswalker writes...

Apple if they really wanted could put GPS and all those other better things in, but you would have to pay like $1000 compared to it's $US400 or whatever it is these days

I still hate though how Apple choose the network for each contry. If optus or telstra get the phone would those with other telco's want to swap? I probably wouldn't.

So far I am liking the SE Xperia X1 and the Samsung i900. I like the iPhone but it doesnt quite cut it against these other phones.

What would you get?

jameswalker writes...

jameswalker...

yes, it basically all comes down to price. Apple if they really wanted could put GPS and all those other better things in, but you would have to pay like $1000 compared to it's $US400 or whatever it is these days

Integrated GPS, WIFI etc hardware wise is actually pretty cheap.. it's the map licenses that is the killer. Haven't you noticed $200 GPS and $800 GPS all use the same chip (SIRF III)?

I think for Apple the problem isn't paying and charging a little more for the hardware but the time that have to be spent developing the software.

Out of all those, I'd go for the X1 or N96 though I might stick with my D810 until Nokia comes out with it's new fangled touch UI.

take away the iphones touch screen and you have a mobile from 2004. Its pretty crap feature wise. Not even 3g. Bahahahaha.

Scorpion writes...

take away the iphones touch screen and you have a mobile from 2004. Its pretty crap feature wise. Not even 3g. Bahahahaha.

Take away 3G from other phones and they are from 2004 to.

I haven't used the other phones listed here but the touch screen and software on the iPhone is amazing in my opinion. Best I've ever used. The phone itself looks and feels fantastic. Not like the plastic Blackberrys or iMates (which I have).

I have an iPhone and its the best phone I've ever used. Its major drawback is that you have to use iTunes to synch it with your computer.

You can s*** at Apple as much as you want (and I hate iTunes with passion, as well as most of the propriety stuff they continue pushing on and on), but at least they kicked the industry in the butt (I love Nokia see, but they're doing the same phone over and over again).

As far as 3G is concerned, it will only be usable on an iPhone if you have unlimited data with it. I used the internet briefly over my iPhone and, well its slow, but more importantly it cost a fortune, so I disabled it.

GPS would be nice... There will be an add on for the iPhone soon as I understand anyway (another thing I hate this accessories crap mentality).

But hey, the phone is great, contact management is second to none, browsing the UI or the internet is brilliant and watching videos is a treat (can't see myself doing that on the Nokias...). I have a proper mp3 player (no apple, ah ah ah), so I don't even use it for that...

And tons of applications are available for fun or to bypass all the limitations of the iPhone...

The only part that is unacceptable from the iPhone, is actually the MMS inability. And the camera could be a touch better. See I don't normally use these features in phones, but I would the iPhone if they worked better...

Still, best phone I've ever had. Don't regret buying is a minute.

boysana writes...

and eten V900

Woh......just checked out this site
www.phonearena.com/htmls...icle-a_2340.html

possible TV tuner + 667MHz Samsung CPU

globiboulga writes...

at least they kicked the industry in the butt (I love Nokia see, but they're doing the same phone over and over again).

Have to agree with all that! Apple have kicked some butt and the others have awakend from making the same shite over and over. So now we are going to see a bit of a revolution and some will be driven by Google Android and maybe even a high spec Google phone (someday). I think Google will provide the next leap forward probably offering a high spec phone subsidised wholly or partially by adverts.

Certainly the humdrum run of the mill phone makers need to sit up and take notice. Like Moto who have been caught napping; could be out of the business because in this game you got to run just to keep up. Moto have got NOTHING to offer now.

Some good oil in this thread and I like the new stuff coming up soon to a rip off provider near you......

XVIII.IV.MMIV writes...

coming up soon to a rip off provider near you.....

Well said :)

Though only if you could pay wholesale price on one of these new handsets. Im sure everyone would by them outright.

Motorola has gone from bad to worse with their phones..such a pitty really.

Apple have kicked some butt and the others have awakend from making the same shite over and over.

They have shown some new insite into a mobile phone but nothing staggering. It really is a 2g phone with a big touchscreen and a slim MacOS. Something like symbian on mobile devices is innovative. Windows Mobile coming to more mobile phones is a good move but all these devices are a little to smart to be a phone let alone a smart phone...they are more like Pocket PC's with a phone added in as a feature. o2 have been doing for years..so is this technology so new after all? Just because it is made by apple doesnt meant it is the best..nor the worst, though other companies have been doing this for so long better understand the market on an international basis. People in asian countries would mock the iPhone as a joke compared to what else is out on the market.

The iPhone is a good phone don't get me wrong..but it isnt the best phone.

Wow!
That X1 is hand-held sex.
I want that phone.

Russo87 writes...

The iPhone is a good phone don't get me wrong..but it isnt the best phone.

I wonder if iPhone was released by a different company would it receive the same reception that it has received now? Most would agree large part of success of iPhone can be attributed to Apple, its marketing and its fanbois who die for anything made by Apple.

Russo87 writes...

Nokia N96

+1,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000­ ... and so on.

the new KU990 rocks my world, very happy indeed. :)

Nami~Swan~ writes...

I wonder if iPhone was released by a different company would it receive the same reception that it has received now? Most would agree large part of success of iPhone can be attributed to Apple, its marketing and its fanbois who die for anything made by Apple.

I think your question should be ... I wonder if the iPhone was MARKETED by a different company, would it receive the same reception as it has?

Apple have mastered the marketing of their products of late. Their designs are gorgeous and their products are well made (even if they do lack important features).

If the Nokias didn't look like they were smaller version of phones you could buy in the 80s, then I'd consider going back to them.

Or if they had anywhere near the fantastic software or intuitive UI that the iPhone does. The 6280 can be an example of their dreadful software.

Combine multi-touch, fantastic UI, OSX with Safari and a smooth, sleek, gorgeous design and any 3.5G Nokia/Sony Ericsson phones pale in comparison.

If you threw 3G/HSDPA into the iPhone, Nokia may as well close up shop.

Apple have mastered the marketing of their products of late. Their designs are gorgeous and their products are well made (even if they do lack important features).

Couldnt agree more but all their products are like fashion item rather than a piece of high tech equipment that Mr Jobs claims all of apple products to be.

multi-touch, fantastic UI, OSX with Safari and a smooth, sleek, gorgeous design

They are good features but won't take long for others to follow. The Xperia X1 has improved features that owners disliked on the iPhone such as the on-screen keyboard to name one.

The OSX UI is fantastic and that cannot be matched by any other handset yet, and I think that is what makes it such a strong seller with its case design as well. I would love to see the UI of the iPhone (minus having to sync with iTunes) with the features of the X1 or i900...If Apple could follow that and put a non apple price on it, they would have one of the best phones on the market. Would you agree?

Well, this is exactly the point if the rest of the industry tries to catch up: Apple have taken a new approach to the mobile phone business... I remember all the iPod phone mockups around and NONE were close to what Apple actually delivered.

No, I am certainly not an Apple fan. iTunes sucks and all Apple hardware is seriously underspeced (tried playing on an Apple?), but they have understood a lot about what makes PEOPLE use technology (stress free, simple interface). It's not for geek, but it works. and while I am more than happy to battle windows at home for fun, I just want my phone to work flawlessly all the time.

I remember liking Nokia because their software was more intuitive than the rest, but it's been the same software, the same phone for 10 years, getting more and more cluttered as functionalities were added...

My dream phone now would be touch screen made by Sony with the Google software. In the meantime, I love the iPhone.

Russo87 writes...

Sony Ericsson Xperia X1

It doesn't use WM6Pro but versions 6.5 or 7.

It doesn't come out till the end of this year, the phone that is.

globiboulga writes...

My dream phone now would be touch screen made by Sony with the Google software. In the meantime, I love the iPhone.

They come out mid of this year.

The google mobile OS is based around lunix

Scott Connie writes...

It doesn't use WM6Pro but versions 6.5 or 7.

Xperia X1 uses Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional.

www.gsmarena.com/xperia_..._61-news-441.php
www.engadgetmobile.com/2...ndows-mobile-6-1

Nami~Swan~ writes...

Xperia X1 uses Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional

:) Finally a mobile media player that can play normal formats.

Real media, QT media is BS.

Russo87 writes...

are like fashion item rather than a piece of high tech equipment that Mr Jobs claims all of apple products to be.

+1

Would you agree?

yes.

Russo87 writes...

Real media, QT media is BS.

+1 and wmv, avi etc.

Russo87 writes...

fashion item rather than a piece of high tech equipment that Mr Jobs claims all of apple products to be.

+2

Russo87 writes...

:) Finally a mobile media player that can play normal formats.

CorePlayer FTW!

Nami~Swan~ writes...

CorePlayer FTW!

I have Core Player on my N80, Plays most things but lacks wmv support which a good majority of movies form the internet are.

Russo87 writes...

I have Core Player on my N80

Core Player on WM devices can play WMV :)

www.corecodec.com/forums....php?topic=455.0

Nami~Swan~ writes...

Core Player on WM devices can play WMV :)

Ah i see, no symbian support thogugh still.

But for WM why not just use media player....

Motorola has some interesting new phones coming our way this year. The best to note in the range is the Motorola Skarven. It is definitely a competitior to all these other iPhone killers.

The phone sports an 8 Megapixel Camera..yes 8 with optical zoom! and will also have a large 2.8 inch 16 million color display and "banana slider" form factor. It will also have a resolution of 640 x 480 pixels, It will also include Wi-Fi connectivity and GPS. It is unknown though whether it has a touch sceen UI.

image: www.uberphones.com/photo...rola-skarven.jpg

Russo87 writes...

But for WM why not just use media player....

Because Core Player is much better with plethora of options, hardware acceleration support and better codec support.

 Russo writes...

Are there any other amazing phone that sould be noted? ie from samsung etc.

SGH-i900 will be a good pick.

does anybody know which phone is faster? xperia or onmia?

tai. writes...

does anybody know which phone is faster?

No one knows as Xperia has not been released yet.

Anyone try HTC Touch Diamond
here?

Omnia has a on paper faster processor, 624MHz Marvell PXA312 processor compared to X1's Qualcomm MSM7200 528MHz processor, but then the clock speed should function the same as computer processor's so I'm not too sure which one is better, has to do with architecture of the chip.

However, X1 does have a much greater RAM of 384MB compared to Omnia's 128MB. But then X1 has Panels which is like 9 screens functioning at once which justifies its need for a larger RAM.

experience: iPhone
technical specification on paper: everything else