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Concise device advice

Contents

1. Features to ignore
2. Ultimate versatile
3. Midrange versatile
4. Still cameras
5. Video cameras
6. Gaming
7. Secure messaging
8. Social messaging
9. Strictly business
10. Creative thinkers & productivity workers
11. Rough and tumble
12. Mr. Sensible
13. Big and loud
14. Special needs
15. Accessories

You're not done yet!

1. Features to ignore

• 3D
  
  Whether it is on your TV or your mobile device, 3D is nothing but a useless unsociable gimmick - and sales of 3D equipped mobile devices (poor) and WOS agree. If 3D comes as standard with an otherwise well reviewed and specced device, by all means, take it and simply do not waste time with the 3D features. 3D will only be viable, social and useful when it is 'holographic', allowing the scene to be viewed from almost any angle. Such technology is already in the labs and won't remain the stuff of Science Fiction for too long.

2. Ultimate versatile

• Apple iPhone 4S*
• Fujitsu Arrows ES IS12F (Japan on NTT DoCoMo)
• Fujitsu Arrows F-07D (Japan on NTT DoCoMo)
  
  World's thinnest smartphone at 6.6mm but the spec is not as enticing as (for example), the almost as thin Motorola RAZR
• HTC Sensation XL (Europe) Amaze (US only)
• LG Optimus Black
• LG Optimus LTE (USA)
• LG Spectrum LTE (USA on Verizon)
• Motorola DROID RAZR XT910/XT912
  
  Extremely slick and professional, the new ultra-thin RAZR blends superb build quality and a high resolution Super AMOLED display with some innovative technology.
• Samsung Galaxy S II
• Samsung Galaxy Nexus
  First with Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich/ICS). The 5MP camera is the only real let down, so try before you buy.
• Samsung Galaxy Note (Stylus included)
  
  If you were a fan of the Psion or Palm Pilot devices of the past, this outstanding phone for the productive mind is for you. The Galaxy Note is coming soon to the USA as the SGH-I717 on AT&T.
• Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc S*
• Sony Xperia S (First 'Sony' branded phone)

The popular Samsung Galaxy SII
Jack of all trades, good at them all = Incredible success

3. Midrange versatile

• Apple iPhone 3GS (Huge app library)
  
  Buying a used version? Don't forget to check it has been upgraded to iOS 5.
• HTC Wildfire (Small and compact)
• Nokia Lumia 800*
• Samsung Galaxy Ace
  
  A capable affordable alternative to it's big brother, the Galaxy SII
• Sony Ericsson Xperia Mini* (Small & Cute)
• Sony Ericsson Xperia Ray (Thin)

4. Still cameras

Most high end phones now feature cameras that offer similar quality to yesterdays point and shoots, with the advantage you can share your shots with various social media and online photo services.

Alas, the most significant omission from most recent phones is the lack of a physical camera shutter release as standard. We have all fiddled around trying to take a photo using a touch screen. Fortunately, Apple iOS 5 allows the [+] volume button to operate the shutter on the iPhone, whilst Sony Ericsson and Nokia include a dedicated shutter release on most of their smart phones. All Windows Mobile phones include a shutter release button (thanks to Microsoft sensibly insisting on a minimum feature set), however we have yet to receive enough feedback to evaluate the image quality from specific Windows Mobile devices.

• Altek Leo (Features real 3X optical zoom lens)
  
  Review on Phone Arena
• Apple iPhone 4S* (8MP/1080P Video)
• Motorola RAZR XT910/XT912 (8MP/1080P Video)
• Nokia N8* (12MP/720P Video)
  
  Although offering what is widely regarded as the best phone camera ever, and in our opinion, superb build quality and design that shames most other devices, the N8 runs the Symbian OS now being phased out as Nokia focus on their Windows Mobile venture with Microsoft and low end Mr. Sensible handsets. All said, give the N8 a try because there is a lot of similarity between Symbian and Android and the included Nokia mapping is superb.
• Samsung Galaxy S II (8MP/1080P Video)
• Samsung Galaxy Note (8MP/1080P Video)
• Most high end Sony Ericsson Android handsets

5. Video cameras

• Panasonic Lumix GH2 + 14-140 zoom
• Canon 5D MkII

6. Gaming

• Apple iPhone 4
• Apple iPhone 4S
  
  The A5 chip delivers almost console quality graphics, exploited in full by Infinity Blade 1 & 2 from Epic Games.
• Apple iPod Touch 3rd & 4th generation
• HTC Sensation
• Nintendo DS
  
  The 3DS is not mentioned because we at FONEBOX.COM believe, whether it's on your TV or in your pocket, that '3D' is a gimmick. Only true 'holographic' 3D is going to offer a credible improvement over current state of the art 'flat' display technology, and WOS tends to agree.
• Samsung Galaxy SII
• Samsung Galaxy Note
• Sony Ericsson Xperia PLAY (Features built in tactile gaming controls)
  
  WOS reports that whilst well conceived and good for moderately complex games, the PLAY is not quite fast enough to offer an alternative to dedicated mobile gaming systems, but as always, try - play!, before you buy.
• Sony Vita (Dedicated gaming system with 3G connectivity too)
  
  What Sony does best, a superb example of precision industrial design encasing advanced technology that take portable gaming to the next level. Our only gripes, the tacky user interface and reliance on non standard storage media - no doubt to deter piracy.

Dislike touch screen gaming?
The Gametel Bluetooth Controller attaches to Android and iOS devices

7. Secure messaging

• Apple iPhone 3GS, 4, 4S or iPad (Using iMessage**)
• Blackberry Bold
• Motorola PRO+

8. Social messaging (for keyboard lovers)

• Blackberry Curve 9300 (affordable) or Torch (high end)
• LG DoublePlay (Innovative dual display)
• Motorola ME632
• Nokia Asha 303
Review on GSMArena
• Samsung Captivate Glide (USA)
• Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 Mini Pro

Buying a phone for the social component? Ensure it has a good flash equipped camera. The Blackberry Curve phones are not known for their cameras, so BB lovers may want to consider a Bold or Torch.

The Sony Ericsson Xperia Mini Pro
Cute and compact yet suprisingly powerful - with an excellent keyboard too, according to WOS

9. Strictly business

• Motorola Atrix
  Fingerprint (biometric) login
• Motorola DROID RAZR XT910/XT912
  Splash proof Kevlar case, Gorilla glass toughened Super AMOLED display. WOS: The only let down is the camera when compared to competitors, but it isn't that bad from the samples we have seen.

Not a toy. The slick new RAZR from Motorola tweaks Android to provide extra security and smart power management

10. Creative thinkers & productivity workers

• Samsung Galaxy Note (Engadget Review)
  Includes a stylus to use on it's stunningly huge 5.3" display. An amazing and inspiring phone - in fact, the Galaxy Note is the FONEBOX.COM device of 2011. WOS: The only minor downside is the positioning of the volume and power controls opposite each other meaning you sometimes accidentally press the wrong button. And like most phones, we wish the Note had a mechanical shutter release for the camera! To find out why manufacturers leave off such sought after features from otherwise brilliant devices, consult the FBI.

11. Rough and tumble

A Motorola DEFY successfully defending itself against a careless human
(Survives beer too!)

• Motorola DEFY+
Water resistant to 3 feet for up to 30 minutes. Shock and dust proof.
• Motorola DEFY+ JCB edition, extra toughened case (UK only)
• Motorola DEFY Mini (XT320 in China)
• Samsung Solid Immerse GT-B2710 or Solid Extreme GT-B2100
• Sony Ericsson Xperia active

12. Mr. Sensible

• LG a100
• Nokia 100
• Samsung E2121
  
  Excellent value and quite versatile for a basic phone. Good WOS feedback too.

13. Big and Loud

For those who require big chunky buttons and above average volume, there are several manufacturers who specialise in such phones, including Doro. FONEBOX.COM suggests looking out for the following features, taking into account that the needs of the user will change as they mature:

• Big number buttons
• A large clear display
• Seperate [Make] and [End] call buttons to retain familiarity with conventional landline handsets
• A charging dock
  
  Beyond elliminating the need to fiddle around looking for and connecting a charging cable, for those liable to forget where they put things, the dock provides a permanent point of reference if the phone is not on their person.
• Easy to operate volume controls
• If appropriate, quick dial buttons for frequent contacts and/or emergency services. Most Doro phones feature these.

The well conceived Emporia RL1 big button phone in its charging dock

• Emporia RL1 (Exclusive to Vodafone in the UK)
  Although the concept and usability is excellent, WOS reports poor battery life for the Emporia RL1, so we recommend it only if the owner will have access to the desk charger on a daily basis. WOS also reports no ability to select the incoming text message alert tone.
• Doro 610 flip phone
• Doro 332 + Charger Cradle 5646
• Got a larger budget? Why not dispense with (most) buttons and controls altogether? The Siri voice recognition on the iPhone 4S makes it intuitive to operate key functions of the phone, such as placing calls and searching, simply by touching an on screen button and speaking to the handset. For example: "Call Bobby" or "What is the capital of Lithuania?"

14. Special needs

• The Apple iPhone 4S

As Stevie Wonder himself said recently, not only is Siri proven to offer reliable voice control of key functions (within regional language limitations), but Apple have for a while integrated well thought out Accessibility options into their OS X and iOS System Preferences. Got an Apple device? Explore and you will be surprised what you can do to control your iOS (and OS X) machinery using enhanced control methods.

Created for you?
Apple's Siri voice control on iPhone 4S offers liberation from complex hands-on menu commands

15. Accessories

Bluetooth headsets

• Jabra Wave Mono Bluetooth Headset (Available from Carphone Warehouse in the UK or Amazon in the UK and USA)
  
  Easy to use, loud, well made, comfortable, reliable and features spoken status alerts. WOS does report however that although perfect for driving where the background sound is consistent (if you are on your own), the noise reduction will sometimes deaden your own voice if background noise is inconsistent, such as in a busy office. All said, most headsets with noise reduction suffer this problem.

The Jabra Wave Bluetooth Headset
Perfect for driving & other situations where the background noise is consistent

Corded (Stereo) headsets

• Jabra CHILL Stereo headset (Available from Three in the UK)
  
  Features hooks to help prevent the earpieces from falling out of your ears, microphone, music playback controls, plugs into iPhone 1G's recessed jack. WOS reports lack of bass, but ideal for day to day use and jogging.

Keyboards

• Apple Bluetooth keyboard
  
  Well built and nice to type on if you are happy with 'chicklet' keys, this works with all Bluetooth equipped Macs (such as the Mac Mini & iMac) and the iPad, but we have been unable to get the Apple Bluetooth keyboard to work with an iPhone or any Android handsets.
• Matias One Keyboard (Launched at CES 2012)
  
  A great idea - The One Keyboard can switch at the press of a button between your desktop machine and your iPhone. (At this stage we do not know if the Matias works with anything other than the iPhone.) Either way, there are 3 different models, one offering the ultra tactile (and sometimes noisy) feedback of retro PC keyboards from the 80s and 90s that some prefer typing on.

The Matias Keyboard One
Ideal for typing text messages without taking your hands off the keyboard!

Wearable wireless wonders

If you prefer not to keep fumbling for your handset, these connected wrist wearable devices are ideal. Using Bluetooth, they not only display incoming messages and social media updates, but allow control over your phone, including music playback and taking or rejecting calls. The new Motorola MOTOACTV doubles as a powerful fitness monitor.

Motorola MOTOACTV wrist wearable wireless fitness tracker
Also allows control over your Droid

You're not done yet!