DOING FLIPS Small bar-style phones, such as the Sony Ericsson (far left), can be too tiny for some fingers. A folding phone, such as the Panasonic (center and right), is small when it needs to be and opens up to a handier size.

HANDY CONTROLS Many phones (see Ratings) put volume controls on the side, where they’re easiest to use without interrupting your conversation.

HIDDEN KEYS Millions of text messages are sent from cell phones each day, most laboriously pecked out on the phone keypad. The Nokia 6800 (right) flips open to reveal a full typewriter-style keyboard for memos, messages, and entries in the built-in datebook.

DIAL M FOR … Nokia seems to delight in finding new key arrangements. The 3650’s rotary design (left) has needlessly small keys. The 3595 (right) puts two numbers on a key, you have to mind which side you press.