What is the BEST phone?

[Uraniun235]

First, I live in the US, and I hear we already have a stunted selection of wireless phones. Second, I just go with the cheapest (read: FREE) phone I can get with a contract, so mine can basically send brief text messages and make voice calls. Therefore, I don't really know what constitutes a "good phone", especially from the perspective of people who use their phones a lot more heavily than I do.


What I'm curious to know is what the very best phone in the world is. No, "whatever makes a call" does not count, I'm curious to know what phone would be widely-regarded in nearly any corner of the world as a truly superior wireless phone.


(I'm not looking to buy one, I'm just curious.)

[Natorgator]

My guess would be the iPhone, especially the next generation coming out next month. Although it's missing a few features, pretty much everything about it is light years ahead of the competition.

[Melchior]

Feature-wise, probably the Nokia N95 (the 8gb revision) or something out of HTC.

[Ypoknons]

My guess would be the iPhone, especially the next generation coming out next month. Although it's missing a few features, pretty much everything about it is light years ahead of the competition.

Depends. Right now for me, internet access and a good platform for programs comes in #1, and means certain hardware attributes - large screen, physical keyboard (for e-mail and IM) and a decent platform (for now Windows Mobile or Symbian S60). I also appreciate a good camera, for record keeping - if I happen to eat something nice I want to remember, or just random goofiness amongst friends.

I currently use a AT&T Tilt (carrier subsizied HTC TyTn II). Has all the above criteria, except that its 3-megapixel camera is quite bad, much worse than my former N73's. I'm looking for a second, more handy phone - touchscreen, tradition styles - whatever - with a great camera for weekend use.

[Melchior]

I currently use a AT&T Tilt (carrier subsizied HTC TyTn II). Has all the above criteria, except that its 3-megapixel camera is quite bad, much worse than my former N73's. I'm looking for a second, more handy phone - touchscreen, tradition styles - whatever - with a great camera for weekend use.

If you can wait a few months, the Sony Ericsson C905 is looking rather good (no touchscreen, though).

[Praxis]

My guess would be the iPhone, especially the next generation coming out next month. Although it's missing a few features, pretty much everything about it is light years ahead of the competition.

Depends. Right now for me, internet access and a good platform for programs comes in #1, and means certain hardware attributes - large screen, physical keyboard (for e-mail and IM) and a decent platform (for now Windows Mobile or Symbian S60). I also appreciate a good camera, for record keeping - if I happen to eat something nice I want to remember, or just random goofiness amongst friends.

I currently use a AT&T Tilt (carrier subsizied HTC TyTn II). Has all the above criteria, except that its 3-megapixel camera is quite bad, much worse than my former N73's. I'm looking for a second, more handy phone - touchscreen, tradition styles - whatever - with a great camera for weekend use.

The iPhone will be a pretty significant platform in coming months the moment the 2.0 firmware and App Store hit July 11th. It's got better web browsing capabilities than anything else out there. Although the camera is only so-so.

I question your requirement of a physical keyboard. I can type pretty well on the iPhone keyboard, and as embarrassing as this is to admit, it can easily be done while driving. I've even made a forum post once or twice and yes, I shouldn't. In fact, with the way Apple's autocorrection works, I find it easier than using blackberries with the physical keyboard.

And the iPhone blows away every other PDA as far as gaming goes. It really only fails in a few categories (camera, for example, is not as good as you're looking for, and the surprising and rather stupid lack of MMS).

[Mobius]

the best freaking phone is the world would be the most exclusive one, probably a Nokia Vertu

it has a concierge dial serviced 24/24 to get someone to get everything for ya.
that's something truly superior to anything on the market.

on myside i can't stand the lack of physical keyboard on my ipod touch. but i'm an IBM keyboard ayatollah, i'm biased.

[Ypoknons]

The iPhone will be a pretty significant platform in coming months the moment the 2.0 firmware and App Store hit July 11th. It's got better web browsing capabilities than anything else out there. Although the camera is only so-so.

I question your requirement of a physical keyboard. I can type pretty well on the iPhone keyboard, and as embarrassing as this is to admit, it can easily be done while driving. I've even made a forum post once or twice and yes, I shouldn't. In fact, with the way Apple's autocorrection works, I find it easier than using blackberries with the physical keyboard.

And the iPhone blows away every other PDA as far as gaming goes. It really only fails in a few categories (camera, for example, is not as good as you're looking for, and the surprising and rather stupid lack of MMS).

Safari is great, yes, bu Opera Mini isn't that far behind. Also it doesn't support flash, whilst the S60 browser does. I've used the iPhone on-screen keyboard clone software (works identical to iPhone keyboard) on my Tilt and the experience has been so-so. I'm still typing a lot faster with a physical keyboard. Though the smaller screen (2.8" vs 3.5" on the iPhone) is definitely a factor.

No joke about it, iPhone 2.0 is big. I agree that as an all-round phone for the typical person, the iPhone 3G is excellent. I might get one if a piece of software that is compelling enough comes out. But moving away from the OP to more personal concerns, I'm a gadget freak and I already have a great PDA phone, so I want to play with a slick, powerful camera phone for weekends. And I'm keeping an eye on Android, since it is more a open platform, especially with regards to devices.

[Praxis]

I've used the iPhone on-screen keyboard clone software (works identical to iPhone keyboard) on my Tilt and the experience has been so-so. I'm still typing a lot faster with a physical keyboard. Though the smaller screen (2.8" vs 3.5" on the iPhone) is definitely a factor.

I have a hard time believing it is a similar experience. Outside of the screen size difference, there's also the fact that the multitouch screen lets you press two buttons at once so you can type with both thumbs, and the multitouch screen isn't pressure based so it probably senses the touch with less force.

Opera Mini is quite nice. As far as technical capabilities they are probably pretty similar, but Safari wins out as far as interface by light years just because of the multitouch screen and the way Apple designed it. By technical bullet points Opera and Safari mobile are pretty similar IIRC.

[Melchior]

the best freaking phone is the world would be the most exclusive one, probably a Nokia Vertu

it has a concierge dial serviced 24/24 to get someone to get everything for ya.
that's something truly superior to anything on the market.

It is actually an unusually well-built phone with hardware from five years ago. It also sports a truly inelegant design and is absurdly overpriced (a stand-alone concierge service is not really that expensive).

[Mobius]

It is actually an unusually well-built phone with hardware from five years ago

well it does mail, audio and video player that's enough for me and the screen doesn't fear key's which isn't the case of my ipod touch or my BB

It also sports a truly inelegant design

opinion and taste, Constellation isn't that inelegant.

absurdly overpriced (a stand-alone concierge service is not really that expensive).

i dunno: how much cost sapphire, titanium and gold? The manpower to build it?

Vertu and it's ilk are more compare to luxury watches than other phones

[Bounty]

i dunno: how much cost sapphire, titanium and gold? The manpower to build it?

Do you need any of those materials? They're fine for a watch, but a cellphone generally has a far cushier life, and an all-plastic model will easily last a decade if you're the least bit careful with it.

The "manpower to build it"? How is that relevant to quality?

Vertu and it's ilk are more compare to luxury watches than other phones

Except they make even less sense. A watch is there for anyone to see, so when you buy one it makes sense to pick one that at least looks good - whether that means a cheap but elegant one or a gold monstrosity is up to you. But a phone? You take it out of your pocket once in a while to check your messages or excuse yourself to go make a call in private; ideally people shouldn't even notice it, unless you're trying to flaunt it. I can see the point in getting one that is stylish - and a $100 cellphone can be perfectly stylish - but I completely fail to see the added value of a blinged-out, jewel-encrusted, hopelessly gaudy and outdated phone that is marketed squarely at the worst end of the yuppie spectrum. You're just paying $62000 for the privilege of showing people you're a cock.

[Melchior]

well it does mail, audio and video player that's enough for me and the screen doesn't fear key's which isn't the case of my ipod touch or my BB

It is still embarrassing.

opinion and taste, Constellation isn't that inelegant.

I find them quite tacky, but I suppose that you're right. Conceded.

i dunno: how much cost sapphire, titanium and gold? The manpower to build it?
Vertu and it's ilk are more compare to luxury watches than other phones

The models containing actually precious materials have price tags that are even more inflated and there is no expert craftmanship involved, AFAIK (unlike in luxury watches).
I'm really in no position to argue against luxury spending, but that kind of object makes you look like an exhibitionist dolt, not a tasteful, sophisticated person, if that is the image that you are striving for.

[Mobius]

It is still embarrassing.

oh sure, the feature list is embarrassing low compared to my N810 or my E61, but the people buying this kind of objects doesn't care.

The models containing actually precious materials have price tags that are even more inflated and there is no expert craftmanship involved, AFAIK (unlike in luxury watches).

i though the same until i bumped into this FT article:

“Nokia had spotted a gap and we were given a mission statement to create and define the luxury mobile market. One of the first things we did was to go to the Jura mountains and meet the people who supply parts to the watch industry – we chose the same sapphire crystal for the telephone screen that is used for watch glasses, the same rubies that are used in watches as bearings for our keypads and the same tiny, high-specification screws to hold everything together that are used to assemble mechanical movements.

The result is a range of telephones that can take many hours to assemble – as opposed to the average of 90 seconds it takes to put together a conventional handset. Materials such as platinum, gold, ceramic and titanium are used for the cases, which are often trimmed with hand-stitched leather or set with diamonds.

Sure i guess the majority of owner are russians billionaire who find classy to mix vodka with Petrus when skiing at Gstaad or saudis chroming their ferraris and i wouldn't trade my own gadgets for one (i'm full keyboard on phone man) but those phone aren't the blingest thing ever.

[Melchior]

The result is a range of telephones that can take many hours to assemble – as opposed to the average of 90 seconds it takes to put together a conventional handset. Materials such as platinum, gold, ceramic and titanium are used for the cases, which are often trimmed with hand-stitched leather or set with diamonds.

Yes, the materials are somewhat high-grade and the assembly process is comparatively lengthier, but it seems that an unskilled (and thus cheap) worker could easily do it (unlike actual jewellery and mechanical watches).

those phone aren't the blingest thing ever.

Unfortunately not. Recoil in horror.
EDIT: I actually know buyers of the B&O one. It is totally unwieldy, besides the cost.

[Ypoknons]

That said, the Vertu has a bad reputation around Hong Kong as the "got rich fast mainlander" who lacks sophistication, so you can't expect it to be accepted around there as say, a Rolex, naw nevermind, Patek Philippe watch would be.

I have a hard time believing it is a similar experience. Outside of the screen size difference, there's also the fact that the multitouch screen lets you press two buttons at once so you can type with both thumbs, and the multitouch screen isn't pressure based so it probably senses the touch with less force.

I can't really say, because whilst I've spent some time with iPhones in Apple stores, I've never used an iPhone on a long-term basis. My store experiences weren't great. Multi-touch is handy, I'm sure, but I'm still unconvinced that you can find keys without looking on a software keyboard. How much faster did you get with usage over time?

Back when I bought the Tilt the iPhone could do a lot fewer things - no Chinese input, and the webapps for IM were so-so. Firmware 2.0 and the SDK, will of course, change things.