Quite simply, touch screen technology is the innovation we now expect to see in some shape or form from every new smartphone that launches.
Swapping a button-bashing existence for a softer sensing interface we can press, swipe, pinch and zoom, means we can now do a little bit more than simply stare into that pint-sized screen of ours.
If the only QWERTY keyboard you want to see on a daily basis is the one nestled next to your office computer, here's our pick of the best touchscreen smartphones available right now in the UK.
1. HTC Desire HD
HTC desire hd
Sporting a massive 4.3-inch Super LCD touch screen display, the HD has plenty of room for slick manoeuvre around HTC's overhauled Sense UI. Incorporating the same 480X800 WVGA resolution as the original Desire does however mean it lacks the vividness and superior contrast ratios of Samsung's Super AMOLED displays.
Most importantly though, your digits should be rewarded with a fluid interface interaction and the kind of satisfying pinch-to-zoom experience we saw with its predecessor.
Read our full HTC Desire HD review
2. Apple iPhone 4
iPhone 4
Putting Antennagate to one side, and there is plenty to laud over Apple's latest smartphone creation, particularly the 3.5-inch capacitive touch screen and new Retina Display which is a vast visual improvement on the 3GS.
Admirably serving all your multi-touch, pinch, zoom, cut and pasting needs, the 800:1 contrast ratio and 960x640p resolution makes the iPhone 4 a suitable partner for all your widescreen movie-watching and looking back at your freshly-snapped photos.
Read our full iPhone 4 review
3. Samsung Galaxy S
Samsung galaxy s
Setting the benchmark for immensely bright displays, the Galaxy S houses a 4-inch Super AMOLED capacitive touchscreen that does not disappoint. Its 480x800 WVGA resolution is someway behind the iPhone 4 (640x960), but you can still expect vivid colours, true blacks and outstanding contrast ratio.
Samsung's impressive smartphone performer delivers the kind of responsiveness needed to support multi-touch pinch-to-zoom gestures, and make the most of the new Swype text entry technology.
4. HTC Incredible S
HTC incredible
Finally finding its way onto British shores, the Incredible S hosts a 4-inch 800x480 WVGA Super LCD display.
Matching the HTC Desire in the resolution department, the touchscreen is kinder on the battery life, and boasts Desire-like response for your digits.
The screen size which measures in slightly smaller than the Desire HD, delivers bright colours and great contrast, which should be fitting for your 720p HD video and eight-megapixel pictures.
5. HTC Desire
HTC desire
Proving an admirable iPhone adversary, the first batch of Desires originally hosted a 3.7-inch AMOLED touch screen, which now due to shortages, has been replaced by Super LCD capacitive displays.
User experience has been in no way lessened, so expect navigating round your smartphone to still be light and responsive. The 480x800 WVGA resolution display can be prone to suffer on a sunny day, but viewing images and web pages should still be a pleasurable experience.
Read our full HTC Desire