Touch screen mobile phones seem to be everywhere and every cellphone maker worth its name is churning out one or more touchscreen handset every quarter or so. The popularity of these mobiles can be attributed to the fact that these devices use human touch as the primary interface and in most cases doing away with physical keyboard. Users like the clutter-free and intuitive way these phones are designed.

While these touch based phones were made popular by Apple iPhone that continues to enjoy the cult following even today, the competitors are not far behind. Nokia recently released its smartphone N97 that is touted as iPhone killer by many. While this may sound far fetched, the device is smart enough to give serious competitor to Apple latest offering iPhone 3G S. Then there is Palm Pre that sports a new OS, a sleek design and best of all a physical keyboard that is located on a slider giving this mobile phone a smaller form factor.

LG too is launching a series of touch screen mobiles like Viewty, Chocolate, Arena and more. Samsung has its own series of handsets that utilize the most basic form of human sense. Samsung Pixon, Jet, Star, Preston are some of the products that have impressed many. And not to forget HTC that has released Android based touch screen cellphone Magic. Sony Ericsson is there with Aino, Satio and more. And finally, Microsoft is coming up with its very own cellphone, Pink.

There is no doubt these phones are going to replace existing cellphone fast. Every cellphone has its pluses and minuses. The reviews of above touch screen mobile phones gives hint about what goes into crafting a perfect cellphone today.

Physical Keyboard : The first one is there should be a physical keyboard. The companies cannot avoid this. Sometimes people just want to use that and absence can be a bummer.

Form Factor : Then there must be a convenient form factor that makes it easy to carry the phone. Here Palm Pre scores over many other phones.

App Store : Most of the cellphone makers realize that to win and retain customers they have to increase involvement and create value even after the phone is sold. App stores like that of Apple, BlackBerry, Nokia go a long way in ensuring that users get the most out their phone and never lack applications to accomplish the tasks.

Beyond Touchscreen : The phones must support cutting technology like motion-sensing, gesture control to think beyond just touchscreen.

Efficient OS : The phone should have an operating system versatile enough to host and run a variety of applications from third party vendors. The speed at which the OS is able to launch apps and switch through them is very critical.

Cost : The cost is very critical when it comes to making buying decision. The companies have to strive for offering their products at affordable prices.

These are just pointers. Certainly, there are many more features that could make a killer touchscreen mobile. The most important thing to be kept in mind is to think like human while designing a device.