Over 700,000 Apple iPhones have already been sold State side in less than 7 days with numbers continuing to rise, but Apple lovers in the UK will have to wait until September before they can get their hands on the new Apple iPhone.
Is it worth the wait? And more importantly is the $600 (£300) device worth the cost?
There are hundreds of smart phones for sale, but which one should you part with your cash for? We review the Top 5 Apple iPhone Alternatives.
5 – The LG Prada
The LG Prada looks fantastic and will definitely turn heads. Unlike other LG handsets such as the LG Chocolate, this handset actually works. The 240x400 pixel touch screen interface is simple and easy to navigate; not having a keypad isn’t a disadvantage. Unlike PDAs, you don’t need a stylus, something that’s easily lost.
The LG Prada also includes a 2 mega-pixel camera with an inbuilt flash, FM Radio and MP3 Music Player.
The LCD Screen is bright and responsive, with only two ‘real’ keys on the handset.
3G is also supported unlike the Apple iPhone, so accessing the Internet and email is fast.
The SIM Free Cost for the LG Prada is £350.
4 – The Nokia n95
The Nokia n95 brings together a whole range of applications and uses. The large 240x320 pixel TFT display is fantastic when viewing photographs taken with the 5 mega-pixel camera.
The In-Built GPS is an added advantage, allowing you to easily navigate to your destination.
The Nokia n95 has a hidden keypad that slides out of the bottom of the handset. Sliding from the top are quick access keys to the multimedia applications such as the music player. The headphones connect via the standard 2.5mm jack allowing you to use a headset of your choice.
Running on the Symbian Operating System, additional applications can be easily installed on to microSD cards.
The SIM Free Cost for the Nokia n95 : http://www.devicewire.co.uk/Nokia-N95
3 – The HTC Touch
Using HTC’s own TouchFLO application, the HTC Touch was the worlds first real interactive touch screen handset.
Running on Windows Mobile 6.0 has the added advantage of being able to open Microsoft Office documents, such as Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint sent to you via email.
The HTC Touch has an inbuilt 2 mega-pixel camera. Although there is no 3G support, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi are built in.
The MP3 application can easily rival the iPod and with microSD Card support, storage space isn’t an issue.
The SIM Free Cost for the HTC Touch : http://www.devicewire.co.uk/HTC-TOUCH-P3450
2 - Sony Ericsson W960 Walkman
The Sony Ericsson W960 Walkman phone has a massive 8GB of storage space.
Connectivity options such as 3G, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and GPRS support come as standard, allowing Internet and email access wherever you are.
For the gadget fan, the Sony Ericsson W960 uses ‘shake control’ to select your next music track. A quick flick forward move to the next track, a shake shuffles the music selection. The same ‘shake control’ can be used to operate games in much the same way as the Nintendo Wii games console.
The 3.2 mega-pixel camera includes auto focusing. Battery life is a massive 27 hours whilst listening to music.
The Sony Ericsson W960 uses the Symbian/UIQ smartphone operating system. Included in the box are a Bluetooth Stereo headset and a portable hands free kit.
The only reason this isn’t in position 1, is the lack of availability. Not due out until late 2007.
The SIM Free Cost for the Sony Ericsson W960 is yet to be announced.
1 - HTC S710
The HTC S710 is the only device in our list that includes a full slide-out QWERTY Keyboard.
Powered by Windows Mobile 6.0 and supporting Push Email, the HTC S710’s connectivity options include Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Quad-Band GSM and Edge support.
Quality photographs can be taken with the 2 mega-pixel camera and displayed on the 2.4” screen, transferred to your PC or sent via email.
The 128MB of storage space isn’t that great but with support for microSD cards it’s not an issue.
Microsoft Windows Live is also included allowing you to keep up to date with your contacts.
Support for AAC, WMA, WMV, MP3 and ASF music files can be listened to using the included Stereo headset.
The SIM Free Cost for the HTC S710 : http://www.devicewire.co.uk/HTC-S710-Vox
As you can see Apple are not the only ones producing multi-media handsets and other manufactures have been doing it for some time and in truth, produce a more rounded device.
However, that’s not to say the Apple iPhone won’t be a huge success in the UK, but it will pay to have a look at the alternatives and not follow the Apple hype.