iPhone 4It's June and you know what that means: a new iPhone model. The iPhone 4 once again had thousands of people standing in line at absolutely ungodly hours, waiting and hoping to get Apple's latest wonder toy. And the iPhone 4 is undoubtedly the best iPhone yet with a stunning industrial design, superb build quality, an excellent camera and free video chatting over WiFi. The Retina Display is extremely sharp and easy on the eyes and the smartphone is very fast. But all isn't perfect with the iPhone 4, and that gives the competition a little room to breath.
AT&T
June 2010
iPhone 3GSAnother summer and another iPhone are here. The iPhone 3GS is Apple's newest phone to take the world by storm, or at least a modest tempest. The new model looks the same as the old, but it sports more storage (16 and 32 gig), has a 3 megapixel camera with autofocus and VGA video recording at 30fps, it supports Bluetooth stereo headphones and adds voice dialing and voice command. It's noticeably faster too thanks to a new CPU and graphics chip. 3G HSDPA speed should double once AT&T builds out their upgraded 7.2Mbps network which the iPhone 3GS supports thanks to upgraded hardware.
AT&T
June 2009
iPhone 3GAnother year and another iPhone has hit the market, this time worldwide, with just as much fanfare as the first model. Though the iPhone 3G adds only a few new features, they're big ones: 3G HSDPA and a GPS. Other improvements include better audio, improved Bluetooth and that nifty new 2.0 iPhone operating system pre-installed, which adds support for 3rd party applications that are easy to download and install via iTunes on the desktop or directly to the iPhone. The phone has a curvy back that feels better in hand and looks great, though it's slippery as heck. The iPhone 3G is a quad band GSM world phone with worldwide HSDPA support, and it's sold by AT&T in the US. Editor's
Choice 2008.
AT&T
July 2008
iPhone Probably the most talked about consumer electronics or mobile phone ever, the iPhone is finally here. And yes, it works as well as it does in the demo videos on Apple's website. The iPhone is wildly innovative thanks to its unique touch screen that's gesture sensitive, multi-press aware and it even knows when it's close to your face and turns the touch screen off. It's super-fast, has the best web browser we've seen on a PDA or smartphone, syncs to Macs and PCs, is a full iPod Video and it has a capable email client. It's available only through AT&T, and it's a GSM world phone with EDGE for data. Also included are a 2MP camera, WiFi and Bluetooth 2.0 +EDR. Editor's
Choice 2007.
AT&T
July 2007
Android (Google Phone)
Samsung Epic 4GSprint's second 4G superphone is here. The Epic 4G dares to be different with its large QWERTY keyboard that strays from the more common slate design. And it's a great keyboard with a dedicated number row, Android buttons and arrow keys. If you're a Sprint customer who lusted for the HTC EVO 4G but cringed at its on-screen keyboard, Samsung has your number. The Epic 4G is a Galaxy S family phone and it has that series' 4" Super AMOLED 800 x 480 display, 1GHz Hummingbird CPU with GPU acceleration, WiFi, Bluetooth and GPS. Improvements include a 5 megapixel camera with flash and a front-facing VGA camera and a notification LED. The Epic runs Android OS 2.1 with Samsung's TouchWiz 3.0 UI.
Sprint
Aug. 2010
Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 mini and Xperia X10 mini proMaking a complete about-face from the trend toward Jumbotron Android superphones, the Xperia X10 mini and X10 mini pro are teeny tiny Android smartphones that will fit in small pockets and other tight spaces. The 3.1 ounce mini and 4.2 ounce mini pro are nearly identical with the pro version sporting a slide-out QWERTY keyboard. We look at the unlocked GSM versions, the X10a mini andmini pro that have 3G HSDPA on AT&T's 3G bands. Like their big brother the Xperia X10, they run Android 1.6, but step down the processor to a 600MHz Qualcomm model. The 2.5 QVGA displays are capacitive and sharp, and the phones have GPS, Bluetooth and WiFi. Somehow, SE managed to fit good 5 megapixel autofocus cameras with flash into the design too.
Unlocked GSM
Aug. 2010
Samsung InterceptThough they share a similar design and OS, it's hard to say that the Intercept is Sprint's replacement for the Samsung Moment. The Intercept runs a newer version of Android OS and it drops the heavy dose of Samsung TouchWiz software but it gets a lower resolution, non-AMOLED display in the process. The Intercept targets first time smartphone buyers and those who don't want to spend big bucks on a phone but would like to play with Android. The Intercept has a slide-out QWERTY keyboard, a 3.2 megapixel camera, an 800MHz CPU, a GPS that works with Google Maps, 3G, Sprint TV and stereo Bluetooth. It's available in two colors: pink and gray.
Sprint
July 2010
Samsung VibrantT-Mobile USA's first superphone is here (we don't count the RIP Nexus One since T-Mo didn't sell it in their stores or on their website). This is T-Mobile's version of Samsung's Galaxy S, and the carrier has left it virtually unchanged. It sports the same iPhone 3GS-like design, is virtually bloatware-free and T-Mobile has added a few goodies like the movie Avatar, Kindle, The Sims 3 in 3D glory and more. The Vibrant, like its sibling the Captivate on AT&T, has a 1GHz Hummingbird CPU with PowerVR GPU and it's fast. Other goodies include 16 gigs of internal storage, a strong 5 megapixel camera, 3G HSDPA 7.2Mbps, GPS, Bluetooth and WiFi. The Vibrant runs Android 2.1 with Samsung's TouchWiz 3.0 enhancements.
T-Mobile
July 2010
Samsung CaptivateAT&T's first high end Android smartphone qualifies as a superphone. The Captivate is AT&T's version of the Samsung Galaxy S, and it features a fantastic 4" capacitive multi-touch Super AMOLED display with mind-boggling colors, a 1GHz Hummingbird CPU, 16 gigs of internal storage and Android OS 2.1 with Samsung TouchWiz 3.0. Other goodies include a good 5 megapixel autofocus camera that can shoot HD video, a GPS that works with Google Maps and AT&T Navigator, Bluetooth 3.0, WiFi and a micro SD card slot. We like. No, it's not perfect, but Samung's first high end Android phone can definitely compete with the big guys.
AT&T
July 2010
Motorola Droid XMotorola was no one hit wonder with the original Moto Droid on Verizon. The Droid X, their second Android superphone is good enough to earn our Editor's Choice Award, and it shows great improvement from the already solid Droid. The Droid X is very slim slate design phone with a monster high res 4.3" capacitive multi-touch display, 1 GHz CPU and an excellent 8 megapixel camera with dual LED flash. It has the usual 3G EV-DO Rev. A with mobile hotspot feature, WiFi 802.11n , Bluetooth and a GPS that works with Google Maps. The X runs Android OS 2.1 with a smattering of Moto custom software.
Verizon
July 2010
HTC AriaAT&T's second Android smartphone looks like a lot like the HTC Incredible, only small, much smaller. These days touch screen smartphones are livin' large, so if you want something that easily fits in a pocket, the Aria is one of the few. It's a solid mid-range Android phone with a 3.2" capacitive multi-touch display running at 320 x 480 resolution. The Aria is powered by a capable 600MHz CPU and it runs Android OS 2.1 Eclair with HTC's excellent Sense software. Other amenities include a 5 megapixel autofocus camera, a GPS that works with Google Maps spoken navigation and AT&T Navigator, WiFi and Bluetooth. It might not compete with the upcoming Samsung Galaxy S (Captivate) Android superphone, but at $129 it's easy on the pocket.
AT&T
June 2010
T-Mobile MyTouch 3G SlideT-Mobile doesn't sleep when it comes to Android smartphones, and neither does HTC, maker of the intimately named MyTouch 3G and now the MyTouch 3G Slide. The Slide isn't just a MyTouch with a keyboard; it packs a faster CPU, 512 megs of RAM and a higher resolution autofocus camera. The Slide runs Android 2.1 Eclair and it sports an extensive array of custom HTC software that's not quite Sense, though there's plenty of Sense UI in the mix. If you want an Android phone with the latest OS and a hardware keyboard, the Slide is worth a look.
T-Mobile
June 2010
HTC EVOSprint's tried the magic phone formula a few times, each time with improving results. First we had the Instinct, then the Palm Pre and now we have the HTC EVO; definitely a blockbuster smartphone. The EVO has a huge and lovely 4.3" capacitive multi-touch display much like the HTC HD2 on T-Mobile. But unlike the HD2, the EVO runs Android and is the first phone with 4G WiMAX service. Yummy. The EVO has the best of everything: Android 2.1 with HTC Sense, an 8 megapixel camera, front video conferencing camera, 3G EV-DO Rev. A, a mobile hotspot feature, GPS, WiFi and the usual assortment of Sprint apps and services including Sprint Navigation and Sprint TV.
Sprint
May 2010
LG AllyThe LG Ally is the latest Android smartphone to join Verizon's lineup and we suspect it will trounce the similarly designed but more expensive Motorola Devour. Though the LG has fairly high end specs, it doesn't get the Droid designation (we're not sure what's up with that Droid thing). It has a 3.2", 800 x 480 capacitive touchscreen with multi-touch pinch zooming, an accelerometer and Android OS 2.1 Eclair. The slide-out QWERTY keyboard is roomy and better than the Moto Droid's and call quality is tops. The phone has WiFi, Bluetooth, a GPS that works with Google Maps (no VZ Navigator here) and a 3.2 megapixel camera that takes good photos. Definitely worth a look if you're craving a reasonably priced Android smartphone with a keyboard.
Verizon
May 2010
HTC IncredibleWho needs the Nexus One on Verizon? The HTC Droid Incredible is just as much a superphone and it beats the Nexus One with more storage, a higher resolution camera and HTC Sense software on top of Android 2.1. If you don't need a hardware keyboard, the Incredible can easily take on the Motorola Droid too. It features a 3.7" AMOLED multi-touch display, an 8 megapixel camera that actually takes good photos and video, 8 gigs of internal storage and a really sleek design. From it's optical d-pad to the sculpted waterfall back, HTC's latest for Verizon is definitely top notch, and it's fast too thanks to the 1GHz Snapdragon CPU.
Verizon
April 2010
Sony Ericsson Xperia X10Sony Ericsson has gone through quite a few smartphone operating systems in the past few years. Now they're on Android, a hot and exciting new smartphone OS, and that's a good thing. Like most Sony Ericsson smartphones, this is a high end piece of hardware with a capacious 4" capacitive touch screen, 1GHz Snapdragon CPU and an 8.1 megapixel camera. Sweet. It will likely be sold unlocked rather than by a carrier, so be prepared for a hefty price tag. But it just might be capable of taking on the Nexus One, that self-proclaimed superphone. The Xperia X10a version we take a look at is intended for the US and it has 3G HSDPA on AT&T's bands as well as Europe's. Other goodies include the full Google suite of software, a GPS, WiFi, Bluetooth and Sony Ericsson's enhancements to Android.
Unlocked GSM
April 2010
Motorola Cliq XTThe keyboard-less counterpart to the Motorola Cliq on T-Mobile brings its own special sauce in the form of custom multimedia applications, a higher resolution camera and Swype on-screen keyboard input. The Cliq XT has a 3.1" HVGA capacitive touch screen and it runs on a 528MHz Qualcomm CPU. Like the Cliq and Backflip, it runs MOTOBLUR social networking software on top of Android 1.5. The Cliq has a GPS that works with Google Maps and Telenav, MS Exchange support, plenty of social networking integration, WiFi and Bluetooth. The 3G Cliq XT has excellent voice quality and a pretty decent camera.
T-Mobile
March 2010
Motorola BackflipThe Backflip gets its name from the unusual reverse clamshell design. When this QWERTY smartphone is closed both the display and keyboard face outward. It's a polarizing design that will have you doing backflips or calling it the "Backflop". We like the design since the 3.1" capacitive display is always accessible and it allows for a large keyboard in otherwise compact phone. This is Motorola's third MOTOBLUR Android phone, and that means it's social networking-enhanced; great for you cyber-social types and those who need solid Exchange support. The features are mid-range with a 528MHz CPU, 320 x 480 pixel display, a GPS that works with Google Maps and AT&T Navigator, WiFi and Bluetooth. The 5 megapixel autofocus camera is better than average for a mid-tier smartphone. The Backflip is no threat to the Droid but it's on par with the Motorola Devour and classier than the Motorola Cliq.
AT&T
March 2010
Acer LiquidLooking for a high end Android phone on AT&T? Not having much luck with that, are you? Sure the Motorola Backflip is a decent mid-range Android smartphone but it can't play with the big boys like the Nexus One and Motorola Droid. The Acer Liquid can, thanks to its 480 x 800, 3.5" capacitive display, Snapdragon CPU, 5 megapixel camera and solid feature set. Better yet, it has 3G HSDPA on AT&T's 1900MHz band, and that means you'll get 3G most places AT&T has 3G. The Acer Liquid is sold unlocked and it's a quad band GSM world phone with triband 3G, and it costs less than the Nexus One.
Unlocked GSM
March 2010
Motorola DevourThe Motorola Droid's little brother isn't exactly smaller, but it is more affordable and built like a tank. The aluminum casing inspires confidence even if the design isn't tres chic. It has a slide-down QWERTY keyboard and MOTOBLUR software for you social networking addicts. Twitter, Facebook, MySpace-- it's all there and more. The Devour runs on Android 1.6 and it has a HVGA capacitive touch screen, 3 megapixel camera, GPS, 3G EV-DO Rev. A, WiFi and Verizon's VZ Navigator, V Cast Music and V Cast Video.
Verizon
Feb. 2010
Nexus OneGoogle has gotten into the phone market with their first Google-branded Android smartphone. The hardware is actually made by HTC, but the software and user experience are pure Google. This is the first Android phone to run OS 2.1, and will likely be the first to get updates in the future. Google calls this the "super phone" since it has very high end specs like a 1GHz Snapdragon CPU that flies, a 3.7" capacitive AMOLED touch screen, 512 megs of RAM, a 5 megapixel autofocus camera, GPS, WiFi and Bluetooth. It's sold unlocked directly by Google and you can get it in the US for retail or heavily subsidized with a T-Mobile contact. Is it the best phone ever? Read our review to find out.
Unlocked GSM, Unlocked (Verizon coming in Spring 2010)
Jan. 2010
Samsung Behold IIThe Samsung Behold II despite the name, isn't a feature phone like the original Behold on T-Mobile. It's an Android smartphone with Samsung's lush AMOLED capacitive touch screen and 3G HSDPA on T-Mobile's US bands. Like the Behold, it does run a version of Samsung's TouchWiz UI which sometimes seems at odds with Android. It has a very good 5 megapixel camera, WiFi, Bluetooth and a GPS that works with TeleNav and Google Maps. If you're looking to upgrade from a Samsung TouchWiz feature phone, the Behold II makes the transition easier.
T-Mobile
Dec. 2009
HTC Droid ErisLaunched on the same day by Verizon, we can only imagine the Moto Droid mouthing "say hello to my little friend, the HTC Droid Eris". Were it not for HTC's growing reputation as a top manufacturer of Windows Mobile and Android smartphones, the less hyped Eris might fall through the cracks. The Eris is similar to the HTC Hero on Sprint, but with looks influenced by the HTC Touch. It has a 320 x 480 capacitive touch screen, EV-DO Rev. A, WiFi, a 5 megapixel camera, GPS and Bluetooth. It's compact and light and half the price of the Moto Droid.
Verizon
Nov. 2009
HTC Hero (Sprint) Sprint just won't quit launching great smartphones lately. The HTC Hero is the best Android Google OS phone we've seen so far thanks to some help from HTC's own Sense UI software and Sprint's services like Sprint TV and Sprint Navigation. Unlike most Android phones (not that there are many), the Hero syncs not only to Google services but MS Exchange and Outlook too. The Hero features a 3.2", 480 x 320 capacitive multi-touch screen, WiFi, GPS, EV-DO Rev. A fast data and Google's excellent web browser and other goodies.
Sprint
September 2009
Motorola DroidVerizon and Motorola have made a big to do about their flagship Android smartphone and the Moto Droid might just be all that. It's fast, it's got a simply huge 480 x 854 pixel capacitive touch screen, it's skinny and it has a slider QWERTY keyboard. The Droid is the first Android 2.0 OS phone and it's full of the usual Google goodies like Gmail, YouTube and Maps plus built-in MS Exchange support and other amenities. The Droid has a GPS that works with Google Maps, WiFi, Bluetooth with A2DP stereo and a very good 5 megapixel camera.This review includes a video review. Editor's ChoiceAward 2009.
Verizon
Oct. 2009
Samsung MomentLately it seems like a robot invasion with new Android phones popping up a few times per month. The Samsung Moment is Sprint's second Android Google OS phone, following on the heels of the lovely HTC Hero. The Moment is for you QWERTY types: it features a slide out hardware keyboard that's roomy and has good travel. But you might not notice it at first since the vibrant and captivating 3.2" AMOLED capacitive touchscreen steals the show. The Moment has WiFi, a GPS, a 3.2 megapixel camera and the usual Sprint goodies like Sprint TV, NFL Mobile and Sprint Navigation.
Sprint
Nov. 2009
T-Mobile G1 The first Google Android phone is here! The T-Mobile G1, made by HTC, runs Google's open source phone operating system and it sits somewhere between a feature phone and a smartphone. It features 3G, a lovely 320 x 480 color touch screen, GPS, WiFi, thumb keyboard and a 3.2 megapixel camera with autofocus lens. The G1 is great for Google-addicts since it syncs with Google contacts and calendar and has push Gmail along with Google Maps. The G1 offers access to the Android Market where you can download applications (many free) to expand the phone's functionality.
T-Mobile
Oct. 2008
T-Mobile myTouch 3G Last year's ugly duckling, the T-Mobile G1 has spawned a swan. The myTouch 3G by HTC is T-Mobile's second Google OS Android phone. It's slim, sexy and smaller than the iPhone 3GS.The myTouch 3G is T-Mobile's version of the overseas HTC Magic and it packs the same goodness as the G1 inside: Android 1.5, the app Market, a 528MHz CPU, WiFi, Bluetooth with A2DP stereo and a 3.2 megapixel autofocus camera. It loses the hardware QWERTY keyboard in favor of the slimmer design and Android's on-screen keyboard. But it gains more memory for storage and OS upgrades. One of our favorite phones!
T-Mobile
Aug. 2009
Palm Web OS
Palm Pixi PlusThe third time around is a charm, and the Pixi Plus on AT&T is the best Pixi yet from Palm. It's features are identical to the Pixi Plus on Verizon, but it's a bit more responsive thanks to Palm's continued tweaks and improvements. The Pixi Plus is a great starter smartphone that's fun and easy to use, yet powerful. And if you're upgrading from a Palm Centro or an older Windows Mobile QWERTY bar phone it's worth a good look too. Features include a capacitive multi-touch display, an excellent web browser with pinch zoom, WiFi, Bluetooth, a GPS and 8 gigs of storage.
AT&T
June 2010
Palm Pre Plus The third time around, the Palm Pre is really hitting its stride. The Pre Plus on AT&T, like the Verizon version, features 16 gigs of storage and double the RAM of the Pre on Sprint. With a 3.1" capacitive multi-touch display, a fresh yet maturing webOS, full multi-tasking and a growing app catalog, this Palm breathes life into AT&T's ailing smartphone touch screen line. Other features include an improved slide-out QWERTY keyboard, a GPS that works with Google Maps and AT&T Navigator, 3G HSDPA, WiFi, Bluetooth and a solid camera that can shoot VGA video. Well worth a look if the iPhone doesn't float your boat. Heck, it's worth a look even if it does.
AT&T
May 2010
Palm Pre and Palm Pre PlusPalm's back, and in a big way with the Palm Pre, their first Web OS phone. The Pre has all the design queues of an iPhone challenger with its capacitive touch screen, super-fun user interface and iPod masquerading feature for iTunes syncing. Happily, the Pre is up to the job and is as fresh, easy to use and fraught with possibility as was the iPhone when it came out. The Pre is available on Sprint and Verizon in the US, and it features EVDO Rev. A for fast data, a GPS, 3 megapixel camera, WiFi, Bluetooth, email with MS Exchange support, Sprint Navigation and more.
Sprint and Verizon
June 2009 (Sprint)
Jan. 2010 (Verizon)
Palm PixiPalm's second webOS smartphone is available now on Sprint. The Pixi at first glance looks like a reborn Palm Centro with it's QWERTY bar design and tiny rubbery keys. But it runs the thoroughly modern webOS and features a capacitive multi-touch display just like its big brother the Palm Pre. The Pixi costs less than the Pre but it has some good specs including a 600MHz CPU, a GPS, EV-DO Rev. A and 8 gigs of flash storage. It comes with Sprint TV, Sprint Navigation and the rest of Sprint's services and it offers the same great cloud syncing to Exchange, Facebook and Google as the Pre. But is it worth saving $50 to get the Pixi instead of the Pre? Read our review to find out.
Sprint
Dec. 2009
Palm PrePalm's back, and in a big way with the Palm Pre, their first Web OS phone. The Pre has all the design queues of an iPhone challenger with its capacitive touch screen, super-fun user interface and iPod masquerading feature for iTunes syncing. Happily, the Pre is up to the job and is as fresh, easy to use and fraught with possibility as was the iPhone when it came out. The Pre is currently exclusive to Sprint in the US, and it features EVDO Rev. A for fast data, a GPS, 3 megapixel camera, WiFi, Bluetooth, email with MS Exchange support, Sprint TV, Sprint Navigation and more.
Sprint
June 2009
Samsung bada OS
Samsung Wave The Wave is Samsung's first smartphone running their new bada OS. If you crossed the Samsung Jet's OS and software with Android, you'd have something like bada. The hardware is top notch with a 3.3", 800 x 480 pixel Super AMOLED display that will toast your retinas with color and light. Other standard superphone amenities include a 1GHz processor, a sharp 5 megapixel camera that can shoot 720p video, WiFi, Bluetooth and GPS. This is an import GSM quad band world phone, and that means no contract subsidies through your US carrier and no US 3G. Still, it's interesting to see how bada has turned out and what Samsung can do with high end hardware design.
Unlocked GSM
July 2010
Feature and Fashion Phones
Samsung Eternity IIDo you like electric blue? And really cool bubble patterns on your phone's back? For better or worse, these two features stand out most on the Eternity II. While the first Samsung Eternity back in 2008 was one heck of a cool touch screen phone for its time, the Eternity II doesn't really add anything to that two year old formula. The second Eternity is inexpensive though, and we actually really do love that blue color. The phone is available on AT&T and it has a 3" resistive touch screen, FloTV, 3G HSDPA, a 2 megapixel camera, music player, Bluetooth and a GPS. The phone runs Samsung's TouchWiz UI and it comes with social networking software, streaming video and other goodies.
AT&T
August 2010
LG SentioTouch screen phones might be all the rage, but not everyone wants a smartphone or a required data plan. The Sentio is an entry to mid-level touch screen feature phone that aims to capture the non-smartphone market. It has a 3" resistive touch screen and a very intuitive user interface complete with widgets. It's slim and nice looking and fits easily in a pocket. The Sentio has a GPS that works with TeleNav and Google Maps, Bluetooth, a microSD card slot and a 3 megapixel camera. The phone has plenty of social networking and email options and it runs on T-Mobile's 3G HSDPA network. But that resistive screen is just so-so.
T-Mobile
Aug. 2010
Sharp FXThink of the Sharp FX as a Sidekick minus the Sidekick OS. This multimedia-heavy feature phone has FLO broadcast digital TV, AT&T's streaming video, a capable music player with Napster support and a 3.5mm stereo jack. The FX has a roomy QWERTY keyboard, a resistive touch screen and solid build quality. The usual goodies are there too: a GPS with AT&T Navigator, Bluetooth with A2DP stereo and a microSD card slot. If you're looking for a multimedia messaging phone and don't want to get into the smartphone thing, the Sharp is a worth a look.
AT&T
August 2010
Samsung RestoreNot into the touch screen craze? Just want a solid 3G messaging phone? The eco-friendly Samsung Restore is a full-featured messaging phone with EV-DO, Sprint TV, Sprint Navigation, the Netfront web browser and a solid music player that handles MP3 and AAC iTunes format music. The Restore has a roomy slide-out QWERTY keyboard, but when closed it looks like a normal candy bar phone with a standard number pad. It has a GPS, 2 megapixel camera, Bluetooth with stereo support and an SDHC microSD card slot. A nice mid-tier offering from Sprint and Samsung.
Sprint
July 2010
LG RemarqHere's another affordable, eco-friendly phone from Sprint for you QWERTY messaging types. The square-ish Remarq is 87 percent recyclable and its casing is made from nearly 20 percent recycled plastics. The LG is a messaging-oriented basic feature phone with a slide-down full QWERTY keyboard and an email client that can handle popular services like Hotmail and Gmail as well as the more serious stuff like Exchange and Lotus Notes. This is a 2G phone so it lacks services like Sprint TV and there's no navigation, just Family Locator. Despite the recycled plastics, the Remarq is quite stylish looking and won't remind you of last weeks discarded Pepsi bottle.
Sprint
June 2010
Samsung SeekLooking for a very inexpensive texting phone for yourself or the kids? The Samsung Seek has a roomy slide-out QWERTY keyboard and a 2.6" QVGA display, but no 3G, and that means no expensive data plan. The Seek can handle most any kind of email and it has a robust set of IM clients. Beyond that, it's just the basics: a 1.3 megapixel camera, microSD card slot, MP3 player and Bluetooth with A2DP stereo.
Sprint
June 2010
Pantech LinkThe Link is an affordable messaging phone with better than budget looks and a sharp QVGA display. The Link features a good QWERTY keyboard and it's very slim. If you're a messaging maven or a heavy IM user but don't want a smartphone and the more pricey smartphone data plan, the Panech is definitely worth a look. It has 3G, a GPS that works with AT&T Navigator, Bluetooth and it supports AT&T's services like Mobile Email, CV and Video Share.
AT&T
May 2010
Microsoft Kin One and Kin TwoHere are two phones you wouldn't believe came out of Microsoft's shop. With hardware made by Sharp (the folks who brought you the Sidekick), the KIN One and Two are playful and fun touchscreen QWERTY phones that target the youth market with heavy social networking. Their user interfaces are full of eye candy and work well with touch, yet they aren't like any other phone on the market. Both phones run the same software and share the same core features that include a fast Tegra CPU, plenty of storage, a slider QWERTY keyboard, an integrated Zune player that's similar to the Zune HD, EV-DO Rev. A 3G, WiFi, Bluetooth and high resolution cameras. These are QWERTY sliders and the larger KIN Two has more storage and an 8 megapixel camera vs. the KIN One's 5 megapixel shooter. They're sold by Verizon in the US.
Verizon
May 2010
Samsung RealityVerizon's latest touch screen phone by Samsung features a slide-out QWERTY keyboard. The Reality is a mid-priced multimedia 3G phone with Verizon's full suite of V Cast video and music apps as well as GPS Navigation. The phone has a 3", 240 x 400 pixel display and it runs Samsung's latest TouchWiz software with widgets. Other goodies include a 3.2 megapixel camera, microSD card slot, YouTube player, web browser and a 3.5mm stereo headset jack.
Verizon
May 2010
LG Rumor TouchThe Rumor Touch is the third phone in the LG Rumor line and the first to offer a touch screen and 3G EV-DO. It features a 3" resistive touch screen and a 5 row slide-out QWERTY keyboard that caters to both the messaging and touch screen trends. It's a good fit for those who want a full featured phone with 3G but don't want to jump into smartphones and more expensive data plans. The Rumor Touch has Sprint's full range of services including Sprint TV, Sprint Navigation and Sprint Music. It has a GPS, 2 megapixel camera, microSD card slot and a 3.5mm stereo jack for music fans.
Sprint
April 2010
LG Lotus EliteThe LG Lotus Elite is a significant upgrade to the very popular LG Lotus. This wide body QWERTY flips dares to look difference, just like the original model. But the Elite is more rounded, more solidly built and it adds two cool new features: an external QVGA touchscreen and the latest version of Sprint's OneClick UI. It supports Sprint's many services including EV-DO data, Sprint Navigation, Sprint TV and Sprint Music. It has a 2 megapixel camera, Bluetooth, an SDHC microSD card slot and a GPS. It's available in red and black is coming. This review includes a video review.
Sprint
Jan. 2010
Samsung MythicThe Samsung Mythic is the follow up to the very successful Samsung Eternity on AT&T. It's a tweaked and improved version of the Eternity and it gives you the goodness of a pocketable touch screen phone on AT&T without the iPhone's pricey data plan. The Mythic has a 3.3", 360 x 640 pixel touch screen with haptic feedback and an accelerometer. It runs Samsung's TouchWiz UI as do most of their touch screen phones, and that means it has a three screen desktop and widgets. Other goodies include a 3.2 megapixel autofocus camera with flash, Bluetooth with A2DP stereo, a music player, capable video player, GPS and Mobile TV which is broadcast digital TV over the air.
AT&T
Jan. 2010
T-Mobile TapWant a touch screen phone but you're counting every penny? The T-Mobile-branded Tap is calling to you. It's something of a Samsung Highlight clone with a similar widget-based home screen and easy icon-based UI. The features are pretty good too: 3G, GPS, music player, microSD card slot, stereo Bluetooth and a 2 megapixel camera. But something's gotta give to make this a budget phone and we'll tell you just what in our review.
T-Mobile
Dec. 2009
LG Chocolate TouchThough it lacks the coolness and innovative design of the LG Chocolate BL-40, Verizon's new Chocolate does have a full 240 x 400 pixel touch screen and a distinctive design. Like all LG Chocolate phones on Verizon, the Chocolate Touch specializes in music, and to that end it features Dolby Mobile, a 3.5mm stereo jack, an FM radio, a gig of internal storage and Bluetooth A2DP stereo. Other amenities included EV-DO, a 3.2 megapixel camera and a GPS.
Verizon
Nov. 2009
Samsung FlightWant a touch screen phone with a full QWERTY keyboard but don't want a bulky side-slider? The Samsung Flight SGH-A797 is a rare bird: it's a feature phone with a vertical slide-down keyboard and a touch screen. More pocketable and affordable than the Samsung Impression on AT&T, the Flight offers a QVGA touchscreen, 3G HSDPA, a GPS, 2 megapixel camera and Bluetooth. The touch UI is easy to use, though this isn't a TouchWiz phone.
AT&T
Nov. 2009
Samsung RogueVerizon's added the Samsung Rogue to their already large selection of touchscreen phones. The Rogue is one of their best thanks to a gorgeous 3.1" AMOLED display, a good slide-out keyboard and Samsung's TouchWiz UI with widgets. The phone has EV-DO for fast data, a 3 megapixel camera, GPS, plenty of storage and a responsive touch screen. Well worth a look if you're into touchscreens and texting.
Verizon
Oct. 2009
Samsung Instinct HDThe third generation Instinct brings HD video recording at a remarkable 1280 x 720 pixels and a capacitive 3.2" touch screen to the standard Instinct formula. It has a fun, intuitive and attractive user interface and it works with every service Sprint offers: Sprint TV, Sprint Radio, Sprint Navigation, NFL Mobile and Nascar. The 320 x 480 display now sports the same resolution as the iPhone 3GS and HTC Hero, while the 5 megapixel camera puts it at the high end of US camera phones. But the HD sells for more than several compelling phones in Sprint's own lineup? Is it worth it?
Sprint
Oct. 2009
Verizon EscapadeBeing a Verizon or Sprint customer ain't always easy when it comes to world travel. While much of the rest of the globe uses GSM, these two carriers use CDMA which makes it harder to say "can you hear me now?" in Beijing or Barcelona. If you're a globetrotter but don't need a pricey smartphone, there's hope in the Escapade, a basic voice phone that works on Verizon's network in the US and GSM networks abroad. The Escapade is a flip phone with a 2 megapixel camera and GPS.
Verizon
Sept. 2009
Nokia TwistTrust us, you haven't seen a phone that looks like the Nokia Twist 7705. Verizon likes to take chances with new fashion phone designs-- remember the Samsung Juke? Well, the Nokia is a lot easier to use and does quite a bit more thanks to the 2.4" QVGA display, EV-DO for 3G fast data, GPS, V Cast multimedia services and a 3 megapixel camera. And here's the twist: swivel the display to reveal a roomy QWERTY keyboard. Who says fashion doesn't equal function?
Verizon
Sept. 2009
Samsung JetThe first TouchWiz 2.0 phone from Samsung features downloadable widgets to fend off boredom along with an incredible list of features-- if it can be put in a phone, Samsung included it! This is an import unlocked GSM quad band phone (no US 3G, just EDGE) that sells for around $430. It packs an 800MHz CPU, 5 megapixel autofocus camera, a 3.1" 800 x 480 pixel resistive touch screen with haptics, an accelerometer and motion control, GPS, WiFi, Bluetooth and DivX video playback.
Unlocked GSM
Aug. 2009
Sony Ericsson W705aThe W705a is Sony Ericsson's high-middle tier Walkman phone for those who don't want to shell out big bucks for the W995a but want more than the W518a on AT&T offers. It's slim, silvery-sleek and it features the usual Walkman Player 3.0 software and the Xross Media Bar UI for all things multimedia. The phone has US 3G on AT&T's bands, is quad band unlocked GSM and it has WiFi too. Other amenities include Bluetooth with A2DP stereo, a 3.2 megapixel camera and a stereo headset plus 4 gig M2 card in the box. This phone works with any GSM carrier.
Unlocked GSM
Aug. 2009
Samsung Reclaim This phone isn't just green, it's "green". Available in Earth Green and Ocean Blue, the Samsung Reclaim M560 is made from bio-plastics (corn) and 80% of the phone is recyclable. Heck, even the box is made from recycled materials and printed with soy inks. Yummy as all that sounds, you can't eat it but you can make phone calls, access the web using the full HTML browser, navigate using the GPS and watch Sprint TV over the Reclaim's EVDO Rev. A data connection. For $49 with contract, you can get a mini-Prius high.
Sprint
Aug. 2009
Samsung SolsticeAT&T and Samsung's latest TouchWiz touch screen phone looks pretty good unless you compare it with the Samsung Eternity also on AT&T. The Solstice has a 3" touch screen and a fun, intuitive user interface with widgets. This 3G phone supports CV streaming video, Bluetooth with stereo and it has a GPS that works with AT&T Navigator. Other goodies include a 2 megapixel camera, voice dialing and a music player.
AT&T
Aug. 2009
Samsung Comeback T-Mobile and Samsung's latest messaging phone features 3G HSDPA for T-Mobile's US network, the capable Netfront full HTML web browser, email and full IM. The reasonably priced phone also has Bluetooth with A2DP stereo, a GPS that works with TeleNav and a 2 megapixel camera that takes surprisingly good shots. The Comeback transforms from a candy bar phone to a full QWERTY with flip of the top lid and it has both inner and outer displays.
T-Mobile
Aug. 2009
Sony Ericsson C905aWe take a very in-depth look at one of the highest megapixel camera phones on the US market. The Sony Ericsson Cyber-shot C905a is offered by AT&T and it has an 8.1 megapixel camera with an autofocus lens, Xenon flash and an LED focusing light. Sweet! The C905a has a wealth of camera settings and controls and it takes excellent shots-- after taking 300 shots we're convinced. That wouldn't do much good if the Cyber-shot flunked on phone features and we're happy to say it has great call quality and solid calling features. The C905a has a GPS that works with AT&T Navigator, Bluetooth 2.0, an FM radio, 3G HSDPA and an M2 card slot.
AT&T
July 2009
Sony Ericsson W518aIt must be Sony Ericsson month-- two new phones for AT&T and an unlocked high end Walkman phone. The Sony Ericsson W518a is a mid-level Walkman phone disguised as a super-thin flip. It's attractive, well made and not too slippery. Better still, it has very good music playback quality and runs the usual likeable XMB media interface with Walkman 3.0 software. The budget-priced flip has a GPS with AT&T Navigator, 3G, a full HTML web browser, Bluetooth with stereo support and a 3.2 megapixel camera. Not too shabby.
AT&T
July 2009
Samsung HighlightT-Mobile is in love with Samsung's TouchWiz touch screen phones, and they must hope you will be too. The Highlight t749 is T-Mobile's third TouchWiz phone from Samsung, but unlike the Samsung Behold and Memoir, it's not a high end camera phone. Rather it's a relatively rugged, rounded, feels good in the hand kind of phone whose features mirror those of the Samsung Eternity on AT&T. The Highlight has a 240 x 400 pixel touch screen with haptic feedback and an accelerometer, a GPS that works with TeleNav, music player, microSD card slot, Bluetooth and a 3 megapixel camera.
T-Mobile
July 2009
Sony Ericsson W995aThis top of the line Walkman phone sports something different: an 8.1 megapixel autofocus camera. Nice, though the photos won't put it among the best camera phones. This is an unlocked GSM world phone with 3G HSDPA on AT&T's bands and it's sold with a US warranty and no contract. It features the latest Walkman music player application, the same multimedia interface as that used on the Sony PSP and PS3, an HTML web browser, QVGA display, aGPS with Google Maps, 3.5mm stereo headset jack, Bluetooth and (surprise!) WiFi. The W995a is clad in brushed aluminum and looks properly high quality.
Unlocked GSM
July 2009
LG enV TouchWant a large, high resolution touch screen phone but also crave a keyboard? Verizon's LG enV Touch aims to please with an external 3" touch screen and an inner 3" non-touch screen display. Both feature an impressive 800 x 480 pixel resolution and the EnV Touch opens up clamshell-style to reveal a full QWERTY keyboard and a d-pad. The EnV Touch is offered exclusively by Verizon and it features a full HTML web browser, Flash support, Bluetooth with A2DP and a 3.2 megapixel camera with a Schneider-Kreuznach autofocus lens.
Verizon
June 2009
Sidekick LX 2009Just when the Sidekick platform was starting to look really old and tired, they release a thoroughly modern messaging phone that can compete with recent cool QWERTY feature phones. In fact, the 2009 version of the Sidekick LX excels at messaging and social networking with support for email, texting, Facebook, Twitter and IM. The LX 2009 is the first 3G Sidekick with HSDPA on T-Mobile's US bands, and it has a vibrant, high resolution display and a 3.2 megapixel autofocus camera. As always, there's that large and lovable flip-up QWERTY keyboard and quad band GSM world phone status.
T-Mobile
June 2009
Samsung TranceVerizon's latest music phone features fresh audio technology from Bang and Olufsen in the form of their ICEpower amp. The Trance is a slider phone that's available in red and in black and it's affordable at $49 with contract. The phone lacks EVDO, so data-heads will likely take a pass, but for those interested in mobile tunes the phone has very good sound, a 3.5mm stereo headphone jack, A2DP Bluetooth stereo, a gig of storage and a music player that supports most popular formats. The Trance has a 1.3MP camera and a GPS that works with VZ Navigator.
Verizon
May 2009
Samsung ImpressionCovet a touch screen phone like the Samsung Eternity but can't live without a hardware QWERTY keyboard? Samsung's answer is the Impression, which adds a roomy hardware keyboard for your texting pleasure. Though very similar to the Eternity, the Impression adds a few new goodies including more useful widgets and a jaw-dropping AMOLED display that's ultra-vibrant. The phone has a 3.2" touch screen, GPS, 3 megapixel camera, SDHC microSD card slot, music and video players. The Impression is a feature phone that runs Samsung's TouchWiz user interface and the phone is offered by AT&T.
AT&T
May 2009
Sanyo SCP-2700Available May 10th, the Sanyo is one of the most affordable messaging phones at introduction. It's got a basic feature set including a 1.3 megapixel camera, 1xRTT for data and a GPS that works with Sprint Navigation and Family Locator. Where it excels is in the messaging department: it has a full QWERTY keyboard, text messaging, picture messaging, IM and email including corporate email support. The 3.4 ounce SCP-2700 is offered by Sprint and comes in two colors: blue and pink.
Sprint
April 2009
Samsung Instinct S30Sprint's updated Instinct offers the same set of features and touch screen user interface as the original Instinct but with better looks. The S30 is slightly smaller and its curves make it seem even smaller. The phone features EVDO, Sprint TV, Sprint Radio, a GPS with Sprint Navigation, Bluetooth with A2DP stereo, a 2 megapixel camera and SDHC microSD card slot. There's an HTML web browser plus Opera Mini and email support as well.
Sprint
April 2009
LG Xenon One of two touch screen phones with side-sliding QWERTY keyboards just released by AT&T, the Xenon is the less expensive and more compact model. Despite its small size, it has an ample keyboard that's great for texting and email. It has a 2.8" resistive touch screen, 3G HSDPA, a GPS with AT&T Navigator, 2 megapixel camera, Bluetooth with A2DP stereo and both music and video players. If you're looking for a budget texting phone with a touch screen, the Xenon is worth a look, with some caveats.
AT&T
April 2009
LG Rumor 2 The original Rumor, released 1.5 years ago has a successor that gives the Rumor cooler looks while maintaining its popular side-sliding keyboard. Like the first gen edition, the Rumor 2 is a budget texting phone with a full QWERTY keyboard, sturdy build and basic features. Exclusive to Sprint in the US, the Rumor 2 has a 4 row keyboard with dedicated number row and a QVGA display (both new for the Rumor 2), a music player, 1.3 megapixel camera and microSD card slot. It has 1xRTT for data but not EVDO. Also new is interchangeable backplates for the fashion-conscious, and 2 are included in the box.
Sprint
March 2009
LG Versa The Versa VX9600 is a unique phone that combines two popular designs: naked it's a slate design touch screen phone like the LG Dare and iPhone. When clad in the included removable rigid leather cover it's a texting phone with a hardware QWERTY keyboard. The Versa features a 240 x 480, 3" resistive touch screen display with haptic feedback and an accelerometer, EVDO Rev. A, a capable HTML web browser, a 2 megapixel autofocus camera, Flash support and Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR. An innovative and cool phone from Verizon and LG.
Verizon
March 2009
Samsung Memoir The 8 megapixel autofocus Samsung Memoir t929 makes mincemeat of every high end camera phone offered by a US carrier, including it's cousin the Samsung Behold. This T-Mobile phone features Samsung's TouchWiz user interface with a 240 x 400 pixel touch screen that has automatic rotation via accelerometer and haptic feedback. It looks like a retro Leica camera; very chic. The Memoir has an HTML browser with 3G HSDPA, Bluetooth with stereo support, an SDHC microSD card slot and both music and video players. Destined to be one of the hot phones of 2009, we're thrilled to see Samsung and T-Mobile take the big step into high-end touch screen imaging phones in the US. Editor's
Choice 2009
T-Mobile
Feb. 2009
Nokia 7510 Nokia's latest clamshell phone for T-Mobile features interchangeable front and back Xpress-On covers with Nokia's "hidden until lit" translucent front cover that shows the time, date, music track info and a variety of patterns. Three colors are included in the box. The Nokia 7510's other hot feature is UMA calling, otherwise known as T-Mobile @Home service. With an @Home plan you can make unlimited domestic calls over WiFi without using plan minutes. The phone runs S40, has a 2 megapixel camera and a strong web browser.
T-Mobile
Feb. 2009
Motorola Krave ZN4 Verizon's compact touch screen phone has a few neat tricks up its sleeve: the touch screen works through the clear flip lid and it has haptic feedback and an accelerometer. Smaller than touch screen phones like the LG Voyager, the Moto feels good in the hand and pocket. It's packed with features including mobile TV, EVDO, V Cast services and a GPS. There's an SDHC microSD card slot, 3.5mm stereo jack and a 2 megapixel camera to round out multimedia features.
Verizon
Jan. 2009
Samsung HighnoteThe Highnote is a music phone with a 2 way slider. Slide the display down to reveal the large speaker system and slide it up to reveal the number pad. The Highnote is packed with features including touch control, EVDO, Sprint TV and GPS with Sprint Navigation. Music-centric features include the large speaker, 3.5mm stereo headset jack, A2DP Bluetooth strereo, a music player and access to Sprint's music store.
Sprint
Jan. 2009
Samsung Gravity QWERTY messaging phones are all the rage this holiday season, and T-Mobile has jumped on the bandwagon with the Samsung Gravity t459. This side-slider feature phone looks like a regular candybar phone until you slide out the 3 row QWERTY keyboard and start messaging. The phone has EDGE for data, a good music player, IM support, an SDHC microSD card slot and Bluetooth with A2DP. It's not ripe with fancy features, but it is an affordable messaging phone for those who aren't into the Sidekick or smartphones.
T-Mobile
Dec. 2008
AT&T Quickfire The AT&T Quickfire by UTStarcom takes on the SideKick and then some. The phone features a slide-out keyboard whose design is reminiscent of the SideKick and T-Mobile G1. The Quickfire is feature phone, not a smartphone, and it has 3G HSDPA, a full HTML web browser, IM, basic email support, CV streaming video, a music player and an SDHC microSD card slot. Bluetooth with A2DP and a 1.3 megapixel camera round out this messaging phone's features.
AT&T
Dec. 2008
Samsung BeholdA close relative to the Samsung Eternity on AT&T, the Samsung Behold is one of the coolest, yet reasonably priced T-Mobile phones. The phone features a responsive 3" touch screen with haptic feedback and an accelerometer that handles automatic screen rotation. Even better, there's a 5 megapixel camera with autofocus lens and flash for high quality phones. The Behold has 3G HSDPA on T-Mobile's US bands, a GPS with TeleNav Navigator, Bluetooth, and an HTML web browser.
T-Mobile
Nov. 2008
Samsung PropelThe Samsung Propel SGH-a767 is one of an army of QWERTY keyboard messaging phones out for the holiday season. The Propel, like the QuickFire, Slate and Matrix have hardware keyboards but aren't smartphones, meaning lower data plan prices and they're easy to use. The Propel is a slider whose keyboard tucks away, and it has a 1.3 megapixel camera, music player with Bluetooth stereo, 3G HSDPA, CV streaming video and a GPS that works with AT&T Navigator.
AT&T
Nov. 2008
Samsung Eternity Pretentious name aside, we really like AT&T's latest touch screen phone. The Samsung Eternity SGH-a867 features a large 240 x 400 touch screen with Samsung's cool TouchWiz UI. It has haptic feedback, a great on-screen QWERTY keyboard, Mobile TV, a full web browser, CV, a strong 3 megapixel camera, and a capable music player with 3.5mm stereo headphone jack and Bluetooth stereo. A great follow up to the popular LG Vu and a worthy competitor to the Samsung Behold on T-Mobile.
AT&T
Nov. 2008
LG Lotus And now for something completely different: the LG Lotus is a nearly square flip phone with a roomy QWERTY keyboard inside. If you thought the Verizon Blitz was novel looking, the Lotus is truly head-turning. But looks aren't everything, and thankfully the LG impressed us with its very good 2 megapixel camera, excellent Sprint TV performance, integrated document viewer, good GPS, sharp and bright widescreen display and good EVDO speeds. As you'd expect from a QWERTY phone, the Lotus handles IM, texting and personal email.
Sprint
Nov. 2008
Samsung Rant Like the LG Rumor on Sprint, but don't want to give up EVDO? The Samsung Rant comes to the rescue with a form factor that's similar to the popular Rumor, but adds EVDO and a 4th row of keyboard keys. The Rant supports Sprint TV for some multimedia broadband goodness, and it has a microSD card slot, music player with Bluetooth stereo support. It also has a GPS that works with Sprint Navigator and a 2 megapixel camera that takes still photos and video.
Sprint
Nov. 2008
Motorola MOTOZINE ZN5 A 5 megapixel camera phone with an autofocus lens and Xenon flash for $99 with contract? Nice! T-Mobile has got the deal for those of you who are camera buffs and like the look and feel of the ROKR E8, minus haptics. This stylish and solid Moto has a very good 5MP camera with Kodak technology inside and easy uploads to Kodak's free web-based gallery. The Zine ZN5 is a quad band GSM phone with EDGE, sharp voice quality, a music player and music-oriented features like a 3.5mm headset jack and A2DP Bluetooth stereo. It's got WiFi for relatively painless image uploads, USB image transfer and output to TV.
T-Mobile
Nov. 2008
Samsung Sway Love the LG Shine but want to stay with Verizon? The Samsung Sway has the Shine's silvery good looks and slim build, making it one fashionable phone. The Sway SCH-U650 is a slider phone with a 2 megapixel camera, music player with Rhapsody support, SDHC microSD card slot and stereo Bluetooth. It has 1x for data, but no EVDO or streaming V Cast multimedia.
Verizon
Oct. 2008
Sony Ericsson W350a An incredibly thin, 2.8 ounce Walkman music phone that's free with an AT&T contract. The W350a comes in 3 colors (blue, black and white) and it has a Walkman music player, FM radio, Music ID and access to Napster tunes. The flip houses music controls and it opens to reveal a standard keypad and phone controls. The Sony Ericsson supports Bluetooth stereo A2DP and it has EDGE for data and a 1.3 megapixel camera.
AT&T
Oct. 2008
T-Mobile SideKick 2008The latest SideKick and also the smallest. The 2008 version isn't tiny but it's certainly more pocket-friendly while maintaining a good texting experience. The SideKick has a 2 megapixel camera that takes video and still shots, Bluetooth with A2DP stereo, a standard 3.5mm stereo headphone jack and an SDHC microSD card slot. As usual, it has great support for personal email, texting and IM on AIM and Yahoo. Better still, there are hundreds of cool looking covers to personalize the phone's look.
T-Mobile
Oct. 2008
Verizon Blitz A phone that stands out, the Blitz reminds us of a shortie soda can. It's nearly square until you slide down the very ergonomic QWERTY thumb keyboard. The Blitz is a messaging phone with a few other tricks up its sleeve: GPS with VZ Navigator, microSD card slot and a music player. The phone has a 1.3 megapixel camera and 1x for data. A multimedia maven it's not, but it's an affordable phone for those who just want to talk and text.
Verizon
Oct. 2008
Sanyo Katana Eclipse The latest in the Katana line for Sprint, the Eclipse adds funky LED front flip lighting effects to last year's Katana DLX feature set. The Eclipse features EVDO Power Vision, a GPS with Sprint Navigation, Sprint TV, a music player, SDHC microSD card slot and a 1.3 megapixel camera.
Sprint
Sept. 2008
Motorola RAZR VE20 Though it might not be the most stunning looking RAZR to hit the market, the RAZR VE20 for Sprint packs a very strong set of features along with Moto's signature excellent reception. The RAZR VE20 is narrower than the original RAZR, yet it packs in a GPS that works with Sprint Navigation, EVDO, Sprint TV, a music player, Bluetooth stereo A2DP, Sprint TV and a microSD card slot. At $99 with contract, it's easy on the wallet too.
Sprint
August 2008
Motorola ROKR E8 Moto's latest music phone has extreme good looks that come in part from the unique surface haptics front panel. There are no traditional buttons; instead the surface is touch-sensitive and the virtual buttons vibrate when you press them. Buttons also come and go, depending on context, using Motorola's ModeShifting technology. The ROKR E8 is a GSM quad band phone with EDGE for data, and it's offered by T-Mobile in the US. It has 2 gigs of internal memory, making it a viable portable music player and there's also a microSD card slot with a 1 gig card included. Other features include A2DP Bluetooth stereo, an FM radio and a 2 megapixel camera.
T-Mobile
August 2008
LG Chocolate 3 Yet another release of the phone that tastes great and is less filling. The Chocolate 3 is LG and Verizon's 3rd confection-inspired phone, and it's the best so far. Gone are the touch controls and slider-- this time we've got America's beloved flip phone design, but with a few improvements. There's a very large outer display and control wheel that allow you to do many tasks without opening the flip. The phone has EVDO with V Cast support, a GPS that works with VZ Navigator, stereo Bluetooth A2DP and a 2 megapixel camera.
Verizon
August 2008
LG DareVerizon's latest touch screen phone is a winner. No, it's not a smartphone and it's not an iPhone clone, but it is a capable feature phone with one of the better touch screens on the market. The Dare has a 3" touch screen, V Cast backed by EVDO Rev. A for fast data, a 3 megapixel camera with autofocus lens, Bluetooth 2.1 +EDR, and GPS with VZ Navigator support. The music player can download tunes from Verizon's portal, now populated with DRM-free Rhapsody content in MP3 format and it can play music in the background.
Verizon
July 2008
Motorola W755What a bargain! Moto flip phone fans who are also fond of Verizon Wireless can get the attractive, sturdy and surprisingly well-endowed Moto for $20 with a 2 year contract. The W755 is a normal phone that doesn't tread in LG Dare territory, but it is an affordable alternative to the Moto RAZR V9m. This Moto weighs only 3.6 ounces and it has EVDO with V Cast support, a music player with touch controls on the flip, GPS with VZ Navigator, a microSD card slot, Bluetooth and a 1.3 megapixel camera.
Verizon
July 2008
SideKick LXThe SideKick LX has gotten a new lease on life thanks to a June update that added several most-wanted features to this celeb-lovin' messaging phone: video recording, playback and sharing along with A2DP Bluetooth stereo for wireless music playback. The SideKick is offered exclusively by T-Mobile in the US and its claim to fame is a solid keyboard that melds perfectly with built-in messaging software that handles most popular IM services and SMS. The LX has a 1.3 megapixel camera, quad band GSM phone and Bluetooth.
T-Mobile
July 2008
Nokia XpressMusic 5310And now for something really thin! The XpressMusic 5310 replaces the pleasantly portly Nokia XpressMusic 5300 slider music phone on T-Mobile. The phone weighs only 2.48 ounces and is 0.39 inches thin. It's a slick looking phone with good features despite a low $49 price tag on T-Mobile. It runs Nokia's S40 software, has a very capable music player that's compatible with MP3, WMA and iTunes unprotected AAC files. It has Bluetooth with A2DP stereo, and a microSD expansion slot that's SHDC compatible. T-Mobile and Nokia include a 1 gig card in the box along with a good quality stereo headset.
T-Mobile
June 2008
Samsung InstinctDespite Sprint's marketing claims, the Samsung Instinct is no iPhone-killer, but it's a darned good and fun phone in its own right. The instinct features a large 3.1" color touch screen with haptic vibration feedback that works well. The Instinct has just about every feature you could ask for except WiFi, including: EVDO rev. A fast data, GPS, voice command software,visual voicemail, an SDHC microSD expansion slot with 2 gig card included, a 2MP camera that shoots video and still photos, Sprint TV, Sprint Radio and Bluetooth with A2DP stereo. The Instinct goes on sale June 20th.
Sprint
June 2008
Sony Ericsson Z750aTime to celebrate, Sony Ericsson fans: we've finally got a 3G model offered by a US carrier. AT&T is carrying the Z750a in your choice of three colors: gray with silver accents, pink and purple. It's a flip phone with HSDPA 3.5G for fast data and the HTML-friendly NetFront web browser is inside. The phone has a music player, A2DP stereo Bluetooth, a Memory Stick M2 Micro card slot, FM radio and it supports AT&T's multimedia services such as CV, MusicID and XM Radio. A pretty good little phone for $50 after rebates with a new contract.
At&T
June 2008
Samsung AccessA member of AT&T's new Mobile TV duo, along with the LG Vu CU920. For those who prefer a normal phone with a number pad rather than the Vu's too cool for school touch screen gig, the Access A827 beckons. If broadcast TV gets you all hot and bothered, it's here with 10 channels that are digitally broadcast TV-style and not piped over the data network. The Access has 3G HSDPA, Bluetooth with A2DP and DUN, a music player, 1.3 megapixel camera with VideoShare support and a very good HTML web browser.
AT&T
May 2008
LG Vu The LG Prada's stateside cousin sports the same stunning looks and small size but adds a few goodies including a quad band GSM phone radio and US 3G HSDPA. The Vu is offered by AT&T and it's one of two phones to support their new broadcast TV service powered by Qualcomm's MediaFLO. It has a widescreen 400 x 240 touch screen display with haptic vibration feedback that looks great and works well. Also inside are a microSD card slot, 2 megapixel camera with autofocus lens, Bluetooth with A2DP stereo, mobile YouTube support and more.
AT&T
May 2008
Sanyo Katana LXThe latest in a long line of Katana models for Sprint. The Katana LX is a basic feature phone that focuses on good looks with its mirrored front flip and OLED external display. The flip phone has a retro VGA camera, Bluetooth, GPS and Sprint Vision (1xRTT) data support. It's available in three colors, all with the mirror finish.
Sprint
May 2008
Motorola Z9 Motorola's sexy new slider was just announced for AT&T at the CTIA trade show in early April. This is a feature phone that seems to have it all: stunning good looks with a metallic sheen and attractive color, solid build quality and a wealth of features. The Moto Z9 is the slider cousin to the popular RAZR2 V9 and shares that phone's styling and OS. But the Z9 adds something special: it's AT&T's first feature phone with a GPS and AT&T Navigator. The Moto also has a very good 2 megapixel camera, a large QVGA display, music player, SDHC microSD card slot and Bluetooth 2.0 +EDR with A2DP stereo support.
AT&T
April 2008
Samsung AliasThe updated U740 from Verizon flips in two directions: it opens like a normal clamshell phone and it can also flip to landscape mode, like a tiny laptop. Though the phone is incredibly slim, small and light, it has a sturdy 2-way hinge. Why landscape mode? The Alias has a small QWERTY keyboard that targets texters who don't want a bulkier phone like the LG enV. The Samsung has EVDO, Bluetooth, a 1.3MP camera with flash, microSD card slot and a music player. All in a package slightly smaller than a RAZR. It comes in silver with an improved keyboard over the original U740.
Verizon
April 2008
LG enV2The latest in the LG V and enV series of messaging phones from LG and Verizon, the enV2 goes on a diet and comes back slimmer, smaller and eminently more pocketable and stylish. The enV2, like its predecessors, opens lengthwise to reveal a QWERTY keyboard and a large main display. The outer display is tiny but the number pad is huge-- great for one-handed dialers. The phone supports V Cast, VZ Navigator with aGPS, and it has a music player, 2 megapixel camera and SDHC microSD card slot.
Verizon
May 2008
LG Shine CU720 It's nice when a fashion phone is more than just a pretty face. The LG Shine CU720 for AT&T Wireless, like all Shine series phones, is uncannily attractive and well... shiny. But it's got a great laundry list of features including HSDPA, Cellular Video support, a capable music player, better than average 2 megapixel camera, Bluetooth and a music player. The CU720 is a quad band GSM phone with dual US band 3G that's offered by AT&T in the US.
AT&T
Feb. 2008
LG RumorAn affordable texting phone for Sprint that looks like a traditional candy bar phone but opens lengthwise to reveal a QWERTY thumb keyboard. The Rumor is available in 2 colors: black and white with contrasting colors. It has a 1.3 megapixel camera that takes pretty good photos, a GPS and a microSD card slot. It supports e-mail, SMS and most popular instant messaging services. Think of it as the LG enV's low-budget cousin.
Sprint
Feb. 2008
Samsung FlipShotThe follow up to the Samsung a990 sports a 3 megapixel camera with an autofocus lens. The FlipShot (SCH-U900) is available on Verizon's network and it features a QVGA display, clamshell design with a swivel twist, V Cast multimedia with fast data and it has a music player that handles MP3 and AAC formats. This slim and attractive flip has Bluetooth with AVRC stereo, a microSD expansion slot and a GPS that works with Verizon's VZ Navigator.
Verizon
Jan. 2008
LG Venus Another of Verizon's hot new phones for the holiday season, the Venus is a dual screen phone with a large, vibrant color display up top and a touch-sensitive color display below. The lower display changes depending on what you're doing and even acts as a d-pad when needed. The Venus has EVDO with excellent V Cast video performance, a music player with background playback capability, a 2 megapixel camera and Bluetooth. And it's one heck of an attractive phone.
Verizon
Dec. 2007
Samsung JukeFrom hip-hop to bar-hopping, Verizon hopes the Samsung Juke u470 has got you covered. The Juke is reminiscent of Nokia's lipstick phone with a literal twist: swivel the stick of gum sized phone's display to reveal a number pad. Though a little weak on high-end features, the Juke has it in spades for looks, small size and music. And at 2.82 ounces we're impressed it has location-based services with support for VZ Navigator. The Juke has a VGA camera, 1xRTT for data and a very good music player with nearly 2 gigs of internal memory.
Verizon
Nov. 2007
LG Voyager Though not the iPhone killer some claimed, the Voyager offers a unique experience that combines the texting prowess of the LG enV with serious multimedia and a bit of innovation. The Voyager VX10000 is offered by Verizon and it features a 400 x 240 pixel touch display with vibration (touch it and the screen vibrates). Like the enV, it looks something like a large clamshell phone that opens lengthwise to reveal an excellent QWERTY thumb keyboard. Inside you'll also find a 2nd 400 x 240 display and stereo speakers. The phone has EVDO, V Cast Mobile TV with MediaFLO technology, GPS and a 2 megapixel camera with autofocus lens.
Verizon
Nov. 2007
Motorola MOTORIZR Z6tv The third TV phone on Verizon's network, and the first to lose the external TV antenna (the just-released LG Voyager also lacks the antenna and is Verizon's 4th TV phone). The RIZR Z6tv is a very attractive and compact phone with a gloss finish on the front and a vivid QVGA color display. It handles Verizon TV, which is true broadcast digital TV, along with EVDO and V Cast on demand content. The Moto has a music player, Bluetooth with a host of profiles including A2DP stereo, VZ Navigator support and a 2 megapixel camera that takes pleasing shots. Even if you're not into TV, the RIZR is an attractive, well-built slider that's worth a look.
Verizon
Nov. 2007
Motorola RAZR2 V9mWe take a look at the Sprint version of the re-born RAZR which features a more elegant and durable design than prior generation RAZR models. The metallic RAZR2 has EVDO, Sprint TV, two large displays, a 2 megapixel camera, Bluetooth with A2DP Bluetooth stereo and it just plain looks pretty (but keep that polishing cloth handy).
Sprint
Nov. 2007
Sony Ericsson W580iThe new mid-level Walkman phone from Sony Ericsson is available from AT&T and unlocked from SonyStyle (we review both versions). This quad band GSM phone has EDGE for data and is small, really small. The slider design is sturdy and the curvy profile is attractive. It's available in white, black and gray and it has the usual full-featured Walkman phone music player, excellent audio quality, Music ID and an FM radio. The 2 megapixel camera takes quite good shots and there's a Memory Stick Micro slot to save photos and store music.
AT&T and unlocked
Oct. 2007
Sony Ericsson K850iThe new flagship Cybershot phone from Sony Ericsson takes aim at the Nokia N95 with its 5 megapixel camera with autofocus lens and Xenon flash. This quad unlocked GSM import phone will work with any GSM carrier, and it has triband 3G UMTS and HSDPA that likewise will work anywhere in the world 3G is available (including the US on AT&T). The phone features touch controls, Bluetooth 2.0 +EDR with A2DP stereo Bluetooth, a Sony PSP-like media player, great music playback and a better than average feature phone browser thanks to Netfront on board. It also does email and push email with Exchange. Like the iPhone, it does that cool screen rotate when you turn the phone, but only in the Media app.
Unlocked GSM
Oct. 2007
LG Chocolate VX8550The second generation of the popular LG Chocolate is slightly smaller, lighter and comes in three new colors: black, blue mint and black cherry. This slider phone sports a touch wheels that's much easier to use than the original Chocolate, and it's got LED lights for those who like a tasteful bit of bling with a finger-fling. The phone has a microSD slot and a generous heaping of internal memory for storing tunes and more. Bluetooth A2DP means you can listen to your tunes wirelessly over a stereo Bluetooth headset and the phone has EV-DO and supports Verizon's V Cast service. The 1.3 megapixel camera and bright QVGA remain unchanged from the first gen LG Chocolate.
Verizon
Sept. 2007
Sanyo Katana DLXThe original Katana was popular and now we have two replacements, the Katana II and the Katana DLX. The DLX is the more upscale version with a 1.3 megapixel camera, EV-DO with support for Sprint's Power Vision services, Bluetooth 2.0 with A2DP stereo, a microSD expansion slot, music player and more. It's available in three colors, so don't worry guys-- you don't have to go with pink.
Sprint
Aug. 2007
LG MUZIQBehind the trendy name, we find a very good music and multimedia-oriented feature phone for the price. The MUZIQ (pronounced "music") is all about listening to tunes, with a wide selection of supported audio formats. It's compatible with up to 4 gig microSD cards, so you can carry plenty of music with you. In addition it's got EVDO and Sprint TV for eye candy and visual entertainment and A2DP Bluetooth stereo support for high quality sound. The MUZIQ is offered by Sprint, and it goes on sale July 15th.
Sprint
July 2007
Samsung M510This mid-priced feature phone from Sprint comes in pink for the bold, and black for the staid. It packs quite a few features into a small and comfy package, including Power Vision EVDO, Sprint TV, a 1.3MP camera, music player, expansion slot, Bluetooth with A2DP stereo, very good call quality and decent personal organizer applications.
Sprint
June 2007
Samsung u620Of the two TV phones from Verizon, the Samsung is the smaller and more palm-friendly. Boasting similar specs to its competitor, the LG VX9400, the u620 has a digital TV tuner for broadcast TV over-the-air using Verizon's Mobile TV service, a 2" color display, Bluetooth 1.2 with A2DP stereo headset support, EVDO and a 1.3 megapixel camera. This slider phone feels great in the hand and will fit in most any pocket, though it's by no means terribly thin.
Verizon
May 2007
LG VX8700The "Verizon Shine" is an extremely good looking fashion phone that's about more than looking pretty. This stainless steel clad thin flip phone has a lovely display, a music player, microSD card slot, a 2 megapixel camera that takes pleasing photos and video, and it has Bluetooth with a good compliment of profiles including A2DP for stereo headphones and DUN.
Verizon
April 2007
LG VX9400 One of Verizon's first two TV phones, the LG has a roomy 2.2" color display with excellent color that's perfect for watching video and TV. For those of you new to mobile TV, this is Verizon's 8 channel broadcast digital TV service and it does not use EVDO but rather over-the-air broadcast with a digital TV tuner inside the phone. But the VX9400 isn't just a really tiny TV, it's a strong mobile phone with an interesting twist-display that transitions from portrait to landscape. It offers very good reception, pleasing call quality, an MP3 player, Bluetooth with A2DP and a decent 1.3 megapixel camera with flash.
Verizon
April 2007
Samsung UpStageWe'll resist the Face Off jokes and instead praise Samsung and Sprint who've come up with an innovative new design while most feature phones on the US market seem destined for bit parts in the clone wars. The UpStage literally has two sides: one looks and works like a standard cell phone with number pad and the other looks something like an iPod nano, with a touch sensitive pad and 2.1" color display. This Sprint phone clearly wants to be your MP3 player and phone rolled into one. It's extremely thin and quite small, and comes with a slim wallet case that packs an extended battery. The UpStage has Bluetooth with A2DP stereo support, a 1.3MP camera, EVDO and costs only $149.
Sprint
April 2007
Samsung Alias u740This new Verizon flips in two directions: it opens like a normal clamshell phone and it can also flip to landscape mode, like a tiny laptop. Though the phone is incredibly slim, small and light, it has a sturdy 2-way hinge. Why landscape mode? The u740 has a small QWERTY keyboard that targets texters who don't want a bulkier phone like the LG enV. The Samsung has EVDO, Bluetooth, a 1.3MP camera with flash, microSD card slot and a music player. All in a package slightly smaller than a RAZR.
Verizon
March 2007
LG VX8600Like the LG Chocolate but want a flip phone with more traditional controls? Check out the LG VX8600 which boasts many of the same features in super-slim, fashion-friendly package. The LG is offered by Verizon in the US, and it has a music player with stereo-out capabilities, EVDO, VZ Navigator capabilities, MicroSD slot, voice dialing, Bluetooth and a good 1.3MP camera.
Verizon
Feb. 2006
Samsung M610Samsung is out-slimming Motorola when it comes to flip phones. The M610 on Sprint is one of their latest super-thin clamshell phones, and despite the small size it packs a strong set of features including EVDO (Power Vision), a good 2 megapixel camera, Bluetooth, QVGA display, voice dialing and a MicroSD card slot.
Sprint
Feb. 2006
LG VX9900 - enVThe follow up to the LG VX9800 improves on a good thing with a 2MP camera, even better QWERTY keyboard and a robust set of Bluetooth profiles. The enV is offered by Verizon Wireless in the US and it looks like a candy bar phone but opens up notebook style to reveal a sharp QVGA inner display, stereo speakers and thumb keyboard. If you're a heavy texter, this EVDO and V Cast enabled phone should be on your short list.
Verizon
Dec. 2006
Samsung t629This attractive and well made slider phone packs a lot of features for a low price. It has a good 1.3 megapixel camera, Bluetooth, a music player, EDGE and MicroSD expansion slot. The quad band GSM t629 is offered by T-Mobile in the US.
T-Mobile
Dec. 2006
Samsung Trace t519 This is perpetually in, and the Samsung Trace is even slimmer than the Motorola SLVR L7 and the older Samsung t509s. Not just a pretty face, this quad band phone has EDGE, Bluetooth, a 1.3MP camera and a MicroSD memory expansion slot which comes in handy when using the phone's built-in music player.
T-Mobile
Nov. 2006
Samsung A900MSprint's updated A900 features Bluetooth, an excellent QVGA display and Power Vision to feed that EVDO and streaming video addiction. The A900M competes with the Motorola RAZR which Sprint recently picked up, and it's thin, light and attractive dressed in black. It's got a music player, 1.3MP camera and lots of memory to store photos and music downloads. Well worth a peek if you like the RAZR look but want a phone that can do more.
Sprint
Oct. 2006
LG CU500 One of the phones in Cingular's slim 3G portfolio nonetheless has much to offer for a relatively low price tag. The CU500 supports UMTS and HSDPA on the US bands, works well with Cingular Video and it has Bluetooth, a 1.3MP camera, voice dialing, stereo speakers and an MP3 player. Well worth a look if you're looking for a phone that has fast data on GSM networks.
Cingular
Oct. 2006
Motorola KRZR K1mIf you've got Rolex and Jaguar tastes but a high end Toyota budget the MOTOKRZR calls to you. This undeniably good looking phone is small, sexy and looks tres high class. Not only that, it actually has great voice quality and is very easy to use. The KRZR has a 1.3MP camera, Micro SD card slot, music player and EVDO for high speed data and V Cast entertainment on Verizon's nework. If you're looking for a head turner and don't want every feature under the sun, check out the KRZR.
Verizon
Sept. 2006
Sony Ericsson W810i The latest Walkman phone from Sony Ericsson not only holds more songs than an iTunes phone but it's got a great 2 megapixel camera as well. Looking more stately than the day-glow orange swiveling W600i, this phone is small, great looking and easy to use. It's a quad band GSM world phone with EDGE that's currently sold unlocked but will likely be picked up by Cingular in the US. It also has Bluetooth, an FM radio and Memory Stick Duo slot with 512 meg card in the box. Quite a lot in a small package!
Cingular & Unlocked GSM versions available
July & Sept. 2006
Sony Ericsson W300iThis is one of Sony Ericsson's most affordable Walkman phone models, and it sports a good set of features including a great music player, Memory Stick Micro slot, VGA camera and Bluetooth. It's a quad band GSM flip phone that's available direct from Sony Ericsson unlocked or from Cingular in the US.
Cingular
Sept. 2006
LG Chocolate VX8500The latest fashion statement that does more than look pretty. This zero calorie indulgence won't break the bank either, when purchased from Verizon. It's got a unique (among cell phones) iPod-like track wheel and touch-sensitive surface, a large and lovely display, music player, Bluetooth and EVDO for fast data connections.
Verizon
Sept. 2006
Sony Ericsson K800iThis import Cyber-shot camera phone earns its name with an excellent 3.2MP camera that features autofocus and a Xenon flash. The K800i has more than a camera, offering an MP3 player, Memory Stick Micro slot, FM radio, RSS reader and Bluetooth 2.0. It's a triband phone that's best for T-Mobile users in the US and it has GPRS for data.
Unlocked GSM
Sept. 2006
Sanyo KatanaSprint's latest answer to the RAZR craze is slim, light and good looking. Though made of plastic rather than metal, the Katana is a nice looking phone that's available in four colors, three from Sprint and a fourth color exclusive to Radio Shack. It has a QVGA 240 x 320 pixel display, Bluetooth and a VGA camera. It's one of the few recent CDMA phones that supports analog for roaming the back roads where digital service is sparse.
Sprint
Aug. 2006
Samsung a990The first 3.2 megapixel camera phone with autofocus lens offered by a US carrier, the a990 takes excellent photos. It's offered by Verizon and it has EVDO, Bluetooth, a music player and a QVGA display. The phone is small and quite attractive without being flashy.
Verizon
Aug. 2006
Motorola RAZR V3One of the most popular mobile phones ever sold, the RAZR banks that its thin-is-in looks, stunning metal keypad and popularity will convince you to slip one into your pocket. This flip phone has a quad band GSM radio that will work anywhere in the world GSM service is available, GPRS for data, Bluetooth and a VGA camera. It's offered by Cingular and T-Mobile in the US, and we take a look at the Cingular version.
Cingular and T-Mobile (Verizon too!)
Aug. 2006
LG VX8300The successor to the popular LG VX8100 has gone to a spa: it's thinner, lighter and looks slick. But it's got every feature you could ask for in a high end flip phone: EVDO, MP3 player, a very good 1.3MP camera, Bluetooth and a MicroSD expansion slot. A very nice multimedia phone at a reasonable price on Verizon Wireless in the US.
Verizon
July 2006
Motorola PEBLOne of the trio of super-fashionable vowel-less mobile phones from Motorola, the PEBL adds a tactile element to the design with its feels great in the hand design and non-slip texture. It's a quad band GSM phone with Bluetooth, a VGA camera and a very nice inner display. The PEBL is offered by T-Mobile in the US and it's available in black, blue, orange and green.
T-Mobile
June 2006
Samsung t509This SLVR wannabe has great looks, fast performance and a VGA camera at a very reasonable price. The t509 is available on T-Mobile's network in the US and it's a triband GSM phone with EDGE, Bluetooth and a sharp color display.
T-Mobile
June 2006
Motorola SLVR L6The L7's little brother is a very fashionable and functional phone for less than $50 in the US. It's a Cingular phone but Radio Shack currently has the bragging rights to selling the phone. The L6 is a super-slim candy bar GSM quad band phone with Bluetooth, strong reception and a VGA display. Unlike the L7, it does not have iTunes.
Cingular
May 2006
Motorola i870Nextel's first high end feature phone puts the perk back in work. Less bulky than most Nextel phones, the i870 features a 1.3 megapixel camera, TransFlash memory expansion slot and an MP3 player with front controls. If you're a Nextel user who yearns for a feature phone, this is it.
Nextel
April 2006
Motorola SLVR L7The candy bar sibling to the sexy RAZR is super-slim at 11.5mm, and has the RAZR's signature polished metal keypad. The phone is all about looks and it's gorgeous to be sure and very light. The SLVR is Moto's second iTunes phone and it can hold up to 100 songs. It's got a VGA camera, Bluetooth and a TransFlash slot for expansion. The SLVR is a quad band GSM phone that's sold in the US by Cingular.
Cingular
Feb. 2006
Sony Ericsson W600iThis is Sony Ericsson's first US Walkman phone with an integrated high quality MP3 player and FM radio. The phone has 256 megs of memory to hold tunes, and comes in a striking orange color with a swivel design. It's a GSM quad band world phone with EDGE for data, Bluetooth and a 1.3MP camera. It's offered by Cingular in the US. c
Cingular
Jan. 2006
Motorola E815Released late Summer 2005, this is Motorola's
flagship feature phone on the Verizon Wireless network. The
phone has a 1.3 megapixel camera, Bluetooth, MP3 player, EVDO
for high speed data and VCast and a TransFlash memory expansion
slot. While it's not tiny and sexy, it's well built and offers
a great feature set for the money.
Verizon
Dec. 2005
LG VX9800
(The V)Verizon's
new hybrid feature phone sits somewhere between PDA and phone
in terms of features and pricing. It looks like a candy bar
phone but it opens to reveal an excellent full QWERTY keyboard.
The LG is a cutting edge device with an eye-popping QVGA
landscape inner display, stereo speakers, 1.3 MP camera,
Mini SD expansion slot, MP3 player, Bluetooth, text to speech,
voice recognition, EVDO and VCast. Editor's
Choice 2005
Verizon
Nov. 2005
LG
VX8100Verizon's top
of the line flip phone released in the summer of 2005 has
a lot to offer: compact and attractive design, Bluetooth,
EVDO for data with V Cast, a 1.3 MP camera, stereo speakers,
vibrant display and a Mini SD expansion slot. This is a
CDMA phone for use on Verizon's network in the US.
Verizon
Aug. 2005
Nokia
7270The flip phone among
Nokia's Fashion Collection offerings, the 7270 has a definite
deco look crossed with contemporary touches. This GSM triband
phone is currently sold unlocked and runs on the 900/1800/1900
MHz bands. It has an FM radio, VGA camera and comes with
textile covers in both red and black.
Unlocked GSM
Aug. 2005
Sony
Ericsson S710aThis GSM
phone's claims to fame are its amazing 1.3MP CCD digital
camera and swiveling design. Closed it looks like a regular
candy bar phone, swing it open to reveal the roomy number
pad. Add in Bluetooth and a large, vivid display and you've
got the S710a. It's a GSM phone with EDGE that supports
the 850/1800/1900 MHz bands and is available from Cingular
in the US.
Cingular
July 2005
Nokia 6820 This
GSM phone was released in late Feb. 2004 in the US. It's
a compact model that looks like a traditional Nokia phone
but opens up to reveal a QWERTY thumb keyboard. It's a Symbian
Series 40 device with a 128 x 128 color display, Bluetooth,
camera and it supports the new high speed EDGE data network
and runs on the 850/1800/1900 MHz bands. It's available from
AT&T Wireless. A great companion to a PDA or notebook!
AT&T
March 2005
Nokia 7280A
simply glamorous and petit phone that's a member of Nokia's
Fashion Collection of art deco inspired phones. The phone
has a gloss black finish with white and red accents, and
weighs only 3 ounces. Not just about good looks, the 7280
has a VGA camera, Bluetooth and voice dialing which you'll
need since the phone lacks a number pad. Instead you'll use
voice dialing or the jog dial to enter numbers. This is a
GSM phone that supports the 900/1800/1900MHz bands and it
has GPRS and EDGE for data.
Unlocked GSM
March 2005
Sony
Ericsson K700iThis
phone follows in the fine tradition of the T610/T616 and
the T630. Like those very popular phones, it's very small
and light, features a built-in VGA camera that takes 640
x 480 pictures, Bluetooth, and an MP3 player. It's a triband
GSM world phone that supports GPRS for data, web and email.
It's available around the world, and from importers in
the US.
Unlocked GSM
Aug. 2004
Symbian
OS Phones (Nokia Series 60, S60, Series 80, Series 90 and UIQ)
Nokia Surge Here's a Nokia phone that doesn't look like a Nokia. Designed with AT&T's input for the US market, the Surge is a typically funky looking messaging phone with a slide-down QWERTY keyboard. Aimed at those who want to move up from a basic messaging phone, the Surge is a capable S60 smartphone at a reasonable price. It has a QVGA display with accelerometer, GPS, 3G HSDPA, Bluetooth with a full set of profiles including A2DP stereo, an FM radio, MS Office suite, music and video players and CV streaming video.
AT&T
Aug. 2009
Nokia N97 Nokia's new flagship smartphone has every feature currently available on a high end phone, and it's the second touch screen S60 phone from Nokia. We take a look at the N97 NAM, the US edition with 3G on AT&T's bands and a US warranty. The N97 is sold unlocked without contract for use on any GSM network and it has WiFi and Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR as well. This Nokia features a widget-based home screen with weather, Facebook, email and other goodies running on the 360 x 640 pixel touch screen. The slide-out QWERTY keyboard takes the pain out of messaging and the 5 megapixel camera with Carl Zeiss lens can shoot widescreen video at 30fps. There's a GPS with compass, FM radio and more.
Unlocked GSM
June 2009
Nokia E75 Nokia's side-slider QWERTY looks like a standard candybar phone, and it's as thin as a non-slider. Sexy, solid and chic, this high-end E Series S60 3rd Edition smartphone is available unlocked and ready for your GSM SIM card. We look at the US version which has quad band GSM and EDGE along with 3G HSDPA on AT&T's bands. The phone has business and pleasure covered with an Office suite, Nokia's new email client with Exchange support and more. But there's room for fun thanks to the 3.2 megapixel autofocus camera that can shoot VGA video, Flash Lite and N-Gage gaming.
Unlocked GSM
June 2009
Nokia E71x AT&T's version of the Nokia E71 keeps the charm alive.This super-slim and attractive metal-clad smartphone features a very good QWERTY keyboard, 3G HSDPA, WiFi, Bluetooth and a QVGA color non-touchscreen display. The E71x runs Symbian OS with S60 3rd Edition and it has a webkit-based web browser, email client and IM. For fun there's Flash Lite, Real Player, a music player and CV streaming video. Top that off with a GPS and AT&T Navigator and you've got a well-rounded smartphone. At $99 with contract, the E71x is a bargain.
AT&T
May 2009
Nokia 5800 XpressMusic Nokia's first S60 touch screen smartphone has made it to the US. The Nokia 5800 NAM is the US edition with HSDPA on AT&T's 3G bands. This quad band unlocked GSM world phone is sold without contract at a relatively reasonable price and it packs a lot of features including WiFi, Bluetooth with A2DP, stereo speakers, AV-out to TV, Flash video playback, Webkit browser, a strong GPS with Nokia Maps, FM radio, 3.5mm stereo jack and more. But its real claim to fame is its 3.2" widescreen 640 x 360 pixel touch screen and Nokia S60 5th Edition-- the touch version of S60. Nokia has done a good job of making S60 touch-friendly and you won't need a stylus with this smartphone.
Unlocked GSM
April 2009
Nokia E63 In our review we take a look at the US version, the Nokia E63 NAM. The E63 is the budget version of the Nokia E71 unlocked Symbian S60 smartphone. It sports the same shape, similar dimensions and the same excellent keyboard as the E71 but it sells for only $279. This is an unlocked GSM quad band world phone that requires no contract and it has a QVGA display, Bluetooth with A2DP, a 2 megapixel camera, WiFi and Flash Lite 3.0. It has 3G WCDMA on the AT&T bands and EDGE for T-Mobile.
Unlocked GSM
April 2009
Roundup Review: Nokia N96, N85 and N79 US models In this detailed review, we take a look at the latest trio of US Nokia Nseries smartphones. The N96-3, N85-3 and N79-3 GSM quad band unlocked phones have US 3G on the AT&T bands and carry US warranties. The phones feature a 5 megapixel camera with a Carl Zeiss autofocus lens and dual LED flash that can shoot video at 30fps. Also on board: a QVGA display, WiFi, Bluetooth 2.0 +EDR with stereo A2DP, SDHC microSD card slot and aGPS with Nokia Maps. Nokia adds variety in the details: the N96 has 16 gigs of flash storage, the N85 has a vivid OLED display and the N79 features Xpress-on active covers with a microchip that tells the phone to switch its display theme to match the cover color.
Unlocked GSM
Feb. 2009
Nokia E71Stunningly good looking and impossibly thin: two things we don't often say about a smartphone. The E71 puts the once solid Nokia E61 to shame: it's smaller, much thinner, yet fits more inside: GPS, US 3G HSDPA, WiFi, Bluetooth 2.0 +EDR and a 3 megapixel camera with autofocus lens. It's got a great QWERTY keyboard and push email support, but it also handles music playback, video and even streaming YouTube well. The E71 is an unlocked GSM world phone that's sold without contract in the US. Editor's
Choice 2008.
Unlocked GSM
August 2008
Nokia E66We take a long, hard look at the US version of the E66, to be released this summer as an unlocked phone with US 3G HSDPA support. The E66 is a business slider with weekender good looks and portability. And it's got every feature commonly found on a high end phone: GPS, WiFi, Bluetooth 2.0, and business email support. There's plenty of fun too with a video player, YouTube support, 3.2 megapixel camera with autofocus lens and an FM radio. The E66 runs S60 3rd Edition Feature Pack 1 and has a few new tricks up its sleeve, including automatic screen rotation.
Unlocked GSM
June 2008
Nokia N78We take a look at the Nokia N78, otherwise known as the N78-3 and N78 NAM edition for the US. The N78 is a mid-tier NSeries smartphone with an impressive feature set including the latest S60 3rd Edition Feature Pack 2 system software, GPS, 3 megapixel camera with autofocus Carl Zeiss lens, WiFi and US 3G. The successor to the wildly successful N73 has a lot more to offer, yet manages to keep the same size. We like the flush QVGA display and minimalist clean looks, but this gloss phone won't stay clean without a cloth.
Unlocked GSM
June 2008
Nokia E51This ESeries business smartphone looks more like a sexy feature phone. It's sold unlocked in the US by major retailers and is a quad band GSM world phone with non-US 3G. It's super-thin with a 2" QVGA display, 2 megapixel camera and Bluetooth 2.0 +EDR. There's WiFi for fast data, and support for most popular personal and corporate email including BlackBerry Connect. This affordable S60 phone dishes out some fun too with a capable music player, A2DP, RealPlayer and an FM radio.
Unlocked GSM
May 2008
Nokia N95 8 Gig (N95-4)The fourth time around, the Nokia N95 is still looking good! When the original N95 came out a year ago it wowed pretty much everyone with its huge laundry list of cutting edge features, topped with a 5 megapixel autofocus camera. Flash forward to today and we've had the US N95-3, the Euro 8 gig model and now the US 8 gig N95 with US 3G HSDPA and a US warranty. The phone loses the microSD card slot and replaces it with 8 gigs of flash storage and has the latest firmware with a faster camera and other tweaks. The display size is upped to 2.8" and the phone has the usual N95 goodness: GPS, WiFi, Bluetooth, FM radio, 2-way slider, music player and more.
Unlocked GSM
April 2008
Nokia 6120 Classic Who says a Nokia S60 3rd Edition smartphone has to be expensive and large? The 6120 Classic is an unlocked quad band GSM phone that's very small, quite attractive and sells for less than $300 from online importers (no contract required). The 6120 has EDGE, dual band 850/2100MHz 3G, a 2 megapixel camera, sharp 2" QVGA display and Bluetooth 2.0 with A2DP stereo headset support. Not bad and worth a look if you want a small smartphone and don't need the pricey bells and whistles like WiFi, a high end camera or GPS.
Unlocked GSM
Oct. 2007
Nokia N95-3This charmingly named smartphone is the new and improved US version of the N95 that's now called N95-1. Nokia didn't just re-package the N95 for the US and add the US 3G bands, they re-worked the phone, tweaking the original N95's few shortcomings away. The N95-3 is designed for the US market and is currently available at the NY and Chicago Nokia Flagship stores and online from a few retailers. It supports US HSDPA for fast wireless data, improves the GPS, quadruples available RAM, increases battery capacity and adds a soft-touch finish. The N95-3 remains one of the most capable GSM smartphones on the market with a 5MP autofocus camera, WiFi, Bluetooth 2.0 +EDR, GPS and an FM radio.
Unlocked GSM
Oct. 2007
Nokia E90 The rebirth of the Communicator! Now running S60 3rd Edition Feature Pack 1 instead of Series 80, the widescreen E90 has every feature in the book. This quad band unlocked GSM phone has EDGE and Euro-only HSDPA, a 3.2 megapixel camera with autofocus lens, GPS, WiFi 802.11b/g and Bluetooth 2.0. It's got the best web browser on the market (like the iPhone it's Safari inside), support for push email and good PIM applications and an Office suite. The E90 Communicator is sold by importers in the US. It's expensive, but it's a powerful, well built machine that does double-duty as a large candy bar phone and a mini notebook with a flip of the clamshell lid.
Unlocked GSM
August 2007
Nokia N75The first Nokia S60 smartphone with US 3G. This quad band GSM clamshell phone is offered by Cingular in the US and it has UMTS 3G on the US bands. S60 flip phones are relatively uncommon but we love 'em in the US, so Nokia cooked up the N75 which features a fantastic main display, a capable music player with external controls, Bluetooth 2.0, Cingular Video, an FM radio and a 2 megapixel camera with LED flash. It has a best of breed web browser and it syncs easily to Outlook.
AT&T
May 2007
Nokia N95This smartphone has every feature in the book, but its claim to fame is its 5 megapixel camera with Carl Zeiss autofocus lens. If you thought the N73 was good, imagine a phone that takes better photos than the N73 and videos on par with the Nokia N93. That's just the start: this unlocked quad band GSM phone has a stunning QVGA display, two-way slider design, WiFi 802.11b/g, Bluetooth 2.0 +EDR, integrated GPS, strong multimedia features and it's both compact and attractive. It syncs with Windows and Macs, has full PIM apps and Office viewers. The N95 has Euro-3G (not compatible with US 3G) and EDGE for data. It's sold unlocked directly by Nokia USA as well as importers.
Unlocked GSM
April 2007
Nokia E62The US sibling of the Nokia E61 we reviewed and loved in August. This slim and attractive phone wants to be your PDA too. Its metal sleek silver casing has that thin is in look but with all the power you'd expect from a smartphone. It has strong PIM applications with Outlook syncing, an Office suite, a fantastic web browser, and support for several push email solutions including BlackBerry Connect. This quad band GSM world phone has EDGE for data, Bluetooth 2.0, a really sharp landscape QVGA display, excellent battery life and a QWERTY keyboard. It's offered by Cingular in the US for a modest $149.
Cingular
Sept. 2006
Nokia N91This convergence device wants to be your phone, PDA and iPod. It features a 4 gig hard drive which can hold approximately 1,000 tunes, great playback quality and a standard 3.5mm headphone jack so you can use your favorite headphones. If that isn't enough, it's a powerful smartphone running Symbian OS 9.1 and Nokia's S60 3rd Edition software, has a 2 megapixel camera, Bluetooth, WiFi and a slick stainless steel finish. It's a GSM triband phone with EDGE and Euro 3G that's sold unlocked by Nokia and importers.
Unlocked GSM
Sept. 2006
Nokia N73 This smartphone is a photographer's dream. Now there's no tradeoff between a savvy business phone and one that can take simply excellent photos and videos. The N73 features a 3.2MP camera with Carl Zeiss autofocus lens and it can take some of the best photos among any high end camera phone on the market. Though the phone also plays MP3s, has an FM radio and does a great job playing video on its stunning 240 x 320 display, it's not just about multimedia. It runs Symbian OS 9.1 with Nokia S60 3rd Edition and has capable PIM applications, MS Office and PDF viewers and more. It's a GSM quad band world phone with EDGE and Euro 3G that's sold unlocked for use with any GSM carrier in the US.
Unlocked GSM
Aug. 2006
Nokia E61Brains and good looks: what a combination. The Nokia E61 proves that business phones can be beautiful. Its metal, sleek silver casing has that thin is in look which helps the Moto Q thrive, but the Nokia adds WiFi and BlackBerry Connect support. This quad band GSM world phone has EDGE and Euro 3G for data, Bluetooth, a really sharp landscape QVGA display, great battery life and a QWERTY keyboard. It's not offered by any US carrier, but importers in the US offer it at surprisingly reasonable prices unlocked. Definitely worth a look if you want more style and multimedia capability than BlackBerry offers and you feel that Palm OS is a bit too dusty.
Unlocked GSM
Aug. 2006
Nokia N80Who says good looks and great photos aren't for smartphone users? One of Nokia's flagship smartphones in their Nseries, the N80 boasts a good 3MP camera with flash, really great looks and a small size with a slider design. The phone runs S60 3rd Edition on Symbian OS 9.1 with powerful PIM applications, syncing, Office viewers and a host of multimedia goodness. The Nokia has an FM radio, video playback, PictBridge support, Bluetooth, WiFi and an amazing 352 x 416 pixel display with 262K colors. It's a quad band GSM phone with EDGE and Euro-3G that's sold by importers in the US.
Unlocked GSM
Aug. 2006
Nokia N90Thanks to Nokia, if you want a smartphone that can take a darned impressive photo, you can have it. While most smartphones and PDA phones have rudimentary cameras, the N90, released in the fall of 2005, has one of the best 2MP cameras on the market. It takes sharp, colorful photos and smooth video. It's a Symbian OS phone running S60 2nd Edition and it has full syncing capabilities, email, web and PIM applications. Though this triband phone isn't officially offered by any US carrier, some dealers sell it with a T-Mobile contract at a hefty discount. It's sold unlocked for use with any carrier.
Unlocked GSM
April 2006
Nokia 9300An
ergonomic delight as a phone and PDA. Closed it looks like
a large candy bar phone, open it's like a mini notebook. This
triband GSM phone runs Symbian Series 80 and has full support
for PIM, Office, web and email. It has GPRS and EDGE for
data and a sharp widescreen color display. It's offered by Cingular in the US.
Cingular and unlocked GSM
Sept. 2005 and March 2006
Nokia 9500This giant among phones looks like a candy bar phone until you flip open the lid and transform it into a micro notebook with QWERTY keyboard. It's a GSM triband phone that supports the 900/1800/1900Mhz bands and it has GPRS and EDGE for data. If that's not interesting enough, it has WiFi, a lovely 640 x 200 transflective display, Bluetooth and runs the Symbian OS with Nokia's Series 80 user interface.
Unlocked GSM
March 2006
Nokia 6682Nokia's
Fall 2005 Series 60 (now called S60) smartphone for the US.
It's a triband GSM phone supporting the 850/1800/1900 MHz
bands with GPRS and EDGE for data. Offered unlocked through
Nokia and resellers, and for a short time by Cingular, the
phone has a dual voltage RS-MMC card slot, a great 1.3MP
camera and Bluetooth. It syncs to Outlook on the desktop
via the included USB cable or Bluetooth.
Cingular
Nov. 2005
Nokia 7710The
first and last Symbian Series 90 smartphone is both a PDA
and a phone. Not only that, it claims to be a multimedia
powerhouse. This triband GSM device is available only through
importers in the US and supports both GPRS and EDGE for data.
It has a 3.5" 640 x 320 touch screen, lots of memory,
Bluetooth, an MMC slot and a suite of Office, PIM and Internet
applications.
Unlocked GSM
July 2005
Nokia N-Gage
QDThis unique device is a GSM
mobile phone, smartphone with PIM apps and application expandability
and most interestingly, a handheld gaming device. It's compact
enough to carry with you, and works surprisingly well as
a phone while offering excellent gaming ergonomics. And it's
a smart fella, running the Symbian Series 60 OS. Add Bluetooth
and a hot swappable MMC slot for games and expansion and
you've got the QD, head and shoulders above the original
N-Gage. Not bad for $199 or less!
T-Mobile & Cingular & unlocked GSM versions
Feb. 2005
Nokia 7610
SmartphoneThis Symbian
Series 60 phone sports a lovely design, has good ergonomics
and a very impressive 1 megapixel digital camera. Add in
the usual Nokia Series 60 features like Bluetooth, great
reception and reliable operation and you've got a winner.
This phone has been out in Europe for several months and
is now reaching US shores where Cingular is offering it.
Cingular & Unlocked GSM
Nov. 2004
Siemens SX1Here's
a rare find: a Symbian Series 60 phone that's not made by
Nokia. Since it runs Series 60, it qualifies as a smartphone,
offering PIM apps, MP3 playback, bluetooth and more. It's
a GSM tri-band world phone with GPRS for data. Add to that
a VGA camera and one of the oddest designs you'll find in
a production phone and you've got the SX1.
Unlocked GSM
July 2004
Sony
Ericsson P900The
successor to the P800 offers just about every feature you
could want in a smartphone: GSM/GPRS world phone service,
Internet browsing, email, full featured PIM apps, Bluetooth
and a VGA camera. It runs Symbian OS 7 and UIQ 2.1. The
keypad flips open to reveal a large touch screen color
display.
Unlocked GSM
March 2004
Nokia 3650
SmartphoneThis is Nokia's
latest 60 series Symbian OS Smartphone that offers many
PDA functions. It has a large color display, a unique circular
dial pad and a built-in VGA camera that takes 640 x 480
pictures! It's a triband GSM world phone that supports
GPRS for data, web and email.
AT&T
June 2003
Sony
Ericsson P800This
much anticipated smartphone runs Symbian OS 7, has a touch
screen display, an integrated VGA camera and runs on GSM
networks anywhere in the world. The dial pad flips open
to reveal a large color display suitable for web browsing,
email and more. Discontinued.
T-Mobile & Unlocked GSM
June 2003
Nokia Communicator
9290 If you're a Psion fan, take
a look at this phone which has been very popular in Europe
since it's intro in 2001. It runs Symbian OS, has a 640
pixel x 200 pixel color display and a built-in keyboard.
It comes with a great deal of useful software, including
a package that allows you to work with MS Office docs. It
runs on the GSM network and is offered by T-Mobile in the
US (it should also work with Cingular). It does not support
GPRS. Est. $399-$599, depending on specials and sales.
Seems to be discontinued in the US. Discontinued.
