Which Smart Phone To Buy?

Confused about which of the latest smart phones to buy? Here's our pick of the best models.

By Emily Peck

The latest smart phones can be used to play music at home, can control your home automation system and help keep your 'to-do' list done. So where to start when making your choice? Begin by considering the following options.

Which Operating System Should I Choose?

There are four main operating systems to choose from including Android (Google's operating system, which is increasingly popular), Windows Phone, Symbian (used on most Nokia phones) and iOS (what the iPhone runs on). There are also others such as BADA (Samsung) or 360 (Vodafone). Each system offers a slightly different experience and it's a matter of personal taste which you prefer, so have a play with them all to see which suits you best.

QWERTY Keypad Or Touch Screen?

Some people swear by QWERTY keyboards (like that on a BlackBerry) whereas others love touch screen (like that on an iPhone). Some smart phones offer both - such as Sony Ericsson's X10 Mini Pro. It's a matter of taste, so test them out before you buy.

How Easy Are The Social Networking Features?

All smart phones offer access to email and social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter via mobile browsers and apps, but some are easier to view and access than others. The best smart phones let you run lots of applications at the same time and integrate all the information into one place, so that you're always connected and getting updates from your social networking and email accounts. Some, like Vodafone's 845, come with in-built services such as 360 that brings together friends, communities, maps and music on the phone.