If you're looking for a new mobile phone, you certainly have a lot of choices to make. From brand name to operating system, there are a lot of decisions that you need to answer before you go and get that new phone. One of the things that you need to consider is whether you want a clamshell phone. In order to help you decide, we've compiled a list of the most commonly ask questions about clamshells, so you can see which one might be the right choice for you...
What is a clamshell phone?
Clamshell phones are so called because they look like a clamshell, they flip open to reveal a screen on the top half and a keyboard (either a numeric keypad, or occasionally a full QWERTY keyboard) on the bottom half. They tend to be compact models, because the phone basically folds up to half its real size.
Which Companies Make Them?
Most of the major brand names still make clamshell phones. Nokia, Samsung, Blackberry and most notably Motorola all make flip models. The Motorola RAZR phones are the most popular line of clamshell devices.
What are the Benefits of a Clamshell Phone?
Whilst clamshell phones are becoming less and less popular with the advent of smart phones (which tend to be candy bar shaped), there are still some people who prefer to buy a clamshell phone. This is because they have several advantages. Firstly, they tend to be smaller and therefore more portable, since they fold up to half their size. But one of the main reasons that they're still popular is because they are more robust than traditional smart phones. Because the phone folds up, the screen and keyboard are protected when the phone isn't in use. This means that for people who are outdoors a lot, or for those who work in the construction industry, for example, a clamshell phone is often a good buy. There is a lot less chance of the screen on your clamshell phone getting damaged compared to a touch screen smart phone getting broken. Also, clamshell phones tend to have better battery life than smart phones. This is because the screen is the main factor that drains a phone's battery. Because the screen on a clamshell is switched off unless the phone is open, that means that the battery lasts longer.
What are the Disadvantages of a Clamshell Phone?
There are a couple of disadvantages though. For starters, clamshell phones tend not to have as many features as a smart phone. That makes them cheaper, but signifies that the device won't do all the things that you want it to do. A second disadvantage is that a clamshell phone needs to be open in order to work. If you use hands free often, for example, it might not be convenient to have your phone open in order to make a call.
What's the Difference Between Clamshell and Flip Phone?
There is no difference at all, the two terms are completely interchangeable.
Get expert opinion from Phil Turner, who knows the ins and outs of clamshell devices and the impact they have on our daily lives.
