Top iPhone competitors square off

When it comes to touchscreen handsets, the iPhone isn't the only game in town anymore. Take a gander at the latest crop of touch-enabled phones now (or soon to be) in stores, and see which one's right for you.

Samsung Instinct

A close cousin to the iPhone in terms of look and feel, the Instinct comes with a snazzy, easy-to-use interface, 3G data access, on-demand video, full-track music downloads, voice commands, and turn-by-turn GPS navigation.

Pros: Touch interface rivals the iPhone, and even beats it with vibrating "haptic" feedback when you tap the screen; speedy 3G data access for video and music, as well as tethering to a laptop; almost the same size and weight as the iPhone; expandable memory.

Cons: No Wi-Fi; Web browser looks clunky compared to the iPhone's; no Exchange support (save for Outlook Web Access); probably won't be able to match the iPhone's potential as a mobile software platform.

Availability: Mid-June on Sprint

Price: Probably in the $200–250 range

Sony Ericsson Xperia X1

The first Windows Mobile phone made by Sony Ericsson, the Xperia X1 boasts an "arc-slider" form factor, a full QWERTY keypad, and a unique "paneled" interface running atop the Windows Mobile OS.

Pros: One-touch panels look promising; "arc" form factor ideal for viewing the display while typing; three-inch, razor-sharp WVGA screen; "optical" joystick makes it easier to scroll through Web pages; full Office and Exchange support; on-board Wi-Fi.

Cons: Relatively heavy and bulky; Windows Mobile interface much trickier to use than the iPhone UI; sure to be pricey.

Availability: Later this year

Price: No details yet, but bound to be $400 or more

LG Vu

This thin, light, and stylish HSDPA-enabled handset boasts AT&T's new live TV service, which delivers about nine channels of streaming video. It also comes with a slick animated interface, mobile email, and AT&T's one-way video conferencing service.

Pros: Great-looking video quality using AT&T's live TV service; slips easily into a jeans pocket; access to full-track music downloads; memory expansion.

Cons: Interface doesn't take full advantage of the Vu's touchscreen abilities; no Wi-Fi; no Exchange support; expensive considering what you get.

Availability: Later this month on AT&T

Price: $299

 
LG Voyager

Think the old enV music phone, except with a 2.8-inch touchscreen display on the outside flip. Inside the clamshell you'll find a full QWERTY keypad, while couch potatoes can tune in to Verizon's live TV service.

Pros: Snazzy touch interface; physical QWERTY keypad for tapping out long messages; 3G data access for on-demand video clips, full-track music downloads, and speedy Web browsing; turn-by-turn GPS navigation; memory expansion.

Cons: Relatively big and bulky; Web browser's so-so HTML rendering pales compared to the iPhone's browser; no Exchange support; no Wi-Fi; pricey.

Availability: Now on Verizon Wireless

Price: $299

LG Venus

It looks like a fairly typical (if slick-looking) slider phone. Look closely, however, and you'll see the Venus' dual displays; a touch-sensitive LCD on the bottom, and a larger, standard display just above.

Pros: Touch-enabled navigation pad "morphs" depending on what you're doing; 3G data access for on-demand video clips and full-track music downloads; expandable memory.

Cons: Besides the touch-screen navigation pad, we're basically talking a standard phone here; expensive considering what you get.

Availability: Now on Verizon Wireless

Price: $199

HTC Touch

Another Windows Mobile handset, except this one comes with HTC's TouchFlo interface—a spinning 3D cube that gives you one-touch access to your contacts, messaging, Web browsing, multimedia, and more.

Pros: Small and slim enough to fit in a jeans pocket; clever TouchFlo interface makes for easy access to oft-used phone features; full Office and Exchange support; 3G data access for on-demand video clips and full-track music downloads.

Cons: Good luck navigating the tricky Windows Mobile interface without a stylus; virtual QWERTY keypad makes for clunky typing; no Wi-Fi.

Availability: Now on Sprint

Price: $249

HTC Touch Dual

It's essentially an HSDPA-enabled version of Touch with exactly the same features, but adds a slide-out, 20-button keypad.

Pros: Again, same as the Dual, except you can tap out messages on a physical keypad.

Cons: The Dual's pseudo-QWERTY keypad (similar to the one you'll find on a BlackBerry Pearl) takes some getting used to.

Availability: Later this year; will be offered unlocked instead of on a carrier.

Price: No details yet, but I'm guessing about $400 or so.