Top 10 phones for October

In our previous Top 10 list, we mentioned that it'd be interesting to see if the iPhone 3G moves up the rankings when operators MobileOne and StarHub start to sell the handset. Turns out we spoke too soon as changes in the distribution schedule have affected the two telcos' plans to have the device on their networks by the end of the year. SingTel, on the other hand, has confirmed that it will be the only operator in Singapore with the iPhone 3G this year. That said, the iPhone 3G moved up three notches to take the fourth spot in our Top 10 list for October, with the Nokia E71, E66 and the Samsung F480 holding onto the top three positions, respectively. New entrants saw the LG Secret and the Nokia N85 enter the fray, with the Sony Ericsson W890i Walkman and G900 falling out of favor with the crowd.

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.	Nokia E71       CNET Asia rating: 8.7 out of 10 The good: Slim and stylish design; solid build quality; full range of wireless features; works right out of the box; snappy performance; excellent battery life. The bad: Counter-intuitive camera autofocus; media browser could do with a little upgrade; Easy Dial feature not available. The bottom line: The Nokia E71 is easily one of the best QWERTY smart phones that combine strong features as well as a good balance between business and entertainment, at a competitive price. Review | See full specs | Rate this
	2.	Nokia E66   CNET Asia rating: 9 out of 10 The good: Solid and attractive build; HSDPA, Wi-Fi and A-GPS; excellent productivity tools. The bad: Smaller battery compared with the E71; accelerometer can be a nuisance. The bottom line: While we like the E71 better, the E66 is a great smart phone with class-leading features. If you want the functionality of a business phone without the bulk of a PDA form factor, the E66 is the phone you've been looking for. Review | See full specs | Rate this
	3.	Samsung SGH-F480   CNET Asia rating: 6.6 out of 10 The good: Compact size; solid build; cool widgets interface; HSDPA; Bluetooth stereo; microSD expansion card slot. The bad: Vulnerable to fingerprints; software can be improved; lacks Wi-Fi. The bottom line: The F480 is a stylish touchscreen handset with a wealth of features, but its user interface could do with a little improvement. Review | See full specs | Rate this
	4.	Apple iPhone 3G   CNET Asia rating: 8.3 out of 10 The good: Offers critical new features including support for high-speed 3G networks, third-party applications, and expanded email; improved call quality is improved; continues to deliver an excellent music and video experience. The bad: Continues to lack some basic features that are available on even the simplest cell phone; also, we prefer the original iPhone's design. The bottom line: The iPhone 3G delivers on its promises by adding critical features and sharper performance. The iTunes Apps Store is pretty amazing, and the 3G support is more than welcome. We still have a few gripes, but the iPhone 3G is a big improvement over the original model. Review | See full specs | Rate this
	5.	Sony Ericsson C902 Cyber-shot   CNET Asia rating: 6.7 out of 10 The good: Fashionable, lean form factor; lots of camera features; flashier user interface; HSDPA. The bad: Stiff, angled keypad; poorly located volume buttons; no Xenon flash. The bottom line: The C902 Cyber-shot is mostly let down by some poor design implantations, but is still a decent camera-phone overall. Review | See full specs | Rate this