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Phone Shopping Guide - Holidays 2007

By PhoneArena Team

Updated: Dec 06, 2007, 8:53 AM

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December is knocking on our doors and the holiday shopping season has already started. Everybody wonders what to buy for their friends and relatives, and the overburdened with stock shops aren’t of real help. Everything is available in multiple versions and in order to choose the most suitable one, the customer often has to be an expert.

As mobile phones turned into the technology gadget that everybody wears with them, they surely are among the most popular presents. As we’ve said above, there are many options even after one have chosen the wireless carrier to go with, so here in our PhoneArena Holiday Shopping Guide we will examine the phones by their purpose. In the following pages, you’ll see the four major carriers, SIM-free world phones and for our European readers, summary of their market.

In each of the following pages, the phones will be categorized in the following groups:

Business:

Always in a hurry, you cannot stop thinking about your work. When you are out of the office, you still must have the same functionality – the email is always in your pocket, thanks to the powerful phone. You’ll rarely get non-smart phone, and it will definitely be a high-end model with advanced email client and internet browser and hopefully full QWERTY keyboard.

Fashion:

You’re wondering how people could use the plain and ugly phones on the market. The phone you use stands out of the crowd by its award-winning design, high-quality materials and most often is characterized by the slim profile and the expensive price, just as any boutique stock.

Camera:

With the technology evolvement, the phones are trying to replace other devices in the every-day usage. The pocket cameras are the target of the high-end cameraphones, and you may use one to capture any special moment. As the phone is always with you, you will not miss the opportunity to take picture of something important.

Music:

Since the digital music formats were introduced to the world, we are seeing the miniaturization of the audio gadgets and now a player with more than thousand tracks can fit in normal-sized phone. Now everybody can wear a pocket music player, and you, the mello-man can hardly miss the chance to listen to your track-library on the go.

Low Cost:

You don’t really see reason of spending a fortune on a mobile phone, especially when there are decent devices at low price. Often, last-season’s top phones are in this price-range, which often makes them a bargain.

Business:

1. Verizon Wireless XV6800:

The recently announced successor of the 6700 is Verizon’s currently most-advanced WM6 smartphone, featuring almost everything one could expect from such device.

Key Features:

Specifications|Review

2. BlackBerry 8830:

The World Edition smartphone can be used overseas thanks to being a GSM/CDMA hybrid, but its functionality doesn’t suffer from this. As high-end ‘Berry, it is known for its professional email client and very good QWERTY keyboard.

Key Features:

Specifications| Review

3. Motorola Q9m:

The successor of the Q offers excellent business functionality, typical for the WM6 Standard OS, combined with multimedia options and top-notch sound quality, all packed into slim candybar.

Key Features:

Specifications|Review

Fashion:

1. Motorola RAZR2 V9m:

The second generation RAZR met our expectations, the styling of the phone is exquisite, with the high-luster dark pearl gray color, sleek lines, and slim design. The huge external display also catches attention.

Key Features:

Specifications |Review

2. Samsung Gleam:

Although it has mid-level price, the Gleam attracts with its shiny black and gold exterior. While its neither the most feature rich, nor the most convenient to use, it definitely look good!

Key Features:

Specifications|Review

3. LG Chocolate:

Available in three color variants, the second-gen Chocolate phone (8550) is glossy piece of art, that everyone likes!

Key Features:

Specifications|Review

Camera:

1. Samsung FlipShot:

The 3-megapixel cameraphone has no rivals in the carrier. It replaces the old A990 and upgrades it with automatic lens cover and more powerful flash. Thanks to the unique design with swiveling display, it can easily be confused with a stand-alone camera.

Key Features:

Specifications

Music:

1. Samsung Juke:

The narrow swivel phone resembles a music player when closed, but also has the functionality of one. Loading your music on the 2GB of memory is an easy task, while playing it reveals the functionality of this “compact music player phone”.

Key Features:

Specifications

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Review

2. LG Venus:

While it is not as pretty as the Chocolate, the Venus has decent music player capabilities which combined with its interesting design, make it suitable for a holiday present.

Key Features:

Specifications

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Review

Low Cost:

1. Motorola KRZR K1m:

The KRZR is pretty and small, has decent functionality and is cheap! It can easily win “bang-for-the-buck” title, only because it is popular …

Key Features:

Specifications

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Review

2. LG Chocolate:

Similar to the KRZR, the first Chocolate can be purchased for less than $50, which makes it very good present. Available in Pink, it would be perfect for teenage girl.

Key Features:

Specifications

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Review

Extra:

Although the LG Voyager isn’t winner in any of the categories above, it is the hottest Verizon phone at the moment. It is still a new release and is an all-in-one device with couple of large displays (the one is touch-sensitive), QWERTY, real HTML browser, Stereo Sound and others. It is already a hit, and is a good buy, although rather expensive.

Key Features:

Specifications

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Review

Business:

1. AT&T Tilt:

Branded under the carrier’s name, this TyTN II can show much. It is one of the most advanced smartphones, capable of global 2G and 3G roaming, and featuring integrated GPS receiver. It is characterized also by the side-sliding QWERTY and the tilting display, which is made for bigger convenience during work.

Key Features:

Specifications| Review

2. BlackBerry Curve:

With the Curve series, BlackBerry tries to combine the appeal of the Pearl with the functionality of the 88-series. The 8310-variant is a deal, also offering built-in GPS.

Key Features:

Specifications| Review (8300)

3. Samsung BlackJack II:

The second generation BlackJack and the Motorola Q Global are identical, but the Samsung phone features global 3G roaming. Both are slim candybar phones with QVGA display and QWERTY, running on WM6 Standard edition.

Key Features:

Specifications

Fashion:

1. LG Shine:

Recently announced, the US variant of the Shine has the same award-winning styling of the original version but is fully compatible with the carrier’s 3G network.

Key Features:

Specifications

2. Motorola RAZR2 V9:

AT&T offers the 3G GSM variant of the second generation RAZR phones. It is characterized by the deep burgundy color of the metal body.

Key Features:

Specifications|Review

Camera:

1. Motorola RAZR2 V9:

While it is not something spectacular on the global scale, the V9 delivers is the best choice for pictures in the AT&T line.

Key Features:

Specifications|Review

Music:

1. Apple iPhone:

Music and a Phone? If you haven’t lived in a cave, you surely have heard about the iPhone. Apple claim that this is their best iPod, and iPod is the most popular (and probably best) portable music player in the world, so hands-down, the iPhone is your music phone!

Key Features:

Specifications|Review

2. Sony Ericsson W580:

The budget slider is a bang-for-the-buck and as it is branded as a Walkman, has many to offer in its price range. A large memory card is a must, in order to store a large music library.

Key Features:

Specifications|Review

Low Cost:

1. Samsung A727:

Getting a phone so slim at so low price is a steal. It also packs decent features, supports global-roaming and domestic 3G.

Key Features:

S pecifications

Business:

1. HTC Mogul:

Don’tsearch no more, HTC’s most advanced CDMA smartphone has been offered bySprint for months, and proved as a successful model. It has almostanything you can imagine!

Key features:

Specifications|Review

2. HTC Touch:

Recentlylaunched, it is not only powerful but also very sexy. It’s not only itsdesign, but also the personalized software that makes it worthpurchasing. Unlike the Mogul, it is suitable to any age and gender.

Key features:

Specifications|Review

3. BlackBerry 8830:

Forthe fans of BlackBerry, Sprint offers their high-end model which canalso be used overseas, thanks to the GSM/CDMA hybrid support. Emailingon the QWERTY is a pleasure …

Key features:

Specifications |Review

Fashion:

1. Motorola RAZR2 V9m:

Asa major carrier, Sprint doesn’t miss the chance to offer the stylishsecond generation RAZR2. As the other models of the family, it ischaracterized by the combination of look and functionality.

Key features:

Specifications | Review

Camera:

1. Motorola RAZR2 V9m:

Whileit is not a rival of real cameras, the V9m is the best shooter in theSprint line. 2-megapixels are OK and the results are good when shootingoutdoors.

Key features:

Specifications | Review

Music:

1. Samsung UpStage:

Whenit comes to music-dedicated phones, the dual-sided UpStage won’tdisappoint. It is targeted to the iPod generation, which wants to havea phone with built-in player at a low price.

Key features:

Specifications | Review

2. LG MUZIQ:

Thename of the LG phone clearly shows what it is targeted for. It updatesthe Fusic with sleeker design and as long as you have a large microSDcard, it will be ready to rock.

Key features:

Specifications | Review

Low Cost:

1. LG Rumor:

Forwhat it is, the LG Rumor can’t be beat. It is a small, cheap devicethat will play well to the teenage crowd. Integrated AIM, Facebook anda QWERTY keypad will play to this always-connected demographic.

Key features:

Specifications | Review

Business:

1. T-Mobile Wing:

The WM6 Professional Wing is the carrier’s most-advanced phone running on this OS.

Key features:

Specifications|

Review

2. BlackBerry Curve:

The T-Mobile variant of the Curve comes with integrated Wi-Fi module which allows it to be used with the HotSpot @Home service. Additionally it is as powerful as other Curve models.

Key features:

Specifications

Fashion:

1. Motorola RAZR2 V8:

The V8 is the best looking handset of the carrier but still doesn’t disappoint with its functionality. The RAZR2 name means style.

Key features:

Specifications|Review

Camera:

1. Motorola RAZR2 V8:

As the other RAZR2 phones, the V8 is equipped with 2-megapixel camera that takes good pictures.

Key features:

Specifications |

Review

Music:

1. Samsung Beat:

If you are (or feel) young and music is what matters, the Beat delivers it at a reasonable price. Its key feature is the speaker on front, which shows off with the green color.

Key features:

Specifications|Review

Low Cost:

1. Sidekick iD:

The simplified iD variant of the Sidekick III is the cheapest model of the family but still offers the full functionality of a Sidekick phone

Key features

Specifications

Business:

1. HTC TyTN II:

While AT&T customers can get it as the Tilt, the TyTN II is available world-wide and SIM-free. It is WM6 Professional smartphone and features global GSM/HSDPA, WiFi, GPS, QWERTY and tilting display.

Key features:

Specifications

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Review

2. Eten X800:

The latest generation Glofiish smartphone is characterized by the VGA display, which has four times the resolution of the standard QVGA. It is global GSM/HSDPA WM6 Smartphone in candybar design with built-in WiFi and GPS with SirfStar III chipset.

Key features:

Specifications

Fashion:

1. Nokia 8600 Luna:

There is no situation in which the Luna doesn’t look good. The combination of style and high-class materials make this phone and its owner stand out of the crowd …

Key features:

Specifications|Review

2. Nokia 7900 Prism:

The Prism phone is stylish and extravagant at the same time. Although the high-class feel, it is suitable for a large age-group of customers.

Key features:

Specifications|

Review

_Camera:

1. Nokia N95 US:

As it name says, the US-bound variant of the N95 can use 3G in the States, on the AT&T network, but also works worldwide as GSM. Its 5-megapixel camera is one of the best on the phone market but the overall functionality is also impressive.

Key features:

Specifications

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Review

2. Samsung G600:

The relatively slim slider has 5-megapixel camera that gives very good results. The interface is well optimized and the camcorder can take VGA videos. All this at a good price.

Key features:

Specifications

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Review

3. Sony Ericsson K850:

The new Cyber-shot branded cellphone is again the one with best flash, using powerful Xenon one. Shooting in the dark, it gives the best results for a phone. The designers have also made it to remind of a camera, by the way it is used.

Key features:

Specifications

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Review

Music:

* If you are looking for an unlocked music-targeted phone, you will not find many models suitable for the States. We would suggest you looking at the carriers’ page

Low Cost:

*Buying a SIM-unlocked phone isn’t really the way when you are on a budget. Most carriers offer “free” or sub-$50 phones when you sign a contract, so doing it is not a bad idea.

Business:

1. HTC TyTN II:

The successor of the TyTN upgrades it with built-in GPS and tilting display, which adjusts its angle for more comfortable usage. It is WM6 Professional smartphone and features global GSM/HSDPA, WiFi, GPS and QWERTY.

Key features:

Specifications|

Review

2. Eten X800:

Specifications

Fashion:

1. Nokia 8600 Luna:

There is no situation in which the Luna doesn’t look good. The combination of style and high-class materials make this phone and its owner stand out of the crowd …

Key features:

Specifications

|

Review

2. LG Prada:

Branded after the fashion-name Prada, the touch-phone by LG is definitely an interesting device. It draws attention with the glossy surface and the large touch-sensitive display, operated only by fingers.

Key features:

Specifications|Review

Camera:

1. Nokia N95 8GB:

The N95 8GB is an upgraded variant of the original device, coming with bigger display and lots of integrated memory for photos, music, etc. Being a N95, its camera quality is one of the best for a phone.

Key features:

Specifications

2. Samsung G600:

The relatively slim slider has 5-megapixel camera that gives very good results. The interface is well optimized and the camcorder can take VGA videos. All this at a good price.

Key features:

Specifications |Review

3. Sony Ericsson K850:

Specifications|Review

Music:

1. Nokia N81 8GB:

Equipped with 8GB of memory, powerful stereo speakers and 3.5mm jack (plus Stereo Bluetooth), the N81 is targeted as a combination of phone, music player and gaming-device. Running on Symbian, it has very good software for the player.

Key features:

Specifications|Review

2. Sony Ericsson W910:

The high-end slider of the brand is branded as Walkman and comes with the third version of this software music player. Its features include ShakeMe technology for switching the tracks, SenseMe and new flash multimedia menu.

Key features: