Looking for the best smartphone out there.

I

InTheCube

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Hey guys.

I need some help / advice on choosing a smart phone. I will be purchasing one soon, most probably on contract.

I am looking for the following features (Yes I know exactly what I want, and I'm very picky about it):

  1. Full Touch screen, preferably resistive, or a very good capacitive one
  2. Slot for stylus if resistive touch screen.
  3. Needs to be slim/thin, so preferably no keyboard. Length/width is less important.
  4. Minimum resolution of 640 X 360
  5. Minimum screen size of 3.2 inches.
  6. Colours - preferably 16 million+, or 65k if a Windows Mobile phone (I believe the max on WM phones is 65k - this sucks, but I can live with it)
  7. Minimum 5 MP camera, preferably higher. Must have auto-focus, with LED or Xenon flash, a dedicated shutter key, with a Lens cover preferred.
  8. Easy synchronisation of Contacts, Email and Calendar with MS Outlook.
  9. Preferably with 3.5mm audio jack
  10. Preferably with charging through USB slot
  11. Must have HSDPA, preferably 7.2mbps or more
  12. Preferably with HSUPA
  13. Must have WLAN
  14. Must have built-in GPS
  15. Decent processor, with decent speed (600mhz+, 256MB RAM)
  16. microSD or similar card slot, or massive internal memory (16GB+)
  17. Vendor must have a software update solution (e.g. Nokia Software Updater), or the ability to flash the phone like WM devices.

Phones that I have researched and that come closest to fulfilling my requirements and I am considering, in order of preference, are:

Samsung Omina II
Sony Ericsson Satio
Nokia N97 (does surprisingly well to meet my requirements above, except for processor and RAM)
Nokia N97 mini (for size)
Nokia N900

I am willing to wait a few more months for newer phones to come out, and for some of the above not yet released phones to come out. Also willing to purchase them online / import them (if the price is right).

My primary tool for finding, reviewing and comparing phones has been GSM Arena.

Do you have any other suggestions, advice?
 
The HTC Touch 3 aka Leo also looks very promising, but I wonder when this will be released, how much it will cost, and if it will make it to RSA in time. a 4.3 inch screen seems too big though, will probably be difficult/awkward to use.
 
Nokia N97

Nokia 5800 looked like a good choice until you said minimum of 5mp camera.

Alternatively you can wait until January and get a N900
 
why not an android phone like the Hero?
 
kvi said:
why not an android phone like the Hero?
Click to expand...

Coz it doesn't meet my minimum requirements. The Android phones really suck with their cameras, and screen resolution. I could live with this, if it offered me something more in another department. It obviously doesn't. I've spent many hours on GSM Arena reading reviews and comparing phones, and so far the Samsung Omnia II is the best phone by far.

HTC Hero: 5 MP, 2592 x 1944 pixels, autofocus. No Flash. No dedicated shutter key.
TFT capacitive touchscreen, 65K colors, 320 x 480 pixels, 3.2 inches

Source: GSM Arena - HTC Hero: Full Phone specifications

All HTC's generally suck when it comes to cameras. But 65k on an Android phone is just utterly disappointing. Come on guys, its 2009, and we still have to deal with 65k screeans on Windows Mobile, and Android?

The Nokia 5800 scores way better in my books than ANY of the Android phones out there.
 
Last edited:
Rosaudio said:
Nokia N97

Nokia 5800 looked like a good choice until you said minimum of 5mp camera.

Alternatively you can wait until January and get a N900
Click to expand...

The N97 was my initial choice, from months ago, when the first sneak previews came out. However, I find it a bit bulky, mainly the thickness/fatness. That's my only gripe with it. Oh, and I've heard of the phone freezing often, and the accelerometer not working well. Those are most likely software issues that can be sorted out with firmware updates. Still a really nice phone though.

The 5800 was and still is a phone I am very impressed with. You get loads of features, and the cost is not the bad. MTN are giving it for free on a Anytime 100 contract, for R139 per month,

The N900 looks promising as well. I just wonder if it will ever come to RSA, and what the price will be.
 
dont mean to irritate anyone but the iphone:p is amazing.the htc touch pro II is also a lekker phone to have.i'm due for an upgrade now but i think i'll wait a couple of months cos there's a rumor that cell phone prices will drop soon.:cool:
 
Confused

Looking at your requirements I am confused how you can even consider an Omnia.
Reason: Most Unresponsive Touch Screen I have ever encountered!

The OMNIA is a chick's phone - no offense, but maybe version 2 will be more robust.

Look at the Sony Ericsson X1 or even better get a smartphone that is actually smart and go for a Blackberry!

My 2c

Etienne
 
Last edited:
Hey ToxicWazte. What phone did you get in the end? Also looking for a high end phone with specs you described. So far I like the Satio and Touch Diamond 2.
 
I'm using a 5800 at the moment and it's awesome. I got a HTC Dream on contract but quickly swopped for a brand new sealed 5800, because the Dream's battery life sucked. Now, the Android OS is really solid, yet slick but be prepared to spend lots on data costs to really enjoy it. Until our data costs don't drop I don't think I'll be getting an Android. The Symbian OS doesn't have all the eye-candy but is very stable. I think the Nokia X6 is also an option to consider.
 
I have an Omnia, it sucks nuts, feels like a very very sad Iphone knockoff.
 
Arthur said:
Touch HD2 is out. The Ultimate Phone of 2009. In SA by month-end, say Leaf.
Click to expand...

+2

Awesome gadget. I have a TP2 because I wanted a keyboard.
HTC have really improved their screen resolutions and cameras.

But if this is a big must-have for you, I don't think Nokia can be beat.
The N900 is also something to look at but it has a keyboard
 
The Motorola Milestone - gsm version of the Droid seems to fit the bill. It has a high-reZ screen. But the best, fastest & most versatile smartphone is still a jailbreaked iPhone 3GS. More & better apps and multitasks like a mother****er with backgrounder
 
SE X10 - mid Feb - should tick all your boxes if you can wait (and it is most likely the best looking phone ever produced!!!) :D
 
Synaesthesia said:
The Motorola Milestone - gsm version of the Droid seems to fit the bill. It has a high-reZ screen. But the best, fastest & most versatile smartphone is still a jailbreaked iPhone 3GS. More & better apps and multitasks like a mother****er with backgrounder
Click to expand...

Said like a true Apple-zombie.
 
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