Three smartphones with no cameras

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With smartphones becoming common and replacing feature phones in most markets around the globe, the quest to find handsets without built-in cameras can be an arduous one. A key standard feature found on smartphones is the camera, and that is usually something that manufacturers highlight, too.

So if you happen to work in the military or in sensitive high-security areas that don't allow cameras, you may have to suppress your urge to play Angry Birds and make do with a camera-less feature phone. However, if you still require a smartphone, there are a couple of choices out there.

Not that they are easy to find--there only seems to be a paltry few, with most non-camera handsets being feature phones. With the recent news that Singapore telco M1 will be offering the iPhone 4S with its camera removed, there's now another option to consider.

There's a reason why there's a scarcity of camera-less smartphones from manufacturers. RIM told us in passing that the demand for non-camera devices has fallen as it's possible to disable the phone's camera via its BlackBerry Enterprise Software (BES). Of course, even if it's possible to disable the camera via software, the physical presence of a camera module on a handset might still make the security personnel at your workplace uncomfortable.

So, unless operators request for a camera-less model, it's unlikely that smartphone makers will create one from scratch for sale in a niche market (unless it can be proven that demand outweighs the company's costs).

1.  Apple iPhone 4S
 
CNET Asia rating: 8.7 out of 10
The good: Features a faster processor and an upgraded camera; iOS 5 and Siri; good call quality; good data speeds.
The bad: No large screen.
The bottom line: The iPhone 4S isn't the king of cell phones, but it's part of the royal family nonetheless. Even without 4G and a giant screen, this phone's smart(ass) voice assistant, Siri, the benefits of iOS 5, and its spectacular camera make it a top choice for anyone ready to upgrade.

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2.  BlackBerry Bold 9780
 
CNET Asia rating: 8 out of 10
The good: 5-megapixel camera; twice the RAM over Bold 9700.
The bad: OS 6 could be refined to suit non-touchscreen operation.
The bottom line: The BlackBerry Bold 9780 offers an unparalleled QWERTY keyboard and the new OS 6 addresses a number of key complaints we had in the past, including the browser which was seriously behind the times. This makes it one of the best non-touchscreen QWERTY smartphones in the market.

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3.  HTC Snap (without camera)
 
CNET Asia rating: 7 out of 10
The good: Great keyboard; good Inner Circle software.
The bad: Short battery life; awkward Windows Mobile interface.
The bottom line: The HTC Snap is one of the better messaging-focused Windows Mobile smartphones around at the moment, but its confusing user interface and poor battery life mean we can't see it tempting many BlackBerry users into making the switch.

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Aloysius Low
About the author

Aloysius Low is a Senior Writer at CNET Asia and covers all things mobile. A former World of Warcraft addict, he now dabbles in social media to stave off the withdrawal symptoms. As a lover of all things furry, he's also the unfortunate slave/minion of two adorable cats.

Aloysius Low, Senior Writer

Latest comments

Aren't we talking about smartphones without camera ?Where does the spectacular camera come in?

Posted by ramnath007
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