Panasonic FOMA P2101V
Availability: Japan
Don't let the clumsy name fool you. Freedom of mobile multimedia access (FOMA) refers to Japan-based NTT DoCoMo's groundbreaking third generation mobile service, allowing for voice and high-speed data communications. The Panasonic P2101V is one of the first FOMA handsets in the Japanese market and comes with a screen featuring a whopping 260,000 colours. More excitingly, this dual screen clamshell is also a videophone, so you can converse with other P2101V users face-to-face. You can find a demo on the DoCoMo's Web site.
OKWAP i108
Availability: Taiwan and Hong Kong
Taiwan-based OKWAP is one of the most innovative local phone makers around. Its i108 was one of the first colour-screen GSM mobiles on the market, edging out the better-known Ericsson T68. It also offers polyphony and synchronisation features in an attractive 105g shell. Not surprisingly, the i108 is one of the hottest phones in Taiwan right now.
BlackBerry 5810
Availability: North America, Europe, Hong Kong
Research in Motion (RIM) claims that its BlackBerry devices helps users save almost one hour each day by allowing them to type emails while commuting or waiting for meetings. Its latest offering, the BlackBerry 5810, adds a new dimension--voice. By plugging an earpiece into the 5810, you can use it just like a phone. BlackBerry, popular in North America and Europe, was recently launched in Hong Kong through a tie-up with Hutchison Telecom. However, it's currently not available in Australia.
Haier HK3000
Availability: China
You may not have heard of Haier, but this company is one of the top electrical appliance makers in China and the number-two fridge supplier worldwide. Last year, Haier partnered Hong Kong's CCT Telecom and UK's Sendo to manufacture mobile phones for China. The result is the Haier HK3000, an otherwise ordinary but incredibly slim handset. Measuring 12.6mm and featuring an internal antenna, it barely makes a dent in your pocket.
Sanyo SCP-5150
Availability: North America
It's not often that we cast an envious eye at the US when it comes to mobile phones, but the Sanyo SCP-5150 looks sweet. Its impressive polyphonic, 256-color features shot it to the head of the pack when launched this January. Although the recent release of the Samsung SGH-T100 here has narrowed the gap considerably, the Sanyo still offers more in terms of personalisation. Users can easily download standard MIDI audio files off the Web for use as ringtones--currently a tedious process with the Samsung.
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