ELECTRONICS FORUMS  Get real-world advice from others about choosing a new TV, digital camera, computer or cell phone. |
October 2006
New smart phones can be a smart buy
TREO IS A TREAT The Palm Treo’s touch screen makes navigation easy.
Faster data services, Bluetooth connectivity, and new entertainment capabilities have enabled the creation of a new generation
of smart phones, which combine phone, organizer, e-mail, Web, and multimedia functions. To assess their IQ, we tested four
models introduced this year. Prices listed include a two-year contract. To use all the phones’ features, you’ll also need
a data plan (about $20 per month).
Motorola Q
Carrier: Verizon Wireless; $200.
Pros: Runs on Verizon’s high-speed EV-DO data network and Windows Mobile 5.0, Easy access to e-mail and organizer. Supports stereo Bluetooth headsets for listening to music and has a 1.3-megapixel camera with video recorder.
Cons: Cramped QWERTY keypad. Clumsy navigation without a touch screen or programmable shortcuts. Subpar e-mail. You can’t create or edit documents. No Verizon VCast service.
CR’s take: Thin performance in a thin package.
Nokia 9300
Carrier: Cingular; $300; usable with other GSM carriers.
Pros: Looks like a basic phone when closed, but hinges open to reveal a second screen and nicely proportioned QWERTY keyboard with keys to aid navigation. Includes word-processing and spreadsheet software. Full-featured e-mail; user can access regular and BlackBerry accounts and edit attachments.
Cons: Bulky, with little multimedia. Organizer lacks a task manager. No built-in camera. Clumsy folder-based interface.
CR’s take: Solid, basic BlackBerry substitute.
Palm Treo 700p
Carrier: Sprint PCS or Verizon; $400.
Pros: Full-featured PDA and cell phone. Touch screen, programmable keys, and Favorites list make it easiest to navigate. High-speed EV-DO access. A 1.3-megapixel camera with video record. Easy to send and receive e-mail and attachments. Sprint version comes with SprintTV and MobiTV.
Cons: Cramped QWERTY keypad. No handwriting program for veteran Palm users.
CR’s take: Pricey, but the best smart phone for work or play.
T-Mobile Sidekick 3
Carrier: T-Mobile; $300.
Pros: Landscape-oriented, with message-friendly QWERTY keyboard. Two-thumb functionality, useful dedicated keys, and 15 programmable shortcuts make the Sidekick easy to navigate. Word documents and Adobe PDF files sent as attachments in the e-mail program are read-only, but that works better than with Motorola Q. Has the most readable display of the four in bright light. A 1.3-megapixel camera.
Cons: Keypad makes dialing a chore. Display is hard to read in normal and low light. Voice quality for incoming calls is only fair.
CR’s take: Great for people who would rather text than talk.
Motorola Q
Carrier: Verizon Wireless; $200.
Pros: Runs on Verizon’s high-speed EV-DO data network and Windows Mobile 5.0, Easy access to e-mail and organizer. Supports stereo Bluetooth headsets for listening to music and has a 1.3-megapixel camera with video recorder.
Cons: Cramped QWERTY keypad. Clumsy navigation without a touch screen or programmable shortcuts. Subpar e-mail. You can’t create or edit documents. No Verizon VCast service.
CR’s take: Thin performance in a thin package.
Nokia 9300
Carrier: Cingular; $300; usable with other GSM carriers.
Pros: Looks like a basic phone when closed, but hinges open to reveal a second screen and nicely proportioned QWERTY keyboard with keys to aid navigation. Includes word-processing and spreadsheet software. Full-featured e-mail; user can access regular and BlackBerry accounts and edit attachments.
Cons: Bulky, with little multimedia. Organizer lacks a task manager. No built-in camera. Clumsy folder-based interface.
CR’s take: Solid, basic BlackBerry substitute.
Palm Treo 700p
Carrier: Sprint PCS or Verizon; $400.
Pros: Full-featured PDA and cell phone. Touch screen, programmable keys, and Favorites list make it easiest to navigate. High-speed EV-DO access. A 1.3-megapixel camera with video record. Easy to send and receive e-mail and attachments. Sprint version comes with SprintTV and MobiTV.
Cons: Cramped QWERTY keypad. No handwriting program for veteran Palm users.
CR’s take: Pricey, but the best smart phone for work or play.
T-Mobile Sidekick 3
Carrier: T-Mobile; $300.
Pros: Landscape-oriented, with message-friendly QWERTY keyboard. Two-thumb functionality, useful dedicated keys, and 15 programmable shortcuts make the Sidekick easy to navigate. Word documents and Adobe PDF files sent as attachments in the e-mail program are read-only, but that works better than with Motorola Q. Has the most readable display of the four in bright light. A 1.3-megapixel camera.
Cons: Keypad makes dialing a chore. Display is hard to read in normal and low light. Voice quality for incoming calls is only fair.
CR’s take: Great for people who would rather text than talk.
