The best smartphone is...

Usability
Running complex mini-computers in a handheld form factor requires excellent interface design and intuitive input. This list indicates the easiest smartphones to use through to those that require more practice.

Best Usability

  1. 1.  Apple iPhone 3G

    Aesthetic 5 out of 5
    Usability 5 out of 5
    Performance 3.5 out of 5
    Connectivity 3.5 out of 5
    Features 4 out of 5
    Value for Money 4 out of 5
    Overall: 81%
    Editor's Rating: 7/10

  2. 2.  Nokia E71

    Aesthetic 4.5 out of 5
    Usability 4 out of 5
    Performance 4 out of 5
    Connectivity 4 out of 5
    Features 4 out of 5
    Value for Money 5 out of 5
    ASUS Eee PC 900
    Overall: 82%
    Editor's Rating: 8/10

  3. 3.  HTC Touch Diamond

    Aesthetic 4.5 out of 5
    Usability 4 out of 5
    Performance 4 out of 5
    Connectivity 4 out of 5
    Features 3.5 out of 5
    Value for Money 3 out of 5
    Overall: 76%
    Editor's Rating: 6.7/10

  4. 4.  Sony Ericsson W960i

    Aesthetic 3 out of 5 Usability 4 out of 5
    Performance 1 out of 5 Connectivity 4 out of 5
    Features 2.5 out of 5 Value for Money 2 out of 5
    Overall 62% Editors' Rating 7.6/10
    Sony Ericsson W960i

  5. 5.  BlackBerry Pearl 8120

    Aesthetic 5 out of 5 Usability 4 out of 5
    Performance 5 out of 5 Connectivity 2.5 out of 5
    Features 2 out of 5 Value for Money 2 out of 5
    Overall 72% Editors' Rating 8.2/10
    ASUS Eee PC 900

  6. 6.  Palm Treo 500v

    Aesthetic 3 out of 5 Usability 4 out of 5
    Performance 2 out of 5 Connectivity 2 out of 5
    Features 3 out of 5 Value for Money 4 out of 5
    Overall 60% Editors' Rating 7.1/10
    Palm Treo 500v

  7. 7.  HTC TyTN II

    Aesthetic 3 out of 5 Usability 3.5 out of 5
    Performance 2 out of 5 Connectivity 4 out of 5
    Features 4 out of 5 Value for Money 1 out of 5
    Overall 68% Editors' Rating 7.2/10
    HTC TyTN II

  8. 8.  HTC Touch Dual

    Aesthetic 4 out of 5 Usability 3.5 out of 5
    Performance 3 out of 5 Connectivity 3 out of 5
    Features 2.5 out of 5 Value for Money 3 out of 5
    Overall 65% Editors' Rating 7.6/10
    HTC Touch Dual

  9. 9.  Samsung i780

    Aesthetic 3 out of 5 Usability 3 out of 5
    Performance 3 out of 5 Connectivity 4 out of 5
    Features 4 out of 5 Value for Money 4 out of 5
    Overall 70% Editors' Rating 7.5/10
    Samsung i780

  10. 10.  Nokia E90 Communicator

    Aesthetic 2.5 out of 5 Usability 3 out of 5
    Performance 3.5 out of 5 Connectivity 4 out of 5
    Features 3 out of 5 Value for Money 1 out of 5
    Overall 68% Editors' Rating 8.5/10
    Nokia E90 Communicator

  11. 11.  HTC Touch Cruise

    Aesthetic 4 out of 5 Usability 3 out of 5
    Performance 3.5 out of 5 Connectivity 5 out of 5
    Features 3.5 out of 5 Value for Money 2 out of 5
    Overall 76% Editors' Rating 8/10

  12. 12.  Nokia N95 8GB

    Aesthetic 2 out of 5 Usability 3 out of 5
    Performance 4 out of 5 Connectivity 4 out of 5
    Features 3 out of 5 Value for Money 1 out of 5
    Overall 68% Editors' Rating 8.3/10
    Nokia N95 8GB

  13. 13.  i-mate Ultimate 8502

    Aesthetic 3.5 out of 5 Usability 2 out of 5
    Performance 4 out of 5 Connectivity 5 out of 5
    Features 3.5 out of 5 Value for Money 3 out of 5
    Overall 77% Editors' Rating 9.1/10

  14. 14.  i-mate Ultimate 9502

    Aesthetic 3 out of 5 Usability 2 out of 5
    Performance 4 out of 5 Connectivity 5 out of 5
    Features 4 out of 5 Value for Money 3 out of 5
    Overall 76% Editors' Rating 8.3/10

  15. 15.  i-mate Ultimate 6150

    Aesthetic 3 out of 5 Usability 2 out of 5
    Performance 4.5 out of 5 Connectivity 5 out of 5
    Features 3 out of 5 Value for Money 1 out of 5
    Overall 68% Editors' Rating 8.3/10
    Nokia N95 8GB
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Talkback 9 comments

    Spell Check Anonymous -- 02/08/08

    Another high quality ZDNet review, featuring repeated misspellings of the word performance and connectivity.

    You also probably meant "aesthetics" instead of "aesthetic" -- the latter tending to imply you're rating the phone on its taste, vs. how it looks.

    Spelling mistakes Irene Mickaiel -- 05/08/08 (in reply to #320108316)

    We apologise about the spelling errors. Due to technical issues this article went live without being edited. Should you find any errors in articles, please feel free to bring it to our attention.

    Thanks,
    Irene

    How about the Anonymous -- 02/08/08

    Blackberry Bold and the HTC Pro? They would sit close to he top of that list.

    But instead they include the communicator that is all but dead in the market.

    K Anonymous -- 05/08/08 (in reply to #320108335)

    Communicator dead?? It has always been niche device and it has sold pretty nice considering for what the device is for. Where are you from? E90 deserves it's spot easily imo.

    Thought what's going on with the feature set stars.... N95 3.5 .... oki.

    BB is still really rare in Europe and Asia and pretty much have only one use.

    Fark the spell check! Anonymous -- 04/08/08

    This is an interesting article. I'm in the market for a smartphone so this is useful info for me.

    Comprehensive? i don't think so Anonymous -- 06/08/08

    so where are the reviews for other palm treo phones. this review is NOT comprehensive and reading this article was a waste of my time. PS no i don't work for palm, but i am a fan.

    Waste of time Anonymous -- 02/10/08 (in reply to #320109181)

    Reading your comment was a wast of my time...

    Nokia E71 Anonymous -- 10/11/08

    I was serious considering one of these until I learned that the device cant recharge via USB with PC. Thats a major issue with business people on the road having to carry another charger around.
    I remember thats why I got rid of my N70. Nokia still havent learnt.

    Nokia E71 Anonymous -- 05/06/09

    I have an E71 and i agree it is an awesome phone however you can't run windows mobile on it as it has Nokias Symbian operating system. That is the biggest problem for me at the moment as i need to run windows mobile for an application for work that i want to place on my smart phone

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