Pick the Perfect Cell Phone
Most cell phones today specialize--they handle e-mail, surf the Web, take sharp snapshots or play music. We tested 17 popular phones to find the best for every task.Grace Aquino is a contributing editor for PC World.
Grace Aquino
Few gadgets are as ubiquitous as cell phones. And with so many to choose from, separating the junk from the jewels is increasingly difficult. We tested a broad range of cordless phones, including PDA hybrids, to help you find the perfect device.
We evaluated various models offered by the four biggest nationwide carriers--Cingular, Sprint Nextel, T-Mobile, and Verizon Wireless--and the PC World Test Center gauged each phone's talk-time battery life.
For our chart we separated the standard cell phones from the PDA hybrid models based on the individual units' operating system, display, and inclusion (or not) of a QWERTY keyboard.
The rankings are only part of the story, of course. When picking a cell phone, you want to know what it will do (beyond making calls, that is). Are you looking for a unit that takes quality pictures? How about an easy way to send e-mail? Do you need speedy access to the Web? Are you looking for a handset that can double as an MP3 player? While some models aim to be all things to all people, we found that most of them perform one or two tasks exceptionally well. The following pages highlight which phones do which of these jobs the best.
Note: The prices in this story are for a two-year service agreement (before any rebates). Many of the phones are available from multiple carriers, but we list only the company serving our test unit.
In addition to the charts included in the list below, go to our Full List of Cell Phones for all products evaluated for this article and links to full reviews.
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E-Mail and Messaging
Photograph by Rick Rizner
Photograph by Rick Rizner
Though the Treos do well with e-mail, BlackBerry units do even better. We tested Cingular's $350 8700c (number four on our PDA hybrid chart) and Verizon Wireless's $350 7130e (which failed to make our print standard-phones chart). Both carry a large screen that makes reading messages easy on the eyes, and both offer the "push e-mail" service--forwarding messages to your handheld--that BlackBerry devices are known for. They aggregate up to ten e-mail accounts and are compatible with IMAP, Lotus Notes, Microsoft Exchange, and POP3. Typing messages on the 8700c is quicker and easier than it is on the 7130e because of the 8700c's QWERTY keyboard. The 7130e supports RIM's SureType word-recognition technology, which suggests words based on the letters you type, possibly saving you from having to type the entire word. As phones, however, the wide BlackBerry devices can be a bit uncomfortable to hold.
Another option is a device that runs on either the Danger or the Symbian platform. Danger's operating system is available only on T-Mobile's $350 Sidekick II, which failed to make our PDA hybrid chart. The Sidekick is fun to use, especially for instant messaging, but too few programs are available for it.
For an alternative OS with a better selection of apps, consider a Symbian-based device such as our number five PDA hybrid phone, the Nokia 9300 ($299 from Cingular). Closed, it looks like a thick, candy-bar-style unit. It opens horizontally like a laptop; inside are a screen and a slippery QWERTY keyboard. The five-point joystick is convenient for navigating menus and programs, and you get some useful apps, including a spreadsheet, a word processor, and a presentation tool.
Photograph by Rick Rizner
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Faster Web Access
Photograph by Rick Rizner
Wi-Fi not only provides a potentially faster connection to the Internet, it also uses no data minutes. Of the phones we tested, Cingular's $350 8125 (which missed the print chart), T-Mobile's $400 MDA (number two on our PDA hybrid list), and T-Mobile's $300 SDA (our number one standard phone) support 802.11b wireless networks.
Each unit has a dedicated button on the side that triggers an on-screen menu for switching the connection type: phone, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or (PC) Sync. Each device connected smoothly to our home-Wi-Fi network. The MDA also had no problem connecting to PC World's Wi-Fi network, which is secured with a 128-bit WEP encryption key.
Web browsing over Wi-Fi on the MDA was delightful, and pages looked impressive on its sharp 320-by-480-pixel display--when viewed indoors. In bright sunlight, however, the screen looked washed out. The SDA's screen is smaller than the MDA's, but it provides the same high resolution, making for a crisp, clear picture.
For easy data entry, the 8125 and MDA devices offer a slide-out QWERTY keyboard; of the two, we preferred the MDA's roomier version. Both phones are a bit hefty--almost an inch thick--but that's a fair trade-off, since you get a keyboard and a large screen. Also, the 8125, the MDA, and the SDA all run on the Windows Mobile 5 operating system, so you can use mobile versions of familiar applications such as Outlook and Internet Explorer.
For an even faster Internet connection, consider a 3G cell phone. Cingular, Sprint Nextel, and Verizon Wireless are offering 3G networks in select U.S. cities, including San Francisco (our test area).
Photograph by Rick Rizner
Samsung's MM-A900 didn't make our print chart of standard phones, but video looked good on its color-rich screen. It supports Sprint's EvDO network and lets you view shows from Sprint's TV service. The clamshell-style, $350 A900 has music playback, Bluetooth, and a 1.3-megapixel camera.
If you would prefer a full-featured PDA phone with broadband speed, consider the Treo 700w, which works with Verizon's EvDO network and focuses on office tasks like e-mail. If you don't want to spend $500 for a Treo but still long to use Verizon's EvDO network, consider the $300 BlackBerry 7130e (the first EvDO-capable BlackBerry on the market) or the third-ranked Motorola Razr V3c ($200 from Verizon Wireless).
Another inexpensive EvDO-capable handset is the $99 Amp'd Mobile Angel from Kyocera. It's available from Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) Amp'd Mobile, which leases Verizon's EvDO network. Although the slide-style Angel didn't make our print chart, it is the only model we looked at that has push-to-talk capability for walkie-talkie-style communication. Bundled extras include a MicroSD card slot, MPEG-4 video recording, and a VGA camera. We liked the Angel's good-size screen, too, but not its flimsy plastic exterior.
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Camera Friendly
Photograph by Rick Rizner
The bulky, swivel-style N90 offers 2-megapixel resolution (the highest among the phones we looked at for this story), an MPEG-4 video recorder, and a MultiMediaCard slot (a memory card is not included, however). The photos we took looked decent, and we liked the phone's unique swiveling screen, which rotates perpendicularly to the phone's keypad, reminiscent of some camcorders.
For a more affordable model, go with Sony Ericsson's swivel-style W600i. It has a 1.3-megapixel camera and a flash. To take a picture on the W600i, you close the phone and hold it in landscape mode with the shutter button facing up--it's like taking pictures with a standard point-and-shoot camera.
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Let the Music Play
Photograph by Rick Rizner
While these phones won't replace an iPod, they do a few things right. Overall, we enjoyed using the W600i: It combines adequate sound quality (through both the speakers and the included earbuds) and a simple music player. Its speakers and volume level beat the others' hands down: Though none of the music phones delivers perfect sound quality, the W600i has a bit more depth. To get music on this phone, you rip and transfer tunes from your PC via the included cable and software. (Cingular doesn't offer over-the-air music downloads.)
The Motorola Slvr L7 ($200 from Verizon Wireless) integrates iPod functionality into a sleek cell phone; you connect it to your PC and use iTunes to manage your music collection, just as you would with an iPod. But to our ears, the Slvr's audio quality was not comparable to that of a music player, and the phone failed to make our print chart.
If you want to download music over the air, go with the Samsung MM-A900 or the Amp'd Mobile Angel from Kyocera. The MM-A900 is nicely integrated with Sprint's Music Store, and the Angel accepts downloads from Amp'd Mobile's music store.
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Slim and Stylish
Photograph by Rick Rizner
Some people might argue that the Razr is passé, but its popularity and its rave reviews--including a spot in PC World's "The 50 Greatest Gadgets of the Past 50 Years" justify its inclusion here. Simply put, the Razr is both functional and very attractive. The clamshell-style handset works well for voice calls, offers a vibrant internal LCD, features a 1.3-megapixel camera, and overall is a pleasure to use.
Samsung designed its MM-A900 with a svelte look almost identical to the Razr's. Though it did not make our print standard-phone chart, this model has some excellent features, including a fast EvDO connection (provided by Sprint), a vibrant and roomy internal LCD, and a 1.3-megapixel camera.
Making the Call
Whether you want a phone to let you stay connected to e-mail and the Web, snap impromptu photos, or enjoy a little music on the go, options abound. Armed with a solid idea about what you want your phone to do well, you're more likely to end up with a model that makes you happy. Your perfect phone is out there--you make the call.
For a more general collection of buying advice, see "How to Buy a Cell Phone."
Browse to the next page for advice on calling plans.
And besides using the links to the two charts listed below, go to our Full List of Cell Phones for all products evaluated for this article and links to full reviews.
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Calling Plans: How to Select Your Cell Service
Your cell phone is only as good as the service that goes with it. So you'll need to choose a plan that matches your usage and your budget. Here are a few things to consider before you sign on the dotted line.
1. Use the trial period: A lot of carriers offer you a trial period with your new phone and service that lasts up to 30 days, so take advantage of it. This allows you to test the service and the handset before committing to a contract. Make sure that the service will work throughout your house, in your office, on travel routes, and in places you regularly visit. If you aren't satisfied with the service or the phone, try another.
2. Check the carrier's coverage: In addition to looking at a carrier's coverage map, visit independent sites such as DeadCellZones, which tracks and logs user complaints about places that have poor or no coverage. Consult your friends, coworkers, and neighbors to find out about the quality and reliability of their wireless service.
3. Comparison-shop: Compare carriers' features and prices. Check prices and plans at a carrier's store and at third-party retailers. In some cases, third-party stores offer better deals than the carriers, or vice versa. The specifics of plans may differ as well. For example, one carrier's definition of "anytime" minutes may not be the same as another's. Also, ask the vendor about the monthly bottom-line price with taxes and surcharges.
4. Take your calling area into account: If you travel around the country, sign up for a nationwide plan, which will allow you to send and receive calls from almost anywhere the carrier provides service without roaming fees. Local and regional plans limit your calling area to the city or region the carrier specifies. If you plan on using your phone overseas, you'll need to make sure your handset and your calling plan are equipped for international use.
5. Consider data usage: Plan to browse the Web, download ring tones and games, and exchange photographs, text messages, IMs, and e-mail? Then subscribe to a data plan that accommodates your needs. Sign up for unlimited data service if appropriate.