Here’s a rundown of the most popular phones in September of 2008. We have RCR Wireless to thank for the round-up. Enjoy!

#1 Blackberry Curve

Enjoying the number one spot is RIM’s Blackberry Curve. Available from all major US providers, it’s no surprise this smooth, rounded superphone is topping the list. The Curve comes in a variety of colors (titanium, silver, red, black, gold, and my personal favorite - pink) and has full internet and email capabilities. With a powerful camera and versatile mini-USB charger, the Curve is quite the universally friendly phone.

#2 Apple iPhone

The much-hyped newest 3G edition from Apple comes in 2nd - a pretty impressive feat considering their exclusive deal with AT&T and the expensive, mandatory data plan that comes along with it. Another hurdle the iPhone overcame is the flurry of problems when it first arrived. It looks like the Mac followers are a loyal, and as it turns out, expansive group.

#3 LG Dare

The LG Dare is Verizon’s answer to the iPhone, and the debut appears to have been a success. Occupying 7.9% of all cell phone purchases in September, the Dare kept touch-screen-wanting CDMA owners happy. In a slightly boxier housing than the iPhone, the Verizon utilized good advertising and a lack of alternatives to push the Dare into the number three spot.

 #4 Blackberry Pearl

A smaller version of the Curve, RIM’s other ultra-popular, found-at-all-carriers cell phone, the Pearl, made the cut as well. Without a full QWERTY keyboard, but with a smaller, easier-to-tote package, as well as a smaller pricetag, the 8100 series of phones has found a nice niche with the new-to-smartphone demographic.

#5 LG Voyager

Rounding out the top 5 is the LG Voyager. The 2nd LG to make the cut, the Voyager utilizes a full touchscreen AND a full tactile QWERTY keyboard when you open it up. At the end of the day, Verizon Wireless seems to be the big winner, as it offers 4 of the 5 top cell phones we see here.

 Read the whole story here at RCR Wireless!

As we eagerly await the release of the new iPhone and a slew of other smartphones, I’m faced with a decision - should I hop on the nearly-button-free, touchscreen bandwagon or do I want a QWERTY keyboard for easy texting and emailing?

Touchscreen Options

While Apple’s latest addition to the touch-screen movement is probably the most buzzed about, many cell phone manufacturers have touchscreen phones on the way for this summer. Blackberry’s Thunder is a much anticipated product, as it ventures away from the typical Blackberry form, but keeps some of the essentials, such as quick-touch buttons for sending and ending calls, browsing the menu, instant camera access, and other often used applications. It has, however, lost the tactile keyboard, leaving the user with only the visual one typical of  touchscreen phones. Also in this category are the LG Dare, Samsung Instinct, and HTC Diamond.

Tactile QWERTY Keyboard Options

The new HP iPAQ 910 has just been released, and packs a punch with its Windows 6.1 Mobile OS and sleek Blackberry-esque look. Another option with a full keyboard is the brand new Blackberry Bold, the first Blackberry with HSDPA networking. LG also has several QWERTY handsets for the mobile messager - the enV2 offers a full keyboard, and some great extras such as a 2MP camera, but leaves much to be desired with its subpar appearance. But for a consumer strongly concerned with ease of texting and emailing, a QWERTY keyboard could be the most important feature.

My Verdict

As far as my bottom line goes, I think my requirements are GPS, a full web browser, a high quality camera and reliable service. As a novice mobile messager, I think I can sacrifice the tactile QWERTY keyboard, but only because I don’t think I’ll be using a keyboard (in any form) much from my smartphone. So right now my frontrunner is the Bold, with its sleek touch screen and easy-access buttons, but I am confident I am not the only one facing this dilemma. As the products are released, and the race unfolds, we’ll see what a smartphone will need to take the lead.

You know the drill.  A new cell phone gets introduced to the market and it is claimed to be “the most innovative and technologically advanced cell phone available today.”  And with the race to smartphone supremacy, all manufacturers are putting their best product forward.  So here we are with the upcoming release of two new, hot phones.

BlackBerry Bold Release Date Postponned

It’s been rumored that Research in Motion (RIM) is delaying the release of its iPhone contender phone, the BlackBerry Bold, to mid-August.  Initially, the Bold was going to be released in July by AT&T, but there’s been talk that the BlackBerry Bold is having potential complications with battery life, software issues and overheating problems.

RIM has yet to confirm any of these statements, but analysts are predicting that it could noticably set-back second quarter earning for the company.

LG Dare Brings the HeatThe LG Dare hits Verizon Wireless stores today and its touchscreen abilities have made this a highly anticipated phone.  It is quite noticeable that LG and Verizon took some time to think out the design and software for this feature-phone.  Here’s a quick pro/con list that will give you an overview of the LG Dare, so you can make your own opinion on whether this phone is up to the task of giving other smartphone’s a run for their money ….

PRO CON 

  -  Feedback while typing -  Two phone menus

-  Handwriting recognition -  Trouble with QWERTY keyboard 

-  Video recording/editing -  HTML; but not very good

-   3.2 megapixel camera -  Standard external design

Race to Smartphone Supremacy

I think this is an ongoing battle between all manufacturers and service providers.  While I think LG did a good job in creating the LG Dare, I believe it will be no competition for the Apple iPhone or the BlackBerry Bold.  The ultimate race will continue with BlackBerry and Apple and for the time being, Apple has pulled out ahead.