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 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.

Comments on Top iPhone competitors square off

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  • 6 Posted by joelodico on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:38PM EDT Report Abuse

    Been using the HTC Touch now for about 6 months. Opposite to the review, it does have complete Wi-Fi capability. Great little almost mini PC. Windows mobile does need getting used to but very powerfull and quite complete. Also comes with ability to view and modify Excel, Word, and view Powerpoint documents. Great voice dialing abilities. Plays most all audio and video you throw at it. Also has exteral GPS. Mine has a 4 gig micro card that gives me plenty of storage for dragging and dropping files from PC to phone/card. I have also used the iphone and as much as I love using it it still lacks Wi-Fi and Gps functionallity. Cheers.

  • 7 Posted by dj_rell5 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:45PM EDT Report Abuse

    After reading all of the phone previews/reviews it doesnt seem as though any of the phones will really be able to offer what the iPhone has. I own the iPhone and I love every part of it besides the fact that they are completely retarded about piture messenging. But I have been reading and that feature is supposed to be in one of the new updates. Let hope its sooner than later but these other phones don't seem like they will get the job done.

  • 11 Posted by kmyjustplain on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:52PM EDT Report Abuse

    only phone up there than can beat and surpass the iphone is sony ericsson xpheria! definitely a must get!

  • 12 Posted by trolligans on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:21PM EDT Report Abuse

    the iPhone is the industry standard. it's the benchmark to which all these imitations are being compared. If you want to know how the iPhone will fare amidst its competitors, just look at the iPod. What happened with music players is happening with smart phones.

  • 13 Posted by hoits2000 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:19PM EDT Report Abuse

    Wow, this is a bad list to compare to the iPhone. There is only one that is even close, the Sony Ericsson is sweet looking, with a beautiful screen. All the rest would be better matched with windows devices or palm phones.

  • 14 Posted by duddleytheman on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:49PM EDT Report Abuse

    I'm not a MAC guy by any means, but IPhone is the best purchase that I've ever made in Tech Devices. Easy as heck to use, blows competition out of the water. I'm sticking with IPhone for as long as they make them.

  • 15 Posted by torrential67 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:17PM EDT Report Abuse

    What about the T-Moblie wing hmmm been around before the Iphone and has more features including a full keyboard but noboy ever talks about it.

  • 16 Posted by potofgold423 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:16PM EDT Report Abuse

    i honestly beleive that the iphone has no competitors excpt the glashbenguesenhuesenburger. it's a german phone that might just overtake the world here pretty soon

  • 17 Posted by david_v1234 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:38PM EDT Report Abuse

    Ben, you neglected to state that the Instinct has GPS while the iProne does not. While you did mention that the Sony version will likely be pricey, you failed to mention the Instinct's low cost as an advantage compared to the iProne. When you say, "the iPhone isn't the only game in town anymore...", no and it never was. LG's Prada predated the iProne. And the iPhone has existed for years as a Cisco product. No mention of the Apple ripoff... People can decide for themselves which phone to buy. What we expect from you Ben is objectivity and fair play. It is sorely missing in this review as well as others.

  • 18 Posted by dsummerfan69 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:49PM EDT Report Abuse

    The Voyoger is a cheap version of the iphone, Can't deal with that not even 48 hours and of course.... all the new phones have something in mind try to copycat the fantastic innovation from the iphone! I'm sure they will eventually suceed but for now the iphone still the best!

  • 19 Posted by dorothyspoppyfield on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:47PM EDT Report Abuse

    HTC Touch in France DOES have Wi-Fi. I use it all the time, and it works really well.

  • 22 Posted by jacquelinegeorge3 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:27PM EDT Report Abuse

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  • 23 Posted by moji_martin on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:24PM EDT Report Abuse

    it seems you don't know anything about iphone , and when you don't know about something , plz don't write about that thing . the greatest thing in iphone is it's multitouch display . and there isn't a single company except appel that has the multitouch technology (except microsoft in it's "surface")

  • 25 Posted by superandoy on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:48PM EDT Report Abuse

    I think HTC phones are great. I've got a htc phone branded as ATT 8525 unlocked. I can use GPS, wifi, word, excel, you name it this phone has it. Also has 4 gig micro SD for storage. There's also an Iphone screen interface available in the web. Only thing is the thickness.

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