Sure, it’s a touchscreen phone and media player. And yeah, it’s got Bluetooth and WiFi support. But it’s also got a couple of tricks up its sleeve that even Apple’s latest wonderphone doesn’t have. There’s support for dual SIMs so you can switch between two providers. And since it’s a Quad-Band GSM phone, it’s guaranteed to work worldwide. And what was the last time an iPhone ran Java apps or browsed the web with Opera? And it even supports MMS messages out of the box! There’s also a little bonus on the back of phone – from the pictures it looks like there’s a flash next to the camera lens. Oh, and did I mention it’s got two cameras? Yep, there’s a crummy 0.3 megapixel one on the front for video chat, and a 1.3 megapixel one on the back for regular photos and videos. There’s even an analog TV tuner built in – which is the last thing I need these days.

Of course, at just $159.99 (USD) for an unlocked phone, they had to skimp on a few features that you can only get if you buy the real deal. For instance, there’s no GPS, compass, or accelerometer. And I think the “32GB” on the back is just part of the phony factor. According to the specs, there’s no on-board storage, and it comes with a 2GB microSD (TransFlash) card for memory. Oh well, what do you expect you cheap bastard?

If you want to get your hands on a WPhone, head on over to Chinagrabber.

[via PMP Today via Ubergizmo]

While the XPERIA X1 runs on the Windows Mobile Platform, Sony Ericsson developed a slick new user interface which gives it a much more forward looking design than most WinMo devices. Sony’s new “panel” interface shows nine tiny tiles which represent individual application windows. When touched, they open up to display the application using a smooth animated style.

It’s a full 3G phone, working on just about every phone and data network you can think of, supporting Quad-Band GSM, EDGE, HSDPA, HSUPA, and UMTS standards. Most of Sony’s X1 propaganda fails to mention Wi-Fi connectivity, but this spec sheet I found says “Utilize high-speed Internet at Wi-Fi™ hotspots at airports and other facilities”, so I’m hoping it really does.

The X1 really is loaded to the hilt with features. There’s a 3.2 megapixel digital camera with video recording and even video chat on high-speed networks. Internet surfing is achieved using the Internet Explorer Mobile browser. Unlike iPhone’s tower-triangulation navigation, the X1 offers true aGPS maps and directions. All the requisite PDA features are there, including E-mail, an alarm clock, calculator, calendar, document readers, address book, and task manager. And yes, it all syncs with Outlook and Exchange via ActiveSync. Heck, it even has push e-mail support like a Blackberry.

Of course, there’s full media playback support using Windows Media Player, including wireless stereo headset connectivity over Bluetooth A2DP. The X1 features a beautiful 3-inch TFT screen with a whopping 800 x 480 resolution (that’s way sharper than the iPhone’s already ample 480 x 320 display).

While the phone only has 400MB of on-board memory, but you can store up to 8GB of media files on optional SanDisk Micro or Memory Stick Micro memory cards. Behind its touchscreen display, the phone’s QWERTY keyboard than slides out to form an elegant arc when viewed from the side.

When closed, the X1 measures in at 4.3 x 0.7 x 2.1 inches, making it just a hair smaller than an iPhone on the width and height, but about 1/3rd thicker. Weight is 5.1 ounces, just a tiny bit heavier than the iPhone’s 4.8 ounces.

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

My greatest concern about the X1 is it’s Windows Mobile roots. While Sony Ericsson has clearly stepped up their game in the interfaces shown here, I’m afraid it all could just be a facade for WinMo’s less-than-stellar roots. I guess we’ll just all have to wait until we can get our hands on one to see. Expect the XPERIA X1 to make its way to stores sometime in the second half of 2008. Pricing hasn’t yet been revealed.

[Xperia X1 Product Page]

This wannabe version of the iPhone copies the basic case design of Apple’s beauty, but certainly falls short on the details. For starters, there’s no glass face or durable aluminum back here. We’re talking cheap plastic and shiny chrome plate. Plus, it looks like it’s about twice as thick as the real iPhone.

Under the hood, you won’t do too much better. It’s pretty much your run-of-the-mill MP3/MP4 player phone, with just 256MB of on-board memory (although you can expand storage up to 2GB with an SD card). Of course, the touchscreen isn’t multi-touch, and needs a stylus to function properly. On the other hand, the bargain basement iFone does offer video recording capability with its 2-megapixel camera – something Apple hasn’t yet added to the iPhone. It’s also not locked to to a single carrier. The phone supports all GSM/GPRS networks, has SMS and WAP capabilities, but no real HTML web browser. At least they did manage to include Bluetooth connectivity inside the iFone’s bulky shell.

But let’s get real here. If you really want an iPhone, save your money and buy a real one. The only reason you’d even think about buying one of these is if you’re a real cheapskate, and you don’t mind looking like one. If you’re still convinced that you must have one, the iFone is available for $165 from DealExtreme (including free shipping).

Now SMS is back with a new version of the original, the M500. The watch is a fully functional GSM quad-band mobile phone, along with all the features you’d expect in a modern cell phone.

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

The M500 features a touchscreen display which not only offers touch dialing, but can play media files too. It offers playback support for AAC, MP3 and MP4 media files on its 120 x 160 TFT color touchscreen. Bluetooth connectivity lets you use a wireless headset to do your calling, or you can speak right into the watch if you’re really in a pinch. It’s also got a WAP enabled browser and Java application support.

Battery life is pretty good, with talk time rated at 200 minutes and 80 hours of standby time. The phone is unlocked for worldwide use, and costs $999 Australian Dollars (about $856 USD) including a rechargeable Bluetooth headset and a spare battery.

The M300 Watch Phone offers an unlocked quad-band GSM phone, which should work in most parts of the world. The watch has a built in speaker and microphone so you can talk directly into it. For better sound and call privacy, plug in the included earpiece. It’s also GPRS enabled for reasonably high-speed data access. The watch features a 1-inch color OLED screen, 60MB of internal memory, Bluetooth and USB connectivity. It’s also got an MP3 player built in so you can listen to your tunes on the go.

The M300 costs $305 and is available now from gadget importer Brando.

The phone’s most striking feature is its illuminated numeric keypad, concealed beneath a smoked glass slider. In keeping with its minimal design, the phone uses a single microUSB port for charging and syncing, reducing the number of connectors on the device to just one.

While it may be a heavy hitter in the design department, the phone is really pretty “middle of the road” in terms of features. Unlike many high-end phones, the Luna doesn’t have a keyboard, touchscreen or other input device. It’s got a decent 2-megapixel digital camera, and a 240 x 320 color display. Plus, it offers a music player for MP3 and AAC audio tracks. The phone is designed to work on all GSM networks, and supports GPRS and EGPRS for high-speed data connectivity. Bluetooth wireless connectivity is also included.

Priced at €700 (appx. $942 USD) before subsidies, it’s certainly not for everyone. However, if you’re rolling in dough and looking for a phone that makes a strong design statement, the Luna is one to check out.

The 8800 is a full quad-band GSM/EDGE phone, and lifts many of the features found in the popular BlackBerry Pearl model, such as its well-received trackball navigation. The phone has a solid 320 x 240 pixel color display with light sensing technology to automatically adjust screen brightness depending on ambient light levels.

Since the 8800 has added both media player software and expandable memory via an SD slot, it has the potential to be your primary media player now. Built-in GPS and mapping features are also included.The 8800 also features enhanced battery life, with a standby time of 22 days and talk time of 5 hours. As is the case with other full-sized BlackBerries, this one also has the standard full QWERTY keyboard, push/pull e-mail, web browsing, calendar and contact management capabilities.

The BlackBerry 8800 should be available from major carriers (Cingular/AT&T for sure) later this month, but pricing has not been announced yet.