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Smartphones are essentially mobile phones that can do a lot more than send texts and make calls. They are increasingly popular because you get both phone and PDA functions in a single device.

There are two key types of smartphones – those that look roughly like slightly bigger mobile phones and those that are essentially PDAs with voice functionality (Blackberry, Palm, Nokia, etc).

We will look primarily at the mobile phone smartphones. They usually boast small colour screens and allow you to send email, access the Internet, run third-party applications, use instant messaging software and sort out your calendar and contacts. Even better, all of this information can be synchronised with your PC or laptop and some even allow you to store and play mp3s, take photos and shoot video.

There are two main operating systems in use: Symbian and Microsoft’s Windows Mobile 2003, the latter with a new version due. Symbian controls the lion’s share of the market at the moment and its key partner, Nokia, ships over 50 per cent of
all smartphones. These smartphones are general-purpose devices and suitable for all the above tasks in moderation.

If you are a heavy email user or plan to work on documents on the move, then consider a PDA-style smartphone with a keypad.

Recommended Smartphones:

O2 Xda Mini
A compact, well-featured PDA, but we’d love to see a Symbian version
Read review >
Podcast >

Motorola A780
Combines a mobile phone, PDA and satellite navigation in one easy to use smartphone
Read review >

T-Mobile MDA Pro
A well-designed smartphone that’s absolutely loaded with features
Read review >
Check prices >

Sony Ericsson P910i
The Symbian-powered P9101 has heaps of features and impressed us a great deal
Check prices >

Sony Ericsson D750i
It’s no substitute for a digicam, but this 2megapixel camera phone is packed with features
Read review >
Check prices >

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See also:

Buyers' Guide: Notebooks

We guide you through the things to consider when buying a notebook  15 Feb 2006

Buyers' Guide: Desktop PCs

There's a lot to consider when buying a desktop PC, but don't despair - PCW is here to guide you through the key decisions  15 Feb 2006

Buyers Guide: Digital Cameras

Deciding which digital camera best suits your needs can be a nightmare. How many megapixels and what zoom should you go for? Fear not, PCW is here to help  15 Feb 2006

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