There are plenty of good smartphones out there. Narrowing down a list of 10, and then ranking them in order of preference, certainly isn't been easy.
Inevitably, any such Top 10 list ends up being a subjective process. And any buying decision is going to be one based on a balance between need, affordability, desirability and brand loyalty.
When we originally compiled this list in June, the Nokia N95 was our favourite. But the mobile phone market doesn't stand still, and things have changed a lot in six months, particularly with the arrival of a certain much-awaited new face in the market...
10 HTC TyTN
You may already know it as the Orange M3100 or the T-Mobile MDA Vario II. But even under its manufacturer's name this really is a titan (get it?) in features and screen size. It's also big on size and weight, which won't suit everyone. But it remains a great multimedia smartphone despite this. It's now been replaced by the TyTN II, so keep an eye out for second-hand bargains. [Read full HTC TyTN review]
9 Sony Ericsson P1i
Praise for the P1i hasn't been unanimous, but its spec sheet can't be faulted. A slightly modified candybar design, its features check list has most of the ticks in the 'Yes' column. But there has been criticism of its non-standard button design, and of its complexity to use. But if this isn't an issue, you won't be disappointed.
8 HTC S710
On Orange, the S710 is known as the SPV E650. It's not 3G and there's no touchscreen here. But with a typewriter keyboard hidden away neatly, it adds some interesting extras that you might not expect. But it's the basics this phone excels at. Good basic communication features, good music and camera tools, and good looks all feature highly here. [Read full HTC S710 review]
7 Nokia E61i
The E61i is a minor update to the E61, which we were very impressed by in February. It addresses our one major criticism of the E61, which was the lack of an on-board camera. The other changes are all minor, but improve the look, feel and function of what was already a very good Qwerty smartphone. [Read full Nokia E61 review]
6 Nokia N81 8GB
Smartphones come in many guises, and this one clearly has entertainment at its heart. Music and gaming are what it's all about, with Nokia's N-Gage software and a decent amount of on-board memory setting the tone. But criticism of its interface and a disappointing camera stop it from featuring further up the order. [Read full Nokia N81 8GB review]
5 HTC Touch
Probably the closest iPhone-alike on the market, the Touch does a lot of things well. And while it doesn't have the style of the iPhone, it's no ugly duckling, and has strong features and performance too. A lack of 3G and an average camera are the main failings on what is otherwise an excellent smartphone. [Read full HTC Touch review]
4 Nokia N95
It's a mark of how quickly the mobile phone market moves that the N95 was our favourite smartphone six months ago, but can't even make the top three now. But it's still a formidable phone - 3G, HSDPA, Wi-Fi and GPS are all present, along with a 5-megapixel camera. Yet the N95 doesn't get lost in its own features, and is simply designed and easy to use. [Read full Nokia N95 review]
3 HTC TyTN II
We've already likened the TyTN II to a miniature laptop thanks to its tilting screen, and its features list certainly is more computer than phone. This gives it natural appeal to the business user who isn't swayed by the iPhone's more sensory allure. The flipside is that the TyTN II is big and bulky, but it's no surprise considering the huge amount of technology packed inside. [Read full HTC TyTN II review]
2 Nokia N95 8GB
The N95 8GB doubles the on-board memory of the original N95 - that much is obvious from the name. But it also sports a better screen, improved GPS and Nokia's N-Gage gaming software. These tweaks help maintain the N95's appeal, even if it doesn't have a touchscreen. If an iPhone doesn't appeal to you, then you won't go wrong with either this or the TyTN II. Nokia's ultimate smartphone just got more... er, ultimate.
1 Apple iPhone
It had to be, didn't it? Well, no actually. The iPhone earns its place at the top of the tree not because of any perceived desirability or 'cool' factor. It's undoubtedly the biggest new product to hit the technology market this year, and we're already looking for the 'iPhone killer' in the same way we spent years searching for the 'iPod killer'. Throw in the fact that this is a starting point rather than an end point for Apple and you have our clear winner. [Read full Apple iPhone review]
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