Top 5 handhelds for December '07

Ever since its impressive debut, the TyTN II has remained at pole position of our monthly Top 5 lists. The ranking for December 2007 is no different with this popular handheld perched firmly at the top.

Two other HTC devices are on the list, the Touch and Touch Dual. While we are not surprised that the Touch is there, the Dual's presence was unexpected. Among the three operators in Singapore, it is exclusive to SingTel. This should rightly limit its reach. But because retail outlets sell it too, and partly thanks to strong reader interest, this slider also made it onto the list.

With HTC topping the chart every month, when will a viable challenger come? With MWg (ex-O2 Asia) coming into the picture in the coming months, hopefully things will get shaken up soon.

Note: Results are based on readership as well as data collected from retail outlets (Mobile Square and WhyMobile) and the major mobile operators in Singapore including:

MobileOne

SingTel

StarHub

	1.	HTC TyTN II   CNET Asia rating: 7.9 out of 10 The good: A host of data connectivity options including HSDPA; GPS with bundled maps; good battery life; 3-megapixel autofocus camera. The bad: Heavy and bulky; still QVGA display; no camera light; no audio mini-jack. The bottom line: It may not be a quantum leap compared with the 838 Pro, but the TyTN II maintains what power users loved in the previous iteration--with a few extras. Review | See full specs | Rate this
	2.	HTC Touch (2nd generation)   CNET Asia rating: 7 out of 10 The good: Very compact design; Windows Mobile 6 Professional; TouchFLO interface; attractive modified Home screen; 128MB RAM makes interface snappy. The bad: Lacks 3G; poor SIM card and microSD slot design. The bottom line: With more color choices and much better performance due to the increased RAM, the enhanced Touch is what the original should have been to begin with. Review | See full specs | Rate this
	3.	BlackBerry 8707g / 8707v   Form factor Pad Connectivity options 3G, Bluetooth, GPRS/GSM, USB Operating system Others Monochrome or color Color RAM 64 MB Rated battery life 5 hours See full specs | Rate this
	4.	O2 Xda Atom Life   CNET Asia rating: 8 out of 10 The good: Stylish design; 1GB flash memory; faster processor compared with the Atom Exec; plentiful connectivity features including 3G and HSDPA; proprietary software that enhances user experience. The bad: Fingerprint magnet; sub-par audio quality; difficult to feel buttons on the sides; narrow viewing angle on LCD. The bottom line: The Xda Atom Life is one of the most full-featured handhelds we've come across, but it does come with a premium price tag. Review | See full specs | Rate this
	5.	HTC Touch Dual   CNET Asia rating: 8 out of 10 The good: HSDPA connectivity; numeric keypad for one-hand texting, excellent tweaks to the UI through TouchFLO; slim and attractive design; intuitive modified Home screen; snappy performance. The bad: No Wi-Fi; no GPS; keypad lacks an OK key; no dedicated audio connector. The bottom line: If the lack of Wi-Fi is not a big issue for you, the Touch Dual, with its great design and improved UI, is an excellent choice for both newcomers and experienced Windows Mobile users. Review | See full specs | Rate this