PDA style phone Sony Ericsson P900
There are three good choices, each of which uses a different operating system. Fans of the Palm operating system have the Handspring Treo 600, a smallish device, simple to use, which boasts an excellent web browser and email facilities for a very reasonable £120. O2's Microsoft Windows-powered XDA II has the best screen seen on a phone, plus a camera, Bluetooth and a more powerful processor than the original XDA. It is pricey, though. The best of the lot is the Sony Ericsson P900. It might have a more industrial design than its predecessor, but its awesome line-up of facilities, which are seamlessly integrated into the intuitive Symbian 7 operating system, gives it the edge. It is available from most networks. www.sonyericsson.com/uk
Smartphone Orange SPV E-200
Cramming email, web access, contact management facilities and music players into smallish devices has concentrated the minds of almost all the major manufacturers this year. Motorola's Microsoft Windows-powered MPx-200 has an impressive amount of facilities in a tiny clamshell, while Nokia's 6600 has even more features in a slightly larger candy bar-style phone. Yet the best of the lot is the third incarnation of the Orange Microsoft Windows smartphone, the SPV E-200. Orange has added key facilities such as Bluetooth and a camera, improved the phone's memory and operating system and made it easier to use. The result is the best smartphone so far. www.orange.co.uk
Camera phone Sharp GX20
This year has seen an explosion in the camera phone market, with virtually every manufacturer offering at least a couple of models in their ranges. Yet two handsets tower above the rest. There's a strong case for the Sony Ericsson T610 coming out on top as it is both beautifully designed and is remarkably simple to use. Yet the Sharp GX20, the latest incarnation of the David Beckham-approved Vodafone Live! handset, just about sneaks it. Although some will point out that its clamshell design is a little chunky compared with the slimline Sony Ericsson, in terms of the pictures it takes and, most of all, its superb screen, it has the edge over its rival. www.vodafone.co.uk
Pay as you go handset Panasonic G50
A tricky choice, as handsets as sophisticated as the Sony Ericsson P900 are ranged against no frills models from the likes of Sendo and Siemens. Yet in terms of sheer value for money, a few stand out. If you want a camera phone, it is hard to argue with the Sagem MyX-6. Available at a very competitive price from several networks, its quality screen is ideal for framing and viewing pictures, and playing games. Our pay as you go handset of the year, though, goes to the Panasonic G50. It might be the smallest handset on sale in the UK, but the manufacturer has still found room for a quality colour screen, polyphonic ringtones and a raft of organiser-style facilities. It is available from Virgin Mobile. www.virginmobile.com
Budget overall phone Siemens SL55
There is now a huge range of phones selling on pay monthly contracts for next to nothing. 02's X1, which is currently free, combines a good camera and screen with a surprising number of features. Shame it is tricky to use. Nokia's newly launched candy bar-style camera phone, the 3200, is also great value for money, although it is compromised by a low-quality screen and limited storage. There's also LG's debut handset, the G7100, which marries a quirky design with a host of innovative features, including a flash for its camera. Yet the handset we reckon budget buyers should choose is the Siemens SL55, on account of a stunning and innovative design and its pocketable size. Available from O2 and Virgin Mobile. www.my-siemens.co.uk
