Updated 24 May, 2012, 11:34 am IST

Touchscreens with Slide-Out QWERTYS

14 May, 2010, 1:40 pm IST | by Shayne Rana

Here are some options for touchscreen handsets that also incorporate slide out QWERTY keypads.

The last touchscreen phone segment we covered the high-end totally touchscreen handsets. But if you’re one of those mobile users who’s looking for the larger display but still wants the physical feel of buttons when it comes to typing here are some of the handset options that incorporate both a touchscreen as well as a slide out QWERTY keypad.

Motorola MILESTONE – Rs. 25, 988 (MOP)
Most of the Android handsets that are available today sport funky and one might call youthful looks. The MILESTONE stands out drastically in his crowd with its all black, masculine, all about business look and feel. The handset’s large display is very responsive and makes viewing easy even in bright sunlight. The slide out QWERTY keypad is very comfortable to use for long typing sessions. Its only fault is the rather large nav-pad at its side.

Motorola has loaded an ARM Cortex A8 600 MHz processor with PowerVR SGX530 graphics to ensure that speed of functionality is not an issue. This also means you’ll have no problem with excessive multi-tasking. Aside from the obvious host of Google oriented features the handset is equipped with GPS and A-GPS support that can be used with Motorola’s Motonav map software. Motorola’s Crystaltalk voice technology and Audio Effects app makes this handset one of the better phones out there in terms of audio for calls and music playback respectively. The 5MP camera adds a little more to the overall multimedia capabilities of the handset.

Nokia N97 Mini – Rs. 18,489 (MOP)
Nokia’s N97 is also an improvement over the previous model except, of course if you take into account storage space. From a whopping 32GB plus support for up 16GB more via memory card, the N97 Mini has been toned down to 8GB plus external memory. On the other hand the Mini is so much sleeker and slimmer than the original and still manages to retain most of the form with just a few tweaks incorporated into the very comfortable QWERTY keypad. All of the handset’s multimedia features from the 5MP camera to it’s TV out capability and better than average music prowess are present and accounted for.

Nokia has included a Native Facebook application for the handset and of course other social networking options can be downloaded off of the Ovi Store. Ovi Maps are now free of course to be used with the built-in GPS module with support from A-GPS. The large, clear display makes it easy for viewing maps, videos, web browsing etc. and only enhances the Mini’s overall appeal.

LG GW620 – Rs. 13,699 (MOP)
The GW620 is one of the more affordable Android handset that’s available on the Indian market today. Equipped with a 3-inc resistive touchscreen and a smooth slide out QWERTY keypad the GW620 gives off a funky yet comfortable aura. The keypad is takes no more than a few seconds to get used to and makes of speedy typing even if you’re at it for awhile. It’s loaded with media features that include an FM radio and DivX support for drag and drop video playback. LG has also preloaded their Video Editor apps that will allow you to create your won slide shows of pictures by adding background music and styles.

The 5 megapixel camera it’s equipped with comes with quiet a few settings like Beauty Shot, face and Smile detection as well as geotagging. Google maps is the primary app for use with the handset’s GPS module and A-GPS gives it that little extra boost. From Wi-Fi to Bluetooth and 3G the GW620 is also equipped to deal with all kinds of connectivity.

Samsung Corby Pro – Rs. 10,399 (MOP)
The last on this list is the Corby Pro which is an upgrade to the very popular Samsung Corby S3650. The addition of a well laid out slide out QWERTY keypad takes the range to new level of being user friendly. Most of the features haven’t really deviated from the originals but there have been quite a few new additions which make this a worthy consideration if you’re looking at a handset in this category. One of the key upgrades is Wi-Fi, 3G and GPS support. For handset in it’s price range they’re both noteworthy features to have.

The Pro’s camera has also been upped to a 3.2 megapixel fixed focus camera. It includes features like an omni-directional panorama mode as well as quite a few scene modes. The handset is still loaded with social networking options that are available in drag and drop desktop widgets thanks to Samsung’s smooth TouchWiz UI.

There are still quiet a few of users who don’t wish to deviate form the use of a good, clean, well designed button system, but merely upgrade to the touchscreen generation and still have the option of using a physical keypad for input. The added weight of bulk added onto the handset is of course of no consequence to these users as it’s all about comfort of use.

Tags: QWERTY , 5 Megapixel , Series 60 , N-Series , Android , Google , Touchscreen , Motorola , Nokia , LG , Samsung , Corby