Battle of the cellphones

I have had this specific e-mail folder bursting with requests from readers for an article that would provide them information on current cellphone models. Apparently, most of the new handset features being advertised and bragged about by manufacturers these days, sounded Greek to an ordinary lay person. I mean, how many people really know what MMS, J2ME, GPRS and such are all about and if they are truly worth having in your new cellphone? As such, making a decision on what handset to purchase, whether as an upgrade, first-time purchase or even as back-up unit, has now proved to be more of a challenge than a walk in the mall.

Like I have mentioned in numerous articles, I am too much of a practical person to go paying for a stuff that I do not need. Likewise with cellphones, it proves too costly to go for a feature-rich model since this immediately translates into a higher retail price and a major waste, most especially if all you do is make voice calls. Also, do keep in mind that a cellphone is an item that depreciates rather quickly and is continuously exposed to all types of negative elements. Thus, I recommend that you do a number of simple things before making that investment. Firstly, make a list of your personal must-have requirements for a handset. If you’re a businessman, maybe the unit’s size and battery life are the most critical factors. Secondly, inspect your personal lifestyle to determine which unit may be most suitable for you. Let us say, an outdoorsman would require a more durable unit as compared to an accountant. Thirdly, come up with a budget and stick with it. Lastly, do some research on the varied features new cellphones come equipped with and be honest about your needs. A cellphone that is JAVA-enabled allows you to download new applications like games and such to your handset. An MMS cellphone is designed to enrich your SMS communication by allowing you to attach images, sound clips and text. GPRS gives your handset a fast and active connection to Internet-based information, and Bluetooth capabilities allow wireless connectivity to your PC and laptop. I can keep going on and on about the vast array of other features being offered to fit your needs but you will have to conduct your own research. Check more thoroughly the handset manufacturers’ websites such as www.nokia.com, www.sony-ericsson.com and others, to get more detailed explanations.

Loyal to the steps I mentioned above, I found it just practical to upgrade to my current Nokia 7650. It’s the handset with the integrated digital camera, MMS service, full color display, info management system, GPRS and more. It serves my purpose exactly since I now have no need to carry my Palm organizer and camera. It is a great convergence device to carry around that is not as huge as a brick. The only drawback so far, it now takes me twice as much steps to type a text and my battery barely lasts me a day – the price you have to pay for a very feature-rich model with a color screen. Another interesting Nokia model is the 6610, a favorite of mine, aimed at the business user. It has all the features of the 7650, except for the digital cam, but it is a tri-band GSM unit and weighs in at a mere 83g. It retails in Hong Kong, I heard, for about P22,000. The Nokia 7210 model has all the features of the 6610 but is aimed at the more fashionable user with its new radical keypad layout, daring phone design concept and Xpress-on color covers. The 3510 model has colorful Xpress-on covers available too, with a clear keymat that allows light to emanate and flash from it. Geared toward the younger user, this entry level MMS, GPRS and polyphonic sound-enabled handset has a four-way scroll bar for more gaming maneuverability. This unit retails for P10,000 locally.

For the Siemens line of handsets, I like the M50. It’s a fun looking phone that comes in blue or orange, but provides every useful feature a modern mobile phone can offer. The most important ones like GPRS, JAVA, Enhanced Messaging Service (EMS), Group SMS and "magic buttons" that allow you quick access to game and mobile portals, are great. The A50 model, a stripped-down version of the former, is a reasonably priced unit that still boasts of EMS, JAVA and WAP functionalities that will surely entertain its prospective owner. Designed for younger users, it carries options like the fashionable CLIPit covers, calling faces feature and an MP3 player USB add-on.

Philips, which is another handset player to look out for, recently launched its Fisio 820 model. This stylish 85g unit is a true feature-packed, pocket-sized phone. It has a large 256-color display that can show nine lines of text while matched with fast GPRS and Bluetooth functionalities. A businessman will find practical its unique 40 voice commands that allow dialing, recording, reminders and even access to the Internet. The team-up of giants Sony and Ericsson has created a joint venture company rightfully called Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications. Created to focus on handset manufacturing and mobile software aggregation, this team-up was envisioned to leverage on each other’s assets. Its initial enhanced T68 release, the T68i, was an example of how joint innovation can produce a trend-setting product. The T68i’s bright, easy-to-view, five-line, 256-color screen allows the pleasurable viewing of MMS pictures and screensavers. Packed with GPRS, EMS, Bluetooth and IR features, it will make any new owner delighted to know that its battery life of one-week standby time is enough to make extended usage of its features something to relish. I wish I could say that of my Nokia 7650 too. Launching soon to compete with my 7650 is the P800 model. The unit wields a CommuniCam that allows the capture of pictures with its built-in camera and stores them in its internal 200-image album. It offers an amazing 16MB of memory with a slot for a memory stick. Its personal information management feature is like having an office in your pocket with its e-mail, calendar, contacts, to do list, document viewers, Web browser and more. The cool VGA touch screen is capable too of high-quality mobile imaging in living color. Of course, the standards for handsets of this caliber are GPRS, JAVA, Bluetooth and tri-band GSM support.

Well, it looks like it’s going to be very difficult shopping for the wireless consumer, with all these features that may leave you either salivating or stumped. Due to space constraints, my apologies for the limited brands and models mentioned. One last input, shop smart, my friends.

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Patrick R. Garcia is managing director of Bidshot Wireless Services. For comments or suggestions, text your message to 233011(Globe) or 243011(Smart), or e-mail [email protected].