5 Best Smartphones to Consider

by DoItYourself Staff

The current must-have productivity tool in business is the smartphone. New models appear on the market every day, but which one is the best? A survey of several technology experts revealed a consensus of opinions. The following 5 models are considered the best on the market.

1. Apple IPhone

This has been called "simply the best smartphone you can buy". With an easy user interface, a wide variety of applications available and in development plus easy Internet access, both the iPhone 3G and the 3GS are popular favorites. The 3GS makes many advances over its predecessor, including more memory, faster processing speed, extended battery life and more features. Given the popularity of application development for the iPhone, choices are wide and growing. The interface on both models is simple and intuitive. Specs to follow are for the 3GS model.

Talk-time is up to 12 hours
Standby time is 300 hours
Camera is 3 megapixels with autofocus
Offered by AT&T

2. Blackberry Bold 9700

This Blackberry model is the first Blackberry available on the T-Mobile network, and this is cause for celebration for may T-Mobile customers. The design is sleeker-smaller and lighter in the hand-than previous models, and the display is brilliant. Offering Wi-Fi with UMA support, Bluetooth and GPS, this smartphone is also 3G capable. The downside for this smartphone is its web browser, considered less functional than the competition.

Talk-time is 4.5 hours
Standby time is 324 hours
Camera is 2.0 megapixels with autofocus
Offered by T-Mobile

3. Motorola Droid

Featuring the benefits of Google Android 2.0, the Droid is large with an excellent display, very long battery life and good call quality. This is likely the smartphone model that will offer the iPhone its greatest competition. One factor is its QWERTY keyboard, which the iPhone lacks. Color and resolution on the touchscreen are rich. The one down side is the larger size necessary to offer such a large display.

Talk-time is 7 hours
Standby time is 450 hours
Camera is 5.0 megapixels with autofocus
Offered by Verizon Wireless

4. HTC Touch Pro2

When the QWERTY keyboard is a factor, the Touch Pro2 is a winner with an easy-to-use keyboard and a sharp and roomy touch screen. Offering 3G support, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and GPS, this smartphone is also a great choice for business users with conference call management tools and excellent call quality. The Touch Pro2 is also on the larger side, providing easy text viewing.

Talk-time is 8.5 hours
Standby time is 750 hours
Camera is 3.2 megapixels
Offered by T-Mobile

5. Palm Pre

If you need to multitask, the Palm Pre may be your best choice. Outstanding multitasking capabilities are combined with an unparalleled notification system. Another choice offering 3G support, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and GPS, the Palm Pre has an easy Web Browser and a vibrant display.

Many consider the Operating System on the palm Pre, webOS, to be the best available. Unfortunately the Palm Pre has fewer applications available than some of its competition.