Top 5 gaming smartphones
If you're torn between a new phone and a handheld gaming console this Christmas you might be interested to know that you can have both. Thanks to the marvels of smartphone technology there are devices available, which afford a top quality gaming experience and ring when you're needed – all you need to do is choose the one that’s right for you.
To help you on your quest, here are five of the best gaming phones around:
Nokia N900
Nokia's N900 is something of a geek's dream. It packs in everything a techy individual could ask for including PowerVR SGX530 graphics acceleration, meaning that you can run anything from Angry Birds to a one of your favourite PlayStation or Nintendo classics via an emulator. There's even a plug-in control pad you can buy, which will have you bouncing Mario around like it was 1990! If you're slightly more hands-on you can even set the device up to work with your PS3 Six axis controller - which does limit the mobility somewhat, but coupled with the TV-out functionality makes for an unsurpassed experience.
Samsung Galaxy S
If screen quality is an issue for you when you're gaming on the move, then you won't be disappointed with the Galaxy S. Its 4-inch Super AMOLED display will have you feeling like you're gaming in front of your HDTV, and the 1GHz ARM Cortex CPU and 512MB RAM will have your games flying along with reckless abandon. You can also look forward to hours of multi-player gaming fun with the Galaxy, thanks to the recent addition of Wi-Fi Direct, which allows devices to communicate without an access point!
Apple iPhone 4
People haven't been shy when it comes to bathing the iPhone in superlatives. The device is solid, powerful and offers the best mobile display money can buy. Game control is pin-sharp thanks to the responsiveness of the screen and the 1GHz Apple A4 chip keeps everything running super-smoothly. It's also worth mentioning that the Apple App Store has tens of thousands of top games, including re-releases of fan favourites from console days gone by, which will keep you occupied for hours.
LG Optimus 7
If you like your gaming phones to have a bit more interaction with your online persona you'll want to give LG's Optimus 7 a look. With Xbox Live! interaction you can go into the marketplace and download any number of great games, which can be played solo or against other WP7 users, and the device's hardware makes for a tidy gaming experience too.
With a 3.8-inch TFT screen, 1GHz processor and plenty of RAM (512MB), you'll find no jerky graphics or dropped frames to spoil your fun.
Samsung Wave
Samsung's Wave, which runs their own Bada OS, is certainly a capable device that won't disappoint handheld gamers. Sure, it doesn't run Android or iOS, but take one look at that glorious 3.3-inch Super AMOLED display and you should be placated, looking a little further should lead you to discover the PowerVR SGX540 graphics acceleration too, which is a powerhouse that elevates the Wave above many of its more costly peers.
There's plenty of games available too, thanks to Samsung's own app store – so you'll have no excuse for putting your device down and working!
There's plenty of choice for the casual gamer in smartphone land, but even as a member of the gaming elite you'll find plenty to keep you going with these devices. They're all brilliantly designed, powerful and highly customisable, meaning that you can ditch the DS, part with the PSP and take a vacation from the Tablet and get on your way with just one high-tech gadget weighing you down.
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