Forget The X Factor versus Strictly Come Dancing. The real battle for the number one spot this December is between the iPhone and BlackBerry.

Receiving an iPod for Christmas has become a right of passage for both young and old since its launch in 2001. After it hit the mainstream there aren't many of us who haven't been burdened with the traumatic and thankless job of teaching Mum how to download songs from iTunes on Boxing Day. You both know it's all turning misty and you will be volunteered to update it since she hasn't a clue.

Now with the introduction of the iPhone, Apples hold on the Christmas stocking has expanded. Teenagers and techno dad's across the globe will be praying they don't have to delve into their own stash should their very own Santa forget to deliver their touch screen idol come the 26th.

Despite having a cult following of devoted Apple fans, the iPhone has been running into a few embarrassing problems since its launch. The hype isn't dwindling of course, but with so many of its competitors doggedly nibbling away at its profits and vying to fill any niche in the already tight market, are there any alternatives to the iPhone 4?

Most have their money on the latest member of the BlackBerry family. The brand also has a loyal customer base, having moved on from its staunch roots as the must have email device for the busy executive. Now the BlackBerry is the accessory du jour for the celebrity and conscious consumer.

Stylish and reliable, BlackBerry handsets have been a hit for years now in the commercial mainstream. However RIM have managed to retained the business of their professional clientele and respect and endorsement of industry insiders.

BlackBerry Torch 9800

The BlackBerry Torch 9800 is the stylish new edition to this infamous and popular brand. The most distinctive and celebrated feature of this smartphone is that BlackBerry have combined a high resolution touch-screen, plus a slide-out QWERTY keyboard and optical trackpad.

Designed as the ultimate communications tool, the BlackBerry Torch enables you to send emails, chat online, post to your various social sites and make those important business calls quickly and simply.

Using its integrated social feeds apps you can bring your sources of inspiration together. Gather and filter all your social network and RSS feeds in one view. Alternatively spread your own inspiration by updating multiple social networks with a single post.

Including a 5 MP camera with flash, continuous auto-focus and image stabilization, plus 11 photo modes and video recording, it's easy to capture those spontaneous moments and see them in crystal clear colour on the impressive 3.2" HVGA+ 480x360 pixel colour display.

The BlackBerry Torch can also manage multiple open websites with tabbed browsing. Bookmark your favourite sites with branded icons and customizable names, and access them right from the home screen.

Certainly the iPhones strongest challenger, and with 8 GB of memory as standard, there are more than a few impressive features on the BlackBerry 6 that might enable this model to topple Apple off the top spot.

My Android alternative

The HTC HD Desire has been lauded by T3 as the phone of the year. After winning a legion of influential fans, HTC fought off competition from the Apple iPhone 4 to win Brand of the Year and Phone Of The Year for the Desire HD at this years Gadget Awards.

The Japanese giants have been crowned the producer of the superior smart phone for some time. The introduction of the Desire does little to diminish the legend with everyone wanting this new super phone. With a huge screen and speedy processor, the Desire definitely lives up to its name.

The HTC HD Desire is pure gadget seductress wrapped in an unassuming package. It does pretty much everything but being loaded with Android 2.1, you can customise it with free apps so it's even more exceptional.

The touch-sensitive, 3.7 inche screen on the HTC HD Desire is vivid and crisp. It's perfect for making the most of all your movies, photos, games and favourite websites. Enjoy homemade YouTube clips filmed with the phone's on-board camera then watch the latest Hollywood blockbuster you loaded earlier onto your SD card.

Using the 5 megapixel camera, autofocus and flash, you can capture professional quality pictures then upload your photos straight to Facebook, Twitter or Flickr.

With its pinch to zoom capacity, you can see all seven of your home screens, moving easily between the weather, your social networking updates, work emails and anything in-between.

Offering speed, style and bursting with features, could the HTC Desire be the perfect phone? Well, it certainly delivers on substance and innovation. Will this clearly superior technology be enough to take the shine off of Apples rosy glow?