IN THIS REPORT
Cell phones: Overview
CR Quick Recommendations
Ratings
How much phone do you need?
Design details
GSM network troubles
Calling plans: Overview
The bottom line
Cost, then minutes

Small details, big differences

Examples from the phones we tested that point to small but critical design details.


Three types of flip phones.

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.

 
Volume controls on a cell phone.

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

 
Nokia 6800 phone with keyboard.

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.

 
Nokia phone rotary design.

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.



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