Touch Screen Phones - What You Need To Know

With all the current advances in technology, touch activated input is the next big thing. From computers to tables technologists believe we will be using an abundance of touch based devices around the home, travelling and at work in the not too distant future. For the moment however the biggest touch screen boom is in the mobile phone industry.

With the amazing commercial success of Apple's iPhone every mobile phone manufacturer has become aware of the need to integrate touch screen features into their mobile handsets. Although Apple where not the first to integrate touch screen elements into a mobile (a number of mobile manufactures including Samsung had dabbled with small touchscreen usage) the iPhone was the first mobile phone to really show the full potential of a touch screen mobile device.

With so many touch screen devices already on the market and a lot more on the way from almost every mobile phone maker, Shop.co.uk's touch screen mobile phone guide should help you get in the know and decide what sort of touch screen mobile phone is ideal for you.

Full Touch Screen Control

Mobile phones are meant to have buttons right? The first concept that scares people away from a touch screen phone is the fact that your entire usage is controlled by the screen with no buttons to fall back on. However the reason touch screens and the iPhone have become so popular is the fact that is such a natural way to interact with a phone. From selecting contacts, dialling numbers and typing the touch screen is an extremely fast and efficient input system.

Although you could say that no phone will ever be button free due to volume control, key locking and the all important power button but the Apple and HTC have mastered the art of producing fully touch enabled phone controls.

If you’re looking for a great, complete touch screen control mobile phone then you can't go wrong with the Apple iPhone 3GS, HTC Hero, the Acer DX900 Tempo or the Samsung i8910 Omnia HD.

Touch Control & Keypad

Possibly the feature that will put off most people is typing on a touch screen, after the success of SMS text message people have adapted to typing on a small keypad very easily. Both the iPhone and Hero feature full on screen keyboards very well, but some would say they can't fully recapture the feeling of actually pressing a button. Many touch screen phones incorporate a standard mobile phone keypad or a full slide out QWERTY keyboard.

For some the keypad offers a safety net, as the touch screen mobile phone market is still so young, many people fill reluctant to move over to a fully touch based phone. Some of the best touch screen mobile phones with keypads currently belong to the Nokia N97, the Acer M900 Tempo and the HTC Touch Pro 2.

Is A Touch Screen Phone Right For Me?

The great thing about touch screen devices is they recreate how we would naturally interact with real world objects, you wouldn't read a book and press a button to turn a page would you?

Advantages Of Touch Screen Phones

• With a keypad not needed, screen size is increased allowing for better viewing and turning your mobile phone into a better media playing device
• Anyone can use a touch screen phone, even the most technophobic among us could easily use a touch screen phone
• With reduced components touch screen phones are both thinner and lighter than similar sized phones

Dis-advantages Of Touch Screen Phones

• Some people may take a while to get used to a touch based keypad because there is no physical response to button presses
• Currently most fully touch screen mobile phones are more expensive since the technology is new and cutting edge
• Can feel unresponsive or may not always recognise your exact intentions

Want To See A Video?

If your more interested in seeing what a touch screen phone can do then jump down to our video section or click on one of the video's below.

Touch Screen Mobile Phones

With so many mobile phone manufacturers releasing touch screen mobile phones, here is a quick rundown of all the current touch screen phones available and soon to be available from Shop.co.uk

Apple

The Apple iPhone is King of the touch screen era at the moment thanks to its incredible range of features, Apple's amazing design style and a great and responsive touch screen interface. Already into its third generation of the iPhone the new 3GS model the iPhone plugs the holes where it was lacking for the traditional mobile phone user, adding essential features including video recording, picture zooming, MMS messaging, even faster 3G download speeds and the ability to use the iPhone as a mobile modem for your laptop.

Browse are Apple iPhone sim free mobile phone range

HTC

After the success of the G1 Google Phone HTC has created the follow up, HTC Hero Android. The Hero is the closest rival to the iPhone as a full touch screen device, featuring higher specs than the iPhone, HTC are providing a similar style mobile phone, with more customisation and colour ranges at a lower price point.

As well as the Hero HTC also have other great touch screen mobile handsets including the HTC Touch Pro 2 and the HTC Touch Diamond 2, with both offering a completely different design style and set of features than the Hero.

Browse our HTC sim free mobile phone range

Sony Ericsson

Sony Ericsson is new to the touch screen market with the soon to be released Aino and Satio touch screen mobile phones. After great success with their Walkman and Cyber-shot mobile ranges a lot of expectation is placed on the new touch screen range, with the slightly lower spec Aino looking to hit the more entry level Smartphone market with Playstation 3 styling and connectivity. Whilst the Satio is the high end model looking to contend with iPhone and HTC Hero. Famous for their good user interfaces Sony Ericsson may be another great addition to the touch screen mobile phone market.

Browse our Sony Ericsson sim free mobile phone range

LG

LG has been playing with touch screen mobile phones for a while now and provide the cheapest entry level touch screen mobile phones available with the LG Cookie KP500. But LG also offer a high end touch experience with the LG Viewty Smart and the uniquely styled LG Crystal. With the range of low level and high level touch screen devices LG has spent lots of time making sure no matter what mobile phone you pick from their touch screen range that you will get an efficient and responsive touch experience.

With features such as home screen widgets which can be adjusted and customised and the superb S-Class touch user interface LG provide a good all round touch screen mobile phone whilst keeping true to many of the mobile phone ideals.

Browse our LG sim free mobile phone range

Nokia

Nokia entered the touch screen race a bit later than over manufacturers, which seems strange considering Nokia have the widest range of mobile phones around. Although Nokia has chosen not to focus heavily on touch screen phones at the moment the efforts so far have been extremely popular, with the Nokia 5800 XpressMusic phone and the Nokia N97.

The 5800 XpressMusic phone was Nokia's first ever fully touch enabled mobile phone, featuring a large 3.2" display, stylus support and an array of high end features the 5800 has a perfect price point for anyone wanting to take the plunge into the touch screen market. The Nokia N97 takes the popular, high end Nokia N-series range into the touch screen era, with all the Smartphone features you would expect the N97 takes a more cautious step by providing a sliding, slightly tilted, full QWERTY keyboard which not only looks stunning but works amazingly well too.

Browse our Nokia sim free mobile phone range

Samsung

Samsung have a wide range of touch screen phones available, ranging from basic touch elements, touch screens with keypads and the full mobile phone touch screen control. Samsung have created a great touch screen interface, featuring on screen movable widgets and the unique Samsung cubed menu system navigating the menu system on your phone is as easy as swiping your finger across the screen.

With a price point and style to suit everyone, look out for the Samsung S5230, Samsung Tocco Ultra S8300 and the amazing Samsung Omnia i8910 HD

Browse our Samsung sim free mobile phone range

Acer

Acer is better known for their computing range, creating some stylish and powerful computer desktops and laptops. However with the surge in Smartphone’s, Acer decided to use its computing knowledge to make some excellent touch screen Smartphone’s. All of the Acer touch screen phones are fully touch operated although you can get a slide out, full QWERTY keyboard with the Acer M900 Tempo. With full touch control, widget based features and impressive mobile web connectivity Acer has designed a stunning range of mobile phones.

Browse our Acer sim free mobile phone range

Touch Screen Mobile Phone Videos

Here is a selection of video's showing exactly what some of the best touch screen mobile phones can do and how to use them.