Style-oozing mobiles

Jun 20 2008 By Peter Jenkinson

Whet your appetite for the latest technology-driven fashionable phones

Given the current crop of mobiles on the market, you'll be hard-pressed to pick one based on substance alone.

But considering the amount of time most handsets spend laying about on tables or pressed to your ear it's essential that your ever-present phone oozes style.

Manufacturers have been pandering to our need for fashionable phones for some time and with the announcement of Apple's new 3G iPhone it seems that form and function have finally found a place where geeks and fashionistas can meet.

Whet your appetite for technology - and keep the fashion police at bay - with this selection.

Fresh fruit

Apple iPhone 3G - from free on contract at www.carphonewarehouse.com.

The new iPhone is a slimmer, smarter and faster version of the original - so it's fair to say that purchasers of Apple's first foray into the mobile market may be feeling a little disgruntled. Existing contract holders are being offered upgrade deals so it's worth checking out the website.

The Business

Htc Touch Diamond - £434.74 (SIM Free) at www.totalpda.co.uk.

HTC's smart phone is on apar with the iPhone in the style stakes and may well give Apple something to feel sour about. While it contains a great camera, 3Dartwork, touchscreen and GPS receiver, the 4GB memory may have some users scratching their heads in dismay.

Eastern promise

Lg Secret - from free on contract, see www.carphonewarehouse.com.

If you're after a slider the Secret should be sneaking onto your shopping list. This 3G device - the latest in LG's Black Label range - has an array of fancy features, including impressive video capturing abilities. The cool blue neon navigation buttons mean it deserves a place on this list.

Smart and stylish

Samsung Soul - from free on contract at www.carphonewarehouse.com.

This is the shining star of Samsung's high-end Ultra Edition range. The Soul is a fine-looking phone that uses a clever navigation panel to control all aspects of the handset. Each time you choose a particular function the panel takes on different powers, meaning this is one of the easiest one-hand use handsets out there.

Music machine

Sony W980i - £499.99 (SIM Free) at www.play.com.

With an 8GB memory on board, this top-pocketable mobile has enough space for an impressive collection of 8,000 tunes. It also boasts super high-speed internet access, a three megapixel snapper and FM transmitter all contained in a killer outfit.

Snap happier

Samsung Tocco - from free with contract. See ww.carphonewarehouse.com.

This highly tactile handset offers ultra-responsive menu surfing through the extralarge touchscreen. A gentle vibration feedback is given after each request, acting like a confirmation you've made an impact. It has a five megapixel camera sensor and a gorgeous case.