Valentine's Day Gift Guide 2009

February is like the shortest month of the year, but it also has one very special day – the 14th. Yes, for some people, this is just an ordinary day, one of those 365. For the romantics out there, the 14th is a special holiday. A day, on which St. Valentine, the protector of all lovers, is being honored.

This very special day comes with the speed of light and everyone that’s going to celebrate it is thinking: “What will make her/him happy?” Now is the time to tell you that our team consists mostly of men, so we plan to aid our brothers in their struggle to choose the perfect present. Of course, our advice is intended only for those of you that seek to buy a cell phone. Having in mind how multifunctional they are, we consider them a really wonderful present, which can be both useful and beautiful. The ladies, however, may still propose a quiet Italian restaurant or a cozy hotel (don’t forget that the 14th is Saturday this year!)
 
Let’s leave the romantic moments for the holiday itself and get to work. In order to ease your choice, we’ve divided the phones into four categories that should describe the needs and preferences of your better halves. After all, we’re looking to buy something which will be of use, right?

For Business – If your beloved one needs some help at work she’ll probably prefer a smartphone as managing documents and e-mails will be a lot easier with it.  Even more, she’ll still be able to keep track of her things when you’re going out for lunch together. Fortunately for her, smartphones have evolved a lot during last year, not only specs-wise, but they have also acquired some attractive appearance.

For Posh – If your better half takes her phone for a fashion accessory, then you have a problem at your hands – how to choose one that’s going to suit all her clothes. Relax, our offers in this category include modern colors and design solutions that are sure to satisfy even the most pretentious users.

For Party – Here we have gathered some interesting devices which will be able to entertain the lady of your heart. With it she’ll be able to listen to music, take pictures, type messages quickly or watch videos, all while staying sleek.

For Everyday – Your girl doesn’t need any breathtaking features; she has you, doesn’t she? However, you can still buy her a simple yet good-looking phone that will be capable of making and receiving calls and this, in the mean time, will save you some money so that you can add a jewel to it. Sounds like a wonderful combination.
 
In the next pages we have selected the most suitable (in our view) offers on the market.

Images courtesy of Flickr

Verizon Wireless

For Business:

Samsung Omnia CDMA – Big Red has the privilege to offer some of the most versatile Windows Mobile phones in the world. Not only that the Omnia manages to flawlessly operate with office documents and e-mails (thanks to its handy on-screen keyboard), but it’s also thin, and the combination of a large screen with a silver panel definitely looks good.


Samsung Saga – Your better half travels around the world a lot and you want to stay in touch with her, no matter the distance? The Samsung Saga is a wonderful solution as it offers global GSM roaming. In addition, it’s been equipped with all the business features that are included in Windows Mobile 6.1. It’s not big (for a smartphone), it looks good and features a full QWERTY keyboard for fast and easy typing.

For Posh:

LG Dare – Grey and black – a classic combination in one of the most desired Verizon phones for 2008. Add a compact size and a large screen (which is an extremely modern trend) and you’ll have a result which we’ve described in our review as “slim, sexy and attractive”.
 
Motorola VU30– One of the prettiest devices offered by the carrier, although not as striking as its predecessor, the V9m. With it, you’re sure to capture your lady’s heart without breaking the bank.

Samsung Omnia CDMA – The Omnia is a very popular model, since it offers a user interface, which is easy to get accustomed to by the common customer, although of the Windows Mobile platform. In other words, even your wife/girlfriend will easily handle it, and its appearance, as we’ve already mentioned, is really sexy.

For Party:

LG Chocolate 3– Stylish and rich on music features including a 3.5mm jack and stereo Bluetooth support, 1 GB of built-in memory; this is the Chocolate 3. A phone, which will keep your girlfriend amused no matter the place.


Samsung Juke – Phones utilizing the swivel form-factor are not very common. That’s what’s making the Juke different from the others. Besides, it’s very compact and features 2 GB of memory, on which your beloved one can store her music.

For Everyday:

Nokia 6205 – It may offer some completely standard features (actually, it’s even lacking some, like stereo Bluetooth), but it’s one of the most stylish ones in Verizon’s catalogue. Moreover, it’s also offered in a Dark Knight variant, which is a rather suitable choice in case your girlfriend is a fan of Batman.



Samsung SCH-U550 – It delivers a wonderful sound quality during a call and very good features for a budget phone (stereo Bluetooth, microSDHC support).It’s not the prettiest one in the world, but when it comes to design it is totally suitable for everyday use.

AT&T

For Business:

RIM BlackBerry Bold – So, why don’t you delight your better half with RIM’s best model? Although it hasn’t been as hyped as RIM’s first touch screen phone, the Storm, the Bold is a wonderful smartphone. It has an excellent display, a better operating system and a classic, elegant design. In addition, you’ll always stay in touch with the love of your life, even if she’s on a business trip outside the country.


Samsung Epix – This is a phone, capable of global roaming, so again you won’t find it hard to maintain a wireless connection with your business-touring sweetheart. The full keyboard and the functions that are offered by Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional will surely ease her life. Fortunately, all these extras haven’t led to a bigger size and it will still fit well even in the delicate female hands.

For Posh:

Apple iPhone 3G – This phone has become an inseparable part of the pop culture with its incredible popularity. Your darling is sure to love it greatly.

Samsung Eternity – The large screen, the light weight and the beautiful body make for a really attractive device. The Widgets are also quite hot, though not that functional.

For Party:

AT&T Quickfire – Simirar to the T-Mobile Sidekick, this model offers a full keyboard for handy text messaging and a freshly-colored body. In addition, it packs a GPS in case that your girlfriend gets lost on her way to the party.


Sony Ericsson W760 – It’s equipped with stereo speakers, a memory card for music storage and a lot of fun features, like controlling the player with the motion sensor. Its design makes it rather appropriate for the younger ladies.

Samsung Propel – Similar to the Quickfire, but incorporating a different and more compact design, this slider has a full QWERTY keyboard which will give a serious advantage to your love when she’s chatting with friends. And you know that a possible party can be just a few messages away.



For Everyday:

Nokia 6555 – Elegant, although a bit bulky, this is a phone with a very long battery life and all the basic features included. A wonderful device to be used anytime, anywhere.


Sony Ericsson Z750a – The idea of the “hidden display” has gotten a little older, but continues to attract attention. In addition, it offers some outstanding features – high-speed internet, a full Web browser and a very high-quality main display. You can give it as a present to your loved one at almost no cost.

Sprint

For Business:

HTC Touch Diamond CDMA – Small and sexy (even though not as much as the original variant), this Windows Mobile smartphone is preferred by many business ladies. Why don’t you please yours?

HTC Touch Pro CDMA – Your beloved desperately needs a phone with a full QWERTY keyboard, but does not wish it to be too large? The Touch Pro is of the same size as the Touch Diamond, disregarding that it has put on some weight and is a bit thicker. If this is to suit your better half, then you can calm down and quit the diets.


For Posh:

Samsung Instinct – Maybe the best touch screen phone and definitely the most attractive one. Now in pink, the Instinct has become even more popular with the ladies.


LG Lotus – It looks like a small powder case, but instead of a mirror and make-up, it houses a 2.4-inch display and a full QWERTY keyboard. A truly elegant solution.

For Party:

Sanyo Katana Eclipse X – The light effects (a whole 42 variants) of this phone are quite funky. They make the phone’s appearance different and distinguish it from the crowd. They can do the same for your loving one too.


Samsung Highnote – A music phone with an extraordinary design. When you slide it open in the opposite direction, a powerful speaker is revealed, which enables you to share your favorite music with friends. In other words, this is a phone, which will allow your dear to carry the party spirit everywhere with her.

Palm Centro (pink) – A small and cute phone for the common user. It’s handy for fast messaging and organizing of everyday tasks, so that more free time will remain for celebrating. Also with a pink color, very suitable for ladies.



For Everyday:

Samsung SPH-M320 – It offers a pleasant design, long battery life and a number of basic functions for everyday use. It’s not such a pretentious phone, but cheap and useful one. Best combined with roses.


Sanyo Katana LX – Who says that you can’t get a striking phone for a song? The Katana LX is a disproof for this statement with its spectacular main OLED display and nice design. Like the Samsung M320, it doesn’t offer some incredible features, but its price/quality ratio makes it worthy of your money.

T-Mobile

For Business:

T-Mobile G1 – The first phone based on Google’s open-source operating system. The company is the equivalent of Armani or D&G on the IT market. In other words, presenting your girlfriend with a G1 is totally reasonable. The phone offers one of the best keyboards and a promising software future ahead.


RIM BlackBerry Curve 8900 – A real jewel among RIM’s smartphones. It’s equipped with a wonderful screen, handy keyboard and the new interface (the same as the one of the ubiquitous Bold). This is all gathered in a compact body and light weight, which makes it very suitable for the ladies.

For Posh:

Samsung Behold Espresso – A sexy design and cool widgets leads to a great overall phone. Even if your wife isn’t fond of coffee, she will surely value this stylish present.



For Party:

Sidekick – The latest phone of the most popular texting-series delivers some improved features and appearance, which can be easily personalized. Order an additional faceplate, which will suit your girl’s style the most.


Sony Ericsson TM506 – A combination of stylish design and a feature-rich music player. The recently announced scarlet color solution makes it even more attractive, even though that the original green one is rather modern.


For Everyday:

Samsung SGH-T339 – Not only that it’s small and good-looking, but it also has Wi-Fi, stereo Bluetooth and a microSD card slot. What other features could she possibly need, except maybe for doing the laundry and cooking?


Motorola W490 Bubble Gum Pink – It utilizes a design language, similar to the classic RAZR (thin and metallic), a “delicious” color and quite a lot of functions.  This phone is a perfect gift and is 100% better than a whole packet of bubble gums.

SIM-free

For Business:

HTC Touch Diamond – It’s generally preferred by the business ladies, because of its compact size and powerful features. A real jewel, and in contrast to the real diamonds, it can do a lot of other things, besides shining.


Nokia E66 – This metal slider has been developed by Nokia almost as if its purpose is to attract ladies’ attention. It’s based on Symbian and offers all the functions of the manufacturer’s business-series phones. The only thing that’s missing here is a full keyboard for fast e-mail typing, but on the other hand, it is compact enough in order to fit in the smallest handbag.


For Posh:

Nokia 8800 Sapphire Arte – This is the mobile version of a 100-carat diamond ring. To be presented only on extra special occasions. So, in case the trick works, remember that we’ll gladly come to the wedding.

Motorola AURA – Motorola’s first ingenious design solution since RAZR. The extremely high price ($2000) is justified by the unique round display, covered with a 62-carat sapphire and a stainless steel body with some strange patterns on it. If it happens to suit your likings, hurry up for the store, but not the jewelry – the cell phone one.

LG KF510 Red – A wonderfully-looking phone at a very decent price. The smoothly shading colors should please even the most pretentious taste. As a bonus, you’ll get a scratch-resistant body, which is said to protect the phone even from the sharpest manicure.



For Party:

LG KC560 – This is a phone, which takes us back to the 80’s, when funk was in vogue. The blinking lights make the KC560 really different from the rest.  It’ll suit the more extravagant ladies.

Samsung BEATs – Samsung’s music slider offers a lot of options for the die-hard music fan. It has a perfect music player, which can be controlled with the accelerometer, the Shazam service, which allows for music recognition or purchasing. The design is outstandingly successful – very compact and in non-traditional colors.

Sony Ericsson W595 – The successor of the W580 features mainly a renewed appearance, as the white color solution will surely suit the ladies. Moreover, it has a “share jack” which will allow the two of you to listen to music together.



For Everyday:

Nokia 7310 Supernova – A cute phone, that’s being offered with changeable faceplates, allowing for easy personalization. It’s very small and light and can be conveniently carried in a pocket.

LG KF350 – Bearing the nickname of IceCream, this clamshell model offers some really suitable colors for a lady, and has also a hidden additional display. We don’t actually believe that there’s a woman in the world that will refuse an IceCream.