The Motorola V980 is a 3G clamshell-style phone available exclusively on Vodafone. One of the advantages of Vodafone’s 3G service is that it allows you unrestricted access to the web, unlike 3, where you’re restricted to 3’s own content.

It’s a nicely featured phone that compares well with the other 3G clamshells currently available, not missing any essential feature. Battery life is not wonderful, and it’s quite heavy, but not really worse than other 3G phones. Overall it’s a good phone, but nothing special.

Summary of features:

• 3G functionality: video calling and video downloads on Vodafone live!
• Internal display: 65,536 colours, 176 x 220 pixels
• Integrated VGA digital camera (640 x 480 pixels) with 4x digital zoom and camera light
• Video capture, playback and download
• Integrated MP3 player
• MP3 ringtones & polyphonic ringtones
• Downloadable themes (ringtones, wallpaper & screensavers)
• Java games: embedded and downloadable
• In-built handsfree speaker phone
• Voice activated dialling
• Messaging: SMS, EMS 5.0, MMS, email
• Phonebook
• Connectivity: USB
• Memory: 2 Mbytes plus removable TransFlash memory card (up to 256 Mbytes)
• WAP 2.0, GPRS class 10
• Triband + 3G (WCDMA)
• Size: 94 x 49 x 27 mm
• Weight: 137g
• Talktime: 2 hours
• Battery standby: up to 145 hours

The 3G NEC e808y is the slightly smaller non-clam-shell version of the NEC 808. It’s large screen is ideal for viewing pictures and video. The NEC e808y also boasts a ‘Qwerty’ keyboard for easy messaging.

With a funky bar design, the e808Y offers two integrated cameras for making video calls and making videos and still images. The large colour screen, QWERTY keyboard and 16 channel polyphonic ring tunes make it perfect for users to maximise their enjoyment when making video calls. Use it to find your nearest local services, such as cash-points and restaurants. The e808Y’s messaging services include SMS, MMS, video messaging and email.

The e808Y has a bizarre quirk. The speaker and microphone are located on the side of the device, and to get the best results from voice calls, you have to turn the phone sideways (though the volume still tends to be uniformly low). Alternatively, you can use the supplied corded stereo headphones (since there’s no Bluetooth or infrared, wireless isn’t really an option).

The e808Y retains the original model’s (e808) fairly hefty 64MB of dynamic memory.

Key features:

• Qwerty keyboard
• dual-mode 3G/GMS connection
• GPRS
• WAP 2.0
• 65,536-colour 2.4-inch LCD screen (132 x 162 pixels)
• dual front/back digital cameras, 2x digital zoom
• video calling and messaging
• 64MB dynamic memory
• USB connection
• 3 hours’ talk time, 70 hours’ standby
• dimensions: 75 x 143 x 20mm
• weight: 190g

Another flip style clam phone the NEC e808 looks like something out of space. In it’s stylish shell it offers advanced business and entertainment performance. Allowing for easy use of email, video, pictures or games it has a large colour display and keyboard. As you’d expect it has a video and audio recorder allwing you to share moments with a friend or colleague using MMS. If that’s not enough it’s intergrated videocameras make video calling a snip.

Get news and events as they happen by downloading video and audio files on the move. e808’s dual mode functionality allows flexible connectivity and download speed of up to 384 kbps.

Key features:

• Video Calling Multimedia messaging (video, photo & audio)
• Video download Media play (video & audio)
• Email Qwerty keyboard
• Games supported by Java technology
• 64Mb memory USB connectivity

Full specification

The e616 is NEC’s replacement for the e606 which was the first NEC’s 3G handset. Like the other NEC 3G phones, the e616 supports the full range of popular video mobile services - video calling, video messaging and downloading video clips. In addition, it also supports the GPS (Global Positioning System) enhanced features such as directions, maps and traffic reports.

It has the largest screen size of any of the current NEC 3G phones, and benefits from a Bluetooth wireless headset connection. Other nice features are the generous internal memory and the option to add additional memory sticks. The phone supports Bluetooth, but only for connecting to a wireless headset.

The e616 has 2 integrated video cameras - one mounted on the front, the other on the back panel. Strangely, the camera resolution is only CIF format (100,000 pixels) which is lower than most other camera phones, although the camera does have a built-in light for taking pictures or videos in low light.

The battery life of the e616 is particularly poor, although the standard battery can be swapped for an extended battery which does improve things somewhat. The phone also has some reliability problems, as you can see from reading the consumer reviews below. Overall this isn’t a phone that we recommend, and it certainly doesn’t rate as highly as NEC’s cheaper e228, even though it has the benefit of GPS and a Bluetooth headset option.

Summary of features:

• Supports all 3’s video mobile services, video calling, video messaging and download video clips
• Integrated front and back CIF cameras with 2 x digital zoom, built in light and torch
• Display: 65,000 colours, 240 x 176 pixels
• MP3 player
• Voice recorder / Call memo to record conversations
• Multimedia messaging (send photos, videos and text)
• Predictive (T9) text input
• Java games
• 40-voice polyphonic ringtones
• Assisted GPS (Global Positioning System) for enhanced location based services
• Bluetooth wireless connectivity (headset & dial-up networking profile only)
• Connectivity: USB
• Organiser features: Calculator, Currency Converter, Scheduler, Notepad, To Do List, Clock, Alarm
• Internal memory: 19 Mbytes
• Optional memory card up to 128 Mbytes (Sony MemoryStick Duo)
• Synchronisation of data with a PC
• WAP, GPRS class 8
• Fast 3G data transmission: 384 kbps download / 64 kbps upload
• Size: 103 x 53 x 26 mm
• Weight: 131g
• Talktime: 1.5 hours
• Battery standby: 2 days

Full specification

The NEC 338 is the smallest, lightest 3G handset currently available in Europe. Available in black and silver, this stylish new clamshell handset weighs just 113g and measures 93.8 x 47.1 x 23.3mm. The phone includes an MP3/AAC player with stereo headset support.

By taking a no-frills approach, NEC has created a 3G phone for the masses. At first glance, you’d have a hard time guessing that it was a 3G phone, which is itself an achievement. The only clue is the rotateable camera built into the hinge. The main body is split into two with a silver fascia with black plastic towards the top. The sections are separated by a small horizontal light set in a strip that flashes when there’s an incoming call, and glows when charging. There’s no external display, a feature that’s clearly a casualty of the cost-cutting approach. This means that you have to open the phone if you want to see who’s calling.

To create such a small phone, NEC has had to be ruthless with the feature set. There’s no Bluetooth, which means that you can’t enjoy the freedom of a wireless headset. There is a wired headset included in the box, however, which is rather retro. There’s no memory card expansion slots. Luckily, there’s a decent 17MB of memory built-in so you can get a fair amount of content on there. There’s also a USB cable so you can synchronise with Outlook, and transfer the clips that you’ve downloaded and paid for off the phone to keep. However, it’s only available as a £10 optional accessory.

The e338 improves on NEC’s previous 3G flip-phones in a number of ways: an integrated handsfree speaker makes video calling so much easier and battery life has been improved enormously. Yet at the same time, the e338 still has the same poor quality camera as the e616, there’s no Bluetooth™ support, and why no memory card?

The e338 may be the lightest 3G phone yet, but functionally it misses out in a number of ways.

Summary of features:

• Display: 65536 colours, 220 x 176 pixels
• Integrated rotating digital camera (CIF resolution) plus video camera
• Video calling, video and audio streaming, downloading and messaging
• MP3 / AAC music player
• 40-voice polyphonic ringtones
• Voice recorder
• Java games
• Speakerphone
• Predictive T9 text input
• 3G data & GPRS (supports data upload of 64kbps and download of 384 kbps)
• Memory: 18 Mbytes
• Connectivity: USB
• Stereo/Mono headset support
• Address book (500 contacts)
• Calculator, Currency converter, Scheduler, Notepad, To-Do, Clock and alarm
• Silent vibrate alert
• Size: 94 x 47 x 23 mm
• Weight: 113g
• Talktime: 200 minutes
• Battery standby: 116 hours

Full specification

The NEC e313 is a good value 3G phone that supports video calling and video messaging. Other good features of the phone are the exceptionally large colour screen, polyphonic ringtones, voice recorder and MP3 player.

Although marketed as a budget phone, it has a lot of features that you might not expect, such as an expansion slot for additional memory, and even the internal memory is generous at 19 Mbytes. The finish of the phone is nice, and as 3G phones go, this one is slim and relatively lightweight, although at 126g it’s heavier than nearly all 2G phones. Overall it’s good phone for those wanting to try out what 3G has to offer.

The main issue with this phone, as with all 3G phones is the battery life - expect to charge the phone every couple of days, or daily if you make much use of the video calling feature.

Summary of features:

• Supports all 3’s video mobile services: video calling, video messaging & download video clips
• Rotating video camera for video calling, recording short videos and taking photos (VGA resolution - 640 x 480 pixels, digital zoom)
• Display: 65,536 colours, 220 x 176 pixels
• MP3 player
• Voice recorder / Call memo to record conversations
• Multimedia messaging (send photos, videos and text)
• Predictive (T9) text input
• e-mail
• 40-voice polyphonic ringtones
• Java games
• Synchronisation of data with a PC
• Phonebook (500 entries)
• Organiser features: Calculator, Currency Converter, Scheduler, Notepad, To Do List, Clock, Alarm
• WAP, GPRS class 8
• Connectivity: USB
• Fast 3G data transmission: 384 kbps download / 64 kbps upload
• Internal memory: 19 Mbytes
• Optional memory card up to 128 Mbytes (Sony MemoryStick Duo)
• Size: 147 x 64 x 21 mm
• Weight: 126g
• Talktime: 2 hours
• Battery standby: 3.5 days

Full Specification

Virgin Radio is the first station to become available globally via 3G phones in a partnership with Sydus, the worldwide leader in music-to-mobile streaming lifestyles.This development in technology will make Virgin Radio easily accessible to millions of listeners via the phone in their pocket wherever there’s a mobile signal: from central London to Glasgow and from New York to Sydney.

The free software from Sydus, available for download now on www.virginradio.co.uk, installs a small application on the user’s mobile phone. Launching the application via the Virgin Radio logo on your handset gives access to the station, in stereo, via the mobile phone’s hands-free headsets.

The legendary Virgin Radio, the UK rock and pop station, will be the first available alongside the brands two digital stations, Virgin Radio Classic Rock and Virgin Radio Groove.

James Cridland, Head of New Media at Virgin Radio, said, “This application will enable anyone, anywhere to listen to Virgin Radio simply with the phone in their pocket. This allows us to tap into a huge new audience and keep radio relevant for a new generation of listeners. It places radio at the heart of the 3G revolution.â€?

Mr. Nanavati, President of Sydus, said, “This radio player is what the 3G network was built for, giving consumers high quality and high data products through a handset in their pocket. With Sydus, Virgin Radio has become the first brand to be available globally through a truly mobile music service.�

This latest service works on selected 2.5G and 3G terminals, and currently there are 30 compatible handsets available from major manufacturers including Nokia and Samsung. Over 14.9 million consumers across the globe can use the service today and this number will rise rapidly as 3G phones penetrate the market.

The product from Sydus will currently be most attractive in mobile markets such as the US, India, Thailand, Singapore, China, Italy and Australia where service providers offer unlimited data bundles. Virgin Radio and Sydus are in discussions with network operators in the UK to encourage a move towards packaging greater data to make the 3G radio player and Virgin Radio a key driver of 3G pick up.

Radio is consumed every week by nearly 44 million people in the UK each week across a range of platforms. Although FM receivers have become fairly common on handsets, receiving radio via data stream will allow listeners to tune into Virgin Radio outside of the stations FM transmission area. Sydus, through one free simple download, effectively makes every new Symbian mobile phone a Virgin Radio branded receiver.

Mr. Nanavati, President of Sydus, added, “This is the first plank of making multimedia mobile service dream a reality and turning a mobile phone into a multi functioning device able to receive and send high data, frequent use content effectively. Sydus’ application coupled with the Virgin Radio brand and product is now a key element helping network operators to sell 3G to the public.�