Top iPhone competitors square off
Wed Apr 9, 2008 2:07PM EDT
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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 InstinctA 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
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
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
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
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
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
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.
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47 Posted by ns5741 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:41PM EDT Report Abuse
First of all, the Venus doesn't belong (or claim to) in the category of iPhone competitior. Second while none of these have wifi you overlook the fact that wifi doesn't help if you have no hotspot. If you are on Verizon or Sprint's EV-DO network you can surf at the same speeds as Wifi, anywhere, no hotspot needed. The Touch does has the same interactive UI as the iPhone. and it comes with a built in stylus. I dont see how it is any easier to type on the iPhone's cramped on screen qwerty than it would be on the touch's same on screen qwerty. Once again Ben has written a clearly-biased, non- informative article Bravo
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48 Posted by sumina548 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:47PM EDT Report Abuse
wathhhhhhhhhhaaaaaaaaaaaa
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49 Posted by feralradio on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:59PM EDT Report Abuse
The best way to beat iPhone is to offer the phones with compatability with any cell provider! ATT only makes the iPhone a drag!
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50 Posted by nitrofreak813 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:39PM EDT Report Abuse
even better then all of these and the iphone is the iclone. just go on ebay and type it in. its $125 and u can put 2 sim cards from any carrier. its exaxly the same as the iphone but a little bigger and a lot cheaper
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51 Posted by missipp1 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:21PM EDT Report Abuse
iPhones are not in the same class as a HTC Toucg, Touch Duo, or Xperia. They are business pocket PCs with full office capibility, iPhones are CELLPHONES with cell phone capibility and a very nice web browser.
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52 Posted by jermonejj on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:33PM EDT Report Abuse
visit http://stockdummy.blogspot.com and http://indiafootball.blogspot.com
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53 Posted by madaul on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:02PM EDT Report Abuse
funny, the LG Vu, is basically a downgrade from a phone that LG has had in europe since last year called the LG Viewty. Its similar except you get a 5.1 megapixel camera with a xenon flash, iso800, auto/manual focus, and 120 fps video recording. I imported one a few months back and so far i love it. GREAT quality if the Vu is anything like it i can highly recommend one.
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54 Posted by kodito_7 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:52PM EDT Report Abuse
i don't really like the last phone....i think those phones break too easily..
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55 Posted by andy_henry1980 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 2:54PM EDT Report Abuse
I've used both the HTC Tilt and the iPhone and the iPhone makes you look good at parties but for pure business functionality and use the Tilt is a better phone.
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56 Posted by drnicole34 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:48PM EDT Report Abuse
well i am love the T-Mobile wing. It is a touch screen with widows mobile and much much more. I love that phone
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57 Posted by erix43 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:55PM EDT Report Abuse
HAA! These will all fail and die off. Way to rush out crap into the market and make yourself look stupid for the almighty dollar. Patience is not your virtue. Take your time with a quality based product to compete. MORONS. No Wifi for any of these phones? HAHAHAHAHA what a joke.
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58 Posted by billbryan516 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:07PM EDT Report Abuse
I've got a voyager..it's amazing. You can do some pretty awesome things with it. I think the important thing to realize here is NOT that Apple has built something amazing but they've left out some very important features that other manufacturers are including. Apple did something intelligent because it's going to keep their customers coming back for the next new phone..or a replacement if their battery dies. Apple customers are unreasonably faithful and will stick by their gadgets even if they are useless. I used to be one until I discovered there are a LOT of options out there just as good if not better. Apple opened the door for mainstreaming multi-tasking phones and kudos to them for that. I just hate the way they have brainwashed their customers.
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59 Posted by billbryan516 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:07PM EDT Report Abuse
I've got a voyager..it's amazing. You can do some pretty awesome things with it. I think the important thing to realize here is NOT that Apple has built something amazing but they've left out some very important features that other manufacturers are including. Apple did something intelligent because it's going to keep their customers coming back for the next new phone..or a replacement if their battery dies. Apple customers are unreasonably faithful and will stick by their gadgets even if they are useless. I used to be one until I discovered there are a LOT of options out there just as good if not better. Apple opened the door for mainstreaming multi-tasking phones and kudos to them for that. I just hate the way they have brainwashed their customers.
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60 Posted by theguccigurl2001 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:04PM EDT Report Abuse
I just got my Pink LG Venus...I must say, if you're clumsy like I am (and scared of getting the iPhone b/cuz of the full touch screen), this phone is pretty precise on it's "mobile" features. The slider keypad has a slick interfacing...so the keys don't get stuck as easily like some of the other Verizon phones (i.e. LG V, LG enV ) that have keypads. Also, the device is actually a lot lighter (in weight) than it looks.... The down side that I have ran into so far is the "Menu" and "Shortcut" options are very limited...and a couple of the options are pre-set shortcuts that aren't interchangeable. Over all, I'd say that even though it may seem like an average phone w/ touch features...that's not the case at all! Its 2.0 meg camera, web browser friendly, Vcast music player, and crystal clear reception makes the LG Venus well worth the $199 price tag.
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61 Posted by pebear on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:05PM EDT Report Abuse
CECT has several IPONE clones out. They are a Chinese company out of Shanghai and you can see several of their phones on sale on EBAY. The CECT 168 168+ and I believe that there is even a newer model. Since this little column was probably advertisement paid for by these larger phone companies.
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62 Posted by speckledapple on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:35PM EDT Report Abuse
I wonder when people will stop considering the iphone the standard of everything regarding touch. Yes the phone has features equivalent to that of the ipod touch but as a phone, which is in the name, lacks in comparison to some of the phones with better features and that you can actually call people with. yes we all know that apple can make a really cool candy bar with wifi and safari. But i would rather have a candy bar without a few "apple" type features but was packed with what i preferred not what apple thinks i should prefer. (example: Mac Book Air - can we say flat without anything inside?) Proud owner of the Voyager with many features apple just happened to leave out like bluetooth (VERY helpful for the PHONE portion)
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63 Posted by annog@sbcglobal.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 2:55PM EDT Report Abuse
For all of you that say Iphone does not have GPS, it does! It was in the upgrade in January.
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64 Posted by lafon_matthew on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:55PM EDT Report Abuse
iphone rocks no contest just give up you coppycaters their is no way you can match an origanel
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65 Posted by litlt23 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 6:54PM EDT Report Abuse
In this article they forgot to mention that the Instinct will connect with Sprints Moblie Broadband network EV-DO Rev which is faster than AT&T's Edge network. It also has real GPS unlike the iphone, which is triangulated. With EV-DO Rev. A, peak download data rates up to 3.1 Mbps and peak upload data rates up to 1.8 Mbps; average download speeds 600 kbps to1.4 mbps and average uplink speeds 350 %
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46 Posted by luis_lizaola50 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:00PM EDT Report Abuse
Everybody know that the I Phone is the best all the other touch screen phone is just immitation of the I Phone so apple should not be afraid because the I Phone is the #1 Phone in the world