Product Description

With the introduction of its striking 8290 digital phone, Nokia sets a new standard for eye-catching style and extreme portability.

We were impressed with the 8290's robust construction and overall navigation. The phone, which is for GSM networks (like VoiceStream Wireless), also boasts a newly designed internal antenna, excellent talk and standby times, and a host of sophisticated functions including voice-activated dialing and SMS capabilities. The only real missing feature is Web-browsing support.

Where did this tiny phone come from? Essentially, Nokia updated the electronics and boosted the antenna power of its high-end classic, the 8860; put the new design in a sleek, tiny package; and significantly lowered the price. The 8290 also borrows the navigation that is a hallmark of its popular 5100-series phones.

Although many of the 8290's features are available in other premium phone models, its design is like nothing you've ever held. Weighing a mere 3.2 ounces and measuring 3.9 by 1.7 by 0.7 inches, the 8290 literally fits in the palm of your hand. It's also slightly smaller than its sister phone, the popular 8260.

The side-mounted volume-control keys were easy to operate while on a call, and we hooked up a hands-free kit to the headphone jack so we could stow the phone in our pocket while having conversations. One caveat: the tiny power button, located on top of the phone, is almost flush with the casing and hard to find. You won't be likely to turn the phone on inadvertently, but at times it was a challenge to turn the phone on at all. Other than this quibble, the 8290 is a joy to use. Plus, the 8290 is shipped with a Jabra EarSet for hands-free use.

Three buttons handle most of the menu navigation: a roller-bar navigation key lets you scroll through menu options, and two additional buttons let you select menu options as they appear. The right prompt button also provides one-touch access to your phone book. The top-level menu choices are: Messages (SMS and voice-mail alerts), Call Log, Profiles (so you can choose how your phone behaves in different environments), Settings (for calls, phone, and security), System (so you can select a service provider or opt for automatic selection), Games (Rotation, Memory, Snake, and Logic), Calculator, Calendar, and Keyguard Lock. The backlit, three-line display works well with the control keys, and we found it easy to locate menus and make selections. Despite the phone's small size, the keypad is well spaced, and we had no problems dialing with one hand.

The Nokia 8290 has a full roster of call and messaging features. If offered by your service plan, it supports caller ID, call waiting, SMS, voice mail, numeric paging, multiparty calling, and e-mail. Three different call logs maintain the last 10 dialed numbers, 10 most recently received calls, and 10 missed calls. PIM functions include a clock, currency converter, calculator, calendar with room for 50 appointments and reminders, and a 250-entry phone book. There is no standard method of connecting the 8290 to a PC or other device.

A few more cool things worth noting: the 8290 supports swappable faceplates and it has three-NAM capability, so you can route three different numbers to the phone. Its built-in vibrating alert guarantees you will get your calls without annoying the people sitting next to you.

The 8290 offers four basic security features: An initial security code, keypad lock, call restriction modes, and a lock code that can activate or deactivate memory and menu options. One nice thing about the lock-code feature is you can store numbers in a secret unlocked location, which will allow you to make calls even when the phone is locked.

The 8290's lithium-ion battery is rated to last for a maximum of 210 minutes of digital talk time and 192 hours of digital standby time. In our battery testing it came impressively close. We held an open call for just over three hours, and the phone lasted for nearly eight days in standby mode.

The 8290 is one of the lightest, smallest, most stylish phones around, and it backs up its cool appearance with solid construction and functions. In fact, it one-ups its counterpart, the 8260, with its more compact design and voice-activated dialing feature. Unless you need a phone with a minibrowser, this unit is an excellent match for almost any personal or professional communications need.--Thom Arno

Pros:

• Tiny size, stylish case (smaller than the Nokia 8260)
• Solid construction, intuitive interface
• Voice-activated dialing
• E-mail and SMS capable, built-in PIM
• Impressive battery life

Cons:

• No browser capability
• Hard-to-locate power button

How We Tested Battery-Talk/Standby Time

When reading our reviews, you should view the test results of mobile-phone battery talk time and standby time as relative information only. Many variables, including carrier signal strength at your location, signal consistency (including incoming and outgoing calls), display and ringer settings, and battery charging methods and history, will affect performance. When handset manufacturers and mobile phone carriers list talk-time and standby-time ratings, they usually include disclaimers about variable performance and often refer to the times they publish as maximum times. Some quote expected battery life ranges, and in this case you're probably safe to assume you'll experience at least the minimum rated range. Note that manufacturers of dual-mode digital and analog handsets publish battery-life rates for both digital and analog modes, as analog mode consumes much more power than digital mode.

Our Tests: We tested digital-mode talk and standby times with each phone. Prior to each test, we fully charged the phone's battery according to the manufacturer's directions. To test digital-phone talk time, we turned the phone on, established a digital carrier signal, dialed a number in our test lab, and, when the call rang through, took the receiving phone's handset off the hook. When all went well, we didn't do anything else except record the time when the phone died. In a couple of cases, the phones lost the signal and dropped the calls. If we were right there and could redial, we did so immediately and continued running the test. Otherwise, we halted the test, recharged the battery, and started the test over. Assuming consistent carrier-signal strength, this test should represent best-case talk time. And it's worth noting that several phones' talk-time performance significantly exceeded the manufacturers' ratings.

To test digital-phone standby time, we turned the phone on, established a carrier signal, and left the phone in standby mode. We checked the phone every few hours (for what was often days on end) until the phone finally cut out. Since no outgoing or incoming calls occurred during testing and because the phone was not moved, this method should represent best-case standby time, again assuming consistent carrier signal strength. ... Read more

Features

• Striking design, incredibly lightweight
• E-mail and 2-way paging capabilities
• Swappable faceplates
• Full set of PIM functions
• Up to 3.5 hours of digital talk time and 8 days of digital standby time with standard battery; includes lithium-ion battery, charger, and headset

Product Description

With its remarkable design and performance, the Touchpoint TP2100 joins the ranks of Sprint PCS's feature-rich phone series. Wireless Internet access, a built-in voice-memo recorder, voice-activated dialing, and seamless menu navigation make the TP2100 suitable for personal or business use. In addition, its dual-band, dual-mode CDMA technology allows you to place and receive calls in most areas of the United States.

Essentially, the TP2100 is a trimmer, less-expensive version of the popular TP2200 phone with a couple of cosmetic improvements, including a subtle, cobalt-colored case. At 4.8 by 2 by 0.8 inches, the TP2100 is well balanced and portable. The six-line screen is fit for information management and Web work, and the keypad is marked with a novel, chunky font--a refreshing take on staid phone design.

Like other Touchpoint phones, the TP2100 incorporates a four-way mouse key for menu navigation, and its OK, CLR, and End buttons double as useful menu keys. The buttons themselves are rubberized, responsive, and big enough to allow us to place calls quickly without misdialing.

Call-management features include 30 distinctive ringer types, with vibration mode, three recordable ringers and three custom ringer settings. The enhanced phone book offers 120 storage locations, and each entry can hold up to nine phone numbers. A call-history feature logs the last 10 incoming, outgoing, and missed calls each.

The TP2100 is prepped for Sprint PCS's voice-activated features. We set up voice tags for 20 friends and associates, all of whom could be dialed by voice command. We never had trouble getting the phone to recognize names, and once we set up voice tags, all we needed to do was press *OK, speak the name of the person we wanted to call and the TP2100 handled the rest.

The voice-memo recorder was just as useful. Instead of scrambling for Post-its or hauling out our PDA, we saved up to four minutes worth of to-do lists, important numbers, and reminders in the TP2100's memory. An added bonus: When playing messages back, you have the option of listening to them over the earpiece or the main speaker. You can even record and attach a voice ringer to any number in voice-dial memory.

The TP2100 supports such carrier-dependent services as caller ID, call waiting, voice-mail alerts, three-way calling, e-mail, SMS text messaging, and wireless Internet access.

Web navigation was flawless, and the minibrowser has direct access to popular shopping and entertainment sites, as well as updates on the latest news, sports, weather, and financial information. It also has messaging and game folders, so you can access your AOL Instant Messenger account or engage in a round or two of trivia. It should be noted that the TP2100 also features five built-in games: Football, Dice, Blackjack, Sequence, and Sketcher (the wireless equivalent of an Etch-A-Sketch).

While the TP2100 may not replace your Palm Pilot or Handspring Visor, it stores appointments and to-do lists, and it features a calculator and stopwatch, as well as a series of different alarms to keep you on track.

If you purchase a data kit, you can use the phone as a digital modem for PCs or download PIM data from your computer.

Security features include phone locking, restricted incoming calls, restricted outgoing calls (with three special memory spots for exceptions), phone-book erase, and full reset mode, which erases personal information in all applications.

We were enthused when the TP2100's lithium-ion battery, which is rated for 225 minutes of digital talk time, held a connection for four hours. Furthermore, the phone lasted for 210 hours in digital standby mode, a full 10 hours better than its rating.

Touchpoint phones are some of the best-designed models currently available, and the TP2100 is no exception. Melding distinctive form with ample functions, the TP2100 is a noteworthy phone for business and personal communication.

--Thom Arno, edited by Steve O'Neil

Pros:

• Impressive voice-activated calling features
• Excellent menu navigation
• Clear, moderate-sized screen for messaging and Internet access
• Contemporary style

Cons:

• None

How We Tested Battery Talk/Standby Time

When reading our reviews, you should view the test results of mobile-phone battery talk time and standby time as relative information only. Many variables, including carrier signal strength at your location, signal consistency (including incoming and outgoing calls), display and ringer settings, and battery-charging methods and history, will affect performance. When handset manufacturers and mobile phone carriers list talk-time and standby-time ratings, they usually include disclaimers about variable performance and often refer to the times they publish as maximum times. Some quote expected battery-life ranges, and in this case you're probably safe to assume you'll experience at least the minimum rated range. Note that manufacturers of dual-mode digital and analog handsets publish battery-life rates for both digital and analog modes, as analog mode consumes much more power than digital mode.

Our Tests: We tested digital-mode talk and standby times with each phone. Prior to each test, we fully charged the phone's battery according to the manufacturer's directions. To test digital-phone talk time, we turned the phone on, established a digital carrier signal, dialed a number in our test lab, and, when the call rang through, took the receiving phone's handset off the hook. When all went well, we didn't do anything else except record the time when the phone died. In a couple of cases, the phones lost the signal and dropped the calls. If we were right there and could redial, we did so immediately and continued running the test. Otherwise, we halted the test, recharged the battery, and started the test over. Assuming consistent carrier-signal strength, this test should represent best-case talk time. And it's worth noting that several phones' talk-time performance significantly exceeded the manufacturers' ratings.

To test digital-phone standby time, we turned the phone on, established a carrier signal, and left the phone in standby mode. We checked the phone every few hours (for what was often days on end) until the phone finally cut out. Since no outgoing or incoming calls occurred during testing and because the phone was not moved, this method should represent best-case standby time, again assuming consistent carrier signal strength. ... Read more

Features

• Unique design with cobalt-blue case
• Web-enabled
• Voice commands, voice-activated dialing
• PIM functions, 5 built-in games
• Up to 3.75 hours digital talk time, 200 hours of digital standby time; includes Lithium-ion battery and charger

Amazon.com

To its credit, the Kyocera QCP-2035 is a trimode/dual-band phone that covers most of the bases and won't break your budget. However, despite its hip appeal, its features and functionality pale in comparison to those of other phones vying for your attention.

Housed in a translucent blue casing, the QCP-2035 measures 5.1 by 1.8 by 0.8 inches, has a retractable antenna, and weighs 4.0 ounces with its standard battery. The five-line screen (four lines of text, one line of status icons), 16-character backlit display, and a minimum number of buttons allow for simple operation, although it took us some time to get in tune with the phone's unique menu navigation.

A star-shaped button, four-way directional key, and backspace key handle menu navigation. We accessed the minibrowser, our phone book, messages, and phone settings without much effort, but found it hard to acclimate to one particular menu function. When navigating menus, prompts display over the backspace and star keys, but only the star key selects menu options, while backspace brings you back to the main menu. Also, once you choose a menu selection, you can't scroll continuously through the options, which is bothersome at best.

The minibrowser has a healthy selection of popular Web sites as well as game and instant-messaging folders. You can also receive financial, sports, weather, and other updates via the wireless Internet. And if you purchase a data kit, you can use the phone as a digital modem for PCs or download PIM data from your computer.

The QCP-2035 supports carrier-dependent features such as caller ID, call waiting, voice mail, two-way text messaging, and Internet access. Its phone book stores up to 100 numbers, with up to 6 numbers per contact. You can also search for numbers by entering all or part of a name or number. The phone has 15 ringer types, plus vibrating mode, and a call log that maintains lists of outgoing, incoming, and missed calls.

Unlike many other Sprint PCS-branded phones, the QCP-2035 doesn't support any voice-activated features. Also, it's missing side-mounted volume control buttons. While the four-way directional key will raise and lower call volume, it's not an intuitive action.

Attention should be paid to the QCP-2035's set of PIM functions, which include an alarm clock, tip calculator, standard calculator, and stopwatch. However, the phone lacks a calendar and to-do list. We truly enjoyed the game Brick Attack--a highly addictive version of the old-school classic Breakout.

The QCP-2035 offers three basic security features: keypad locking, phone lock, and restricted dialing.

At 185 minutes, our QCP-2035's talk time was shorter than the manufacturer-rated 3.5 hours. We achieved nearly five days of standby time, which matched Qualcomm's 120-hour rating. For normal usage, we suggest checking on battery life at least every other day. Also, the battery pops out without any effort and is replaced easily.

This is fine phone for light use or as an extra to loan for temporary use to family members or colleagues, but the lack of features and complex menu navigation may prove frustrating with everyday use.

--Thom Arno (edited by Steve O'Neil)

Pros:

• Trimode/dual-band operation
• Translucent-blue casing

Cons:

• Awkward menu navigation
• No voice-activated commands
• Lacks a calendar and to-do list

... Read more

Features

• Cool translucent-blue casing
• Trimode/dual-band operation
• Web enabled
• Swappable faceplates
• Up to 3.5 hours digital talk time and 120 hours digital standby time; includes Lithium-ion battery and charger

Amazon.com

While it is not designed for worldwide use, the new Motorola P7382 phone is similar in design and function to the Motorola P7389 world phone. The single-band, digital-only P7382 features a bluish-green case, intuitive control keys, and a full graphical display with streamlined menu navigation. Ultimately, it's a handsome phone with the features any mobile professional would expect.

The P7382 measures 5.1 by 1.85 by 0.9 inches, has a stubby 1-inch antenna, and weighs just 4.2 ounces. It's small enough to operate with one hand and sturdy enough to withstand rigorous treatment.

The bright, backlit display has four lines of variable-size text (15 characters maximum per line) and a line of status icons along the top. Prompts for menu or navigation options appear in small letters along the bottom of the display. Prompts are displayed directly above the Clear (marked "C") and OK keys. Other buttons include a vertical roller-bar key to navigate menus and text, a message button marked with an envelope icon, and a go-back/quick-access menu key labeled with an up arrow. Volume control buttons and a smart button (it launches the phone book) dot the left-hand side, and the voice recorder's start button is located at the base of the antenna along the right side of the phone. There are 11 ringer tones plus a vibrate mode.

The phone book can hold 100 numbers, and the SIM card holds an additional 155 contacts. Up to 25 phone-book entries can be assigned Voice Tags for voice dialing, a feature we found to be quick and easy to use.

The P7382's voice recorder is an incredible convenience, although its three-minute capacity restricts it to short notes. A simple press of the Record button starts and stops the recording, while the remaining available time counts down on the display. It should be noted that the P7382 doesn't have an external speaker, so you have to hold the phone to your ear to listen to recorded messages.

The minibrowser is an added bonus. It provides access to a host of popular Web sites as well as sports, financial, weather, and entertainment updates. And the P7382's simplified menu navigation makes logging on to Web sites a straightforward process. Keep in mind, at this point WebStream Internet service is only available in Seattle, Dallas, Kansas City, and Boston.

The P7382's call-management and security-features list reads like a phone fantasy wish list. Basically, if your GSM carrier has a service, this phone supports it. From conference calling to caller ID and call forwarding to voice-mail alerts, the P7382 does it all.

When you press the quick-access key, nine common operations are displayed with an array of icons for such functions as wireless Internet access, creating/editing SMS messages, muting the phone, toggling the vibration mode, and adding numbers to your SIM card.

In addition to SIM card, phone, and keypad locking, the Timeport P7382's security features let you lock control-menu and phone-book access and selectively restrict outgoing and incoming calls.

The P7382 has an infrared port for synchronizing phone-book data with a PC, and the port on the bottom of the phone can be used with a data cable to tether your phone to a PC or other device. TrueSync PIM software makes it easy to transfer phone-book entries from your desktop PC or notebook to the phone. And, unlike its predecessor (the Timeport L7089), there is an incoming fax mode for data calls.

In addition to the TrueSync software, the Timeport P7382 is bundled with a Jabra EarSet, travel charger with European/UK adapter, and belt clip.

Its lithium-ion battery is rated for a maximum 210 minutes of digital talk time and 150 hours of digital standby time. In testing, our sample phone held a call for nearly 210 minutes, and it lasted just over 150 hours in standby mode.

Certainly, the P7382's efficient design and rich set of calling features are appealing. Additionally, the minibrowser should entice different people, provided you live in one of the four cities where WebStream service is available. Look for VoiceStream to expand this service in the near future. --Thom Arno (edited by Steve O'Neil)

Pros:

• Voice-activated features
• Compact and lightweight with a nicely balanced case
• Infrared connectivity
• Good talk-time battery performance

• Digital-only, single-band operation
• 3-minute capacity for voice recorder

How We Tested Battery Talk/Standby Time

When reading our reviews, you should view the test results of mobile-phone battery talk time and standby time as relative information only. Many variables, including carrier signal strength at your location, signal consistency (including incoming and outgoing calls), display and ringer settings, and battery charging methods and history, will affect performance. When handset manufacturers and mobile phone carriers list talk-time and standby-time ratings, they usually include disclaimers about variable performance and often refer to the times they publish as maximum times. Some quote expected battery life ranges, and in this case you're probably safe to assume you'll experience at least the minimum rated range. Note that manufacturers of dual-mode digital and analog handsets publish battery-life rates for both digital and analog modes, as analog mode consumes much more power than digital mode.

Our Tests: We tested digital-mode talk and standby times with each phone. Prior to each test, we fully charged the phone's battery according to the manufacturer's directions. To test digital-phone talk time, we turned the phone on, established a digital carrier signal, dialed a number in our test lab, and, when the call rang through, took the receiving phone's handset off the hook. When all went well, we didn't do anything else except record the time when the phone died. In a couple of cases, the phones lost the signal and dropped the calls. If we were right there and could redial, we did so immediately and continued running the test. Otherwise, we halted the test, recharged the battery, and started the test over. Assuming consistent carrier-signal strength, this test should represent best-case talk time. And it's worth noting that several phones' talk-time performance significantly exceeded the manufacturers' ratings.

To test digital-phone standby time, we turned the phone on, established a carrier signal, and left the phone in standby mode. We checked the phone every few hours (for what was often days on end) until the phone finally cut out. Since no outgoing or incoming calls occurred during testing and because the phone was not moved, this method should represent best-case standby time, again assuming consistent carrier signal strength. ... Read more

Features

• Web enabled
• VoiceNote voice recorder
• Voice-activated dialing for up to 25 contacts
• Infrared modem
• Up to 210 minutes' digital talk time and 150 hours' digital standby time; includes Jabra EarSet, Lithium-ion battery, TrueSync Software CD-ROM, European/UK power adapter, and belt clip

Amazon.com

While it doesn't provide all the bells and whistles of a feature-rich phone,the Panasonic ProMax's good looks, reasonable price, dual-band/trimode technology,and solid performance make it a worthwhile investment.

Weighing only 3 ounces and measuring 4.6 by 1.7 by 1.1 inches, the ProMax is one of the smallest and lightest phones available. The phone's lustrous, whitish-gold case is streamlined and alluring, if a bit slippery.

Menu options are sufficient, and navigation is a cinch; however, the keypad was a little too small for our hands, resulting in frequent misdialed calls. Furthermore, the keys themselves are rather slick and squeezed together. Our advice: if you can easily palm a basketball, you may want to investigate a phone with a roomier keypad.

Three buttons handle most of the menu navigation. A four-way directional key helps you scroll through menu options, and two additional buttons let you select menu options as they appear. The right prompt button also provides one-touch access to your phone book. The menu choices are: Phonebook, Messages (voice and text), Call History, Tone Settings, Phone Settings (where you can tweak display, clock, answer, and language options), Security, and System Settings.

The ProMax offers a decent roster of call and messaging features. If offered by your service plan, it supports caller ID, call waiting, two-way SMS (30 message storage locations), voice mail, numeric paging, and multiparty calling. PIM functions include a 100-name/400-number phonebook, outgoing, missed, and received call logs, several call timers, a clock, and 21 ringer options (including vibrating alert). However, the phone doesn't have a minibrowser, calculator, or calendar. If you purchase a connector cable, the ProMax can be synced with your PC or other computing device for data swapping.

Aside from its stylish, compact case, the ProMax has a couple other advanced features. The built-in speakerphone allows you to conduct true hands-free conversations. Keep in mind, however, the ProMax does not support voice-activated dialing. You still need to dial a call before you activate the speakerphone. You can also toggle between two different display colors (amber or green, and predictive T9 text entry helps simplify writing long text messages.

The ProMax offers three basic security features: call lock, security lock, and a lock code that activates or deactivates memory and menu options. You can also delete your phone book and call logs with the touch of a couple buttons.

The ProMax's lithium-ion battery is rated for up to 120 minutes' digital talk time and 200 hours' digital standby time. In our testing, the phone held a call for just over 2 hours, and it lasted for 210 hours in standby mode. Lithium-ion batteries are a lovely bonus, as they are immune to memory effect.

Overall, this is an auspicious debut for Panasonic. The ProMax is an attractive, functional phone with a competitive price tag. While it doesn't have advanced features to tempt us all, the ProMax may appeal to people who want to save a little money without sacrificing style or performance.

--Thom Arno

Pros:

• Streamlined and lightweight
• Dual-band/trimode technology
• Built-in speakerphone

Cons:

• Slippery case
• Cramped keypad
• No calendar or scheduler

... Read more

Features

• Slim case, comes in white gold
• Built-in speakerphone
• Dual-band, trimode technology
• User-selectable LCD screen (amber or green)
• Up to 120 minutes' digital talk time, 200 hours' digital standby time

Amazon.com

Durability, style, and function are keywords that define the Panasonic DuraMax.If you're a contractor or if you just can't keep your phone from hitting the floor,you will appreciate this phone's durable impact-resistant case, lightweight, compact styling, and ease of use. A few extras like a built-in speakerphone, two-way messaging capabilities, and an entry-level price make this phone attractive toanyone.

The DuraMax is small enough to fit into a pocket without being cumbersome but large enough that you won't lose it on a cluttered desktop or job-site workstation. The display is brightly backlit in a pleasant green, and display icons are clearly readable, day or night. Menus are easily navigated with a large directional button in the center of the phone and two closely placed menu soft keys. Dialing generally requires more attention than with other phones due the keypad design; all the keys have the same slightly raised glossy-smooth texture, which makes it difficult to tell what key we were hitting. Not a major flaw, but definitely a design that could be improved.

Working hard is what the DuraMax is designed to do. Its 400-item phone book, two-way text messaging with T9 text entry, and built-in speakerphone give you tools that help maximize your efficiency. Other useful amenities include a vibrating ringer, alarm clock, and a slew of ring and alert options. This phone is not Web enabled, but with two-way messaging you can receive news, stock, or sports alerts from many online services.

When you touch the DuraMax rubberized case, you'll instantly notice how durable it is. This impact-resistant case surrounds the face, display, and entire backside. Plus, an innovative battery-locking system keeps the battery in place even if the battery cover gets knocked off. We dropped the DuraMax by accident while on a call, and it fell about four feet onto the corner of a table where it bounced to a cement floor. The DuraMax, however, didn't drop the call or suffer any visible damage.

Call and phone security are achieved through a simple keypad lock to prevent accidental calls and a security lock to block unauthorized usage. Both features were simple to activate and deactivate using the intuitive menu system.

The DuraMax comes with a lithium-ion battery and boasts an outstanding 240 minutes' talk time and up to 400 hours' standby time. These numbers are for digital usage--analog usage is approximately half, but they are outstanding numbers in either case.

If you want a phone that stands out for its durability and delivers functional features in a stylish compact package, the DuraMax won't let you down. --John Schommer, edited by Steve O'Neil

Pros:

• Tough, durable design
• Built-in speakerphone
• Lightweight and compact
• Amazing talk and standby times

Cons:

• Keypad design
• Not Web enabled

How We Tested Battery Talk/Standby Time

When reading our reviews, you should view the test results of mobile-phone battery talk time and standby time as relative information only. Many variables, including carrier signal strength at your location, signal consistency (including incoming and outgoing calls), display and ringer settings, and battery charging methods and history, will affect performance. When handset manufacturers and mobile phone carriers list talk-time and standby-time ratings, they usually include disclaimers about variable performance and often refer to the times they publish as maximum times. Some quote expected battery life ranges, and in this case you're probably safe to assume you'll experience at least the minimum rated range. Note that manufacturers of dual-mode digital and analog handsets publish battery-life rates for both digital and analog modes, as analog mode consumes much more power than digital mode.

Our Tests: We tested digital-mode talk and standby times with each phone. Prior to each test, we fully charged the phone's battery according to the manufacturer's directions. To test digital-phone talk time, we turned the phone on, established a digital carrier signal, dialed a number in our test lab, and, when the call rang through, took the receiving phone's handset off the hook. When all went well, we didn't do anything else except record the time when the phone died. In a couple of cases, the phones lost the signal and dropped the calls. If we were right there and could redial, we did so immediately and continued running the test. Otherwise, we halted the test, recharged the battery, and started the test over. Assuming consistent carrier-signal strength, this test should represent best-case talk time. And it's worth noting that several phones' talk-time performance significantly exceeded the manufacturers' ratings.

To test digital-phone standby time, we turned the phone on, established a carrier signal, and left the phone in standby mode. We checked the phone every few hours (for what was often days on end) until the phone finally cut out. Since no outgoing or incoming calls occurred during testing and because the phone was not moved, this method should represent best-case standby time, again assuming consistent carrier signal strength. ... Read more

Features

• Contoured, rubberized case
• Built-in speakerphone
• SMS support
• Changeable 2-color screen (green or amber)
• Up to 4 hours' digital talk time, 16 days' standby time; includes Lithium-ion battery and charger

Amazon.com

While it doesn't provide all the bells and whistles of a feature-rich phone,the Panasonic ProMax's good looks, reasonable price, dual-band/trimode technology,and solid performance make it a worthwhile investment.

Weighing only 3 ounces and measuring 4.6 by 1.7 by 1.1 inches, the ProMax is one of the smallest and lightest phones available. The phone's glossy, midnight-blue case is streamlined and alluring, if a bit slippery.

Menu options are sufficient, and navigation is a cinch; however, the keypad was a little too small for our hands, resulting in frequent misdialed calls. Furthermore, the keys themselves are rather slick and squeezed together. Our advice: if you can easily palm a basketball, you may want to investigate a phone with a roomier keypad.

Three buttons handle most of the menu navigation. A four-way directional key helps you scroll through menu options, and two additional buttons let you select menu options as they appear. The right prompt button also provides one-touch access to your phone book. The menu choices are: Phonebook, Messages (voice and text), Call History, Tone Settings, Phone Settings (where you can tweak display, clock, answer, and language options), Security, and System Settings.

The ProMax offers a decent roster of call and messaging features. If offered by your service plan, it supports caller ID, call waiting, two-way SMS (30 message storage locations), voice mail, numeric paging, and multiparty calling. PIM functions include a 100-name/400-number phonebook, outgoing, missed, and received call logs, several call timers, a clock, and 21 ringer options (including vibrating alert). However, the phone doesn't have a minibrowser, calculator, or calendar. If you purchase a connector cable, the ProMax can be synced with your PC or other computing device for data swapping.

Aside from its stylish, compact case, the ProMax has a couple other advanced features. The built-in speakerphone allows you to conduct true hands-free conversations. Keep in mind, however, the ProMax does not support voice-activated dialing. You still need to dial a call before you activate the speakerphone. You can also toggle between two different display colors (amber or green, and predictive T9 text entry helps simplify writing long text messages.

The ProMax offers three basic security features: call lock, security lock, and a lock code that activates or deactivates memory and menu options. You can also delete your phone book and call logs with the touch of a couple buttons.

The ProMax's lithium-ion battery is rated for up to 120 minutes' digital talk time and 200 hours' digital standby time. In our testing, the phone held a call for just over 2 hours, and it lasted for 210 hours in standby mode. Lithium-ion batteries are a lovely bonus, as they are immune to memory effect.

Overall, this is an auspicious debut for Panasonic. The ProMax is an attractive, functional phone with a competitive price tag. While it doesn't have advanced features to tempt us all, the ProMax may appeal to people who want to save a little money without sacrificing style or performance. --Thom Arno

Pros:

• Streamlined and lightweight
• Dual-band/trimode technology
• Built-in speakerphone

Cons:

• Slippery case
• Cramped keypad
• No calendar or scheduler

... Read more

Features

• Slim case, comes in midnight blue
• Built-in speakerphone
• Dual-band, trimode technology
• User-selectable LCD screen (amber or green)
• Up to 120 minutes' digital talk time, 200 hours' digital standby time; includes lithium-ion battery, standard charger, and hands-free headset

Amazon.com

Although not exactly on the cutting edge, the reasonably priced Motorola M3682is a good choice for basic voice calls and two-way SMS text messaging. The M3682is a relatively bulky phone and lacks some desirable features such as voicedialing, voice memo recording, or vibration mode, but it does have better-than-averageuser interface and menus. The standard headset jack enables hands-freeoperation, and the M3682 is bundled with a hands-free headset.

The M3682 is a single-band1,900 MHz GSM phone that, like allGSM phones, uses a removable SIM card to store your account information andphone number (our test phone was provisioned by VoiceStream Wireless). Weighing in at 6.2ounces, with standard NiMH battery included, the M3682 measures 5.4 by 1.9 by1.0 inches (not including its 1.25-inch stubby antenna), making it a relativelylarge, though still lightweight, phone. A flip cover protects the keypad, and itlets you view the backlit display, comprised of four 12-character lines and textplus status icons, and use the large control keys. The black case of the M3682doesn't feel as sturdy as other Motorola phones, but we had no problems whileusing it. Furthermore, the phone survived an inadvertent 3-foot drop onto acarpeted concrete floor.

Left and right menu buttons activate the phone's menusystem, and an OK button, located just above the menu buttons, selects thecurrent option. The C button clears the last entry, and an up arrow buttonlaunches the icon-based quick access screen, which lets you quickly select fromnine common operations such as locking the phone, calling voice mail, or lookingup a name in your phone book. The phone has 12 ringer tones with a separatevolume control menu (no volume keys), but no vibration mode.

The M3682's phonebook can be split between the phone and the SIM card, provided your carriersupports it. Up to 100 numbers can be stored in the phone, and potentially 55more numbers on a SIM card. Another 40 numbers can be stored in a restrictedcall list. In this mode, only the numbers on the list can be dialed. Enteringphone numbers is easy: just tap in the number and a unique descriptor, thenassign it to a memory location. The first nine memory locations can be dialedwith one touch--just tap and hold the respective key and the stored number isautomatically dialed.

As with all GSM phones, the actual features that areusable in the M3682 depend on the carrier's provisioning via the SIM card. Intotal, the Motorola M3682 supports caller ID, call forwarding, caller on hold,and conference calling for up to two other people. Two-way SMS text messaging with aselectable cell broadcast mode to receive alerts and notices from outsidesources is also featured.

Security features for the M3682 include phone lockand selective call barring of incoming and outgoing calls (if supported by thecarrier). You can also block your caller ID information from showing up on acall recipient's phone.

Since it lacks an infrared port, the only way to usethe M3682 with a PC or other device is via an optional data cable. No softwareis included for synchronizing phone book numbers with a PC.

The M3682's ratherlarge NiMH battery is rated for a maximum 210 minutes of digital talk time and105 hours of digital standby time. In testing, our sample phone held a call fornearly 210 minutes, and it lasted for 96 hours in standby mode. One of thephone's best features is its ability to use standard AA alkaline batteries,thanks to a special battery-compartment backing. You can also use single-uselithium-ion battery packs, but not rechargeable lithium-ion AA batteries.

Abasic phone for ordinary users, the Motorola M3682 scores high marks in ease ofuse, but lacks desirable features such as voice dialing and vibration mode.

--Testing and evaluation by Brown Consulting Associates, edited by Thom Arno

Pros:

• Low cost
• Can use standard AA alkaline batteries
• Intuitive menus and control buttons

Cons:

• No standard vibration mode
• Not Web-enabled
• Comparatively large

How We Tested Battery Talk/Standby Time

When reading our reviews, you should view the test results of mobile-phonebattery talk time and standby time as relative information only. Many variables,including carrier signal strength at your location, signal consistency(including incoming and outgoing calls), display and ringer settings, andbattery charging methods and history, will affect performance. When handsetmanufacturers and mobile phone carriers list talk-time and standby-time ratings,they usually include disclaimers about variable performance and often refer tothe times they publish as maximum times. Some quote expected battery liferanges, and in this case you're probably safe to assume you'll experience atleast the minimum rated range. Note that manufacturers of dual-mode digital andanalog handsets publish battery-life rates for both digital and analog modes, asanalog mode consumes much more power than digital mode.

Our Tests: We tested digital-mode talk and standby times with each phone.Prior to each test, we fully charged the phone's battery according to themanufacturer's directions. To test digital-phone talk time, we turned the phoneon, established a digital carrier signal, dialed a number in our test lab, and,when the call rang through, took the receiving phone's handset off the hook.When all went well, we didn't do anything else except record the time when thephone died. In a couple of cases, the phones lost the signal and dropped thecalls. If we were right there and could redial, we did so immediately andcontinued running the test. Otherwise, we halted the test, recharged thebattery, and started the test over. Assuming consistent carrier-signal strength,this test should represent best-case talk time. And it's worth noting thatseveral phones' talk-time performance significantly exceeded the manufacturers'ratings.

To test digital-phone standby time, we turned the phone on, established acarrier signal, and left the phone in standby mode. We checked the phone everyfew hours (for what was often days on end) until the phone finally cut out.Since no outgoing or incoming calls occurred during testing and because thephone was not moved, this method should represent best-case standby time, againassuming consistent carrier signal strength. ... Read more

Features

• Flip cover protects keypad
• Excellent menu buttons and navigation aids
• Two-way SMS text messaging
• Up to 210 minutes digital talk time, 105 hours digital standby time
• Includes NiMH battery, hands-free headset, and charger

Amazon.com

It's a cell phone. It's a PDA. It's a buzzword come true! Yes, the convergence of the wireless and handheld-organizerworlds is evident now more than ever with the Kyocera QCP6035 Smartphone, a communication/information tool akin to aSwiss Army knife.

Recalling the original Qualcomm pDQ Smartphone--not-so-affectionately referred to as "the brick"--we were pleased to findthe Smartphone's size to be quite manageable. Measuring 5.6 by 2.5 by 0.8 inches, it's only about an inch taller and lessthan a half-inch thicker than the new Palm m500 series handhelds. And at 7 ounces, it didn't weigh us down so much.

As a handheld, the Smartphone has the same basic features as the Palm Vx. It runs Palm OS 3.5, comes with 8 MB of RAM,includes Graffiti-recognition software, and features standard Palm applications such as Address, Date Book, Memo Pad, andTo Do. Kyocera's also added a nifty voice-recording option, something we've always wanted to add to Palm's feature set.

But it's the cell-phone features that really grease the Palm functionality of the Smartphone. You've got several optionsfor making a call, the most obvious being opening up the Address application and tapping the number that appears in the list. Thisrequires that you open the Smartphone's flip keypad. To dial a number stored in the Palm's Address app with the keypad closed, you can quickly search for a name with the Find Name key. Even better, you can use the convenient shuttle optionlocated on the left side of the Smartphone to scroll through the Contact list (which is copied from Address Book).

As we expected, the Smartphone has all the basic elements we look for in a cell phone. It features 15 ringers(including vibrating alert), different environment settings, secret memory locations, 99-number call logs, scratch-pad memory, and text-messaging support, among other goodies. Furthermore, it supports all the normal carrier-dependent features,including caller ID, call forwarding, and multiparty calling.

The Smartphone comes with the Eudora e-mail application, which can connect to POP3 e-mail accounts, and EudoraWeb for accessing Internet information. You can also add Palm Web-clipping applications that allow you to see online content optimizedfor the Palm OS. Unfortunately, no Web-clipping apps come with the Smartphone--you'll have to download apps fromwww.palm.net and load them onto the Smartphone when you synchronize.

While the Palm functions and connectivity were pretty seamless, we did have a few quibbles. Overall, we foundthe Palm operating system ran a bit sluggishly. The screen size is also a bit small--about the size of the Palm m100 series.And there aren't many Palm hardware add-ons compatible with the Smartphone, though you will find some third-partyadd-ons (such as the Ibiz KeySync keyboard, which connects via the Smartphone's serial HotSync cradle).

Also, if you're a Mac user, you'll need to download the Palm Desktop software for the Mac from Palm's Web site, as well aspurchase the PalmConnect USB kit, which offers a serial-to-USB adapter.

On the battery front, the Smartphone is rated for up to 300 minutes' digital talk time and 180 hours' digital standby time. Our sample easily held a call for over five hours (quite remarkable, when you think about it), and lasted more than a week in standby mode.

Overall, the Kyocera Smartphone isn't the perfect convergence device, but it's a pretty complete communications center forour increasingly wireless world. --Agen Schmitz

Pros:

• True PDA/phone synthesis
• Voice recorder
• Excellent battery life
• Incredibly manageable size and weight

Cons:

• Sometimes-sluggish Palm OS response
• Not compatible with many Palm add-ons

... Read more

Features

• The first Palm-powered phone
• Built-in 8 MB memory--stores thousands of contacts, appointments, to-do items, and notes
• Enter data via Graffiti-recognition software or virtual keyboard
• Infrared beaming
• Up to 300 minutes' digital talk time and 180 hours' digital standby time; includes lithium-ion battery, desktop software, sync cradle/charger, and extra styluses

Amazon.com

Sanyo is shaping up to be one of the best phone manufacturers around. First,the company graced us with the SCP-4500, a handsome, bestselling handset. Now,Sanyo's new SCP-5000 easily debuts as one of the coolest, more advanced phonesto date. While you may balk at the price tag at first, consider that this Web-enabledphone boasts a 2-inch color LCD, photo caller-ID, animation, full-blown PDA functions,dual-band/dual-mode electronics, downloadable wallpapers, and an external displayscreen.

Aside from its considerable features, you may also want to check out the 5000's compact measurements. At 3.7 by 1.9 by 1.1 inches, the 5000 is a bit trimmer than other flip phones. And it weighs just 3.5 ounces, approximately the same as today's ultracompact phones.

As we unwrapped our sample, we were impressed with its silver finish and sophisticated controls. The dedicated Web key is a clever addition to the keypad, and the unprecedented 10-line, full-color screen is simply amazing. The four-way navigational key is a pleasant way to scroll through the 5000's bountiful menu options: Call History, Wireless Web, Phonebook, Calendar, Roaming, Voicemail, Settings, Games/Tools, Voice Dial, Screen Call, My Profile (which stores your blood type (!) and other personal information), and PC Sync. Buried within the menu are some unique options, including a world clock, a downloads folder, and an updated version of the game Crab Catcher, which is as awkward as it sounds.

It was easy to adjust the side-mounted volume controls while on a call, and we could operate the phone with one hand. Theheadphone jack, located just above the voice-memo button (another divine feature) on the left-hand side, allowed us tohook up a hands-free kit and stash the 5000 in our pocket. At first, we weren't so into the keypad, as it felt slick andunwieldy, but we now love it.It's intelligently planned, and surprisingly accurate.

We've also grown to love voice-activated dialing, which took some getting used to. It was a cinch to train the phone to "Call Garland", and we quickly set up voice tags for 30 other friends and associates. We've found phones handle single names better than first and last names, but the 5000 had no problem recognizing even our most exotically named friends.

The voice-memo recorder was just as useful. We saved our to-do lists, important numbers, and reminders in the 5000's memory. An added bonus: when playing messages back, you have the option of listening to them over the earpiece or main speaker. You can even attach a different voice ringer to any number in voice-dial memory.

Other features include a T9 predictive keypad; eight speed-dial locations; 10-number incoming, outgoing, andmissed call logs; built-in vibrating alert; and 16 different ringer selections, including room for downloaded melodies.

Basic features aside, the 5000 ups the ante with photo-caller ID, a feature we looked forward to exploring. First, you must install the Sanyo Multimedia CD-ROM on your PC (sorry, Macintosh fans, the 5000 does not support your platform). Once installation is complete, you can download pictures from your desktop to the phone. In minutes, a slightly-fuzzy image renders on the screen. While regular caller-ID is a useful feature, imagine how cool it is to see a photo of your friend pop up as he or she is calling you. Animation is another feature; you can set the phone to display a revolving-Earth image as a screen saver or as you place calls.

Like other Sprint PCS phones, the 5000's minibrowser is functional and organized. It provides quick access to all yourfavorite sites as well as news, weather, stock, and entertainment updates. Again, the phone's superb navigational controlsmade surfing the wireless Internet a joy, and we can't say that about all Web-enabled phones.

As you would expect, the 5000 supports carrier-dependent features such as call forwarding, three-way calling, and call forwarding. And, with its 500-name phone book (9 numbers per entry) and 300 URL/e-mail address capacity, the 5000 proves its value as a thorough electronic organizer. The phone book also has labels for your different contacts. Organizing short text messages was just as easy: we assigned a folder for each contact and stowed messages in their respective folders.

The 5000 also offers advanced security features. You can lock both the phone to prevent outgoing calls (except toemergency numbers), and the keypad (to prevent accidental calls). You can also lock the side keys, set different callrestrictions, erase your call logs, or store numbers in a secret location. Furthermore, if your phone is lost or stolen,a special feature lets you erase personal information and lock the phone by sending a SMS message from your PC, PDA, orother device.

One thing we were surprised by was the 5000's overall battery life. The phone's lithium-ion battery is rated for a maximum of two hours' digital talk time and 120 hours' digital standby time. This isn't bad for most phones, but given the 5000's pricetag, we anticipated stellar battery life. In any case, our sample phone held a call for a little over two hours, and itlasted for five days in standby mode.

Several months ago, we read about the 5000 and began jockeying for a sample. While its cost made us question its overallvalue, we were amped for the new technology. After reviewing it, we highly recommend it for techno-junkies and business professionals alike. --Thom Arno

Pros:

• Color LCD
• Photo caller-ID
• Voice-activated dialing
• Download capabilities
• Complete electronic organizer functions

Cons:

• High price
• Average battery life

... Read more

Features

• Web enabled
• Unparalleled features, including 2-inch color LCD and downloadable images
• Electronic organizer holds 500 phone numbers, 300 e-mail addresses
• Up to 2 hours' digital talk time and 120 hours' digital standby time
• Includes lithium-ion battery, travel charger, data cable, software, and holster

Amazon.com

If you've been holding your breath for a phone that plays your favorite MP3 tunes and lets you browse the Internet while waiting for that important call, exhale. The Samsung Uproar MP3 phone has arrived.

Outfitted with a minibrowser, PIM functions, voice-activated dialing, and MP3 playback capabilities, the Uproar rolls personal features and top business communication tools into one of the coolest phones to date. The Uproar's dual-band, dual-mode CDMA electronics provides analog roaming capability and ensures a good connection just about anywhere Sprint PCS digital service is available.

At 4.1 by 1.7 by 0.9 inches and weighing 4.0 ounces, the Uproar is lightweight and highly portable. Despite its MP3 abilities and other advanced electronics, its physical design is not particularly radical. The silver flip casing--which resembles a classic transistor radio--can take a wallop, as we discovered when we dropped the phone while trying to let friends hear a downloaded song.

The bright, five-line screen (four lines of text and one line for status indicators) takes the strain out of reading e-mail and entering phone-book information. The keypad was a bit too tightly spaced for our taste, however. With its teeny buttons, especially the Menu, OK, and CLR keys, we frequently misdialed. And though we have to give Samsung credit for its icon-driven menu selections and full range of call management features, menu navigation in general could use an overhaul. Toggling back and forth between options proved to be a challenge, as the side-mounted directional keys are positioned a bit too close to the voice memo button. We often became confused about which was which, especially when not paying full attention to the phone.

Physical details aside, the Uproar gets points for integrating nearly any feature you can list. The Web browser accesses popular sites as well as the latest news, financial, sports, weather, and entertainment updates. (We also got a book into our Amazon.com shopping cart in a matter of minutes, without frustration or confusion.) You can train the phone to recognize 20 voice-activated numbers, and the voice memo recorder stores up to five minutes of messages and reminders. We found the Uproar had an easier time learning and distinguishing names than its competition; setting up voice tags was child's play, and we rarely had to repeat a name in order for the phone to recognize it.

With its event calendar, to-do list, calculator, and series of different alarms, the Uproar can double as a PDA. Other baseline features include a T9 predictive keypad, scratchpad memory, 100 SMS storage capacity, nine distinctive ringer options, four customizable ringer melodies, built-in vibrating ringer alert, 99 speed-dial locations (with 9 one-touch slots), a slew of call timers, and separate 10-number incoming, outgoing, and missed-call logs. It's worth noting that the phone book can hold 229 contacts, and each entry can store up to six different numbers. The Uproar also supports carrier-dependent features such as caller ID, call forwarding, three-way calling, and call forwarding.

Naturally, we tested its music features extensively, and found the whole process to be straightforward and fun. After loading the supplied Real Jukebox 2 and Uproar Installer software onto our computer, we hooked up a portable CD player and MP3-encoded some tracks on the hard drive using Real Jukebox 2. Then, using the included Universal Serial Bus (USB) cable, we connected the Uproar to the computer and began transferring those songs to the phone's memory. If you are a Napster fan or like to cruise other popular MP3 sites, rest assured: You can load any Internet MP3 file into the Uproar. It's worth nothing that you need a USB-capable PC. You cannot download MP3 files from the Internet directly into your phone, however.

The Uproar's 64 megabytes (MB) of flash memory will hold about one hour of music at the highest-quality compression level. One caveat worth mentioning: Listening to MP3s guzzles battery power; we suggest getting a backup battery to keep the music going.

The Uproar also offers advanced security features. You can lock both the phone itself to prevent outgoing calls except to emergency numbers, or merely lock the keypad to prevent accidental calls if the phone is in your backpack. You can create call restrictions, erase your call logs, and store numbers in a secret location.

As you would expect, the Uproar synchs with a PC or PDA via a data cable. Aside from downloading MP3 files, you can import your computer's address book to the phone, or transfer your faxes and text messages from the phone to your computer.

The lithium-ion battery is rated for 130 minutes of talk time and 120 hours of standby time. In our testing, we were pleasantly surprised when the Uproar held a call for 160 minutes, while it lasted for just under five days (116 hours) in standby mode.

Overall, the Uproar offers an unparalleled personal experience. On the down side, both keypad design and menu navigation would benefit from a makeover, and the phone itself could have a hotter look. Then again, while waiting at the airport for a flight, we listened to Low and Lazy Dog while checking our e-mail. How many phones can do that? --Thom Arno, edited by Tom Mace

Pros:

• World's first MP3 phone, 64-megabyte playback memory
• Web enabled
• Voice-activated dialing and voice memo recorder
• Full set of PIM functions
• Impressive battery life

Cons:

• Awkward menu navigation
• Tight keypad spacing

How We Tested Battery Talk/Standby Time

When reading our reviews, you should view the test results of mobile-phone battery talk time and standby time as relative information only. Many variables, including carrier signal strength at your location, signal consistency (including incoming and outgoing calls), display and ringer settings, and battery charging methods and history, will affect performance. When handset manufacturers and mobile phone carriers list talk-time and standby-time ratings, they usually include disclaimers about variable performance and often refer to the times they publish as maximum times. Some quote expected battery life ranges, and in this case you're probably safe to assume you'll experience at least the minimum rated range. Note that manufacturers of dual-mode digital and analog handsets publish battery-life rates for both digital and analog modes, because analog mode consumes much more power than digital mode.

Our Tests: We tested digital mode talk and standby times with each phone. Prior to each test, we fully charged the phone's battery according to the manufacturer's directions. To test digital phone talk time, we turned the phone on, established a digital carrier signal, dialed a number in our test lab, and, when the call rang through, took the receiving phone's handset off the hook. When all went well, we didn't do anything else except record the time when the phone died. In a couple of cases, the phones lost the signal and dropped the calls. If we were right there and could redial, we did so immediately and continued running the test. Otherwise, we halted the test, recharged the battery, and started the test over. Assuming consistent carrier signal strength, this test should represent best-case talk time. And it's worth noting that several phones' talk-time performance significantly exceeded the manufacturers' ratings.

To test digital phone standby time, we turned the phone on, established a carrier signal, and left the phone in standby mode. We checked the phone every few hours (for what was often days on end) until the phone finally cut out. Because no outgoing or incoming calls occurred during testing and because the phone was not moved, this method should represent best-case standby time, again assuming consistent carrier signal strength. ... Read more

Features

• MP3 playback enabled, up to an hour of nearly CD-quality music
• Web enabled
• Voice-activated dialing and voice memo recorder
• Up to 130 minutes digital talk time and 120 hours digital standby time
• Weighs 4.0 ounces with battery; includes Lithium-ion battery, desktop charger, handstrap, and MP3 headset

Amazon.com

If you liked the Samsung A400, you’ll love the A460. With the A460, Samsung has kept all the great attributes of the A400 while adding a few polishes that make the A460 one of the sleekest phones on the market. Like it’s predecessor, it’s packed with easy-to-use features, such as voice-activated calling and one-touch Web access. It also retains the elegant two-tone silver finish. But it’s both lighter and more compact and includes an outside LCD screen, which allows you to see the time, date, and battery life without opening the phone.

About the size of a deck of cards, the phone weighs 3.4 ounces and measures 3.4 inches by 1.81 inches by 0.83 inches. Despite its size, the phone has a solid construction and opens and closes easily without feeling flimsy. The extendable antenna seems a bit fragile and thin, but with a bit of care most callers should have no problems with it. Also handy are the volume and ringer controls on the side of the phone, which let us adjust the phone volume instantly while waiting in line at a coffee shop.

When we opened the phone and switched it on, we were pleased to see that it powered up and was ready to use in about 10 seconds--an impressive feat given the graphic-rich content of the start screen. The keypad is practically flawless, leaving enough space between keys for error-free dialing for those with bigger fingers. The directional key, situated top and center, is a bonus, letting us browse through the phone’s many menus and options without a hitch, which was especially handy while using the wireless Web. The eight-line screen is nicely proportioned and easy to read, both in text size and image clarity, and the four-color gray lends depth to the screen images, giving them a polished look. The soft electric-blue backlighting made dialing a taxi a breeze in a dimly lit lounge. Changing the phone’s ring tones was simple too--the hard part was choosing one of the 23 tones offered. Eventually we settled on a rather psychedelic version of Ludwig Van Beethoven’s Fuer Elise. Ringer volume is also easily adjustable, with eight levels of sound and a vibrate mode that ensures you won’t miss a call. The phone is also equipped to work with downloadable ring tones, available from Sprint for a minimal fee.

One of the best features the SPH-A460 offers is its one-touch wireless Web access. The OpenWave Mobile Browser connected quickly and information from the phone’s preprogrammed news, weather, and entertainment sites loaded smoothly and were easily navigated. Built-in GPS technology lets the phone access location-based and 911 emergency location services (where available)--handy for accessing driving directions or pinpointing where you are when lost. Best of all, the phone is enabled for voice dialing, and we were able to program and call numbers within minutes of picking up the phone. Voice-activated dialing worked well whether we whispered or yelled into the phone, but understandably, it did seem to have a slight problem with our commands as a garbage truck rolled past. Calls were clear and a bit on the loud side, even with the volume turned to the lowest level, but we’ll take too loud over too quiet any day.

Besides the excellent calling features, the e-mail, voice-memo recorder, fax, address book, calendar, and two-way text messaging make the phone an ideal tool for business trips, keeping you connected in more ways than with just a phone call. Or, if you find yourself stuck in an airport or on the train, you can pass time trying to master one of the three rather enigmatic games: Push Push, Fly Ribbon, and Spider Hunter.

We were quite happy to see the battery life exceed Samsung’s guidelines in our testing. The phone held a call for more than 3 hours, and remaining on for 180 hours in standby mode, as compared with its manufacturer rating of 2.4 hours digital talk time and 170 hours of digital standby time.

Once again, we’re thrilled with this solid new addition to the Samsung legacy, and can only look forward to what they’ll come up with next.

--Steve O’Neil

Pros:

• GPS technology for access to location-based services
• One-touch Web access
• Graphic-rich 8-line screen
• Voice-command capability
• Sturdy flip design

Cons:

• Call volume a bit loud
• Games simple, somewhat confusing

How We Tested Battery Talk/StandbyTime

When reading our reviews, you should view the test results of mobile-phone battery talk time and standby time as relative information only. Many variables,including carrier signal strength at your location, signal consistency (including incoming and outgoing calls), display and ringer settings, and battery charging methods and history, will affect performance. When handset manufacturers and mobile phone carriers list talk-time and standby-time ratings, they usually include disclaimers about variable performance and often refer to the times they publish as maximum times. Some quote expected battery life ranges, and in this case you're probably safe to assume you'll experience at least the minimum rated range. Note that manufacturers of dual-mode digital and analog handsets publish battery-life rates for both digital and analog modes, as analog mode consumes much more power than digital mode.

Our Tests: We tested digital-mode talk and standby times with each phone. Prior to each test, we fully charged the phone's battery according to the manufacturer's directions. To test digital-phone talk time, we turned the phone on, established a digital carrier signal, dialed a number in our test lab, and,when the call rang through, took the receiving phone's handset off the hook. When all went well, we didn't do anything else except record the time when the phone died. In a couple of cases, the phones lost the signal and dropped the calls. If we were right there and could redial, we did so immediately and continued running the test. Otherwise, we halted the test, recharged the battery, and started the test over. Assuming consistent carrier-signal strength, this test should represent best-case talk time. And it's worth noting that several phones' talk-time performance significantly exceeded the manufacturers' ratings.

To test digital-phone standby time, we turned the phone on, established a carrier signal, and left the phone in standby mode. We checked the phone everyfew hours (for what was often days on end) until the phone finally cut out. Since no outgoing or incoming calls occurred during testing and because thephone was not moved, this method should represent best-case standby time, again assuming consistent carrier signal strength.

... Read more

Features

• External display shows incoming call phone numbers
• Compact design with slim profile
• Large screen displays up to 8 lines of text, 4 shades of grayscale
• Supports downloadable ringers, images, and wallpapers
• Full width keypad supports larger buttons, allows easy operation

Reviews (11)

Loved it until it died.: (
Loved, loved, loved this phone - cute, lightweight, easy to navigate, well-lit display, good reception, good audio, good battery life - until the external display and then the internal display died.From what I've heard, this is a VERY common problem with this phone.So buyer beware.However, if you can get it with an extended warranty, I'd say buy it.It's that good, when it works.

Screen problem
Although 2 or 3 years old, this is a very nice phone, and with phones today having cameras and walkie talkies and whatnot, this phone is actually smaller than most of the phones on the market today.

The problem is that the screen does go dead. Just like the other reviewers, I lost my screen after two years, and I have to turn the phone all the way off and all the way on again to get it back.

But that's not the worst part. The worst part is that you then have to deal with Sprint customer service. I called their independent insurance provider, who told me they couldn't replace the phone unless I went to a store to have it repaired first. After waiting two hours I finally got them to put in a new screen. Three days later, the screen died again. I fully expect to get the runaround again from the insurer.

Ugh.

pleased, but time to upgrade though
I know I might be a bit late with this review.however this phone has served me well over the past 2 years.I see that other have had screen problems but mine never had an issue.there were a few times however that the phone did erase my entire phonebook and that is why I gave it 3 stars. the reception was always good, the sound was nice, the clarity of calls was always excellent.I have no complaints about this phone other than the phone book being erased, and that is a big deal.

The ony thing I really hated about this phone was having to be tied into sprint PCS.Because that is part of the phone I will just quickly put out my experiences with sprint.Horrible customer service, several times my phone was shut off by accident.I was told that a customer in my area had a phone number just 1 number different from mine that kept forgetting to pay their bill and that was the reason.No compensation for the time I lost however.Also if you sign up for their optional services be prepared to have them for the duration of your contract.I have tried over 20 times to cancel a minutes reminder I signed up for, as a free trial for 3 months, that now I have been charged $1.50 a month for 2 years because they won't cancel it.I have talked to customer service reps, managers, even tried to cancel online through the sprint website, with no success.Sprint modifies it's plans without warning or notification to you.I also found it hard to obtain new ringers or wallpaper for the phone.It's not neccessary but it is promised by sprint to be easy.the only good thing about the service was the clarity of calls and the reception was decent in my area.However this doesn't outweigh the negatives and I'm switching to T-mobile, who also has good clarity and reception here,my wife has been using them for 4 years now with no problems.My contract is up at the end of this month and so is my time with sprint.

I am however buying another samsung phone.

Wonderful Phone - screen goes dead after a year
Like the other reviews on here, I too love this phone.

It's small (small enough to fit into your pocket), has a loud ringer and the call volume is amazing. I'm never saying "What? What did you say?"

I received this phone for free for a replaecment of my previous cell phone from Sprint. I was pleased.

About a year and a half after receiving the phone, the display went blank. This included the display on the outer side of the phone.

I took it back to my local Sprint store to find out that it was a defect in the phone and could be repaired for free.

The panel was replaced and worked again for another two months before it went blank yet again.

Sprint was good on replacing the phone and I received a new one.

I have no complaints on the phone itself, only that the screen is defective.

Standout in the second generation phones
This phone is now sitting in the closet of my home.It worked for a little more than two years before it had display problems.I had to turn it off and on again in order to retrieve my phone book entries.During its prime, the phone worked well for me.I will miss it! ... Read more

Amazon.com Review

Impressive in terms of sheer design, this little flip phone approaches perfection. A combination of equal parts efficiency and flash, the Samsung S105offers a comprehensive package of standard features and fun, useful extras. When closed, the phone appears alluringly hi-tech with its silver finish, rectangular body, and external LCD display, which shows date, time, battery level, service icon, and caller ID. And, even though the phone only weighs four ounces, it still feels substantial. When flipped open, the S105 doesn't disappoint. Its brilliant full-color LCD with its animated menus, uniquely shaped buttons, and blue backlit keypad numerals dazzles the eye. The folks at Samsung certainly know the power of symmetry, form, and color.

But what good is a cool-looking phone without practical features? The S105 is loaded with them. Extensive call records allow you to view missed incoming and outgoing calls, and the length of total and individual calls. The organizer contains a to-do list, calculator, alarm, currency exchange estimator, and calendar, in which you can write yourself memos for any given day. You can also read and write messages in text format (with SMS support from T-Mobile). The S105 also provides nine precomposed, time-saving templates for simple messages you can send in lieu of typing them yourself. Late for a date? Simply scroll and choose, "I am late and will be there in ___ minutes" and hit Send. These templates can of course be edited and saved. You can also attach sound or graphic objects to messages.

The phone book in the S105 allows for 500 entries in phone memory, and another 250 in the SIM card. Contacts can be organized in up to 10 groups, with each group having its own ring tone and graphic display. You can store up to nine speed-dial numbers.

When it comes to the ring tone, you’ve got many choices. In fact, customizing these settings might bring up unusual quandaries, such as deciding whether or not the phone should play "Carmen" or "Valse des Fleurs" when you get a call. If you’re feeling retro, you can just set the phone to ring like an old-fashioned rotary dial. There are 20 of these polyphonic ringer options to choose from. You can also set your alert to vibration, vibration plus melody, or display light only. Speaking of light, users can even change the color of the service indicator light (eight options), alter the contrast of both LCD displays, choose from 12 full-color animated wallpaper displays, and select menu colorthemes.

Changing the appearance and sounds of phones is great, but whatabout mission-critical features?In our tests we found the voice quality to be excellent. A long-distance call from a busy downtown Seattle street corner was successful. The answering party did not hear a huge truck rumble by, thanks to the phone's microphone noise-cancellation properties. The phone’s network services menu allows broad control over call waiting, call forwarding, and caller ID, as well as network selection (automatic or manual), and band selection (GSM 900/1,800 orGSM 1,900) for travel in foreign countries. Users can manipulate and storesettings such as the SMS service center used for sending messages, and thechannels on which broadcast messages are received. Depending on your serviceplan, the WAP-enabled browser allows access to mobile-friendly Internetsites. You can store URL favorites and set a home page, as well as downloadJava-enabled games and additional sounds for your phone. An infrared portlets you beam data to other IR-equipped units.

All of the many features of the S105 are easily accessed via the phone’s simple navigation interface. An oval-shaped four-position button is used for scrolling, and soft keys to the left and right allow for selection or cancellation/return to a previous menu.There is also a volume button on the side and a headphone jack for thehands-free ear microphone (included). For those times when you’re stuck at the airport, there are three full-color games loaded on the S105. Of these, we like My Pet (you have to see it).

Many of us want, even crave, the most futuristic devices, even ones that will provoke the curiosity and admiration of friends. To this end, the Samsung S105 should be the perfect choice. It’s a spectacular instrument that does the basic work of a cell phone--and much more--in grand fashion. The S105 has it all and never disappoints. --John Bosch

Pros:

• - Overall design
• - Large, color LCD screen
• - Variety and functionality of features
• - Animated graphics

Cons:

• - No light on external LCD

... Read more

Features

• 65,000 color, 128 x 160 pixels display
• External caller ID
• Polyphonic ringtones
• High-speed, GPRS web-browsing
• Standard battery, additional extended battery, headset and AC charger included

Reviews (1)

3 stars for 12 months of performance
************Samsung in general: the speaker quit working on the first Samsung I owned (with Sprint)after about 1.5 yrs.(Sprint refused to sell me another phone at a good price without resigning a contract, so I switched to T-Mobile.)The LCD quit working on the second Samsung (my S105 through t-mobile). I dropped the 3rd one into my swimming pool on accident (e315), so it was too soon to know if it was going to be a good phone!**************The Samsung S105 was a pretty good phone overall.I switched from Sprint to T-Mobile when I purchased this phone, and the call quality was much improved - so I don't know if it was the phone or the service provider.The battery was great,the interface was easy to use.The phone felt solid, but was still dainty.Sometimes when I would try to access the phonebook it would stall out, but not very often.After about a year of solid performance, the LCD displays on both the inside and outside went blank. (To be fair, I should add that I live in FL and often had the phone clipped to my waist when working outside - so it could have been the heat.) If this phone has lasted 2 yrs I would have given it a 4 star rating.Maybe a year is more realistic?(Astonishingly enough, the LCD on the e315 phone still works after a dip in the pool, but it won't stop vibrating when I put the battery in and the keys won't work.)My advice - think about buying the insurance or paying less for a phone! ... Read more

Amazon.com

The Motorola V120 Tarpon exemplifies the new direction Motorola has taken with regard to design. Motorola has completelyreinvented their keypad layout and menu navigation. Plus, they've packed the phone with useful and fun features like an FMradio, voice recorder, and a changeable faceplate. We enjoyed its function and form while testing, and predict it willbecome quite popular.

The V120 has a contoured, candybar design that fit nicely in our hand. It measures 5.0 by 1.7 by 1.1 inches and weighs 4.5ounces with its lithium-ion battery. Its short, retractable antenna functioned well but seemed incredibly delicate. In ouropinion, snub antennas are more durable. The five-line display has a zoom function, but we felt more contrast would havebeen helpful.

In the past, Motorola phone-menu navigation hasn't really been ergonomically sound or forward-looking. The V120 changesthat with its intuitive menu system, and Motorola should be applauded for incorporating soft keys and a centralnavigational button. Also, the voice-memo/voice-activation button is placed on the right side of the phone; it'swithin easy reach, and the V120 holds up to two minutes of voice-memos. Sending text messages and using the wirelessInternet was a breeze; in fact, surfing the Web with the V120 was easier than with an older Motorola, thanks again to thenew keypad and menu layout. The WAP-enabled browser performed well, although with only three lines of text to display,continuous scrolling is necessary. The V120 is equipped with i-Tap predictive text software for faster, simplified textentry; furthermore, if you purchase a software kit, you can easily synchronize the V120 with any compatiblePDA, desktop device, or Web-based service.

Listening to the built-in FM radio through your phone is a cool feature. Our reception was adequate, and the battery lifedidn't seem to suffer much. Battery life depends on how long and how loud you jam your favorite tunes. The only downfallof this feature is that you need to purchase the $80 headset to use it.

The Motorola V120 supports carrier-dependent features such as text messaging, caller ID, speed dialing, call waiting,data/fax service, and voice mail. The V120's phone book stores up to 400 numbers (seven-numbers per contact), and it has32 ringer types (including vibration mode)--the "uh-oh" ringer was our favorite. You can also compose your own tune ordownload ringtones from Sprint PCS's web site. Furthermore, the V120 has a number of call timers and environment settings,tons of personalization options, standard security features (keypad locking, phone lock, and restricted dialing), and calllogs that maintain lists of 10 outgoing, incoming, and missed calls.

We conditioned the battery before testing its talk and standby times. The phone's lithium-ion battery is rated for up tofour hours of digital talk time and 10 days of digital standby time. Our tests produced similar results, but keep in mindfactors such as strength of coverage, talk time, and FM radio usage will change your standby time. We recommend recharging only when power has been entirely depleted.

In the end, the Motorola V120shines as a moderately-priced, feature-packed phone. If you were happy with previous Motorolaphones, this is certainly one of their best yet, despite its few faults.

--John Schommer

Pros:

• Competitively priced
• Revamped menu and keypad layout
• Voice-activated features

Cons:

• Must purchase additional headset to use FM radio
• Display lacks contrast

How We Tested Battery Talk/Standby Time

When reading our reviews, you should view the test results of mobile-phonebattery talk time and standby time as relative information only. Many variables,including carrier signal strength at your location, signal consistency(including incoming and outgoing calls), display and ringer settings, andbattery charging methods and history, will affect performance. When handsetmanufacturers and mobile phone carriers list talk-time and standby-time ratings,they usually include disclaimers about variable performance and often refer tothe times they publish as maximum times. Some quote expected battery liferanges, and in this case you're probably safe to assume you'll experience atleast the minimum rated range. Note that manufacturers of dual-mode digital andanalog handsets publish battery-life rates for both digital and analog modes, asanalog mode consumes much more power than digital mode.

Our Tests: We tested digital-mode talk and standby times with each phone.Prior to each test, we fully charged the phone's battery according to themanufacturer's directions. To test digital-phone talk time, we turned the phoneon, established a digital carrier signal, dialed a number in our test lab, and,when the call rang through, took the receiving phone's handset off the hook.When all went well, we didn't do anything else except record the time when thephone died. In a couple of cases, the phones lost the signal and dropped thecalls. If we were right there and could redial, we did so immediately andcontinued running the test. Otherwise, we halted the test, recharged thebattery, and started the test over. Assuming consistent carrier-signal strength,this test should represent best-case talk time. And it's worth noting thatseveral phones' talk-time performance significantly exceeded the manufacturers'ratings.

To test digital-phone standby time, we turned the phone on, established acarrier signal, and left the phone in standby mode. We checked the phone everyfew hours (for what was often days on end) until the phone finally cut out.Since no outgoing or incoming calls occurred during testing and because thephone was not moved, this method should represent best-case standby time, againassuming consistent carrier signal strength.

... Read more

Features

• Revamped design and navigation
• Web enabled
• Voice-activated features
• Built-in FM radio
• Up to 4 hours' digital talk time

Amazon.com

The Audiovox CDM-9100 from Sprint PCS has great features at an attractive price. It's currently the only handsetfrom Audiovox that Sprint is offering, although that may change soon. The 9100 has many upper-end features thatsimilarly priced handsets don't offer, and in an attractive package to boot.

The CDM-9100 is a midsize phone, basically rectangular in shape, slightly larger at the screen end. It's 5 inches long, by2 inches wide, and under 1 inch thick. The plastic case has a smooth feel with a blue finish. The retractable antennaextends fairly far, doubling the length of the phone. Users should be careful when it's extended, as it is easy to snag onobjects. The phone works on Sprint PCS' CDMA network, and is a dual-band design, so it will work on the older analognetworks in some less-traveled areas. The phone's charger is a travel type, with folding prongs on a square plug. The 9100also sports a universal headset jack.

A nice advantage of not being an ultratiny phone is that the size allows bigger buttons. The keypad is easy to useone-handed, and each key has a solid click when pressed. The four-way navigation key is easy to use and sped us through the simple menu system. Selecting options and personalizing the phone took very little time, as we set keypad and ringervolumes, and chose from the 15 ringer tones. The phone also has the very handy silent vibrate mode.

The 9100 has a full complement of call-management features, including adjustable timers, ingoing and outgoing call logs,missed-call indicator, caller ID, and voicemail indicator. The phonebook has 100 locations, which is ample for most users.Like all Sprint PCS phones, it supports a mini-Internet browser, which had a quick data throughput after the initial setup. It also supports SMS messaging, for short text messages to other phone users. There's also a predictive text programonboard, which speeds message composition. The screen occupies the upper third of the phone, with a big four-line display andbright backlighting. The backlight stays lit for an adjustable duration, which is handy for some users, especially thosewho utilize the Internet functions.

This phone also has a built-in speakerphone, handy for sharing a call in a group. The speaker is on the upper backside ofthe phone, which enhances the sound quality when heard from the front. When the speaker is activated, however, themicrophone is muted. If you want to talk to the person on the other end, you need to turn off the speakerphone featurefirst. The 9100 also supports Sprint's voice-activated dialing feature, great for making calls while on the go. Theearpiece had very good output, allowing for use in loud environments.

The phone also features several layers of security, with incoming and outgoing call restriction, optional PIN-requiredaccess, and phonebook protection. It can also be used as a modem/fax when connected to a PC with an optional data-cableaccessory kit.

The lithium-ion battery has a very respectable capacity, allowing for manufacturer ratings of 170 hours of digital standby time and 170 minutes of digital talk time. Our sample met both of these ratings, with a little extra on the standby time.The lithium-ion battery is very convenient, allowing charging at any level of battery discharge with no impact to itsperformance.

Overall, the Audiovox CDM-9100 performs well, with a couple extra bells and whistles at a nice price. This combination alongwith its middle-of-the-road size makes it an attractive phone for many users.

--Chris Burch

Pros:

• Large, readable screen
• Simple, straightforward features
• Built-in speakerphone

Cons:

• Super-long antenna

How We Tested Battery Talk/Standby Time

When reading our reviews, you should view the test results of mobile-phonebattery talk time and standby time as relative information only. Many variables,including carrier signal strength at your location, signal consistency(including incoming and outgoing calls), display and ringer settings, andbattery charging methods and history, will affect performance. When handsetmanufacturers and mobile phone carriers list talk-time and standby-time ratings,they usually include disclaimers about variable performance and often refer tothe times they publish as maximum times. Some quote expected battery liferanges, and in this case you're probably safe to assume you'll experience atleast the minimum rated range. Note that manufacturers of dual-mode digital andanalog handsets publish battery-life rates for both digital and analog modes, asanalog mode consumes much more power than digital mode.

Our Tests: We tested digital-mode talk and standby times with each phone.Prior to each test, we fully charged the phone's battery according to themanufacturer's directions. To test digital-phone talk time, we turned the phoneon, established a digital carrier signal, dialed a number in our test lab, and,when the call rang through, took the receiving phone's handset off the hook.When all went well, we didn't do anything else except record the time when thephone died. In a couple of cases, the phones lost the signal and dropped thecalls. If we were right there and could redial, we did so immediately andcontinued running the test. Otherwise, we halted the test, recharged thebattery, and started the test over. Assuming consistent carrier-signal strength,this test should represent best-case talk time. And it's worth noting thatseveral phones' talk-time performance significantly exceeded the manufacturers'ratings.

To test digital-phone standby time, we turned the phone on, established acarrier signal, and left the phone in standby mode. We checked the phone everyfew hours (for what was often days on end) until the phone finally cut out.Since no outgoing or incoming calls occurred during testing and because thephone was not moved, this method should represent best-case standby time, againassuming consistent carrier signal strength.

... Read more

Features

• Built-in speakerphone
• Web enabled
• Supports voice-activated dialing
• Up to 170 minutes' digital talk time; 170 hours' digital standby time
• Includes lithium-ion battery and travel charger

Amazon.com

The hugely popular Nokia 5160 is a lightweight personal phonewith impressive talk and standby time that's loaded with a number ofsimple-to-learn features. With its changeable faceplates, 30 differentringer tones, and ever-increasing world of accessories, the 5160 isdesigned for fun, general-purpose use. And while it lacks standardbusiness communications tools--Web, fax, and e-mail capabilities--the5160's dual-band/tri-mode operation ensures you'll be able to receivecellular service anywhere it's available.

Weighing in at 5.2 ounces(including battery), the 5160 measures 5.2 inches high, 1.4 incheswide, and 0.7 inches deep, not counting a stubby antenna that extendsanother 0.7 inches. As a moderate-weight, midsize phone, the 5160 ishighly portable. It's also extremely rugged in typical mobile phoneenvironments--including being thrown into bags and cases andoccasionally dropped on the ground.

Four buttons handle most of themenu navigation: a hefty button in the middle that Nokia calls the Navikey, up and down arrow buttons that control volume during calls, and akey marked "C" for "clear." Menu navigation is very intuitive. If youtap the Navi key, the first of a series of graphical menu items popsup. Hit the Navi key again to drill down to options within the menu ortap the up or down arrow keys to choose a different menu. The top-levelmenu choices are phone book, calllog, settings (for calls, phone, and security), call forwarding, games(Memory, Snake, and Logic), clock, tones, and keypad lock. The brightlybacklit display works well with the control keys to simplify findingand making choices. In text mode, five 16-character lines aredisplayed.

If you like distinctive ringing tones, you'll be satiatedwith the 5160, which lets you select from 30 preprogrammed tones toamuse or annoy yourself and others. Set your phone to play reveille onincoming calls and see who salutes, or choose "The Mexican Hat Dance"to get your feet moving. While there's no internal vibration mode, anoptional vibrating battery is available--a pleasant break from the 30ring tones, perhaps. The 100-name phone book is relatively small,compared to other phones. Then again, the phone is truly designed forpersonal use, so it doesn't necessarily need to have an advancedphone's capacious phone book. Seven numbers can be assigned one-touchdialing locations--to dial one, you simply press and hold thecorresponding key (2 through 8).

The Nokia 5160 has the usual--but still impressive--array of standard call and messaging features. You can use this phone with call waiting and call forwarding. A call history maintains the last 10 dialed numbers, 10 most recently received calls, and 10 missed calls. The phone is not WAP- or Internet-enabled, however.

There are four types of basicsecurity with the Nokia 5160: different call restriction modes, phonelock, and access code storage. There is no standard method ofconnecting the 5160 to a PC or other device. While this phone doesn'thave a standard headset jack, options abound for hands-free use, aswell as a universe of compatible accessories, from car connection kitsto the aforementioned faceplates.

The 5160's NiMH battery is ratedto last for an impressive maximum 195 minutes of digital talk time and200 hours of digital standby time. In our testing, we achieved 180minutes of digital talk time and over 225 hours of digital standbytime. And it only took two hours for the phone to recharge.

Pleasantand even fun to use, the Nokia 5160 makes menu navigation a breeze.Choose your favorite faceplate color and ringer tone and shock theworld! --Testing and evaluation by Brown Consulting Associates;edited by Thom Arno

Pros:

• Portable; intuitive to use
• 5-line screen
• Hundreds of changeable faceplates available
• Huge range of Nokia and third-party accessories

Cons:

• Lacks standard vibration mode
• Not Web-enabled

How We Tested Battery-Talk/Standby Time

When reading our reviews, you should view the test results of mobile-phone battery talk time and standby time as relative information only. Many variables, including carrier signal strength at your location, signal consistency (including incoming and outgoing calls), display and ringer settings, and battery charging methods and history, will affect performance. When handset manufacturers and mobile phone carriers list talk-time and standby-time ratings, they usually include disclaimers about variable performance and often refer to the times they publish as maximum times. Some quote expected battery life ranges, and in this case you're probably safe to assume you'll experience at least the minimum rated range. Note that manufacturers of dual-mode digital and analog handsets publish battery-life rates for both digital and analog modes, as analog mode consumes much more power than digital mode.

Our Tests: We tested digital-mode talk and standby times with each phone. Prior to each test, we fully charged the phone's battery according to the manufacturer's directions. To test digital-phone talk time, we turned the phone on, established a digital carrier signal, dialed a number in our test lab, and, when the call rang through, took the receiving phone's handset off the hook. When all went well, we didn't do anything else except record the time when the phone died. In a couple of cases, the phones lost the signal and dropped the calls. If we were right there and could redial, we did so immediately and continued running the test. Otherwise, we halted the test, recharged the battery, and started the test over. Assuming consistent carrier-signal strength, this test should represent best-case talk time. And it's worth noting that several phones' talk-time performance significantly exceeded the manufacturers' ratings.

To test digital-phone standby time, we turned the phone on, established a carrier signal, and left the phone in standby mode. We checked the phone every few hours (for what was often days on end) until the phone finally cut out. Since no outgoing or incoming calls occurred during testing and because the phone was not moved, this method should represent best-case standby time, again assuming consistent carrier signal strength. ... Read more

Features

• Simple-to-use navigation buttons and graphical screens
• Large 5-line screen
• Changeable faceplates allow personalization
• Large range of accessories for home, office, and auto
• Up to 195 minutes of talk time and 200 hours of digital standby time with standard battery

Amazon.com Product Description

Compatible with Sprint cell phone service the Audiovox CDM9155 features an Internet browser, text messaging, speakerphone, changeable faceplates so you can customize your phone's exterior appearance, and more, all displayed on a 7-line grayscale screen. It runs on CDMA service.

For calling, the phone provides vibrate mode, voice dialing, speakerphone capability, and a 100-entry phone book. You'll also get text messaging with T9 predictive text assistance. When you get on the mobile Internet, you can take advantage of data download, plus search for news, stock quotes, the weather and more. For hearing-impaired customers, this phone offers TTY/TDD (Telecommunication Device for the Deaf) compatibility with adapter (sold separately). There's also a handy GPS locator so help can find you when you get lost. The CDM9155 comes with a battery rated at 2.8 hours talk time and 150 hours standby time. It weighs 3.8 oz. and measures 5.0 x 1.8 x 0.8 inches.

What's in the Box
CDM9155 phone, battery, AC charger, charger cord, user documentation ... Read more

Features

• Includes two-way speakerphone, GPS tracking
• Features high-speed data transfer
• Uses Openwave 4.1 internet browsing software
• Talk time up to 2.8 hours, standby up to 150 hours
• Includes battery, AC charger, charger cord , user documentation

Reviews (1)

Great Cheap Phone
I bought this phone NEW for $20 from Sprint, over a year ago.I have dropped my phone at least 8 times and it keeps on ticking.I even tore the antenna out of the phone and it still works/receives calls with, even with one bar, lol.The battery life is amazing, days on end of stand-by time and usually around 3-4 hours of talk time.This is the cheapest, most simplistic phone I have ever had, but it's one of the best.Easy to use, it just needs text messaging and it would be awesome. ... Read more

Amazon.com Review

Handspring has always helped push the boundaries of PDAs that run the Palm operating system. They were the first to offer USB connectivity to the PC and created the Springboard expansion slot for adding modules such as a digital camera or a GPS receiver. The Treo 270, like the Treo 180, is a communications device coupled with a powerful computing platform. Unlike its predecessor, it includes a dazzling full-color screen.

The Treo features all of the basic organization applications from the Handspring arsenal, as well as a few twists--including a Web browser and e-mail application. To access the Web browser, you’ll need an Internet Service Provider in addition to a VoiceStream service plan. We found the ISP setup to be extremely simple, but it is an extra step that you have to take.

Where the Treo 270 diverges from other Palm OS devices is in its method of input. Instead of using Graffiti, the shorthand alphabet that you write on the screen, and which then gets translated into letters, the Treo 270 offers a thumb keyboard akin to the RIM Blackberry. A handy scroll wheel on the upper-left-hand side of the unit offers a quick, easy way to zip through menu options or contact lists.

If you're a tried-and-true fan of Graffiti, the small keyboard buttons might be a slight hurdle. But with practice, you'll be able to jump and leap with ease. One of the distinguishing aspects of the Treo is that it lets you send and receive e-mails and text messages. We found that dashing off quick notes with this thumb keyboard is actually a breeze and much faster than trying to write in Graffiti. You wouldn’t want to use the Treo to critique someone’s business plan, but we found it quite handy to compose short messages that we could follow up on later when back in the office.

Where the Treo really breaks away from the pack is as a cell phone. The included PhoneBook software is fully integrated, so you can dial directly from your contact list. The phone defaults to the speed-dial page when you flip open the transparent cover, immediately giving you one-click access to your most frequently dialed contacts. Simply tap on a contact name and the number is dialed. We also found it easy to locate anyone not on our speed-dial list by typing in the first few letters of a person’s name. If you already own a PDA with a Palm operating system, you can transfer your existing contacts within a few seconds. A large, easy-to-read virtual keyboard makes dialing new numbers a snap.

The Treo also comes with a slew of features that you’d expect from a cell phone in this price range, including three-way calling, call history, and a speakerphone function.

Synchronization with Outlook (on Windows) is a breeze, and brought in all our contact and calendar data, enabling us to place calls almost immediately by choosing numbers from our address book.

The Treo 270 is much less bulky than we had imagined--and lighter and easier to carry, by far, than other PDA-cell phone hybrids. Slightly larger than a deck of cards (4.2 by 2.8 by 0.82 inches), it slid perfectly into the front pocket of our khakis during our travels about town and across the country. It's slightly larger than other cell phones, and we thought it might feel a bit awkward. To our delight, the flip-phone design is quite comfortable, and we felt we could hear conversations better with its cupped speaker. A separate headset comes with the piece, so if you prefer, you can have hands-free conversations.

While the Web browser is a nice addition, don't go into it expecting what you see on your PC. That said, the backlit, 12-bit color screen features over 4,000 colors, making Web browsing feel closer to the PC experience. Most images are not downloaded (by design), to keep the download times to a minimum, and layout on the Treo 270's small screen means additional scrolling. Also, we found that some sites that use some wild JavaScripting froze the browser, and it took us some time to get it back in working order. That said, we could access many sites quickly, including news and entertainment sites. While riding in a cab through downtown Seattle, for instance, the Treo helped us impress a dinner date by downloading movie times.

Handspring delivers on its claim of 3 hours of talk time and 150 hours of standby time. But if you're a power cell phone user, you'll want to charge the Treo just about every night to make sure you’ve got enough juice to last through the day.

There’s no way to add more memory to the Treo, but that shouldn’t be a problem because the phone comes with a whopping 16 MB of memory. We immediately added many of our favorite Palm OS games and applications and didn’t come close to filling up the memory.

Overall, the Treo is a well-designed convergence product that really delivers on its promise of rolling a powerful PDA and a slick cell phone into an elegant, compact package. --Steve O'Neil and Agen Schmitz

Pros:

• 12-bit color, backlit screen
• E-mail access and Web browsing ability
• Improved battery life
• Built-in keyboard
• Fully integrated PhoneBook with GSM, dual-band world phone
• Slim size and lightweight
• One-touch calling

Cons:

• Web connection requires your own ISP
• Keyboard data entry slightly awkward initially for practiced Graffiti users

How We Tested Battery Talk/StandbyTime

When reading our reviews, you should view the test results of mobile-phone battery talk time and standby time as relative information only. Many variables,including carrier signal strength at your location, signal consistency (including incoming and outgoing calls), display and ringer settings, and battery charging methods and history, will affect performance. When handset manufacturers and mobile phone carriers list talk-time and standby-time ratings, they usually include disclaimers about variable performance and often refer to the times they publish as maximum times. Some quote expected battery life ranges, and in this case you're probably safe to assume you'll experience at least the minimum rated range. Note that manufacturers of dual-mode digital and analog handsets publish battery-life rates for both digital and analog modes, as analog mode consumes much more power than digital mode.

Our Tests: We tested digital-mode talk and standby times with each phone. Prior to each test, we fully charged the phone's battery according to the manufacturer's directions. To test digital-phone talk time, we turned the phone on, established a digital carrier signal, dialed a number in our test lab, and,when the call rang through, took the receiving phone's handset off the hook. When all went well, we didn't do anything else except record the time when the phone died. In a couple of cases, the phones lost the signal and dropped the calls. If we were right there and could redial, we did so immediately and continued running the test. Otherwise, we halted the test, recharged the battery, and started the test over. Assuming consistent carrier-signal strength, this test should represent best-case talk time. And it's worth noting that several phones' talk-time performance significantly exceeded the manufacturers' ratings.

To test digital-phone standby time, we turned the phone on, established a carrier signal, and left the phone in standby mode. We checked the phone everyfew hours (for what was often days on end) until the phone finally cut out. Since no outgoing or incoming calls occurred during testing and because thephone was not moved, this method should represent best-case standby time, again assuming consistent carrier signal strength.

... Read more

Features

• Combines a GSM mobile phone with a 16 MB Palm OS organizer
• Full color display with backlit keyboard
• Send and receive e-mail and access the Web wirelessly with easy-to-use keyboard
• Synchronize data with your PC or Mac in seconds with USB connection
• Includes travel charger, stylus, and hands-free headset

Product Description

BThe first of a new breed of cell phones, the T68 packs a full load of cutting-edge features—most notably Bluetooth technology and GPRS (General Packet Radio Service) for mobile Internet connectivity. Just as pleasing, though, is the revolutionary PC-like 256-color graphic interface, making it easy to program most settings without even glancing at the manual.

Weighing in at about 4 ounces, the compact Ericsson T68 is substantially built and sports a sleek silver-on-gray exterior. A volume button on the phone’s side allows for adjustments, even during conversations. The keypad design has enough space between buttons to prevent misdialing, and the large screen enhances the color display. Rather than up-down buttons for scrolling through menus, the T68 has a joystick that allows both vertical and horizontal scrolling. After a short adjustment period to the joystick, we found it easier to use than directional buttons. We had to consult the manual to learn that pressing the top of the joystick gets you to the amazing desktop menu that this phone is famous for; however, once at the main menu, navigation is highly intuitive and users can access every feature via one of the nine icons: Phone Book, Messages, Calls, Fun & Games, Settings, WAP Services, Organizer, Connect, and My Shortcuts. All subsequent menus are text-based and the five-line screen makes it easy to read your options.

After the initial 10 hours of charging, the phone powered up in about 12 seconds and we could immediately start making calls and adjusting our settings. We chose a groovy daisy background as our screen saver, although uploading a digital photo is also possible. We set the ring to vibrating alert, which worked wonderfully. We also created our own melody. (The T68 provides you with musical scales at eight different pitches, and you can create and save up to eight different melodies.)

Next, we programmed several numbers into the T68’s phone book, which can hold a whopping 510 contacts. Rather than having to list one person several times for each of his phone numbers, the T68 let us create one record that lists home, work, and mobile numbers for that contact. This is a simple improvement, but it’s so handy it made us wish that all cell phones offered this feature.

When we attempted to set up the voice-dialing feature for our most frequently dialed numbers we ran into a bit of trouble. The phone book prompted us to record a command for each person entered, so setup was very intuitive. But when we tested our commands, the T68 was a bit finicky on recognizing and accepting them—even when we tried from within a quiet house. We had to repeat our commands with the exact inflection in our voice as in our original recording for the feature to work.

The gem that puts this phone in a class by itself, though, is Bluetooth wireless connectivity, enabling users to link to the Internet and exchange information among other mobile phones, mobile computers, and handheld devices that use the technology. The T68 also uses GPRS, which offers the fastest Internet connection and data transfer currently available and allows users to simultaneously make calls and receive e-mail messages. Users must first set up a phone subscription that supports datatransmission, and they will be able to send text messages, multimediamessages (using EMS), and e-mail to individuals or group lists. Bluetooth also synchs up your to-do lists and daily, weekly, or monthly schedules on the T68 with your PC calendar.

We were able to locate favorite Web sites and look up search terms on the Internet fairly quickly on the T68. Unfortunately, the five-line screen doesn’t make surfing those sites very appealing or convenient, particularly when text mode is the only option. We would overlook this feature and save our surfing for the PC or laptop.

The calling and messaging features on the T68 make it an ideal business tool for users who log a lot of travel time. Besides all the aforementioned diversions on this phone, the T68 also includes eight basic games for play during long flights or boring meetings. --Cristina Vaamonde

Pros:

• Bluetooth wireless connectivity for data exchange with PC and other mobile devices
• GPRS for high-speed and constant Internet connection
• Intuitive 256-color graphic icon desktop
• Multidirectional joystick for easy menu navigation
• Phone book allows multiple numbers for each contact under one entry

Cons:

• Voice recognition on voice-activated dialing is finicky
• Surfing Internet is tedious on five-line screen

How We Tested Battery Talk/Standby Time

When reading our reviews, you should view the test results of mobile-phonebattery talk time and standby time as relative information only. Many variables,including carrier signal strength at your location, signal consistency(including incoming and outgoing calls), display and ringer settings, andbattery charging methods and history, will affect performance. When handsetmanufacturers and mobile phone carriers list talk-time and standby-time ratings,they usually include disclaimers about variable performance and often refer tothe times they publish as maximum times. Some quote expected battery liferanges, and in this case you're probably safe to assume you'll experience atleast the minimum rated range. Note that manufacturers of dual-mode digital andanalog handsets publish battery-life rates for both digital and analog modes, asanalog mode consumes much more power than digital mode.

Our Tests: We tested digital-mode talk and standby times with each phone.Prior to each test, we fully charged the phone's battery according to themanufacturer's directions. To test digital-phone talk time, we turned the phoneon, established a digital carrier signal, dialed a number in our test lab, and,when the call rang through, took the receiving phone's handset off the hook.When all went well, we didn't do anything else except record the time when thephone died. In a couple of cases, the phones lost the signal and dropped thecalls. If we were right there and could redial, we did so immediately andcontinued running the test. Otherwise, we halted the test, recharged thebattery, and started the test over. Assuming consistent carrier-signal strength,this test should represent best-case talk time. And it's worth noting thatseveral phones' talk-time performance significantly exceeded the manufacturers'ratings.

To test digital-phone standby time, we turned the phone on, established acarrier signal, and left the phone in standby mode. We checked the phone everyfew hours (for what was often days on end) until the phone finally cut out.Since no outgoing or incoming calls occurred during testing and because thephone was not moved, this method should represent best-case standby time, againassuming consistent carrier signal strength.

... Read more

Features

• GPRS connection for quick Internet access
• Bluetooth connectivity for wireless data transfer between other Bluetooth devices
• Color display with customizable screen savers
• Easy operation and menu navigation with joystick
• Includes battery, rapid charger, and earbud

Amazon.com

Flexible prepaid service, swappable "phone wrap" fashion covers, two-way SMS capabilities, and a reasonable priceare some of the highlights of the new Motorola V2397, a prepaid phone offered by AT&T Wireless.

The V2397 measures 6.5 by 2.0 by 1.1 inches, and weighs in at 5.2 ounces. While relatively large, the phone is lightweight,easily portable, and it sports dual-band/dual-mode electronics.

Motorola's characteristic smart-button navigation, commonly seen on the company's StarTAC phones, guides you through theV2397's menu options. The keypad design is less cluttered and confusing than StarTAC phones, however--a definiteimprovement. Although you still have to use the FCN (function) button to access menu options, all control keys (Function,Store, Clear, Recall) are well spaced. The raised, oval-shaped keypad buttons were quite responsive, and we rarelymisdialed a call. The phone felt good to hold, and we could dial one-handed. The four-line screen (two lines of text, twolines of status icons) is backlit and easy to read. A standard 2.5-millimeter communication jack for hands-free devices isintegrated into the phone.

The V2397's handy call management features, including scratchpad memory, nine assignable ringer tones, one-touchspeed-dial locations, multiple call timers, and any-key answer, help you organize your communications. You can store up to99 numbers in the V2397's phone book, although it does not support multiple entries per contact. Entering phone numbers iseasy. Just punch in the number and a unique descriptor, and assign it a memory location. The 30-incoming and 20-outgoingcall logs help you keep track of your conversations, and the incoming call log keeps track of missed calls to boot. TheV2397 supports carrier-dependent features such as caller ID, call waiting, voice-mail alerts, and two-way SMS messaging, which lets you send and receive alphanumeric messages with other devices. Unfortunately, there is no way totether the V2397 to a PC, so you can't use it as a digital modem, or import your computer's address book to the phone.Also, the V2397 is missing a minibrowser, PIM funtions, profile settings, and vibrating alert.

To keep your V2397 secure, you can use a three-digit code to lock the whole phone or to restrict outgoing calls to one of10 numbers stored in special memory locations.

The V2397's NiMH battery is rated up to 100 minutes' talk time and 110 hours' standby time. In our testing, the V2397held a call for 105 minutes, and it lasted for 112 hours in standby mode.

A basic phone for everyday use, the Motorola V2397 scores high marks in visual design and reliability, although it lacks manydesirable features. Still, interchangeable phone wraps, two-way SMS messaging, and a very reasonable price make the V2397as a viable prepaid option.

--Thom Arno

Pros:

• Flexible prepaid option
• Impressive new phone design
• Swappable phone wraps
• SMS support

Cons:

• Age restriction; you have to be 18 to purchase
• Awkward menu navigation

How We Tested Battery Talk/Standby Time

When reading our reviews, you should view the test results of mobile-phone battery talk time and standby time as relative information only. Many variables, including carrier signal strength at your location, signal consistency (including incoming and outgoing calls), display and ringer settings, and battery charging methods and history, will affect performance. When handset manufacturers and mobile phone carriers list talk-time and standby-time ratings, they usually include disclaimers about variable performance and often refer to the times they publish as maximum times. Some quote expected battery life ranges, and in this case you're probably safe to assume you'll experience at least the minimum rated range. Note that manufacturers of dual-mode digital and analog handsets publish battery-life rates for both digital and analog modes, because analog mode consumes much more power than digital mode.

Our Tests: We tested digital mode talk and standby times with each phone. Prior to each test, we fully charged the phone's battery according to the manufacturer's directions. To test digital phone talk time, we turned the phone on, established a digital carrier signal, dialed a number in our test lab, and, when the call rang through, took the receiving phone's handset off the hook. When all went well, we didn't do anything else except record the time when the phone died. In a couple of cases, the phones lost the signal and dropped the calls. If we were right there and could redial, we did so immediately and continued running the test. Otherwise, we halted the test, recharged the battery, and started the test over. Assuming consistent carrier signal strength, this test should represent best-case talk time. And it's worth noting that several phones' talk-time performance significantly exceeded the manufacturers' ratings.

To test digital phone standby time, we turned the phone on, established a carrier signal, and left the phone in standby mode. We checked the phone every few hours (for what was often days on end) until the phone finally cut out. Because no outgoing or incoming calls occurred during testing and because the phone was not moved, this method should represent best-case standby time, again assuming consistent carrier signal strength. ... Read more

Features

• No monthly bill, credit check, deposit, or annual contract
• Hot new phone design
• SMS support
• Up to 100 minutes' talk time and 110 hours' standby time with standard battery
• Includes $25 airtime refill card, battery, charger, headset, and blue phone wrap; allows you to migrate to a postpaid plan (credit check required)