Motorola RAZR2 V9: Fashion with Functionality

Three years after the release of the original RAZR series of handsets, Motorola recently released the second generation of its thin, razor-like handsets, now dubbed the RAZR2 series.

The RAZR2 V9 is a gorgeous looking phone, even thinner than its predecessor. This sleeker handset is made up of tough materials including aluminium, chemically treated glass, and stainless steel, which makes this fashion phone built to last.

The RAZR2 V9 now also boasts the largest external screen in its class, which now gives you access to its music functions via a touchscreen display, without even having to open the phone. Its large internal screen too, makes it even more enjoyable to use the phone, with a resolution twice that of its predecessor.

This gorgeous phone supports HSDPA (3.5G) connectivity, giving you access to wireless broadband connections when the technology becomes available locally sometime soon. The RAZR2 V9 also supports GPRS/EDGE, Bluetooth and USB connections.

Key features:

• 2.0 megapixel camera, with 8 x digital zoom
  
• 2” outer display with touch sensitive buttons
  
• GPRS/EDGE/HSDPA equipped
  
• 45MB on-board memory with microSD memory card slot
  

Unfortunately for non-Motorola users, the menu takes quite a while to get used to, but previous RAZR users will certainly have no problem adapting to this new version.

The Motorola RAZR2 V9 is available at Incomm for B$668.00, with further discounts when you present your DST Card.

Sony Ericsson W960i: Touch 'n' play

The W960i was perhaps one of the most highly anticipated phones by the Sony Ericsson faithful last year, and it certainly lives up to that billing. The W960i is the latest, and without doubt the most feature- packed handset to come from Sony Ericsson's ever-so-popular Walkman line.

Probably Sony Ericsson's answer to the Nokia N95 8GB, the W960i has 8GB of storage space, a large TFT touchscreen display, a 3.2-megapixel camera, Wi-Fi, and of course, 3G connectivity.



Key features:

• Walkman Touch music player


• Symbian OS 9.1 with UIQ 3.0


• 3G connectivity, with video calls


• Wi-Fi support


• 3.2-megapixel camera with autofocus, 3x digital zoom
  
• 8GB of storage space
  
• 262K color TFT touchscreen display
  
• Handwriting recognition
  
• FM radio


• Stereo Bluetooth (with 3.5 mm adapter included)
  

There are, however, a couple of setbacks, the phone's lack of HSDPA (3.5G) connectivity might put some tech enthusiasts off, especially when new technologies come and go very quickly. The lack of a navigation pad too, could be a setback for those who prefer a more tactile feedback when browsing through the phone's menus.

All in all, the W960i is still the phone to die for, easily offering more than any other Sony Ericsson Walkman phone has ever done before.


The Sony Ericsson W960i is available at Incomm for B$938.00, with further discounts when you present your DST Card.

Nokia E51: Ready For Business

Introducing the Nokia E51, probably one of the most affordable smartphones in the market, and it doesn't dissappoint either. This classically designed HSDPA (3.5G) handset features high-speed mobile browsing, email, multimedia features, and a multitude of connectivity options.

A small, but highly noticeable feature is Nokia's efficient use of RAM, which makes multitasking and navigating the menus slick and fast, providing instant responses to key presses.



Key features

• Thin design loaded with features to help balance your business and leisure time
  
• Access your email while on the go with support for most leading personal and business email applications
  
• Browse the web and email with high speed 3G, HSDPA, or WLAN connection
  
• Make cheaper cost voice calls over the internet with the built-in Wi-Fi, simply by installing Skype on the phone
  
• 130 MB onboard memory, expandable via microSD cards (up to 4 GB), hot swap
  
• 12 mm slim, elegant design
  
• Listen to the latest hits with FM Visual Radio or play your favorite tunes on the MP3 music player

The phone, however, does have a few setbacks; it features a now less than standard 2.0 megapixel camera with no auto focus and flash, and also buttons on its side which are quite hard to press.

All in all, the affordability of this phone makes up for all its setbacks, as not many phones under $500 are packed with all the E51's features, especially the increasingly-becoming-a-necessity Wi-Fi connectivity.

For more information on the E51, please visit Nokia's Website, or read this excellent review by The Simpur Bloggies nominee SHIMWORLD.



The feature-packed Nokia E51 is available at Incomm for B$498.00, with further discounts when you present your DST Card.