Nowadays mobile phones are more than just a means of keeping in touch. A wave of super stylish, multifunctional handsets is flooding an eager market.
We’ve rounded up the new models that’ll have the fashion conscious drooling, the music lover swooning and photo fans as snap happy as can be.
For music fans
The Nokia N91, due for release this winter, is one of the most hotly anticipated handsets of 2005. Touted as the iPod Mini’s downfall, it boasts 4Gb of storage (around 3,000 tracks). Other features include wireless communication applications for file sharing, 12 hours playtime on a fully charged battery and a 2megapixel camera. It might be twice as heavy as the iPod Mini, but for a phone, MP3 player and camera in one you can’t go wrong.
Rumours of an iTunes phone have been doing the rounds for months. And now it’s almost with us. The handset – produced by Motorola in conjunction with Apple – will have a white fascia and an iTunes button, is likely to be 3G and have excellent sound and memory capabilities.
Released in August 2005, the new W800i is the first phone to bear Sony Ericsson’s Walkman logo. It’s capable of storing up to 125 tracks, and comes in a stylish white handset with orange backlighting. As a bonus it also includes a 2megapixel camera.
For budding photographers
For those who want their phone to look like a phone and their camera to look like a camera, the K660i from Sony Ericsson does the job. As well as looking terrific, it does the job with a 1.3megapixel camera for stills and video recording.
For sheer beauty
For the fashion conscious who prefer to keep their audiovisual gadgets apart from their telecommunications, the new Nokia 8800, inspired by Finnish watch-making and jewellery techniques, is the epitome of state-of-the-art, with the emphasis on the art. Sleek and beautiful, the 8800 is one of the most sophisticated phones around. Oh, and if you change your mind about the audiovisual content, there’s a hidden camera and exclusive ringtones from an award-winning composer.
The best all-rounder
If your ideal phone encompasses all of the above and more, the new Samsung E720 may be just what you’re looking for. A traditional clock face on the screen gives it a touch of originality looks wise, while inside there’s a megapixel digital camera along with an MP3 player complete with 88.5MB of memory. Furthermore it weighs in at just 90g. Add to that a newly released photo printer, which can be attached to the phone to print out your snaps and you’re onto a winner.
Early mobile phones consigned to the attic or the dustbin might have more use than you think. Here are four ways of recycling the brick:
Hold on to it! Mobile phone technology is changing so rapidly that experts predict early models will become collectors’ items worth a buck or two. Keep yours safe, in original packaging if possible, and be patient!
Flog it! So many people are clocking on to the collectible nature of early mobile phones that if you’re desperate, you might be able to make some money already. Sell yours on eBay.
Donate it! If you recycle your mobile phone you could be raising vital funds for charity. Domestic violence charities, Refuge and Women's Aid have launched a mobile phone recycling service in partnership with The Body Shop, which, in 2004, raised almost £75,000. More.
Use it! If you’ve kept yours in good order, there’s nothing stopping you using it how technology intended. Retro phones are very now – so much so that Nokia has launched a range of 80s inspired mobiles.
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