STYLISH PHONES OF 2008

Nokia 8600 Luna

Coming from the Nokia 8-Series, the 8600 Luna, with its stunning looks, has an appetite to kill the appeal of almost every other handset around it. Its body is made of all exquisite materials. With a complete stainless steel black body and chrome lines running around it, the phone has been designed to grab attention. Except for the display area, there is an encapsulating smoked glass cover that runs around the handset.

The illuminated alphanumeric keypad under the smoked glass really looks good. However, the Luna is quite heavy at 140gm. But again, it is a matter of taste and I for one like phones that weigh a bit but only if they have the build to carry it.

Now the 8600 Luna is a phone that concentrates more on its looks than functionality. The phone is just given the bare necessities when it comes to functionality. So only expect your calls and texting to be taken care of with ease, the rest of it is questionable.

Motorola RAZR 2

Well, without the mention of a Motorola phone this article just wouldn't feel right. The RAZR has been a revolution as far as mobile handset design is considered. Building on that very success, Motorola brought out the RAZR2, which is highly appealing.

Its glossy body is made of a list of materials that went straight over my head when I first heard of them. So well this phone too has its own list of exquisite materials used in its build which could be the reason it weighs over 100 gm. Nevertheless, the phone is a head turner; its large screens of equal size seen on the inside as well as outside are impressive.

There are two versions to the RAZR2; V8 and V9. While the V8 is further available in two variants - 512MB and 2GB. The V9 simply leaves the choice up to you with a memory card slot. The RAZR2 is far more functional compared to the previously mentioned 8600 Luna, which is just all show and no go.

LG KF510

The KF510 is from the LG stable and if you are wondering how in the world an LG appeared in this list then I must remind you that LG does have a lot of credit for its design. The Chocolate handset from LG not only proves the point that the company can design but also that they can come up with innovative ideas. Well those very ideas that were born through the Chocolate handset have been carried forward to the KF510; I'm talking about Haptic Touch Navigation panel.

The KF510 hasn't scored a lot of points for its body material, but it's still got the looks with its really flashy chrome sides and the mesmerizing plain face when the large 2.2-inch screen is dead. The phone features a slim design and weighs just 91gm. The KF510 may not attract many by its looks as much as it would do through its Touch panel animations. The touch panel takes a while to get used to but once you do, it's quite a task getting back to pressing buttons for navigation.

The LG KF510 is one good-looking handset with quite a bundle of features. Its 3.5MP camera is pretty good and connectivity options well covered. The phone has one more feature that makes it different from other phones in this list. While maintaining good looks this phone is priced well within the reach of people. However, though an affordable phone is always good, affordability could also bring down its exclusivity and so may not appeal to some people.

Nokia 8800 Carbon Arte

This one again is from the 8-series of Nokia phones, a line up of premium handsets. The 8800 started it all and till date has quite an appeal. In fact, the company works more on stitching a new outfit for it than make some technical upgrades. From the base 8800, to the Sirocco, Sirocco Gold, Arte, Sapphire Arte and now the Carbon Arte, Nokia 8800 seems like it will soon have quite a wardrobe.

The 8800 was released two years back and has impressed with its full steal body. It's the 8800 that gives the 8600 Luna its classy sliding design. The latest of the 8800; the Carbon Arte does see the use of exotic materials like carbon fiber, titanium, durable stainless steel, and scratch resistant glass. Add to those materials there also has been a bit of functionality upgrades over time, like now you get a 4GB of internal memory, a 3.15MP autofocus camera, and 3G support.

The Carbon Arte in particular is way expensive than its predecessors. This, as I have already mentioned, could sound good or bad but exclusivity comes at a price. The Carbon Arte won't let you down and will attract all the attention that you've paid for it.


HTC Touch Diamond

HTC Touch Diamond is really well-designed phone. It was really surprising to hear the name of the phone and then later on see an imitation of diamond cut edges at the back of the phone. The TouchFLO 3D, and cool backlight from its navigation panel add to its style.

One of the few handsets that has the looks as well as is a powerhouse of convergence. The phone earlier had issues with smooth operations but a recent update has set things flowing pretty well for the device. The TouchFLO 3D is one aspect of the phone that is sure to gain attention while being operated on the Touch Diamond's 2.8-inch screen. The phone as compared to the premium 8-Series of Nokia is a much better pick as far as both looks and functionality go.

Sony Ericsson XPERIA X1

The XPERIA like the Touch Diamond is also a Windows Mobile handset. The XPERIA packs flaunt with it. The large slick screen, edgy keys below the phone, chrome strip running around and the black metal finish all add to the phones charm.

The slide out QWERTY keypad of the phone also has flaunt-value and its silver finished keys are ergonomically cut out to improve typing. The phone is not like most windows mobile handsets in the sense of being bulky. The XPERIA is a premium handset from Sony Ericsson and we will surely see many more X's to follow with the X1 just setting the trend. The Sony Ericsson XPERIA recently launched in India and has a retail price of Rs.45,000. Way too pricey; initial exclusivity will also play a part in its overall flaunt.

Few Words

Today the phones that I've mentioned in the list are phones that demand quite a load of money not for the features they provide but for their style. Style revolves around taste and tastes differ. I'm sure there will be many who may object to an iPhone's exclusion from this list. Well, the iPhone wasn't the best looking thing, the iPhone 3G does gather some points but not enough to feature in this list.

Anyways I've had my say and would like readers to contribute their opinions on the list and their choice of a style phone. Moreover, I can't refrain from not talking about the recently announced Motorola Aura which just steals the show and will do so when it finally releases in the market.

Motorola Aura

After its announcement it just doesn't feel right not to mention about the Motorola Aura. Motorola has done it once again;they've redefined handset design. What beats all is that for the first time you've a screen that's measured in diameters! (As it is circular).

The phone has mechanically operated swivel design that opens like a blade. The phone has this unique-looking stainless steel body and with all those etchings it looks attractive. The Motorola Aura is coming soon and will surely put every other handset to shame. I wonder even if Motorola's very own RAZR2 will be able to stand up against it as far as looks are concerned. Motorola surely have always been trend-setters in their designs.