The top 5 mobiles to put on your Christmas list

We compare the handsets fighting to be Xmas number one

The T-Mobile G1 is one of this season’s must-have handsets

It’s been a great year for mobile phone lovers the world over. While 2007 brought us the first sniff of the Apple iPhone, 2008 has delivered killer handsets from a whole range of different manufacturers.

Do you want an iPhone but feel you’re better suited to the BlackBerry Storm?

Think Google Android’s G1 could be the answer to your search?

To find that perfect mobile match this festive season, check out TechRadar’s guide to the best phones to put on your list for Santa…

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Apple iPhone 3G

Available on: O2

Price: From free on a £45-per-month tariff; from £349.99 on pay as you go

The good

Apple’s legendary App Store transforms the device into a multi-talented all-rounder.
Full-page Safari web browsing will make you forget you’re on a mobile phone.
Simple Wi-Fi access brings faster download speeds and internet access outside 3G coverage areas.
MobileMe users get mail and iCal appointments ‘pushed’ to their phone over the air.
Doubles as an iPod: browse music by Cover Flow and watch movies widescreen.

The bad

The 2-megapixel camera is poor, with no option to shoot video clips.
Battery life is weedy compared to its peers.
Persistent complaints of call drop-outs have been doing the rounds on forums.
No MMS picture messaging, although third-party apps are emerging.
Built-in internal battery leaves no room for replacing duds.

Buy it if: You’re an Apple fanboy with a MobileMe account.

Don’t buy it if: You’re into imaging and video.

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T-Mobile G1

Available on: T-Mobile

Price: From free on a £30-per-month tariff

The good

Open-source Android operating system is quick to load.
Plenty of scope for the development of unique apps in the future.
Gmail contacts and calendar automatically updated over the air.
Slide-out Qwerty keyboard avoids touchscreen messaging woes.
3G and Wi-Fi connectivity for speedy, versatile browsing

The bad

Chunky build lacks the sophistication of similar handsets.
Basic multi-touch functionality compared to the iPhone.
No push email for POP3 and IMAP clients or support for Microsoft Exchange Server.
Android Market has few apps at the moment and Amazon’s MP3 music download service is still US-only.
Poor camera performance and no video capture.

Buy it if: You’re Googled-up to the max and like a ‘proper’ keyboard.
Don’t buy it if: You want to impress your mates down the pub.

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BlackBerry Storm

Available on: Vodafone

Price: From free on a £35–per-month tariff

The good

Brings the power of push email to the masses, with support for most email clients.
Business apps allow you to view and edit (unlike the iPhone and G1) Office documents.
New ClickThrough touchscreeen technology mimics the feel of real buttons.
Great call quality and battery life thanks to RIM’s handset know-how.
Supports A2DP for wireless Bluetooth headsets.

The bad

Sluggish accelerometer is slow to catch up with portrait and landscape mode changes.
Touchscreen is unresponsive and predictive text lacks the iPhone’s sophistication.
No Wi-Fi means you’re stuck with Vodafone’s HSDPA ‘unlimited’ data plans.
Available apps are through Vodafone only and limited. (RIM’s Application Storefront is not due to be launched until March 2009.)
Mac users cannot sync data without a third-party app.

Buy it if: You want to prove you have a personality outside the office.
Don’t buy it if: You’re a Mac user.

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3 INQ1

Available on: 3

Price: From free on a £15-per-month tariff; £80 on pay as you go

The good