MOST READ: Top 5 Cell Phones of 2008

2) LG Incite: This phone was a huge surprise for me. I wasn't expecting LG's GSM/GPRS/EDGE/HSDPA world phone to be such a terrific device. The Incite runs on the latest version of Microsoft's Windows Mobile operating system (6.1) and is a dream to use. Sure, its touchscreen isn't as slick as the iPhone's, but it does work very well. Add to that a 3 megapixel camera, expandable memory, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and nearly every doodad you can think of, and you get yourself a terrific smartphone. You also get superior battery life (more than a day per charge).

There is no applet store that compares to Apple's, but the phone's operating system can update without its user synching it to a PC. Finally, the LG Incite doesn't drop voice calls, even though it operates on the same AT&T network as the iPhone. After rebates, it sells for $199 on AT&T's Web site.

3) Nokia (NOK Quote) e71: This little world phone is an absolute gem. It doesn't have a touchscreen (there's a nifty looking touchscreen Nokia coming next year) but it seems to have everything else one could ask for. The e71 is smaller in person than it looks in a photo but sports an incredibly usable keyboard (even though the keys are small) and nearly every smartphone feature you can think of. The aluminum case gives the phone a wonderful, high-tech feel. Users can even set up two home screens: one for work and one for personal play, each featuring different icons and applications. It can handle Microsoft Exchange mail as well as POP and IMAP mail.

In my tests, the e71 provided three days of battery life per charge with every feature turned on. That's days, not hours. Nokia's application download store should be coming online soon. Unfortunately U.S. carriers aren't offering this amazing handset, but buyers can find it unlocked on Nokia's Web site and through select retailers for $442.

4) Research in Motion's (RIMM Quote) BlackBerry Storm: I know this pick is somewhat controversial. Some reviewers and early adapters had problems with this phone, but I'm among the testers who did not. This CDMA/world phone and smartphone's mode of operation is unique: The Storm 's entire touchscreen is a mechanical button, so the screen actually clicks when you press it twice. The screen worked perfectly for me, though I wish the one-finger scrolling was a little less sensitive to the touch. Once you get used to the screen's action, the phone is just as addictive to use as the iPhone. The built-in camera measures 3.2 megapixels.

So far the online application downloads are limited. Battery life is average: Figure on getting a full day's use per charge. Verizon (VZ Quote) is selling the Storm for $199 after rebates. Overseas, GSM/GPRS/EDGE/HSDPA phone service worked perfectly in Europe, but service charges could be expensive.