Samsung Galaxy S

Samsung Galaxy S  (£430)

Pros : The Samsung Galaxy S is a feature-packed smartphone with a big 4-inch touchscreen display.  This uses capacitive technology (rather than the more basic resistive version) so allows you to pinch to zoom when online.  The web pages load quickly due to the HSDPA (3.5G) and wi-fi connections.
  This phone has a long lasting 1500mAh battery.  It also has a powerful 16GHz processor and runs on Google's Android operating system (version 2.1).  This means that it has customisable home screens and can access the Android Market where you can download different apps including Google Maps.  The Galaxy S can record HD video at 30 frames per second and has a large internal memory plus a memory card slot.

Cons : Sound quality on calls is poor, especially when there's loud background noise.  The 5Mp autofocus camera lacks a flash so it struggles in the dark.  The supplied headphones are disappointing, though you can connect your own.  Internet browsing drains the battery quickly and fully charging it again takes 4.5 hours.



Nokia N97 Mini

Nokia N97 Mini  (£340)

Pros : The N97 Mini is a slimmed-down, cheaper version of 2009's Nokia N97.  However, it's hardly 'mini' - this phone weighs an above average 138 g.  Much of the reason for this bulk is that the N97 Mini has a sliding Qwerty keyboard, which is great for writing longer texts and emails.
  The N97 is easy to use.  You can customise the home screen with live feeds from social networks such as Facebook and download applications from Nokia's Ovi store.  You can also access Ove Maps with free navigation.  The N97 Mini has an impressive 5Mp autofocus camera on the back.  You can save your favourite photos on the large (8GB) internal memory or by using the MicroSD card slot.  Web pages load quickly thanks to the HSDPA (3.5G) and wi-fi connections.

Cons : Sound quality could be better (you can improve this by using your own headphones rather than the ones supplied).  Internet use drains the battery quickly and the 3.2 inch, 640x360 pixel touchscreen is smaller than on other models.  It also uses cheaper resistive technology, so isn't as responsive to touch as the capacitive screen on the Nokia X6.



Nokia X6

Nokia X6    (£230)

Pros : The Nokia X6 is a high-end smartphone and the first one from Nokia with a capacitive touchscreen.  That makes it ultra responsive and means you can use your finger rather than a stylus.

  This phone is easy to use and the sound quality is also very good.  Web pages load quickly thanks to the HSDPA (3.5G) and wi-fi connections and battery life when browsing is pretty good.  The 5Mp autofocus camera, with Carl Zeiss optics and two LED lights, works well and theres room for all your photos on the large internal memory.

  The music player works well and is easy to operate but would recommend connecting your own headphones to improve the sound quality (easy to do using the 3.5mm socket).

Cons : The shutter delay is a problem unless you remember to pre-focus - not good for shooting fast moving images.  The 3.2 inch, 640 x 360 pixel touchscreen is smaller, and the 434 MHz processor is less powerful than the versions on comparatable models.  This model also has a fairly short battery life on calls so needs regular recharging.

Smartphones

Apple iPhone 3GS

Apple iPhone 3GS   £363 (8GB) / £440 (16GB) / £538 (32GB)

Pros : For such an advanced device (basically a mini computer), the iPhone 3GS is incredibly simple to use.  Moving through the menu system is effortless, while the virtual keyboard makes it simple to write texts and even long emails.  The sound quality of calls are very good, even with loud background noise, and the battery is better than its rivals.  Email is easy to set up and use.  Web pages look great on the 3.5inch display and are simple to navigate.  Download speeds are good thanks to the HSDPA (3.5G) and wi-fi connections.

  The music player - basically an ipod - is good.  Sound quality through the headphones is better than most other smartphones.

Cons : The Mp3 camera is very basic.  Image quality is very poor and the lack of a flash means it really struggles in low light.  The phone can't play Flash content, such as some online animation, games and videos.  Not a lot of negatives for the iPhone 3GS but everyone has their own idea of what their looking for in a phone, I'm just trying to help!!

Ideas for Christmas