HTC has produced smartphones using both the Windows Mobile and Google Android operating platforms. The latest handsets continue to offer advancements and HTC will be hoping that it can turn the brand from an alternative choice into a mainstream option.

HTC Touch2

Utilising the power of the Windows 6.5 Professional operating system, the Touch2 is a smartphone that is aiming high. The Touch2 uses a resistive touch screen technology which requires more pressure than other examples for a keystroke to register. However, HTC have been able to tame the somewhat unruly Windows software to make using the Touch2 a lot simpler to use than previous incarnations of the series. This extends to innovative use of the onscreen keyboard and the inclusion of a touch sensitive panel which you can use to zoom in on web pages and text. The Touch2 even comes with access to Microsoft’s own application shop which will one day be packed with useful software but for the time being will remain relatively barren until compatible device popularity improves.

HTC Tattoo

The Tattoo uses the Android operating system and as such has a customisable home screen with plenty of useful widgets which you can place and use as you wish. You can also visit the Android marketplace to download more applications and widgets to make the Tattoo work harder. The Tattoo has a built in compass which will help you to find your way wherever you are and this function is sure to be utilised in applications produced over the coming months. With a 2.8 inch screen the Tattoo is not the largest of smartphones but it is improved by its stylish curved design and decent set of features.

HTC Hero

The Hero is one of the few HTC handsets to benefit from a multi-touch sensitive screen which allow you to use more than one finger to zoom and perform other essential functions without having to access a separate menu system. The screen itself is conveniently veneered in an anti-smudge coating to keep it looking its best at all times and HTC have finally been able to get the most out of the Android operating system. The whole package is topped off with a 5 megapixel camera as well as all the usual connectivity options you would expect from a smartphone of this calibre, including GPS and Wi-Fi.

HTC Touch Pro 2

The Touch Pro 2 is a powerful pocket PC in the guise of a mobile phone. It is a hefty item, with a 3.6 inch touch screen as well as a full QWERTY keypad housed beneath. The screen slides out and upwards at an angle so that you can rest the phone on a flat surface such as a desk whilst you type an email or watch a video. The Touch Pro 2 will be able to handle virtually any audio or video file you can throw at it, although it would have been nice if HTC had included a few GB of built in storage space rather than making you purchase yet another micro SD card.

HTC Snap

This smartphone is aimed firmly at the business user with its full QWERTY keypad and brightly lit LCD screen. The Snap uses Microsoft’s Windows Mobile operating system and there is support for a wide range of file types, whether it is media or documents that you wish to access, as well as good web browsing software and fast internet connectivity thanks to 3G and Wi-Fi. The 2 megapixel camera is unremarkable and the design lacks the creative spark exhibited by other HTC handsets. However, in terms of usability and organisational skills the Snap is one to watch.

HTC Magic

The Magic represents the second link in the evolutionary chain in the implementation of Google Android. There have been many favourable reviews of the Magic since its release and as an all-rounder in the crowded smartphone market it performs well without ever really excelling. The 3.2 inch touch screen is relatively painless to use and works nicely with the Android interface. There are plenty of widgets which you can use to enhance your day to day activities and the multimedia playback of music and video files is performed flawlessly. The camera lacks a flash and at 3.2 megapixels is hardly earth-shattering, but the main functions of the Magic are all adequate for its price range.

HTC S740

The S740 is a slight oddity in the smartphone market as it features both an alphanumeric keypad as well as a QWERTY keypad that is accessed once more by sliding the screen sideways. It has built in sat nav and Wi-Fi as well as high speed 3G and HSDPA mobile network connectivity. The minimalist black design is also a notable feature, though the glossy surface of the phone can quickly collect fingerprints and dirt.

Many anticipate the latest releases from South Korean manufacturer LG with justifiable excitement. Their latest mobile phones offer some subtle innovations and some wildly outlandish developments which may shape the mobile phone market of the future.

LG GM750

The GM750 is a mid ranged touch screen smartphone that uses the Windows 6.5 mobile operating platform. That means there are plenty of applications and connectivity options packed into what is a fairly unremarkable looking phone. On top of 3G and Bluetooth connectivity you can also connect to wireless networks to access the internet and download files. Up to 16GB of storage space can be added, although it would have been nice for a heftier built in memory capacity to have been included. The 5 megapixel camera continues to reinforce LGs reputation as a producer of quality camera phones.

LG GW300

The GW300 is a slight departure for LG as a phone that is obsessed with text messaging and emailing more than any other function. It has a full QWERTY keypad and unlike most other new LG handsets has no touch screen or high megapixel camera. The GW300 is designed to appeal to the younger audience and its low price and colourful detailing reflect this fact.

LG GB220

Considering the low cost of this phone there is no lack of functionality. There is a 1.3 megapixel camera and built in mp3 playing software and the clamshell design is available in either pink or silver. This GB220 phone is aimed at the pay as you go market, but despite its budget technology there is nothing to suggest that this is anything other than a quality product for the price.

LG BL40 Chocolate

The BL40 Chocolate is the world’s first fully cinematic phone. This means that the aspect ratio of the display is the same as that in which most motion pictures are shot. This allows you to watch feature films in all their glory without any black bars or image cropping taking place. The BL40 Chocolate is also a touch screen smartphone with all of the associated connectivity and a 5 megapixel camera to boot. The interface is slightly confusing at times and offers too many ways in which to get the same thing done, but overall the widescreen lends itself well to the packed menus of the BL40 Chocolate. In addition this is one of the most attractive and striking phones that has ever been produced thanks to its monolithic, black design.

LG GB102

The GB102 is one of the cheapest phones on the market that still has a colour screen and polyphonic ringtones. It lacks all but the most basic capabilities, but if you want a cheap replacement handset or are not interested in doing anything but making calls and sending texts then the GB102 should be adequate if little more.

LG GT500

The GT500 is the natural successor to the older mid-ranged touch screen phone the LG Cookie. It offers a lot more in terms of connectivity, thanks to Wi-Fi and built in GPS satellite navigation capabilities and also has a 5 megapixel camera which sadly lacks the Xenon flash of other LG models. The GT500 benefits from being extremely thin despite the large 3 inch touch screen display and all of the functions packed into its shell. The black design is simple and subtle, but it is not as well designed as some of its rivals.

LG GT505

The GT505 is to all intents and purposes the same phone as the GT500, except branded for use on the Orange network as opposed to T-Mobile. The GT505 has a slightly better housing with rounded edges and it is the GPS capabilities and built in mapping software which makes it stand out from the crowd. Although the GT505 is not a market leader it is attempting to bring some high end smartphone functionality down in price, making it available to the masses.

LG GW520

This is a messaging and 3G internet phone that has social networking capabilities to commend it. It has a touch screen interface as well as a QWERTY keypad which is hidden beneath the screen for use when writing longer messages. The keys themselves are relatively small compared to other phones of this type, which means that younger users with smaller fingers will be able to get the most out of the GW520. Social networking updates can be accessed live via the GW520 so keeping tabs on what is occurring in your online world is easy. There is also a decent 3 megapixel camera but the lack of software features that could have made this a more useful asset will put some off.

Motorola has always produced some of the most stylish handsets on the market, but their functionality has often lagged slightly behind the competition. With its newer handsets, Motorola is attempting in some cases to even the odds in both form and function, with varying degrees of success.

Motorola Dext

The Dext is the first Motorola handset to utilise Google’s Android mobile operating platform and it is a touch screen smartphone that will be competing against some highly accomplished rivals. It features a 3.1 inch touch sensitive screen, which like the T-Mobile G1 and the Nokia N97 can be slid upwards to reveal a full QWERTY keypad beneath. This dual interface is designed to make sure that touch screen sceptics are not put off from buying the Dext and as such makes the Dext great for messaging and emailing. Using the MotoBLUR software the Dext is able to integrate itself with all of the most popular social networking sites, creating a simple unified place in which you can access all of the latest updates from Facebook, Myspace, Twitter and the like. The Dext is an admirable entrant to the smartphone market and all being well will gain the popularity which it thoroughly deserves.

Motorola Aura

The Aura looks more like an interstellar communication device than it does a mobile phone thanks to its circular screen and stainless steel finish. It is one of the most distinctive and stunning mobile phones on the market, but its good looks come at the cost of some fairly essential functionality. Because the Aura is aimed at the luxury market, everything about it reeks of decadence and the weight of the device is no exception. The keypad is housed beneath a cover which flips 180 degrees upwards when you want to use the phone. The main problem with the circular screen is that watching videos or viewing photos requires that they are cropped, which spoils the effect of this unique design choice. The camera itself is underwhelming and there is no way in which to expand the onboard memory, so whilst the Aura is an interesting exercise it is unlikely to win mainstream appeal.

Motorola EM325 Duo

The EM325 is a small, lightweight phone that is also light on features. The 1.3 megapixel camera lacks a flash, but there is mp3 playback and you can expand the storage capacity up to 2GB. There is also a dedicated face button for quick access to your tunes. The EM325 is a low cost phone ideal for younger users.

Motorola W156

The Motorola W156 is arguably the most basic mobile phone handset that you can buy in today’s market. It has a monochrome screen and support for ringtones and a speakerphone and that is about it in terms of features. However, you can talk for up to 10 hours and since there is little going on inside, the standby battery life is equally impressive. You will struggle to find a more basic handset, but what the W156 does it does well and the design does not feel too cheap and cheerful, suggesting it will be resilient enough to survive the trials and tribulations of daily use.

Motorola E8 ROKR

The E8 ROKR is yet another Motorola phone which breaks established boundaries in terms of design and interface. The main screen is a fairly standard 2 inches, but the touch sensitive keypad has context sensitive keys which morph to fit the functions necessary for the various applications of which the E8 ROKR is capable. The whole of the front panel also fades to black when the phone is not in use, giving it a uniform, stylish finish. Music is the main function of the E8, thanks to the 2GB of internal memory and plenty of additional storage possible via micro SD memory cards. The lack of 3G connectivity may put some off, but the strength of the music software and the associated hardware ensures that the ROKR performs well.

Motorola Z10

The Z10 looks a little off kilter thanks to its angled slide mechanism, but the 3.2 megapixel camera with a much appreciated Xenon flash makes this one of the more serious camera phones that Motorola offer. There is even some on board editing software which you can use to glue together any video clips you have shot using the Z10.

Motorola U9

Shaped like a pink or red pebble, the U9 is a flip clamshell phone with a dual screen setup that is not exactly bursting with features, but makes up for its shortcomings thanks to its low price and appealing design.

Motorola W377

The W377 clamshell phone is available in vibrant pink or boring grey and as a cheap pay as you go handset with a basic camera it does about as much as you could ask for in its price range. There is even a built in FM radio and a speakerphone and for mobile phone users on a budget it will supply just enough semi-modern technology to keep them happy.

Nokia’s new releases traditionally highlight the areas of the mobile phone industry which are expected to develop and evolve over the coming year. However, with stiff competition in the smart phone market the recent raft of Nokia mobiles harks back to simpler times.

Nokia 2370 Classic

The ‘Classic’ badge, which is applied to many of Nokia’s modern handsets, usually represents a phone which is a stylish update of a previous best selling platform. The 2370 classic features 3G high speed connectivity for decent mobile internet speeds as well as a 2 megapixel camera that is fine if you are not too concerned about image quality. Finished in black and silver with a pleasant polished screen the 2370 Classic is undoubtedly classy and in its price range there is little that can measure up to those good looks.

Nokia 3720 Classic

With its rounded edges and chunky yet elegant design the 3720 Classic is promoted as offering durability. It is designed to take the punishment of everyday use and still come back for more. It is perhaps slightly disappointing, then, that it is relatively basic beneath the skin, lacking 3G connectivity and featuring a slightly under par 2 megapixel camera. On the plus side the 2.2 inch screen is bright and has a rich colour palette available to make viewing images and watching videos a pleasant experience.

Nokia 2700 Classic

This phone is perhaps the least remarkable of the new Classic range, although it cannot be faulted for its easy to use design and down to basics functionality. The 2700 Classic has a 2 megapixel camera and a 2.2 inch screen which lacks the abilities of its more expensive cousin the 3720. However, if you are in the market for a cheap SIM free model then this is as good a choice as any. The Nokia badge virtually guarantees quality and long life in a mobile phone, so as a workhorse mobile this is perhaps and ideal selection.

Nokia 2720 Fold

The era of the flip phone has come and gone, with touch screen handsets currently setting the world alight. That has not prevented Nokia from producing this excellent clamshell phone with both an internal and external screen. The outer screen is integrated into the deep red of the top casing and displays information such as the time and details of text messages, signal strength, network choice and caller ID. The internal screen is fairly small at just 1.8 inches across and the 1.3 megapixel camera is hardly up to scratch when compared against more expensive models. But for those who prefer a phone that takes one or two key functions and performs them to the best of its abilities, the 2720 fold is a robust, no frills, low price phone.

Nokia 6600i Slide

This is a small slider phone that packs in some interesting features without breaking into the smartphone market. The 5 megapixel camera is one of the strongest assets of the 6600i Slide, as it has an 8x zoom function as well as autofocus and a double LED flash. It would have been nice for the 6600i to utilise a Xenon flash system to really set off its digital camera capabilities, but for most purposes there is plenty of power to play with. The 6600i Slide is a thoroughly modern-looking phone with smooth edges and a good slide mechanism that will not break after a little use. The shiny surface of the screen can pick up dirt and fingerprints quickly, but any handset of this style is susceptible to the same issue.

Nokia 6730

The 6730 is a well appointed multimedia phone that proves that, when it comes to design, Nokia is still at the top of the class. You can expand the internal storage capacity up to 16GB with a micro SD card, giving you plenty of space for tons of music. Expanding the memory is also sensible if you want to make the most of the 3.2 megapixel camera, though the lack of a decent flash is somewhat of a problem in this model.

Nokia E55

The business phone market is a highly contested one and the E55 is the thinking person’s alternative to staples offered by the likes of BlackBerry. It has a clever and compact QWERTY keypad which makes writing emails and SMS texts fast and fluid. It also features a 3.2 megapixel camera, though much of the focus is placed on office and business functionality. There is compatibility with all of the most popular email clients as well as PDF viewing capabilities and a 3G network connection to make sending and receiving emails a breeze.

Nokia E52

The E52 is a smaller, pared down version of the E55 that lacks the QWERTY keypad which makes typing emails and messages slightly more difficult. Otherwise the E52 is a no-nonsense business phone that does not try to overwhelm the user with features and as such is able to offer longer battery life than some of the competition.

With Christmas fast approaching Samsung are looking to tuck into a more sizable chunk of the mobile phone market at both the high end smartphone and the low end basic handset level. Here are the most recent releases from Samsung.

Samsung Genio QWERTY

This is a mobile phone that is aimed well and truly at the younger end of the market and outside of the UK will interestingly be known as the CorbyTXT. This is because it features a full QWERTY keypad, much like the more business oriented BlackBerry Curve or Nokia E55. The idea is that texting and emailing will be made all the more easy and natural. The Genio QWERTY incorporates compatibility with reams of different music file formats to bulk out its youth appeal and the 2 megapixel camera is perfect for casual snappers.

Samsung Omnia Lite

The Omnia range now incorporates many different phones into its broad scope and the Lite occupies the lowest rung in terms of functionality and price. It is still a touch screen phone with plenty of widgets, but the 3.1 megapixel camera is a slightly scaled down version of the one included in other Omnia models. There is still a descent range of connectivity with 3G, HSDPA and Wi-Fi all built in, so the Omnia Lite will make light work of web browsing and downloading. Whether customers will be confused by the newly augmented Omnia range remains to be seen.

Samsung D780

Though the D780 is not much to look at, it offers one thing which few other handsets can manage. It is a dual SIM card mobile phone and can actively use both SIMs simultaneously. This means that you can have one phone reachable by two different phone numbers, utilising two different mobile network providers at the same time. The D780 is not going to appeal to the general public, but should be useful for professionals who need optimum network coverage and the convenience of a combined SIM for constant availability.

Samsung Genio Touch

The Genio Touch is much like the Genio QWERTY in that it is aimed squarely at the youth market with its vibrant design, multicoloured selection of exteriors and easy to use interface. The Genio Touch is a 3G phone which means mobile internet browsing clips along at a decent pace, though the lack of an on-screen QWERTY keypad makes it feel slightly out of date when compared to other touch screen handsets.

Samsung Omnia 2

The most significant release into the Omnia family of phones is the Omnia 2, the true successor to the original Omnia. The biggest new feature which this handset offers is the AMOLED screen. AMOLED technology is the latest innovation in mobile phone displays and provides the best viewing experience out there with enhanced brightness and resolution going hand in hand with lower energy consumption. It also allows the Omnia to be extremely thin despite the large 3.7 inch touch screen interface. Using the latest Windows Mobile operating platform the Omnia 2 is an intelligent, modern smart phone that is a real alternative to the iPhone.

Samsung S3100

The S3100 is a low cost, simple to use mobile phone which is not overwhelmed by functions. There is a 1.3 megapixel camera and the top half of the phone slides up to reveal the alphanumeric keypad. You can choose from either a black or pink model, though each offers the same level of functionality. You can playback music files and also use the built in FM radio, but these are the only multimedia functions which it offers.

Samsung B3310

When you hold the B3310 in a landscape position and slide the top half up you can access a full QWERTY keypad housed neatly beneath the screen. This is yet another phone targeted for teenagers and young adults, particularly since it is only available in pink. The B3310 seems to be an emulation of the T-Mobile Sidekick handset, popularised within the American market. As such texting and social networking are at the forefront of its design, whilst it lacks high speed mobile internet access that a 3G connection might have enabled. Whilst this is not going to appeal to everyone, the B3310 could be the next must-have mobile phone that all the kids want to own.

Samsung S5200

Looking at the S5200’s keypad will remind some of the Motorola RAZR’s design, but this is by no means a bad thing. The S5200 is a slide phone with mid-ranged multimedia functionality and a 3.2 megapixel camera with smile detection built into the software. It can play back plenty of the most popular audio and video formats, though the screen may prove to be a little too small for watching extended video clips on. Available in subtle red or blue, the S5200 plugs a gap in Samsung’s midrange and acknowledges that slide phones are still a popular choice.

Sony Ericsson have gone into release overdrive in the last month or so, releasing handsets across most price brackets and unveiling a promising line-up of handsets for release in the coming months. Here is a quick run-down of those new releases to whet your appetite.

Sony Ericsson Naite

The Naite is part of the new Greenheart range of phones which puts environmental friendliness at the top of the agenda. Whilst most mobile phones contain damaging materials and are produced using relatively harmful methods, the Naite is different. Its case is made from recycled plastics and it contains no lead. It is also embodies fewer harmful chemicals than most other mobile phones on the market. The Naite features a relatively modest set of functions including a 2 megapixel camera, but it does have 3G connectivity for faster mobile internet browsing and downloads.

Sony Ericsson Satio

The Satio is one of the most exciting recent releases thanks to the whopping 12.1 megapixel camera located on the back of the phone. The camera is complemented by 16x digital zoom as well as a powerful Xenon flash to light up those dark areas. As with the iPhone 3Gs you can manually focus by tapping on objects on the touch screen, but the autofocus is suitable for quick snapping and up to 9 pictures can be captured every second thanks to a function called BestPic. What this all boils down to is that the Satio is a sexy touch screen smart phone with virtually unrivalled picture capturing capabilities.

Sony Ericsson Aino

The Aino is essentially the younger brother of the Satio, aimed at the mid ranged touch screen market with its 3 inch screen and 8.1 megapixel camera. The battery life is slightly less impressive than that of the Satio, but it has Wi-Fi connectivity and 3G support for browsing the internet whilst you are on the go. Whilst Sony Ericsson have yet to perfect the art of touch screens in their handsets, the Aino and the Satio both represent steps in the right direction.

Sony Ericsson T715

This is a great value slider phone that has all of the basic features you would expect. It is interesting that these features, such as the 3.2 megapixel camera and the built in weather forecast software, would have been top of the range functions less than 2 years ago. Since the mobile market is constantly evolving those looking for a good value, rich featured handset are always going to be able to find quality phones such as the T715. The T715 is available in a silver finish, or an eye-catching pink, which some might describe as ’snazzy’.

Sony Ericsson S312

The S312, or the Athena as it is also known, is a rugged but extremely light handset with a modest feature set. There is a 2 megapixel camera with a photo light and despite the lack of 3G connectivity you can still browse and download files at reasonable speeds thanks to the EDGE networking technology which is integrated into the S312. Though this handset lacks the ultra modern looks of Sony Ericsson’s other new releases, it is still a fine piece of pocket-sized hardware.

Sony Ericsson T707

Many people still choose flip phones over modern touch screens, purely because it is nigh on impossible to scratch or damage the screen when it is sandwiched between the hinged outer shell. The T707 is a rather futuristic looking flip phone and the external screen is integrated seamlessly into the slick design of the outer casing. The external screen displays basic information on SMS messages and the caller and is circular which gives it a certain esoteric touch that will appeal to many. The T707 has 3G connectivity as well as a 3.2 megapixel camera, so it is not simply a fashion phone that is light on functionality. The three colours available are quite funky and certainly aimed at the youth market, though the more discerning buyer can still opt for the black case if they want an elegant, subtle phone.

Sony Ericsson K330

The K330 is all about simplistic design, ease of use and a pleasing tactile interface. It may appear somewhat basic and offer a simple interface, but the K330 is ready and willing to be integrated into a hectic lifestyle. There are plenty of personal organiser and scheduling applications, as well as a built in weight watching program that tracks your calorie consumption and exercise levels – as long as you remember to keep it up to date!

Sony Ericsson W205

This dinky phone is the latest addition to the Walkman range offered by the masters of the genre. Music playback is at the heart of the W205 and thus other aspects such as the 1.3 megapixel camera feel a little tacked on, but they function just as they are supposed to. The W205 even allows you to set a radio station as your ringtone, which is something that no other mobile currently offers.