Forget megapixels, forget MP3. For the coolest mobile around, it has to be a touchscreen phone. And there is more than just the iPhone out there: a whole host of mobile manufacturers — even Blackberry — have released touchscreen models.

A touchscreen phone differs from an ordinary mobile phone in that it has few, if any, physical buttons. Instead, all of the phone’s functions (including basic ones, such as making a call or sending a text) are controlled by tapping symbols, letters or numbers on the phone’s screen. This has a number of advantages and disadvantages.

Let’s look at the advantages first

1. Bigger, brighter screen

With no buttons to accommodate, touchscreen phones can devote extra space to expanding the size of the screen. That means about three inches long by two inches across, which is at least half again as big as an ordinary-sized phone. This has big advantages for lots of functions, especially taking (and viewing) photos and browsing the internet. The screen quality also tends to be the best available and it is designed to withstand scratches and other friction.

2. The latest top specifications

There are few touchscreen phones that do not come with a good camera, good MP3 features, fast internet and satellite navigation. Because touchscreens are at the cutting edge of manufacturers’ ranges, they come with the latest developments, features and software. This includes 3.5G (which can connect to the internet at broadband speeds), cameras with at least three megapixels (and up to a whopping eight megapixels on some models), stereo MP3 playback (including wireless playback over Bluetooth) and pinpoint satellite navigation (using Google Maps).

3. They’re fun

As Apple found with the phenomenal sales of its iPhone, people like touching gadgets. It’s fun to scroll through pictures or navigate a website with a flick of your finger.

Now, let’s look at some of the disadvantages that touchscreen phones have compared to ordinary models

1. Requires two-handed operation

To use a touchscreen phone typically requires two hands, one to hold the phone and the other to tap out the call, text or web address. A thumb-only modus operandi is virtually impossible, as symbols, numbers and letters need to be tapped directly from above. This may not suit some people who like the flexibility of using a phone one-handed, while they use the other hand for another purpose (like carrying a shopping bag).

2. Texting can be a challenge

Texting has been a mainstay of people’s lives for over a decade. In that time, we have learned how to skip around every phone’s keypad, using its T9 dictionary mode (the ‘predictive texting’ process). But some touchscreen models — and especially the iPhone — do not accommodate predictive texting on the virtual keypad. Instead, they push you into using a Qwerty keypad layout. Even accomplished typists who are familiar with computer keyboards will find this tricky to adapt to.

3. Drain on battery

Although the technology behind battery longevity has improved, a larger screen means a bigger area to light up and power. Typically, touchscreen phones only get a day’s battery life before they need to be recharged (Nokia’s 5800 is an exception).

So much for the pros and cons

What are the best models on the market present? Here are a couple worth looking at.

1. iPhone 3G

Apple’s iconic gadget needs no introduction. The iPhone is the one of the world’s most sought-after mobiles. Its touchscreen interface is still the best, and most intuitive, on the market. It also has great MP3 playback and great web browsing. However, it has no predictive texting function, nor can you forward texts on it. The battery is also locked in and must be replaced by a technician, as opposed to the user. Finally, the camera is only average, at two megapixels.

Price: from €50 at O2 Stores

2. Samsung Pixon

A very attractive and powerful touchscreen phone, this mobile also benefits from having (arguably) the very best camera on the market, with eight megapixels. It also has GPS (sat-nav), 3.5G internet and a radio. It has a friendly ‘widgets’ system which allows you to store your favourite applications on the screen’s sidebar and open them by dragging them into the main screen.

Price: from €160 on Meteor

3. Blackberry Storm

The Storm is the businessman’s touchscreen phone. It combines all of the email prowess that Blackberrys are famous for with a great screen and decent web browser. Its screen operation requires a harder press than other touchscreen phones, to guard against mistaken taps.

Price: from free on Vodafone

4. Nokia 5800 Xpress Music

Nokia’s first touchscreen phone is very easy to use from the moment it’s picked up, as it follows the exact operating system pathways that other Nokia phones do. It has an excellent stereo music system and sports GPS (sat-nav), 3.5G internet and a good internet browser. Its camera is good (at three megapixels), if not outstanding.

Price: from €50 on Vodafone, from €100 on O2

* Adrian Weckler is the Technology Editor of the Sunday Business Post

Tags: Adrian Weckler, mobile phones

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This entry was posted on Monday, July 6th, 2009 at 6:01 am and is filed under Phone charges, Technology. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.