Most Original smartphones

[bubulol]

Do/did you own a smartphone that has something special/original?

I owned a Motorola Flipout, loved that little squared phone with integrated true keyboard
Personnaly i had crush on this thing but hardware was crap (Android 2.1)

Blackberry Passport

Yotaphone

Galaxy Note 4 Edge

What else?

 

[MasterRyu2011]

I thought the Blackberry Storm was pretty unique. It had a clickable screen. Admittedly, it seems pointless now, but I was proud to rock that thing back in 2008.

In a way the world of smartphones got more bland when Apple launched the iPhone. Before it, you'd have some phones with unique looks. Nowadays, if you want the best specs, you'd have to settle for the different flavors of rectangles.

 

[Ulenspiegel]

Two from Sharp.

 

[bubulol]

i would buy from day one if there is something like Blackberry Passport but smaller (4''5)

Squared form factor is trully charming

Most of original smartphones here, do include physical keyboard which in my opinion is rather archaic now
I was the first defender of physical keyboard some years ago but not anymore
May manufacturer build rounded circle smartphone?
Just imagine a Moto 360 as smartphone?
What do you think?

 

[TacticalDesire]

Kyocera Echo

 

[BrettApple]

All of the above along with...

Sony's Xperia Play

And any of the Galaxy Zoom phones.

I kind of want a Passport myself. I may be switching from Verizon to AT&T for coverage issues, and the chains of needing CDMA will finally be broken!

 

[Technarchy]

LG announces Optimus Vu 4:3 aspect ratio

 

[iBlazed]

LG announces Optimus Vu 4:3 aspect ratio

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People wouldn't hold those to their ears would they? This is definitely a phone begging for bluetooth devices.

 

[Fernandez21]

Obviously the original iPhone, the palm pre, that kyocera dual screen clamshell, and there was also a Samsung dual screen phone.

 

[TacticalDesire]

LG announces Optimus Vu 4:3 aspect ratio

Image

I was about to post that phone as well.

 

[bubulol]

Kyocera Echo

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Nintendo 3DS-like
Interesting, these original smartphones have portable console form factor

Motorola Flipout = Gameboy Advance SP
Kyocera Echo = 3DS
Xperia Play = PSP Go

Too bad, most of manufacturers dont take some risk about form factor, we want new form factor.

 

[TacticalDesire]

Nintendo 3DS-like
Interesting, these original smartphones have portable console form factor

Motorola Flipout = Gameboy Advance SP
Kyocera Echo = 3DS
Xperia Play = PSP Go

Too bad, most of manufacturers dont take some risk about form factor, we want new form factor.

Back when smartphones were starting to become big handheld game consoles were still pretty huge. I remember all the debates about smartphones replacing them. I think companies were trying to capitalize on the success of the portable console market.

 

[bubulol]

Back when smartphones were starting to become big handheld game consoles were still pretty huge. I remember all the debates about smartphones replacing them. I think companies were trying to capitalize on the success of the portable console market.

There are numerous reasons why smartphones replaced portable console

- Price, way cheaper if not free

- Evolution, smartphones and tablets hardware keep constantly evolve nearly every 5/6 months
Portable consoles have to pay off their cost during their all life product (5/6 years if not more)

- Thinner, smaller, at equal performance, smartphones will always have better dimensions overall

- Smartphone: you can call, sending text, web browsing, playing games, watching video games...
Portable consoles have only one purpose, more or less: gaming

Back to thread's subject, i think there is a little room in the market for squared form factor
I very liked Blackberry Passport concept but i just regret it was too big
Physical keyboards might not necessary

 

[Stuntman06]

There are many phones with this slide out keyboard design that tilts the screen. I really like it and I think it is the best physical keyboard I have ever used on a phone.

http://www.gsmarena.com/nokia_n97-review-363.php

 

[bubulol]

About physical keyboards, instead of making new phone with it, perhaps, manufacturers might create a sort of keyboard-case that can slide on the back of phone

EDIT: i didn't know it even exists lol

 

[AustinIllini]

In a way the world of smartphones got more bland when Apple launched the iPhone. Before it, you'd have some phones with unique looks. Nowadays, if you want the best specs, you'd have to settle for the different flavors of rectangles.

This is the correct answer. The most original, most successful, and most copied smart phone.

 

[Surferlife]

 

[MRU]

N-Gage was awful, I still have one in the attic...

 

[Surferlife]

Taco talking was before its time.

 

[Oohara]

Ahahaha yeah the Gamer Taco is a classic

Currently I'd have to say the Sharp Aquos Crystal is the only smartphone that marries originality with true functionality. I'd buy that sucker in a heartbeat if it would only work where I live.

 

[mi7chy]

Note II
Game changer and still nothing out there non-Samsung that compares to it.

 

[gotluck]

Back when smartphones were starting to become big handheld game consoles were still pretty huge. I remember all the debates about smartphones replacing them. I think companies were trying to capitalize on the success of the portable console market.

Its crazy how well Nintendo's handheld is still doing though.

 

[bubulol]

They only doing good on their own country
Otherwhise in US, Europe, rest of world, portable consoles dont meet their past success.

 

[gotluck]

They only doing good on their own country
Otherwhise in US, Europe, rest of world, portable consoles dont meet their past success.

don't know where you are getting that information

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nintendo_3DS_sales

3ds is regarded as a success from everything ive read

http://www.gamesradar.com/how-3ds-became-a-massive-and-unlikely-success-story/

 

[Stuntman06]

About physical keyboards, instead of making new phone with it, perhaps, manufacturers might create a sort of keyboard-case that can slide on the back of phone

EDIT: i didn't know it even exists lol

The keyboard case for the Galaxy S3 won't fit now that I have an extended battery.