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Top 5 ultraslim phones

By CNET Asia staff

Motorola may have started the thin phone trend when it launched the Razr clamshell in 2004, but things have certainly changed quite a bit since. For one, other mobile vendors have caught up and introduced even slimmer mobiles. And while there's usually some feature trade-offs on the earlier generations of thin handsets, the latest handsets today sport much improved functions. These include higher-resolution cameras, expandable memory card slots, Bluetooth stereo A2DP, 3G and even HSDPA connectivity. So if you are in the market for a really thin phone but are not willing to compromise on features, take a look at these five recommendations that push the limit with their sub-10mm form factors.

Click here for a feature comparison table.

1.  Nokia 5310 XpressMusic
 
CNET Asia rating: 8.0 out of 10
The good: Slim, chic design; good sound reproduction; onboard 3.5mm audio jack; dedicated music controls; A2DP Bluetooth stereo; microSD card slot; crisp image quality.
The bad: Slow camera performance; average battery life; no 3G/HSDPA.
The bottom line: Despite its less-than-impressive camera performance, the 5310 XpressMusic is still one of the best-equipped music-phones in the market today.

Dimensions: 103.8 x 44.7 x 9.9mm

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2.  Sony Ericsson W890i Walkman
 
CNET Asia rating: 8 out of 10
The good: Chic and slim design; brushed metal finish; improved usability; bundled with 2GB Memory Stick Micro M2; 3.5mm adapter accessory; HSDPA; Bluetooth stereo.
The bad: Proprietary connector port on the left edge; M2 card slot behind battery cover; mediocre camera features.
The bottom line: Design is clearly the focus on the W890i and it's where this Walkman truly shines. At the same time, we can't deny that the W890i is also a solid handset. If you can live with its mediocre camera, this Walkman phone is a keeper.

Dimensions: 104 x 46.5 x 9.9mm

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3.  Nokia 6500 classic
 
CNET Asia rating: 7.3 out of 10
The good: Chic design; solid feel; dualband 3G; Bluetooth stereo A2DP; 1GB onboard memory.
The bad: Single micro-USB connector prevents multitasking; not autofocus camera; video calls not possible even with main camera; lacks FM tuner.
The bottom line: The 6500 classic is truly a great-looking model for users who just want a good and simple handset that works.

Dimensions: 109.8 x 45 x 9.5mm

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4.  Nokia 2630
 
CNET Asia rating: 6 out of 10
The good: Slim profile; lightweight; FM radio; 2.5mm audio jack; affordable.
The bad: No dedicated volume key; top row of keypad flush with control buttons.
The bottom line: The Nokia 2630 will appeal to those looking for a no-frills, affordable candy-bar phone.

Dimensions: 105 x 45 x 9.9mm

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5.  Samsung Soulb
 
First take
I've had embarrassing moments when I've pronounced words incorrectly. Needless to say, I saw it coming when I joked that the latest Samsung candy bar--the Soulb--was called "soap" with a slight hint of "b" at the end. According to the Korea chaebol, the Soulb is pronounced as "soul bi". "Soulb" is wrong. So are "soul bar", "soul to the power of b" and "soul bee". Frankly, if you really can't be bothered, just call it the U800.

Dimensions: 111 x 46 x 9.9mm

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Tags: Sony Walkman, Nokia Corp., Camera, camera performance, CNET Networks Inc.

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