Top 10 phones of July

The good:  Fashionable design; excellent display and polyphony; good VGA camera with effective Night mode; huge 9MB memory.

The bad:  Lacks triband; quirky user interface; no programmable shortcut keys; lacks Bluetooth.

The bottom line: An exceptional blend of looks, features and performance, the Samsung SGH-E700 is a top bet for anyone after a compact and stylish camera-phone.

The good:  designed with an understated style; bright 65K screen; 3D stereo sound; VGA camera with photo light; external storage; good battery life.

The bad:  Jerky video playback; no video recording; no FM radio.

The bottom line: The Motorola E398 with its host of features is well-suited for sophisticated mobile users while its smart outlook will appeal to executives.

The good:  Unique appearance; comprehensive feature set; fast and user-friendly interface; comes with stereo radio headset.

The bad:  Plasticky build; disappointing display and polyphony; fabric covers stain easily; lacks Bluetooth; expensive.

The bottom line: This handset will appeal primarily to Nokia fans wishing for a clamshell. Unfortunately, its display and sound fall behind the latest from other manufacturers and may not quite justify the 7200's current high price tag.

The good:  Hybrid game-phone; comfortable grip for gaming; dedicated MMC slot; Bluetooth-enabled.

The bad:  Small portrait-oriented screen; mono audio jack; no MP3 player.

The bottom line: This updated N-Gage fixes a few design miscues of the original. If gaming holds precedence for you in a phone, the QD is worth considering.

The good:  Classy looks; packed with features; wealth of personalization options.

The bad:  So-so camera implementation; detectable screen banding; hissing sound in voice calls.

The bottom line: Despite a few quirks, the T610's all-round quality merits a recommendation. This is a phone with something for everyone. Tech-savvy users will love its connectivity options, while even the average user will appreciate its multimedia capabilities.