The All About Symbian blog has a listing of the most popular QWERTY keypad phones in the market today. Note that this isn’t confined to Nokia phones only — as Symbian is an open platform allowing other phone manufacturers a hand in developing around it. Which is why, in this list, we have a player from LG. I’m sure we’re going to get more QWERTY devices from other manufacturers running S60 as the future comes to present.

So the verdict? In descending order, it seems that the best would be the Nokia E90, a fantastic phone that spelled the “last” of the Communicator line — or is it?? Heh.

Bottom of the list? Surprisingly, Nokia’s new N97! Interesting.

[image c/o author]

I attended an intimate dinner with the guys from LG Mobile and she showed off their latest entry level device, the LG KS360. This device is positioned to be an entry level QWERTY keypad phone priced at P8,9xx.00 (roughly USD $200) making it the cheapest QWERTY enabled phone in the market today. The unit does not come with fast Internet connectivity or a really superb camera. For all intents and purposes, this is a messaging phone for the masses that need to transition to a numerical keypad.

I must note though that the unit comes with a pseudo touch screen which only activates when you turn on the dialer when the unit is closed. Interesting — a sparingly used touch screen feature!

[photo c/o author ]

I always enjoyed HTC’s line of smartphones because of their elegant look — but the reality is, using Windows Mobie 6.1 without a QWERTY keypad can be a pain especially since we’ve been pampered by newer and more advanced user interfaces such as the haptic navigation for the iPhone and Nokia’s touch screen interface for S60. So HTC brings in the Snap, a device running on WinMo 6.1, bringing in a really spacious keypad. The keypad will be complemented with a trackball similar to Samsung’s own Windows Mobile device. Bluetooth, WiFi, A-GPS, microSD expansion are some of the key features — and I must say typical of any WinMo device today.

[Photo c/o HTC website]

Coming out this second quarter of 2009, the Nokia E75 is the latest enterprise-class (Star Trek!) mobile phone to succeed the E63, E66 and E71. The new E75 is basically an E66 with a sliding keyboard behind it. Specs wise, it pretty much doesn’t add new features that have already been revolutionized by the E71 from last year. The only thing that’s really new is the integration of the Nokia Messaging service, allowing you access to mobile email through Nokia’s side of the fence.

There’s been Internet … banter about the LG Banter — it resembles the Rumor, which was unveiled in CES 2009. Alltel announced today that it will be carrying the LG Banter (heck, the name really gets to me). Nothing really superb about this phone apart from the mid-range QWERTY feature.

[photo c/o LG PR]

Other specs include a 1.3MP camera, MP3 player, Bluetooth, and microSD expansion.

Oh guess what, there’s a promo:

Alltel Wireless is offering the LG Banter for $19.99 after a $50 mail-in-rebate at Alltel retail stores and online at shopalltel.com. This discounted price is available to new and existing eligible customers who sign-up for a two-year service agreement on a qualifying rate plans. Customers purchasing the LG Banter may also receive the Alltel Hue II by Samsung or an additional LG Banter for free with activation of a second two-year agreement on a qualifying rate plan, while supplies last.

With the successful launch of the NOkia 5800 XpressMusic, Nokia now goes the opposite direction - after launching a phone with no keys, it launches the 5730 XpressMusic, a phone with A LOT OF KEYS! The Nokia 5730 is the first full QWERTY phone from Nokia that bears a full keypad, allowing you to do more work than just listen to music.

The Nokia E63 is the cheaper brother to the more elegant E71. Slightly thicker with more playful colors of blue and “Space Marine” red, the E63 boasts a similar form factor sans the secondary camera, HSDPA. It also comes with a lower resolution 2MP camera as compared to the E71’s 3.2MP camera. Truthfully, this is not a bad deal if you’ve always wanted to own an E71 but could not spare the extra cash. The phone is obviously targeted to compete with the Palm Centro which caters to a more young and hip market that desires much for a QWERTY keyboard.

One thing that the E63 has that the E71 doesn’t — a 3.5mm audio output! The E71 only has a 2.5mm which means you’d have to find a third party adapter to plug in your regular headphones.

* S60 3rd Edition FP1
* WiFi, 3G (no HSDPA?)
* Quad band GSM 850/900/1800/1900 MHz
* Dual band WCDMA, 3 models: E63-1 900/2100 MHz, E63-2 850/1900 MHz, E63-3 850/2100 MHz
* Dimensions: 113 x 59 x 13 mm Weight: 126 g Volume: 87 cc
* 2 megapixel camera
* 2.36″ QVGA (240×320 pixel) display
* 3.5mm stereo AV socket
* Micro-USB connector
* 110 MB internal memory plus microSD socket (up to 8GB)
* FM radio with RDS
* 1500mAh battery

[photo from PhilMUG]

Hands down it looks like something for make up. But what it is - the Samsung Cleo. They say women can fit anything into their handbags so Samsung was consistent with this belief and crammed a QWERTY keyboard inside one of these things. Can you believe it, because I can’t!

The device comes with a 1.3MP camera and colored LCD screen. Samsung introduced this phone as part of their sponsorship for Desperately Different Spring/Summer 2009. The Samsung Cleo will be available through Bell in Canada. What, none in Asia?? What gives?!

[photo credit to IntoMobile and Gadgenista]