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This story was printed from CNET Asia.
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Top 10 phones of August

By CNETAsia staff
16/08/2004
URL: http://asia.cnet.com/reviews/mobilephones/0,39050603,39190161,00.htm

For quite a while, the Nokia 6230 has been entrenched in the top spot striking a chord with its multimedia wizardry. This month, Nokia's powerhouse takes a back seat as it faces stiff competition from Sony Ericsson's K700i. The fashionable E600 clamshell and the V80 swiveler get their well-deserved placements, too. Read on and find out the 10 hottest phones for August.

Note: Results are based on readership and telephone polls conducted with various retailers in Singapore.

Five most popular | Next five | Last month's rankings

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1.  Sony Ericsson K700i    
 
CNETAsia rating: 8.3 out of 10
The good:  Classy executive design; top-notch finish; VGA camera with photo light; MP3 player; FM radio; speakerphone.
The bad:  No expansion slot; sporadic pauses.
The bottom line: More than just an incremental upgrade, the K700i addresses numerous imperfections in past models to deliver a winning blend of style, design and unparalleled multimedia.

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2.  Nokia 6230
 
CNETAsia rating: 8 out of 10
The good:  Classy executive design; video-capable VGA camera; MP3 playback; FM radio; Bluetooth and infrared; MMC expansion slot.
The bad:  Small display; buggy.
The bottom line: While we're astounded by this Nokia's multimedia abilities and connectivity options, the screen and dodgy software leave an unpleasant aftertaste.

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3.  Nokia 7610
 
CNETAsia rating: 8 out of 10
The good:  Unorthodox design; 1-megapixel camera; RS-MMC expansion slot.
The bad:  Mono audio output; occasional lag; pricey.
The bottom line: This handset impresses by fusing fashion with function, but oversights like the lack of stereo audio output disappoint.

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4.  Panasonic X70
 
CNETAsia rating: 7 out of 10
The good:  Attractive design; bright, beautiful display; Bluetooth-enabled.
The bad:  Short battery life; low photo resolution; minor stability issues.
The bottom line: The Panasonic X70 is a gorgeous mobile marred by limited photo resolution, minor stability issues, and the lack of Java; it fails to live up to the hype of its formidable predecessor.

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5.  Motorola E398
 
CNETAsia rating: 7.7 out of 10
The good:  Attractively 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.

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Five most popular | Next five | Last month's rankings


Five most popular | Next five | Last month's rankings

Click here for a feature comparison table.
6.  Sony Ericsson T630
 
CNETAsia rating: 8 out of 10
The good:  Stylish new design; full-featured.
The bad:  Software remains a tad slow; significantly pricier than the T610.
The bottom line: The new Sony Ericsson T630, despite the fresh design and new display, really isn't too different from the T610. But given how good the latter was, that's not such a bad thing at all.

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7.  Nokia 5140
 
CNETAsia rating: 7.4 out of 10
The good:  Splash- and shock-resistant design; rich feature set; long battery life.
The bad:  Primitive screen; lackluster polyphony.
The bottom line: Rugged looks coupled with enhanced resistance against the elements make this handset a good companion for the careless and sporty.

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8.  Samsung SGH-E700
 
CNETAsia rating: 8 out of 10
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.

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9.  Motorola V80
 
CNETAsia rating: 8 out of 10
The good:  Unique swivel design; sharp TFT; top-grade finish; Bluetooth; MP3 ringtones; sound-activated rhythm lights; landscape imaging.
The bad:  Quirky message engine; no infrared; lacks video recording.
The bottom line: This headturning V80 from Motorola delivers the right blend of looks, style and technology.

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10.  Samsung SGH-E600
 
CNETAsia rating: 7.7 out of 10
The good:  Petite VGA camera-phone; 64-chord polyphony; video recording with audio; excellent battery life.
The bad:  Uninspiring design that resembles previous models; moderately high price tag; lacks speakerphone.
The bottom line: This diminutive E600 is a beautifully designed phone with Samsung's trademark winning formula of a small footprint while packing in good functionality.

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Five most popular | Next five | Last month's rankings