With all the hype surrounding flip phones, it's easy to overlook candy bar phones that offer equally impressive features as their flip counterparts. Here's a list of prime examples from Nokia:

[Aug 2, 2006: added entries for 6100 and 3220] [Aug 11, 2006: added entries for 3100 and 3120]

6010: a utilitarian design that has gone through several generations with tons of variations: 3590, 3560, 3585... the list goes on and on. While making changes to the color and theme, Nokia introduced only slight modifications to the shape through the years. This phone is definitely not attention-seeking, but it gets the job done well. With all the basic features, the 6010 is arguably one of the sturdiest phones currently available.

6230/6230i: a very competitive offering from Nokia at the time of release. Loaded with multimedia features, it's an Ipod, a PDA, a cellphone - all built into one package. 6230i provided desirable upgrades to the already impressive 6230. Wildly popular in Europe and other markets, the lack of a b version (support for 850 MHz) makes the 6230i a less attractive choice here in the US.

6030: a compact phone that took design cues from the upscale 6230-series, the 6030 supports all of the essentials (good voice quality, sturdy design, MMS/SMS and more) that the everyday user might need, plus premium features (brilliant 64k color display, FM radio) that one wouldn't expect at this price range. Its support for 850 MHz and built-in speakerphone translate to superb voice quality and greater flexibility.

8800/8801: carrying on the tradition started by the original 8810, the 8801 (the US-version with a tri-band that supports 850 MHz) occupies the high-end segment of the Nokia line up. An abundance of features and a striking physical design make this a very desirable phone. However, a prohibitedly high price places this phone out of the average users' reach.

6100: another elegant phone that catered to the business user segment (the not-so-much-fun segment), this phone was released before integrated cameras were popular. It has the hype features of the time: color screen, polyphonic ringtones; but it lacks other features such as integrated camera and Bluetooth. Its thin design makes the 6100 an ideal choice for those who are size-conscious.

3220: its distinctively rigid design was carried over from an earlier phone, the 5100. It’s an entry-level phone, yet it has support for multimedia. The 3220 is also highly-customizable, allowing users to place cut-out covers on the back of the phone, for instance. It also has a feature that is referred to as “visual ringtone”, where the phone lights up when it is ringing.

3100: a compact, entry-level phone that is customizable and has all the essentials but lacks an intergrated camera. Feels more flimsy than most other Nokias and the dials lack feedback. However, the 3100 does offer good value for the features that it carries, and it is one of the cheaper tri-band offerings at the time of release.

3120: a design that bear resemblance to the 6100, the 3120 came after the 3100 and carried very similar features. Differences between the 2 are mostly cosmetic and they were in similar price ranges.

Did I miss your favorite (or most hated) Nokia Candy Bar? Share your experience with me!