MOBILE PHONES

The Top 10 Mobile Phone Masterpieces Of 2008It is the year of the Android, the year of 3G. In 2008, Google’s Android OS was introduced in the T-Mobile G1, and Apple led the market into 3G connectivity with their second gen iPhone. It was these two and many more that comprise the 10 best mobile phones of 2008. Find out who tops the list — and who got snubbed — starting below…

Honorable Mention - Sony Ericsson Xperia X1

The Sony Ericsson Xperia X1 didn’t make this final list, but that wasn’t determined until considerable time was spent mulling over the options. The device offers a really cool “Panel� display that’s easily customizable, and the devices sliding mechanism is top notch, however the unit was slightly bulky, and the processor speed was appalling. If you’re a light weight user and its your first device you probably won’t notice the issues it presents, but seasoned users beware.

Number 10 – Palm Treo Pro 

The Palm Mobile OS has pretty much fallen off the face of the earth– yet the Windows Mobile age for Palm has begun with the Treo Pro. The Pro features Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional with touch screen compatibility, while also offering Quad-Band GSM with Tri-Band UMTS/HSDPA abilities. If worldwide cellular frequencies isn’t enough for you, there’s also the device’s included WiFi capabilities and a MicroSDHC card slot that supports up to 32GB memory cards. Toss in Built-In GPS and Bluetooth 2.0 with A2DP along with a 3.5mm headphone jack and its easy to find this device’s appeal. The Palm Treo Pro would have ranked higher, unfortunately its’ meager 2MP camera and mid-grade 400mhz processor left something to be desired. Overall, however, the Treo Pro is a great device and definitely a step up for Palm.

Number 9 – Nokia N97

The sheer number of “conveniencesâ€� found on the Nokia N97 was enough for this Quad-Band GSM device to make our list. The N97 features a 3.5 inch touch screen display that can output up to 16 million colors while taking advantage of an auto-rotating screen thanks to the unit’s built in accelerometer. Nokia also through in a built-in GPS sensor and a 5MP camera with Carl Zeiss optics, flash and auto focus. If those specs don’t impress you, how about throwing in a sliding qwerty keyboard, WiFi connectivity and up to 48GB of memory, with 32GB base? The Nokia N97 is definitely one of the most powerful, globally accepted devices to hit the market in 2008.

Number 8 - Sony Ericsson F305i

The Sony Ericsson F305i was designed with one main theme in mind: Mobile Gaming. We’re not talking block breaker or solitaire, rather an option that provides Nintendo Wii like motion gaming experiences, and I have to admit it achieved just that. Using an advanced form of Accelerometer technology, the F305i allows users to bowl, fish, play football, and partake in a host of other games while flinging their mobile phone around in a frenzy. The phone even comes standard with several games including: Bowling, Bass fishing and Jockey. The F305i has also added to the overall gaming experience by adding stereo speakers for a more rich multimedia experience. While mobile gaming is done to near perfect, the device does have some issues– for instance, the 2-inch screen is hardly big enough to really take advantage of full-on gaming experiences when fast action is involved, and the Memory Stick Micro card slot is not as fast or capacity capable as MicroSD card slots. The unit also features a less than impressive 2MP camera. Even with a few hiccups along the way the F305i was able to prove that even Mobile gaming could be taken to a new level. With 2D and 3D gaming available on demand the F305i, its definitely worth a mention in the least

Number 7 - Blackberry Bold

The Bold is by far one of the fastest devices of 2008. This Quad-Band GSM device with 3G data also features an ultra fast 624mhz processor, allowing the unit to speed along faster than almost any device I’ve encountered. The fun doesn’t stop there, the Bold also features a MicroSDHC card slot that can support up to 32GB alongside WiFi connectivity for added data use. Throw in 1GB of on-board storage and a competent media player for pictures, videos and music and its easy to see the appeal on this surprisingly sleek Research In Motion device. I also didn’t mind the Integrated GPS abilities and a very crisp screen resolution of 480 x 320 pixels. But alas, just like many of the devices listed thus far the unit features a boring 2MP camera, however it does at least offer flash capabilities and 5X zoom abilities. The PROS definitely outweigh the CONS when it comes to the Blackberry Bold, if it wasn’t for the Blackberry Storm this would by far be the best Blackberry device to date.

Number 6 - HTC Touch Diamond

The Touch Diamond definitely wins points for its unique design. Just like the device’s name, the backside of this HTC device features a unique diamond layout that still manages to fit easily in the palm of your hand. The Touch Diamond was also the first device to feature TouchFlo 3D technology, a vast improvement over the original TouchFlo setup. This Quad-Band GSM device with 3G data and WiFi connectivity is a great option for any type of use. Equipped with Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional and a very nice 2.8 inch VGA screen, the Touch Diamond is definitely worth every cent you’ll pay for it, especially when you factor in the built-in GPS. On the flipside, while the unit features 4GB of internal memory, HTC decided to exclude a MicroSD card slot. Beyond that strange blunder the HTC Touch Diamond is one of the best looking and most practical Windows Mobile devices currently available on the market.

Number 5 - Nokia 5800 XpressMusic

Sure the Nokia 5800 XpressMusic has only been out for about a week at the time of this article, and its largely untested, but being the first Symbian S60 device to feature a touch screen is a huge leap for the Symbian platform and for that matter Nokia. The 5800 XpressMusic also features a Quad-Band GSM chipset with 3G data access (not available in the U.S. yet) and WiFi data connectivity. The use of Assisted GPS (AGPS) and a 3.2 mega pixel camera with dual LED flash, auto focus and Carl Zeiss Optics didn’t hurt this units rating either.

Number 4 - iPhone 3G

In sheer sales numbers the iPhone 3G speaks for itself. However the device’s real appeal comes from the addition of 3G data speeds, a longer battery life than the original iPhone and improved call reception. On the other hand the 3G ranked at number 4 because it offers very little else in terms of “newâ€� use. The interface is almost identical to the original release, the design is actually more bulky and requires its own docking stations and other accessories to work, and the battery can still only be replaced by sending your device into Apple. Not to mention unlocking the device is more difficult than the original. Is it an improvement over the original? Sure it is, but its not enough to help convince me that the iPhone series of device will remain atop the mobile market in the future.

Number 3 - Blackberry Storm

This Blackberry is the first RIM device to feature a touch screen– and that screen has made a big splash thanks to its’ haptic feedback. This technology allows users to feel like they’re actually touching a keyboard when they type on the device’s large 3.25 inch display. The Storm’s included accelerometer quickly allows for the device’s screen to change from normal to landscape modes by simply turning the device on its side. The Storm also features Quad-Band GSM calling abilities, while a CDMA version for Verizon Wireless is also available. In either case both devices ship with 3G data connectivity for high speed data use. The Storm is also super fast thanks to the devices 624mhz processor, while adding Assisted GPS, a 3.2 mega pixel camera with Auto Focus and a MicroSDHC card slot keeps the device moving along at break neck speeds.

Number 2 - T-Mobile G1

Considering a little company called Google helped design this devices operating system and HTC helped manufacturer the systems build, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that the T-Mobile G1 made the Top 10. With a very nice sliding qwerty keyboard, Quad-Band GSM capabilities and 3G data access, plus WiFi, the G1 was definitely built for worldwide use. The unit’s built-in GPS and MicroSDHC card slot capabilities don’t hurt its placement here either. Sure the camera is only 3.2 mega-pixels, but it can scan barcodes like a Socket device and it offers fairly crisp pictures thanks to the devices auto focus feature. Throw in Always On Data connectivity and you have a device that may have ranked higher if not for several small Google Android glitches that still need to be worked out

Number 1 - HTC Touch Pro

If you gave the Touch Diamond a bunch of steroids and released it into the world, you’d have the HTC Touch Pro. The design will be familiar to Touch Diamond users with a few welcomed additions, for instance the device features a sliding qwerty keyboard for text and emailing, while the Quad-Band GSM and worldwide 3G connections make placing calls and using data unbelievably simple. Unlike the Touch Diamond this device also features MicroSDHC card support with an ultra fast 528mhz processor that makes using applications extremely simple. Then there’s the Pocket PC’s very competent built-in GPS receiver with Sirf III GPS chipset standard and Assisted GPS included. I also love this device’s 3.15MP camera that allows for fairly crisp pictures with auto focus, video recording and flash features. Throw in a TV out port and WiFi abilities and its easy to see how this TouchFlo 3D-based device with Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional and a 2.8 inch VGA screen can top the best of 2008 list.

Thanks for reading, GearCravers, Diggers, Stumblers and otherwise! Do you agree with our rankings? Is there a phone you would have included that we did not? Weigh in below in the comments. In the mean time, be sure to share this with your friends, and vote this up on your favorite social media website. Thanks for reading!