Device squad: Really, really smart phones

Apple iPhone
The holy grail of smartphones, Apple’s highly anticipated iPhone is poised to take over the world when it launches this month. The phone has no physical buttons, but instead relies on the use of a touchscreen which can be used for everything from dialing numbers to playing music. The phone, which features a full web browser and Wi-Fi capability, will come in two flavors—a 4GB version for $499 and an 8GB model for $599—exclusively from AT&T. For more info, go to apple.com.

Nokia N95
Beating the iPhone’s launch by more than a few weeks, Nokia’s N95 is a multimedia maestro. Retailing at $749, this phone isn’t for the thrifty-minded, but it offers a lot for the price. It comes with built-in GPS, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and the ability to play everything from music to videos. The phone’s 5-megapixel camera makes other camera phones pale in comparison with pictures that are actually worth printing. The phone has a 2.6-inch display with a number pad that slides out from underneath when you’re holding it in portrait mode. Hold it in landscape mode and another pad slides out with media controls for playing your MP3s. For more info, go to nokia.com.

T-Mobile Wing
T-Mobile’s Wing may be big-boned, but this smartphone is more muscle than it is fat. It houses a full sliding keyboard that makes it easy to fire off text messages or browse the Web. It also trumps much of its competition by including Wi-Fi alongside Bluetooth, letting you connect to the Internet wherever there’s an open network. The $299 phone includes a microSD memory slot and a 2-megapixel camera. The large, 2.8-inch touchscreen is the icing on the cake—and worthy competition for iPhone. For more info, go to t-mobile.com.

Motorola MOTORIZR Z8
The MOTORIZR Z8 is the only phone that plays full-length movies on its 2.2-inch screen. Films are sold and pre-loaded on microSD cards, which the phone can also use to store MP3s and photos. Design-wise, the curvy profile follows the contours of your face when held up against it. Gamers take note: the Z8 also gives access to games from companies like Electronic Arts. Built-in Bluetooth lets you pair it with a wireless headset, and the 2-megapixel camera can take photos and capture video. Price to be announced. For more info, go to motorola.com.

BlackBerry Curve
Beneath the Curve’s executive look lurks a smartphone that’s ready to party. Like its predecessors, the Curve keeps track of your corporate and personal e-mail so you never miss a beat while out of the office, but come nightfall this business suit loosens its tie with the ability to shoot video, play MP3s and take photos—which you can later browse on the phone’s sharp 2.5-inch display. Like the Z8, the Curve has built-in Bluetooth and a microSD card slot to expand memory. It’ll be available late spring with service from AT&T. Price to be announced. For more info, go to rim.com.