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Top 5 ultraslim phones

By CNET Asia staff

Motorola may have single-handedly started the thin phone trend when it launched the RAZR clamshell in 2004, but things have certainly changed quite a bit since. For one, other mobile vendors have caught up and introduced even slimmer mobiles. And while there's usually some feature trade-offs on the earlier generations of thin handsets, the latest models today sport much improved functions. These include higher-resolution cameras, expandable memory card slots, Bluetooth stereo A2DP and even 3G connectivity. So if you are in the market for a really thin phone but are not willing to compromise on features, take a look at these five recommendations.

Click here for a feature comparison table.

1.  Samsung Ultra Edition 8.4    
 
CNET Asia rating: 8 out of 10
The good: Slim, sleek design; 3G; microSD card expansion slot; supports Bluetooth stereo; 2-megapixel camera; solid build quality; vibrant display.
The bad: Average battery life; no FM radio; no second battery (like the Ultra Edition 6.9); one port for charging, earphone and USB; exposed lens design.
The bottom line: Samsung's latest 3G handset will appeal to those who want an ultra-slim phone but aren't willing to compromise on functionality.

Dimensions: 112 x 50 x 8.4mm

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2.  Nokia 5310 XpressMusic
 
CNET Asia rating: 8.0 out of 10
The good: Slim, chic design; good sound reproduction; onboard 3.5mm audio jack; dedicated music controls; A2DP Bluetooth stereo; microSD card slot; crisp image quality.
The bad: Slow camera performance; average battery life; no 3G/HSDPA.
The bottom line: Despite its less-than-impressive camera performance, the 5310 XpressMusic is still one of the best-equipped music-phones in the market today.

Dimensions: 103.8 x 44.7 x 9.9mm

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3.  Sony Ericsson W880i
 
CNET Asia rating: 7.7 out of 10
The good: Slim, attractive design; solid build quality; bundled with a 1GB memory card; 3G; loud speakers; sharp image captures.
The bad: Camera lacks autofocus and flash; buttons are too small; no FM radio; tinny sound quality.
The bottom line: The W880i is slim, sexy and surprisingly packed with features. If you can look past its tiny keys and tinsy sound, this is one music-phone that's worth a closer look.

Dimensions: 103 x 46.5 x 9.4mm

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4.  Nokia 6500 classic
 
CNET Asia rating: 7.3 out of 10
The good: Chic design; solid feel; dualband 3G; Bluetooth stereo A2DP; 1GB onboard memory.
The bad: Single micro-USB connector prevents multitasking; not autofocus camera; video calls not possible even with main camera; lacks FM tuner.
The bottom line: The 6500 classic is truly a great-looking model for users who just want a good and simple handset that works.

Dimensions: 109.8 x 45 x 9.5mm

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5.  Samsung SGH-P310
 
CNET Asia rating: 7 out of 10
The good: Small, stylish design; leather case doubles as additional battery pack; 2-megapixel camera; Bluetooth; impressive battery life when used with battery pack.
The bad: Odd keypad layout requires acclimation; expansion card slot behind battery.
The bottom line: The Samsung SGH-P310 isn't very exciting as an upgrade model but it does have a decent feature set and a mysterious appeal for a simple phone. .

Dimensions: 86 x 54 x 8.5mm

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