iPhone 3GS rivals

Kent German, Senior Editor June 30, 2009

Though some iPhone fans may argue that no other cell phone on the planet can touch Apple's device, that's hardly the truth. Indeed, there are a few cell phones that offer glossy touch screens, flashy multimedia features, full HTML browsers, and access to third-party applications. They won't provide exactly the same experience, but that's really the whole point. In some areas they won't quite match the iPhone's capabilities, but in other areas they go the distance. So, if you can't, or won't, switch to AT&T, check out these iPhone alternatives from the other major carriers.

The Palm Pre, which launched just two weeks before the iPhone 3GS, is available with Sprint. It offers a multitouch interface, multitasking, and a physical keyboard. Currently, it's a Sprint exclusive, though it will land at other carriers in the near future. The HTC Magic, which will soon be available at T-Mobile as the MyTouch 3G, is the second Google Android phone in the United States. It brings all the user-customization benefits of the Android OS, plus great performance and seamless integration with Google apps. Verizon's Samsung Omnia runs on Windows Mobile. We liked its robust multimedia features and spacious touch screen. Lastly, there's the unlocked Nokia N97. Though expensive, this Symbian Series 60 smartphone crams just about every feature you can imagine into an attractive touch screen design with a full keyboard.