Phones that work around the world

If you are planning to travel frequently but want to stay in touch at all times, GSM phones are probably the best bet. As different frequency bands are used in various countries, the rule of thumb when buying a phone for traveling is to look out for handsets which are either triband (GSM 900/1800/1900) or quadband (GSM 850/900/1800/1900). This is to ensure that it works in as many countries as possible. Phones with 3G connectivity are also worth considering if you plan to roam in countries like Japan and Korea. Here's a look at some of the more popular quadband handsets currently in the market.

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	1.	Nokia N95   CNET Asia rating: 8 out of 10 The good: HSDPA; Wi-Fi; onboard GPS; 5-megapixel camera with Carl Zeiss lens; 3.5mm audio jack; mini-USB connector. The bad: Build quality doesn't justify the premium price; poor battery life; sluggish performance when multiple applications are running; premium price. The bottom line: There's no doubt that the Nokia N95 is one of the most full-featured smart phones available right now, but its poor battery life could very well be its Achilles' heel. Who is it for? Globetrotters who think they may get lost. Review | See full specs | Rate this
	2.	Dopod C730   CNET Asia rating: 7.4 out of 10 The good: Thin and light profile; hot-swappable microSD card slot; 3G; HSDPA; Wi-Fi; Bluetooth stereo; Windows Mobile 6; seamless synchronization with Microsoft Exchange server; decent image quality. The bad: Keyboard buttons a little too small; temperamental touch strip; no dedicated audio jack; no onboard flash and front-facing camera. The bottom line: The Dopod C730 has big shoes to fill considering its predecessor's popularity and it attempts to do so with extra connectivity options (3G and HSDPA) and a new WM6 operating system. Still, the temperamental touch strip and the tiny keys don't quite do justice to the smart phone. Who is it for? Globetrotters who require a smart phone with QWERTY keyboard. Review | See full specs | Rate this
	3.	Motorola KRZR K1   CNET Asia rating: 7.3 out of 10 The good: Excellent talktime; compact design; sturdy frame and hinge; quadband; elegantly chic; uses mini-USB port; expandable memory. The bad: Laggy on several occasions; lackluster camera quality; no autofocus; speakerphone vibrates on loud setting which affects audio projection; weak signal reception; fingerprint magnet. The bottom line: If you can look beyond the rather unremarkable features, the KRZR K1 is a worthy successor to the iconic RAZR and, like its predecessor, simply spells gorgeous. Who is it for? The stylish and trendy globetrotter. Review | See full specs | Rate this
	4.	Sony Ericsson W810i   CNET Asia rating: 8 out of 10 The good: 2-megapixel with autofocus; compact and stylish; good music playback and image quality; improved directional pad; bundled headset with 3.5mm audio jack. The bad: No lens cover; lacks 3G; does not support Bluetooth stereo headsets; quirky music transfer software; same port for charging and handsfree. The bottom line: Despite offering only minor improvements over its W800i predecessor, the Sony Ericsson W810i is still one of the better non-3G handsets out there with its nice blend of multimedia features, handy design and ease of use. Who is it for? Music-loving globetrotters. Review | See full specs | Rate this
	5.	Samsung Ultra Edition 10.9 (U600)   CNET Asia rating: 8 out of 10 The good:  Slim design; large screen; 3.2-megapixel camera. The bad:  Touch-sensitive keys don't give much tactile feedback; lack of built-in 3.5mm headphone jack or adapter; no Xenon flash on the camera. The bottom line: Samsung has made yet another ultrathin phone that doesn't skimp on features. Key are the 3.2-megapixel camera with autofocus and an easy-to-use music player. Our only niggles with the U600 are the lack of 3G connectivity and the touch-sensitive keys that some people might find annoying. Who is it for? Globetrotters who are looking for an all-rounded handset. Review | See full specs | Rate this