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The best phone of 2005 still shines in 2006. The Sony Ericsson W810i Walkman phone is a minor update to the all-around excellent W800i Walkman, and unlike its predecessor, it will be offered directly by a U.S. carrier. The W810i does everything very well, if not perfectly: calling, gaming, photos, and music. But without an easy connection to PC music jukeboxes, it's still not quite a "Walkman."
- Price as Tested: $499.99 List
- Megapixels: 2 MP
- Bluetooth: Yes
- 802.11x: No
- Bands: 850, 900, 1800, 1900
- Camera: Yes
- High-Speed Data: GPRS, EDGE
- Network: GSM
- Service Provider: AT&T, T-Mobile
- Web Browser: No
- Screen Size: 2 inches
- Special Features: Music
We're prepared to dub the Samsung Memoir SGH-T929 "The Best Camera Phone in the United States;" in fact, it could even be the handset that gets you to leave your digital camera at home. This 8-megapixel shooter is full of surprises, including support for two decent Web browsers, a fun widget-based interface, and 640-by-480 video recording. At $299, though, the Memoir is expensive compared to other feature and camera phones in T-Mobile's lineup—but if price is no object the Memoir can't be beat.
- Price as Tested: $299.00 - $449.00 List
- Service Provider: T-Mobile
- Operating System: Other
- Screen Size: 3 inches
- Screen Details: 3", 240x400, 262k-color TFT LCD touch screen
- Camera: Yes
- Megapixels: 8 MP
- 802.11x: No
- Bluetooth: Yes
- Web Browser: Yes
- Network: GSM, UMTS
- Bands: 850, 900, 1800, 1900, 2100, 1700
- High-Speed Data: GPRS, EDGE, UMTS, HSDPA
Nextel subscribers looking for a Direct Connect–compatible smartphone finally have a real BlackBerry option: the Curve 8350i. While it lacks the speedy data transfer of, say, the Sprint BlackBerry Curve 8330, the 8350i makes up for it with a Wi-Fi radio that's compatible with 802.11b/g networks. Use of BlackBerry OS 4.6 gives the 8350i the latest document-editing software and a new menu system. The device also partakes of the Curves' slick design—well, almost. Despite a few small gaffes, the 8350i is a genuine BlackBerry that should satisfy fans of Nextel's iDEN network.
- Price as Tested: $149.00 Direct
- Service Provider: Nextel
- Operating System: BlackBerry OS
- Screen Size: 2.4 inches
- Screen Details: 320x240-pixel TFT, 65K colors
- Camera: Yes
- Megapixels: 2.4 MP
- 802.11x: Yes
- Bluetooth: Yes
- Web Browser: Yes
- Network: iDen
- Bands: 800
- Processor Speed: 312 MHz
- Special Features: Music
The LG Versa VX9600 is the touch-screen phone for people who hate touch screens (like me): With a unique detachable QWERTY keyboard, it easily swings between key-tapping and touch-screen-only modes. The Versa is a terrific texting phone, but the software's rough edges prevent it from being an all-around winner.
- Price as Tested: $249.00 - $449.00 List
- Service Provider: Verizon Wireless
- Operating System: Other
- Screen Size: 3 inches
- Screen Details: 3", 240x480, 262k-color TFT LCD
- Camera: Yes
- Megapixels: 2 MP
- 802.11x: No
- Bluetooth: Yes
- Web Browser: Yes
- Network: CDMA
- Bands: 850, 1900
- High-Speed Data: 1xRTT, EVDO Rev 0, EVDO Rev A
The Samsung Gravity for T-Mobile is a thoroughly average midrange phone with a great keyboard for texting. It's become a best seller recently because of its unbeatable price: With some promotions, it's free with contract. Within T-Mobile's thin choice of cheap QWERTY devices, it's our pick, but it's outmatched by competitors on other wireless carriers.
- Price as Tested: $0.00 - $249.00 List
- Service Provider: T-Mobile
- Operating System: Other
- Screen Size: 2.1 inches
- Screen Details: 176x220, 262k-color TFT LCD screen
- Camera: Yes
- Megapixels: 1.3 MP
- 802.11x: No
- Bluetooth: Yes
- Web Browser: Yes
- Network: GSM
- Bands: 850, 900, 1800, 1900
- High-Speed Data: GPRS, EDGE
If you think today's cell phones aren't manly enough, then take a look at the Motorola Tundra, AT&T's latest handset for the push-to-talk Nextel set. The military-spec-certified Tundra is resistant to dust, rain, humidity, vibration, and extreme temperatures. Motorola claims that dropping this phone isn't a problem either. The Tundra also serves up music and video, and can browse the Web (with an appropriate data plan).
- Price as Tested: $199.00 - $399.00 List
- Service Provider: AT&T
- Operating System: Other
- Screen Size: 2.2 inches
- Screen Details: 240x320-pixel TFT, 262K colors
- Camera: Yes
- Megapixels: 2 MP
- 802.11x: No
- Bluetooth: Yes
- Web Browser: Yes
- Network: GSM
- Bands: 850, 900, 1800, 1900
- High-Speed Data: GPRS, EDGE, UMTS, HSDPA
- Special Features: Music
T-Mobile has enjoyed a robust smartphone lineup. The original Shadow, released in late 2007, wasn't one of the standouts, however. Its uninspired design and sluggish performance left much to be desired, especially in light of lighter, sleeker smartphones like the BlackBerry Pearl 8120. T-Mobile is up at bat again with a shrewdly updated Shadow—confusingly, also named simply the Shadow. The new one features a more stylish and more organic-looking design, works with T-Mobile's solid, UMA-based Unlimited Hotspot Calling service, and has a slightly faster CPU.
- Price as Tested: $149.00 Street
- Service Provider: T-Mobile
- Operating System: Windows Mobile Pocket PC
- Screen Size: 2.2 inches
- Screen Details: 240x320-pixel TFT, 262K colors
- Camera: Yes
- Megapixels: 2 MP
- 802.11x: Yes
- Bluetooth: Yes
- Web Browser: Yes
- Network: GSM
- Bands: 850, 900, 1800, 1900
- High-Speed Data: GPRS, EDGE, UMTS, HSDPA
- Processor Speed: 260 MHz
- Special Features: Music
