Nokia is still the world's mobile top dog (pictured above are its headquarters). But it's hard to stay at the top, and the company is fighting hard to retain its #1 spot. Weird designs and competitors' worthy efforts have hurt the Finnish manufacturer, and if Nokia has lost its luster for you, feel free to check out this list of alternatives from Tech2, arranged by price point:

• 4,000 Rupees (approximately $88): Nokia 6030 vs. Samsung SGH-X160


• 8k ($176): 7350 vs. Motorola SLVR L7


• 12k ($265): 6131 vs. sony ericsson W700i


• 16k ($353): N72/6280 vs. Sony Ericsson W810i


• 20k ($440): N71/E61 vs. Sony Ericsson K790i


• 35k ()$770): N93 vs. O2 XDA Atom Exec

Nokia in the Philippines: During the early years of GSM in the Philippines, from around 1994, Nokia reigned supreme. People from all walks of life, from upwardly-mobile (pun intended) yuppies to even wet market vendors, used a Nokia mobile to keep in touch. But during the early years of this millennium, people wanting to stand out started considering other options, and manufacturers like Sony Ericsson and Motorola delivered appealing substitutes.

Like the rest of the world, Nokia's domination is slowly starting to slip. As the mobile market grows more competitive, people have begun looking elsewhere. I'm considering getting a Treo 680 once it's available here.