3G phones for multimedia on the move

Round-up reviews let you compare four related products and find out which one is best for you

Last updated: 04 Dec 2006

There was a time when having a 3G phone meant lugging around a giant handset. Fortunately, advancements in design and technology have meant that you can now get pocketable 3G phones, and they're not as expensive as they used to be, either. Whether you want to make video calls, browse the Internet or download wallpapers and ringtones, having 3G connectivity will definitely ease the process.

Another important update is that 3G is no longer as expensive as it used to be, with several networks taking the initiative to offer flat-rate data plans so you can browse the Web without guilt. No more calculating how many kilobytes you have downloaded, just unlimited access to a plethora of Web sites, with some data plans allowing Skype calls and large downloads.

Indeed, 3G is very useful if you're a business user on the go -- most 3G phones can be hooked up to your computer or laptop and used as a modem. You'll find browsing Web pages this way will be faster because your computer's browser will be able to render them much better than a small screen. This means that rather than carrying around a 3G data card and mobile phone, you can do everything with your phone and USB cable.

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	Nokia N73	Sony Ericsson K800i	Samsung Z400	LG U400
Review date	6 Sep 06	19 Jul 06	17 Aug 06	30 Aug 06
Editors' rating	8.1	8.8	7.6	7.6
Price range
Review summary	The Nokia N73 works well as a smart phone and a camera phone. It has a range of connectivity options, a large colour screen and runs on the Symbian OS. This means it supports a multitude of third-party applications that you can easily upload on to the phone. Our only niggles with it are the small keypad and lack of xenon flash on the camera Read full review	For a relatively small and lightweight 3G phone the Sony Ericsson K800i is positively dripping with features and the headline 3.2-megapixel camera isn't the only good thing about it. We aren't big fans of Sony's new tiny Memory Stick Micro, but if nothing else the K800i stylishly shows that 3G handsets have at last made it mainstream Read full review	Samsung's Z400 is a compact and light 3G phone with video calling capabilities. It's only really useful, though, if you like making video calls or browsing the Web over a 3G connection. The 2-megapixel camera feels poor against camera phones like the Sony Ericsson K800i, which features a 3.2-megapixel camera with autofocus and flash. The keypad is lacklustre, too -- it feels awkward to use due to its layout. This is one of Samsung's best 3G phones, but it's not as inspiring as we would like it to be Read full review	The easy-to-use LG U400 might lack the finesse of its Chocolate sibling, but it comes into its own with its scroll wheel to navigate through menus and tracks, its 3G connectivity and its expandable memory slot. Unfortunately, some of its simplicity is tarnished by 3's dedicated soft keys, which can't be changed and get in the way Read full review
User rating	6.0	7.0	8.0
Form factor	Candy-bar	Candy-bar	Slider	Slider
Weight	116 g	115 g	107 g	114 g
Talk time (mfr)	246 min	420 min	222 min	232 min
Standby time (mfr)	370 hours	350 hours	320 hours	335 hours
3G	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Camera resolution	3.2 megapixels	3.2 megapixels	2 megapixels	2 megapixels
Music playback	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
FM radio	Yes	Yes	n/a	No
Infrared	Yes	Yes	n/a	n/a
Bluetooth	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
	Full specification	Full specification	Full specification	Full specification