Top mobile devices of 2005

By Ella Morton on 09 February 2006

Tags: laptop | mobile | notebook | pda | phone | review | read | 2-megapixel | xda | samsung

Top 10 mobile devices of 2005We trawled through the last year's archives and handpicked the 10 mobile devices that impressed us the most over the last 12 months.

In mobile computing, we saw fast and flashy Ferarris, found that tablets had become easier to swallow, and PDAs became spacially aware with inbuilt GPS receivers.

Mobile telephony was characterised by heightened convergence, the return of the "brick" (albeit a 3G-enabled brick), and a blurring of the distinction between phone and PDA. Slider and clamshell designs continued to make inroads in the Australian market, which seems to have finally accepted that a candybar-shaped mobile isn't the only way to go.

We take a look back at the mobile devices that defined 2005 and offer our picks. The 10 products were chosen based on innovative design, superior performance, or because they offer a killer feature or two that sets them apart from the pack.

All Stars 2005

Sony Ericsson K750i
Sony Ericsson K750i
Read review

We can barely fault the 2-megapixel K750i from Sony Ericsson, which is a very compelling and easy-to-use handset for mobile users looking to upgrade.
Motorola A1000
O2 Xda Atom
Read review

The Xda Atom has Wi-Fi, a 2-megapixel camera and runs on Windows Mobile 5.0, yet shares the same dimensions as the Xda II Mini.
Samsung D600
Samsung D600
Read review

Samsung's D600 builds on the success of the D500, voted the best phone of 2005 by the GSM Association, by brightening up the screen, adding a 2-megapixel camera, a Transflash memory card slot for up to 512MB of storage and a TV output.
Sony Ericsson Z800i
Sony Ericsson W800i
Read review

The W800i has a funky, eye-catching design and a music-centric feature set that will appeal to a youthful, fun-loving audience.
Nokia N70
Nokia N70
Read review

It might be the baby of Nokia's N Series, but the N70 still sports a 2-megapixel camera, Bluetooth and a 64MB reduced-size MMC.
Panasonic VS3
Panasonic VS3
Read review

It has been a while since we've put a Panasonic mobile through its paces and we must say we are impressed with the overall performance of the VS3.
O2 Xda Atom
Samsung Z500
Read review

Samsung claims the Z500 is the world's most compact 3G phone. It uses TransFlash media cards and features a dual camera -- one-mexapixel for stills and VGA resolution for video calls.
Dell Inspiron 630m
Dell Inspiron 630m
Read review

Dell's mid-range Inspiron 630m provides excellent value for money with a hearty system under its hood, a 14.1-inch widescreen display and the option of Windows Media Center.
ThinkPad X32
LG LW70 Express
Read review

LG's LW70 Express has a magnificant 17-inch widescreen display. High-end specs ensure smooth performance and its swag of DVD features and will leave couch potatoes drooling.
Apple PowerBook G4 (15-inch, SuperDrive)
Apple PowerBook G4
Read review

The high-performance, fully loaded, simply beautiful 15-inch PowerBook G4 will satisfy students and creative professionals who can afford to sacrifice cash for style.

Like this article? Click below to send it to your mobile for free!

Be the first to comment on this article!

  • Leave a comment

All fields marked with * are required

What do you think

Your e-mail will not be displayed

You must read and type the 6 chars within 0..9 and A..F

You must read and type the 6 chars.


  • Google adds Android app for Flickr photos

  • Star Tech: Matt Welsh

  • Nokia 6210 Navigator

  • Freshtel plans Aussie mobile VoIP

  • HTC Dream spy shots

  • Photoshop.com on Windows Mobile devices

  • Tethering coming soon to iPhone 3G?

  • Android Developer Challenge winners focus on location

  • iiNet to offer mobile phone services?

More articles »

Find the right mobile phone

Brand
  • Multiple options can be selected

    The Explain Series

    Recycle your old mobiles
    • Nokia 6210 Navigator

      Nokia 6210 Navigator

      While the 6210 is solidly built and features fast performance, the lack of a lifetime subscription to turn-by-turn navigation robs the Navigator of what should make it unique in the market.

    • Motorola RAZR2 V9 Ferrari Special Edition

      Motorola RAZR2 V9 Ferrari Special Edition

      There's nothing technically wrong with RAZR2 V9 Ferrari Special Edition but if you want to Ferrari-fie your phone there are cheaper and better ways of doing it. For free.

    • Nokia N85

      Nokia N85

      It's hard to knock a phone that has all the current popular technologies, but it would have still been great for Nokia to consider new technologies for this latest N-Series range, particularly a media sharing networking protocol.

    • LG KF390

      LG KF390

      Take out the Next G reception and you end up with a low quality handset at a mid-range price point. Still, it's great to see another blue tick phone for our friends in the bush to consider.

    • Nokia E66

      Nokia E66

      While we like the E71 better, the E66 is a great smartphone with class leading features. If you want the functionality of a business phone without the bulk of a PDA form factor, the E66 is the phone you've been looking for.

    More reviews »

    Membership benefits

    Contact community members

    Contact community members

    Add friends or tech gurus to you contacts and send them messages. Sign up for a free CNET.com.au membership now!