Category 6: Best Mobile Handsets & Devices
There are six sub-categories in Best Mobile Handsets & Devices, the majority of which are not open for entry as they are based on a nominations process from our specialist judging panel. One category, 6f, is for embedded mobile devices, and is open for entry, via the process outlined below (link to 6f below).
- 6a. Best Smartphone (Not open for entry)
- 6b. Best Featurephone or entry level phone (Not open for entry)
- 6c. Device Manufacturer of the Year (Not open for entry)
- 6d. Best Mobile Tablet (Not open for entry)
- 6e. Best New Mobile Handset, Device or Tablet at Mobile World Congress 2012 (Not open for entry)
- 6f. Best Embedded Mobile Device (Entry Closed)
The ultimate mobile industry awards for mobile devices, recognise the combination of leading edge design, technical excellence & innovation, intuitive features and functionality, pricing, performance and ultimately user demand that come together to position mobile handsets and devices not just as market leaders, but as industry game changers.
This year the GSMA introduces a separation between the Smartphone, Featurephone, Tablet and ‘Embedded Devices’ (for M2M and connected consumer electronics devices) segments. As the awards are for the best products available on the market in 2011, we will also have a new category for the best brand new handsets and devices seen Unveiled at the Mobile World Congress in 2012.
Nominations for the categories 6a to 6e above, will be sought from and discussed by panels of world leading independent journalists, analysts, academics and commentators, who will shortlist and decide the ultimate winner. Entries/ Submissions are only required for Category 6f this year.
Categories 6a – 6e will be nominated by our judges based on the following criteria:
- Functional and physical design innovation
- Product performance in terms of functionality and features
- Simplicity of use – such as an intuitive user interface
- Wide range of applications and features supported
- Unique attributes
- Price point versus Value for money
- Market success
- User experience (battery life, talk time, call quality, personalisation)
Process:
Once nominations have been received from our judges, we may be in touch with the nominees to request devices for further detailed evaluation, should they be required.
The judges will shortlist five entries in this category. The final shortlist will be published by the GSMA in January 2012, and one winner in each category will be announced at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona on Tuesday 28th February 2012.
Category 6f: Best Embedded Mobile Device (Non- Handsets Open for Entry):
The Best Embedded Mobile Device (Non-Handsets) award aims to highlight the rapidly emerging, remarkably innovative area of wirelessly connected ‘things’. This includes consumer electronics, business devices or everyday objects, for example; cameras, gadgets, household appliances, e-readers, gaming consoles, music players, tracking and navigation systems, computer equipment, advertising or signage displays, books, clothing or even natural systems, among a wide variety of ‘network connected’ mobile products and devices that we are seeing emerge today.
The judges will shortlist five submitted entries in this category, with one winner announced at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona on Tuesday 28th February 2012.
Eligibility
This award is open to all organisations in the embedded mobile eco-system that provide mobile connectivity through consumer, business to consumer products and devices.
This category is for commercially available devices or devices that that have been or are in widespread market trials before the awards entry deadline of Wednesday 07th December 2011 at 5pm (GMT)
Please provide evidence in your entry to support this such as launch or trial dates, including details of countries or regions where the product is available or trial undertaken.
Eligible entrants include:
- Consumer electronics equipment manufacturers
- B2C equipment providers, such as computer, signage, manufacturers etc
- Machine to Machine (M2M) OEMs
- Mobile network operators
- Chipset & module manufacturers
- Embedded solution providers & System integrators
Judging criteria
The judges will be looking at how well entries meet the key criteria, as follows:
- Innovation in terms of functionality, technology, business models and market potential
- Usability: How simple/easy is it to use?
- How taps into new under-served market segments
- Evidence of user take up and market success
