The 5 Best Cell Phones on the Market
By Bradley James
There are literally hundreds of cell phones out there made by dozens of manufacturers. It is hard to determine which are the best of the group - or at least, which is best for you. The decision is a difficult one, and we hope the information below will help you make a wise choice. The five cell phones listed below are truely the best of the best in terms of quality design, dependability, and overall user satisfaction. Although there are a lot of great cell phones out there, we are sure that these are some of the very best.
Motorola i860 Video and Camera Mobile Phone
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Manufacturers Description: The sleek Motorola
i860 is packed with more than a dozen top-of-the-line
features including 10-second video capture and
playback and a 0.3-megapixel camera with 4X
digital zoom. In addition, it allows users to
easily exchange digital photos and contact information
with others.
”The Motorola i860 handset is another
example of how Motorola strives to meet our
customers’ needs by offering one mobile
device to streamline communications," said
Rey More, senior vice president and general
manager, Motorola’s
iDEN® Subscriber
Group. “Its multimedia services enable
users to easily capture the moment when it happens
and share it with others, wherever they may
be.”
The phone’s 10-second video capture capability
includes a short-range LED spotlight to provide
additional light for close-up pictures. The
camera allows users to take pictures in a variety
of sizes suitable for sharing, in-camera viewing,
wallpaper designs, and picture caller ID. Users
can get themselves in the picture using the
self-timer.
With the Motorola i860, users can share their
pictures and audio recordings by sending and
receiving multimedia messages.1 The phone’s
integrated Media Center allows users to conveniently
manage all pictures, voice recordings, ring
tones, videos, and wallpaper designs from a
single area.
Other features of the Motorola i860 that are
new to iDEN handsets include:
Picture Caller ID - allows a previously-assigned
picture of a caller to appear in the external
display when a phone call is incoming from that
contact
Larger external color screen - displays up to
3 lines of text and pictures
Larger internal color screen - displays up to
11 lines of text in vibrant color
Push-to-Send My Info2 - allows users to send
their contact information via the “push-to-talk”
(PTT) button. Users can limit the amount of
information sent or send a virtual business
card to network more efficiently.
Push-to-Send Contacts2 - allows users to easily
share another user’s contact information
via the PTT button
Media Downloader application – available
for download from the Internet, this free application
allows users to transfer photos and videos from
their phone to their PC via a USB cable (not
included)
25 MB of memory available to end users - for
ring tones, voice recordings, videos, pictures,
messages, wallpaper designs, and Java™
applications
MP3 ring tones - including music and voice
Openwave 7.0 Internet microbrowser - lets users
browse graphic-rich xHTML sites
Push-to-open button - offers convenient, one-handed
operation of the flip-style phone by mechanically
opening the flip when pressed
The phone also has many of the features associated
with Motorola’s iDEN technology, including
location-based services, integrated speakerphone,
voice recorder3, voice dialing, downloadable
applications, and a two-way radio for instant
communication at the touch of a button.
The Motorola i860 handset weighs 4.77 ounces
and measures 3.45 x 1.96 x 1.01 inches with
the included high performance battery.
Overall Value Rating: 9.7 / 10 - Excellent
Price: $250 - $400
Nokia 6230 Cell Phone (Cingular)
Manufacturers Description: Offering the best
and latest technology and features, the Nokia
6230 meets the requirements of the most demanding
mobile phone users. The tri-band (GSM, GPRS,
EDGE 900/1800/1900, GSM, GPRS, EDGE 850/1800/1900)
mobile phone offers multiple connectivity options
via EDGE and Bluetooth wireless technology,
a removable multimedia memory card as well as
an integrated VGA camera to capture pictures
and videos. Sleek and compact, the Nokia 6230
is expected to start shipping in Europe, Africa,
Asia Pacific and Americas in the first quarter
of 2004.
"Traditionally, mobile professional are
early adopters of mobile technology, demanding
advanced functionality and higher data speeds
to keep them informed, entertained and connected
while on the move," said Kai Öistämö,"
Senior Vice President, Nokia Mobile Phones.
"With EDGE, Bluetooth technology, an integrated
camera, MMS functionality and even an integrated
MP3 player, the Nokia 6230 addresses these needs
with an impressive range of features to help
balance a busy work schedule with after-work
responsibilities."
One of the key benefits of the Nokia 6230 is
a compelling multimedia experience. With an
integrated VGA camera and a display with 65,000
colors, pictures and videos taken with the Nokia
6230 appear sharp and bright. The video player
adds the ability to record, send and receive
video clips with audio, as well as receive streaming
video content in 3GPP video streaming format.
High quality video and images, voice, presentations,
files and music can be stored on a removable
multimedia memory card. Users can also create,
send and receive multpicture, multimedia messages
with Synchronized Multimedia Integration Language
(SMIL) technology. SMIL technology allows users
to compose multi-image messages that display
text, sound and images in a pre-determined order.
For flexible and efficient wireless connectivity,
the Nokia 6230 phone offers Bluetooth wireless
technology and infrared connectivity as well
as HSCSD and GPRS support. Bluetooth enables
a wide range of new exciting enhancements for
seamless connections and comfortable wearability,
like the Nokia 610 car kit phone and the stylish
Wireless Boom Headset also announced today.
The complete list of Bluetooth enhancements
compatible with the Nokia 6230 can be viewed
at www.nokia.com/products/Nokia6230.
Using the high-speed packet-based EDGE connectivity
of the Nokia 6230, business professionals can
enjoy faster browsing, messaging and downloading.
With a downlink data speed of up to 236.6 kbps,
downloading with the Nokia 6230 via EDGE enables
downloads more than 4 times faster than with
GPRS.
In addition, the Nokia 6230 has a mobile email
client that lets users manage their email quickly
over EDGE, GPRS and HSCSD networks. The advanced
xHTML browser gives fast access to mobile services
and information, and the integrated TCP/IP technology**
enhances both the ease and speed of over-the-air
file downloads. Data synchronization capability
allows users of the Nokia 6230 to update personal
data remotely over the network. Local synchronization
of personal data can also be done via Bluetooth,
IrDa, USB and the Nokia PC Suite.
With the presence-enhanced contacts service,
users of the Nokia 6230 can share their availability,
intentions and whereabouts with colleagues,
family, friends and other contacts. For example,
a business professional can change his phone
profile to 'Meeting' and advise his colleagues
to reach him by SMS or MMS. Exchanging instant
text messages is another interesting possibility
with the presence-enhanced Chat function, where
users of the Nokia 6230 can create their own
private chats and invite others to participate,
or even join public chats of their interest.
The Nokia 6230 also includes a digital music
player for AAC/MP3 music formats. In addition
to enjoying high quality stereo music, music
enthusiasts can set their favourite music as
wake-up tones as well as alert and ring tones.
Key features include:
Active TFT color display - with up to 65.536
colours
Integrated digital VGA camera
High speed packet-based EDGE and GPRS connectivity
Bluetooth
Digital camcorder and video player
Video streaming including AMR audio
MMC Multimedia card support
Java MIDP 2.0
Presence-enhanced contacts and chat
MP3/AAC music player and built-in FM stereo
radio
xHTML browser for enhanced mobile browsing experience
Advanced PIM functionality (calendar, phonebook,
to-do list, notes)
OMA Digital Rights Management version 1.0
Mobile Wallet
Integrated hands-free speaker
Polyphonic ring tones (supporting up to 24 instruments)
Infrared, USB, PC Suite
76 cc, weighs 97 grams
Talk time of up to 5 hours and a standby time
of up to 300 hours.
Overall Value Rating: 9.6 / 10 - Excellent
Price: $150 - $300
Motorola A630 Cell Phone (T-Mobile)
Manufacturers Description: Following in the
footsteps of the game-changing Motorola StarTAC
and the company’s revolutionary two-way
pagers, the model A630 is yet another innovative
new product from Motorola. Packaged in a unique,
multi- functional design featuring a QWERTY
keyboard hidden inside a sleek candy bar form,
the Motorola A630 lets you call, text or email
with style and ease.
From the outside, you see a fashionable, compact
mobile handset. Once opened, the device reveals
a full QWERTY keyboard that makes texting, email
exchanges and Instant Messaging easy. The A630
does not stop there. For multi-media fun, the
handset comes with an integrated camera with
4 x zoom, multi-media messaging for sending
and sharing images, dedicated gaming keys and
a vivid color display that offers portrait as
well as landscape views. When its time to be
productive, the A630 offers integrated Bluetooth®
wireless technology, an office quality speakerphone
and email support including POP3, SMTP and Imap4.
The Motorola A630’s fusion of the mobile
and messaging worlds without sacrificing weight,
size or style makes it the ideal device for
today's text-savvy trendsetting consumer.
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With the debut of the model A630, Motorola delivers
a uniquely designed handset that stands apart
from the pack, promising simplified voice and
messaging communications supported by the latest
technology,” said James Burke, Sr. Director
of Product Operations for Motorola, Inc. “With
its clever combination of fun and function,
the model A630 is sure to please style-conscious
movers and shakers."
The Motorola A630 features include:
Full QWERTY keyboard with 5-way navigation for
easy messaging, fun gaming and more
Integrated VGA camera with dedicated photo button
for quick shoot and send power
220 x 176 pixel color landscape display capable
of supporting up to 65,000 colors
Built-in Bluetooth wireless technology
Advanced messaging including Multi-Media Messaging
Service (MMS), SMS, e-mail support (POP3, SMTP,
Imap4) and multibranded IM (Instant Messaging)
GSM tri-band capabilities
J2ME™ downloading functionality
Integrated hands-free speakerphone
Polyphonic speaker for the ultimate sound and
cool MP3 ringtones
Overall Value Rating: 9.3 / 10 - Very Good
Price: $150 - $350
Samsung p735 Cell Phone (T-Mobile)
Manufacturers Description: Featuring a package
of design and multimedia features, the imaginative
p735 is Samsung's first GSM megapixel camera
phone in the U.S. With options that entertain,
enrich and enhance a consumer's wireless experience,
the p735 boasts an eye-catching twist and flip
display and advanced multimedia technology,
including a megapixel camera phone, video recorder,
MP3 player and expandable memory.
The phone's distinct feature is a swivel form
factor that allows the consumer to twist the
display so that the vibrant 262,000-color screen
rotates to a horizontal position, giving the
phone a more camcorder-like feel and making
picture taking and video recording easier. And
with a megapixel camera, film-quality pictures
can be stored and printed at sizes up to 4x6.
For moments such as upcoming holiday gatherings
that require more than a quick snapshot, the
video recorder is practical and convenient,
and video and pictures can be shared wirelessly
via T-Mobile's messaging services. While the
phone's 64MB of internal memory provides space
for pictures and video, the p735 comes with
an RS MMC media slot and additional 32MB multimedia
card so no moment is ever missed. In addition,
the expandable memory slot offers space for
easy and quick access to supplementary applications
and games.
For those that still have the gamer in them
but are too busy to play at home, the p735 acts
as a gaming device with access to 3D games,
including Metalion and Zio Golf. For music download
addicts, the p735 comes equipped with a personal
MP3 player, so downloading, playing and sorting
music wirelessly becomes a convenience, not
a hassle. Sounds come in clear with T-Mobile's
HiFi Ringers and the device's pre-packaged headset
provides a heightened auditory experience.
The p735 will change the way consumers view
their wireless phone” said Peter Skarzynski,
senior vice president of Samsung's wireless
division. Whether using the phone to download
and listen to music, or snapping pictures and
video clips to send back to the office while
on a business trip, the p735 will enhance consumers'
digital lifestyle.
This is a truly fun phone” said Todd Achilles,
director of handset product management for T-Mobile
USA. “From the bright screen, to cool
swivel design, and MP3 player to the megapixel
camera, there's a lot to keep you entertained”
Features:
Integrated MegaPixel Digital Camera - Take pictures
on the go. Enjoy one megapixel pictures plus
digital zoom, multishot, and more. RS MMC Media
Slot - Add memory, applications, and store photos
with a memory card.
MP3 Player - Download, play and sort your favorite
tunes to listen to on your phone.
262 TFT Main Color Display - Makes everything
come to life on your phone including photos,
picture caller ID, and more. Video Messaging
- Record up to 15 second clips with sound and
send them to other compatible phones.
Overall Value Rating: 9.0 / 10 - Very Cool
Price: $400 - $550
LG VX4600 Cell Phone (Verizon Wireless)
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Manufacturers Description: The attractive VX4600
is the perfect mobile phone for consumers who
are looking to express themselves with high-end
quality, style and essential functionality.
Its ultra-cool clamshell design, high-resolution
internal color display, and innovative external
OEL (Organic Electro-Luminescent) screen make
an undeniable statement of style.
Basic Information:
Talk time: 200 minutes Standby time: 165 hours
Size: 3.43H x 1.81W x 0.98D inches Weight: 3.38
oz
Basic Features:
1.9 Ghz PCS, 800 MHz CDMA (All Digital)
Enhanced Messaging Service (EMS) to send and
receive text messages with graphics and sound
E911 Emergency Location-capable
2.5mm headset jack to accept universal hands-free
headsets
65K TFD Main Color Display (120 x 160) 8 lines
of Text
OEL Sub Display (96 x 38) 3 lines of Text
Blue Backlit Keypad
5-Way Navigation Key
CMX MIDI (musical instrument and games digital
interface) for sounds and ringers
Large Phone Book: 499 contacts (each stores
5 numbers and 3 email addresses)
36 Embedded Ring Tones and download more
Vibrate and Silent Modes
Voice-Activated Dialing
Speed Dialing (99 Entries)
Bilingual (English and Spanish) capabilities
Personal Organizer: Calendar with Scheduler,
Alarm Clock, Voice Memo, Notepad, EZ Tip Calculator,
Calculator and World Clock
External USB Capable
1-Year limited warranty
Meets FCC SAR limit. Manufacturer's highest
FCC reported SAR 1.22 at ear, .74 on body. Actual
SAR may vary.
Overall Value Rating: 8.8 / 10
Price: $100 - $200
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