Our opinion and our opinion only. But then we do get to play with a lot of smartphones and know a thing or two about these devices. This list below is our “gun to the head/heading to a deserted island, give me 5 smartphones you will swear by” list. You will not go wrong with any of these devices. If you do not have one of these devices yet, consider upgrading - as this is the best time to get a great device without worrying about what's coming next.
Our criteria for choosing: Design, size, weight, features, user interface (ease of use), Operating system, ease of setup, value for money, availability of "peripherals", availability of apps.
Without further ado, [DRUM ROLL] here is our top-five list:
Apple iPhone 3GS (AT&T)
No surprises here, but this number 1 spot is only for the 3GS version. The previous 2 versions of the iPhone would still be up on our list, but not at the number 1 position. The things they did with the 3GS (video capability, data speeds, stereo Bluetooth and 32GB memory) make it a great great (that's right – 2 greats) smartphone.
We Like: User Interface(UI), Apps store, stereo Bluetooth, built-in memory size, music/video/data transfer ease
What we like to see: Expandable memory slot, availability of alternate service providers with even better data coverage networks (AT&T is OK, but c'mon!), easier business email setup, physical keyboard, better battery life, common connector (mini or micro USB)Blackberry Curve (AT&T, Sprint, Verizon)
RIM has a winner on their hands with the Curve. The Curve has been at the top of the mobile mountain for a while now. Although we are not sure if the price of such a good smartphone should be dragged through the mud ($19.99 in some places??), but as consumers in a tough economy, we cannot complain. One word of caution (which is actually upside potential!) - this device is suddenly very affordable and being adopted by the masses (a good thing), but do not buy it because your neighbor has one, get it because it can actually do a bunch of stuff & improve your mobile life. We will explain what we mean in our next blog - Our fav features & uses of Smartphones!
We Like: Form factor, QWERTY keyboard, User Interface (UI), expandable memory, stereo Bluetooth, ease of business email setup
What we like to see: Apps store get better (making us use Paypal to pay for apps????), Screen quality improvePalm Pre (Sprint)
We are not sure if this device is the first of many cool devices to come from Palm or the last one. Either way, Palm has a winner on their hands with this one. Now if they could only manufacture enough to satisfy the demand. The Palm Pre is all about the Web OS and the user interface. Its size & shape is nice, but if you are looking for a “cool looking” smartphone, look someplace else. If Palm wants to compete in the smartphone space, they have the OS and the UI, now all they need is to work on the hardware. Actually, RIM should just buy Palm and we may have the makings of a good smartphone (we can hope, right?).
We Like: OS OS OS and UI UI UI, Consolidated Inbox/contacts/calendar for business and personal email accounts, multiple applications updating simultaneously, stereo bluetooth, touchstone wireless charging
What we like to see: Apps (Palm - where is that SDK?), external memory card slot, better keyboard and hardware that does not look cheap
Blackberry Bold/Tour (AT&T, Verizon, Sprint)
We are putting the Bold (GSM) and the 2 Tours (CDMA) at the same level, your carrier choice decides which one you decide to buy. These Blackberries have new display screens, new icons and a newer design.
We Like: Design, Screen, Size, great QWERTY keyboard, stereo bluetooth, “world” phone (all-band CDMA & GSM, so can be used abroad), external memory card slot
What we like to see: Apps store get better, possibly a larger screen - made possible by slider designBlackberry Pearl ( AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, T-Mobile)
The Pearl is a favorite, perfect for those who want a slim form factor to make calls but all the features of a smartphone. The James Bond smartphone before the iPhone ever made an impact in our world! The Suretype takes some getting used to, but once you get the hang of it, we could type as fast on it as on a qwerty keyboard.
We Like: Slim form factor, Size, Weight, stereo bluetooth, expandable memory slot
What we like to see: A next-gen Pearl, maybe a slider this time. Why would RIM not make a Pearl II available with all carriers.
We know that there are no HTC, Win-Mo or Android smartphones on our list. What we have seen so far do not live up to our expectations. The Win-Mo smartphones, for lack of a better word, SUCK. The Android smartphones in the market currently are full of bugs and “gimicky”, perfect for those who want to get a head start developing apps or those who just like to show their friends that they have the latest device.
If you think you have a suggestion that is better than what is on our list, we would love to hear from you. You may even convince us to change our ranking.
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