The messaging phones become a trend previously and LG is making such handsets with full QWERTY keyboards. It has manufactured the enV and the Voyager for Verizon; while LG Rumor and the Rumor 2 are for Sprint. Now, the company has launched the latest – LG Rumor Touch. It costs $79.99 with two-year Sprint’s contract and has a design quite similar to the LG Xenon. The Rumor Touch features excellent call quality, EV-DO Rev. 0 network support, GPS, 3.5mm headset jack, 2-megapixel camera, and touch-screen. On the dark side, its picture quality and QWERTY keyboard layout needs improvement. The main highlight of the Rumor Touch is the Hello User Interface that provides great experience to organize the contacts. The touch screen is quick responsive even being resistive. Its mobile email supports Yahoo Mail, Hotmail, Windows Live Mail, Gmail, and AOL mail. You will also get the instant access to MySpace, Twitter and Facebook through their respective applications. More to like – the Touch also  [...]

The Sprint is offering its first Android smartphone – HTC Hero. At the time of launch, it was the latest Google Android device available. It looks like its GSM counterpart of Europe. It features multi-touch screen, 3.5mm headset jack, Outlook contact and calendar synchronization, Wi-Fi, 5-megapixel camera, 3G support, GPS, and Bluetooth. The HTC has also added the Sense user interface and redefined the hardware for better performance. However, the Hero smartphone suffers with some faults as well. Its performance is a bit sluggish and still we would like to see some improvements by adding file management and media sync system. It does not have a great appeal like the Apple iPhone and the Palm Pre. The Hero is available for $179.99 with two-year Sprint contract after a mail-in-rebate of $100. It is important to mention here that you have to sign up for unlimited data plan additionally to take all the benefits from the Hero. More to like – it looks better than T-Mobile MyTouch 3G and the  [...]

The HTC Touch Pro2 is available in the U.S. through T-Mobile, Sprint, and Verizon Wireless. The Verizon version of the Windows Mobile smartphone is not different at all from other models. The carrier is providing the Touch Pro2 for $199 with two-year contract, which is $150 less than its competitors. However, you have to sign up for data and voice plan additionally with the Verizon. It is noteworthy that the Verizon is providing less features and services than Sprint’s model. As expected, most of the features and the design of Verizon model are quite similar to that of other versions. The HTC Touch Pro2 for Verizon Wireless offers EV-DO Rev. A support, GPS, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi. For a change – the Verizon has worked with HTC to add some different features like Sleep button on the top, world map pattern at back speaker, and more shortcuts on the QWERTY keyboard. What’s more – the Verizon has announced to provide the Windows Mobile 6.5 upgrade to its consumers. However, the both Verizon  [...]

The LG Chocolate Touch VX8575 is a predecessor of the previous – Chocolate VX8500. Actually, the company has launched two different Chocolate models featuring touch-screen – LG Chocolate BL40 and the Touch VX8575 for Verizon Wireless. The BL40 features cinematic 21:9 image ratio display, 5-megapixel camera, various impressive capabilities, and multi-touch. We are disappointed that this model is available only in Asian and European markets; but not in the U.S. In contrast, the Touch VX8575 is a music centric phone that features virtual drum kit, FM radio, and Dolby equalizer. Not only this, but it also offers 3.2-megapixel camera, full HTML browser, and EV-DO Rev. 0 support. The LG Chocolate Touch VX8575 costs $79.99 with two-year Verizon contract. It looks like other LG touch-screen phones like LG Dare and the LG Vu. However, its browser is an annoying one that does not provide good experience. The LG also ships two changeable back plates – one in black shape, and other in purple.  [...]

The Samsung Strive SGH-A687 was announced to be launched at CTIA 2010 with the Samsung Sunburst. Both are messaging handsets and the Strive SGH-A687 provides a different approach to hot messaging phones trend. It has all the features which you need from a mid-range messaging phone. It costs $19.99 with two-year AT&T contract and also available unlocked for $169.99. Like the Samsung Flight, the Strive has a chunky slider design. It provides access to the latest AT&T cloud services, like the Sunburst. The SGH-A687 supports both WCDMA (UMTS) and GSM, while the Sunburst supports only quad-band GSM. Its camera does not have a flash to improve the picture quality and the internal memory is limited. Our test model had purple color on the sliding front face and gray color at the other one. It casts appealing look to attract the other’s attention. You can select the Samsung Strive SGH-A687 if you need a latest and attractive messaging phone. Design The  [...]

The Pantech is the well known manufacturer to introduce the dual-slider handset. Its Helio Ocean is a pioneer in this design type that reveals QWERTY keyboard and a numeric keypad too. Not only in this one phone, but the dual sliding design was also repeated with the Pantech Matrix, the Matrix Pro, the Pantech Duo and the Helio Ocean2. Now, the company has changed its tone with new single sliding phone - the Pantech Reveal for AT&T. It has alphanumeric keypad on the front and slides down to reveal QWERTY keyboard. It is the first cell phone to offer AT&T.Net Mobile browser, which is based on the Opera. The Reveal also offers music player, 3G support, GPS, and 1.3-megapixel camera. It costs $79 with two-year AT&T contract. However, the small screen does not give much benefit of the Web browser and the QWERTY keyboard is cramped. If you need a good messaging phone with dual keyboard and can work without touch-screen, then the Pantech Reveal for AT&T is a good option.

The Samsung SPH-M330 is designed only for basic communication. It also features VGA camera, Bluetooth, and decent call quality. The handset has basic slider design and feels a bit wispy while holding in hand. The sliding mechanism is sturdy and the sliding part locks into place safely. We like that the navigation array is quite spacious. Its alphanumeric keypad is rubberized and not flush inside the surface. The M330 comes free with contract from Sprint Nextel. However, its display has low resolution and the plastic construction feels a bit flimsy. The volume rocker and 2.5mm headset jack are located on the left spine; while the camera shutter and micro-USB port are on the right spine. The camera lens and speaker is on the back. We are disappointed that there is no flash and self-portrait mirror. If you need a free basic handset with Sprint’s contract, then Samsung SPH-M330 will be a good choice. The Sprint also provides PictBridge service for printing the captured prints and allows ordering  [...]

The high-profile smartphones like the Samsung Rogue and the LG enV Touch has featured a common luxury and staple feature of Verizon Wireless – V Cast Music and V Cast Video. Now, it seems that the Verizon has changed its tune with new – HTC Imagio. It will be the first Verizon smartphone with the V Cast Mobile TV – live mobile television service, V Cast Music, V Cast Video, and Windows Mobile 6.5 OS. It features kickstand to watch videos, smart touch-screen, micro-SD card slot, 5-megapixel camera, and 3.5mm headset jack. The Imagio costs $199.99 with two-year contract after a mail-in-rebate of $100. What’s more – the Windows Mobile 6.5 smartphone supports quad-band GSM for world roaming, EV-Do Rev. A network, and has inbuilt Wi-Fi. However, the Imagio still suffer from a drawback that its call quality may be a bit choppy. If you need a smartphone with latest features, Mobile Live TV service and fast performance, then the HTC Imagio will be the first choice. Noteworthy that live  [...]

The rugged handsets are not new for the United States cell phone market. The Casio has aimed its G’zOne series for tough cell phones with military specifications. Its first model was Type-V that features EVO and megapixel camera and lacks Bluetooth. In contrast, second model – Type-S features Bluetooth and VGA camera without EV-DO. Verizon and Casio finally settled down to launch – the G’zOne Boulder that features 1.3-megapixel camera, push-to-talk, Bluetooth, EV-Do, and V Cast Music. It costs $129.99 with two-year contract. The Verizon G’zOne Boulder is MIL-STD-810F military certified to withstand extreme temperatures, solar radiation, shock, water, vibration, dust, immersion, fog, salt, and humidity. However, its call quality was mediocre and it is bulkier than other cell phones in its class. We throw the Boulder on the floor and dunk it in water mug for few minutes, but there was not bad effect on the phone. If you need a tough handset with Verizon Wireless, you can check –  [...]

Whenever you talk about the prolific cell phone manufacturers in the United States, you will also count the Samsung. Its Samsung Freeform for Alltel Wireless is a good messaging phone. Its unlocked version has a price tag of $199.99 and also costs $69.99 with one-year contract after a mail-in-rebate of $50. The Freeform features GPS, basic multimedia capabilities with 3.5mm headset jack, and corporate email support. It has familiar rigid design unlike its name. The additional highlights are three-way conference calling, voice recognition, Bluetooth, and more. The overall call quality is good and its messaging features are the main selling point. Samsung also offers two display languages: English and Spanish. However, its QWERTY keyboard is bit cramped and photo quality needs improvement. If you need an entry-level budget phone then Samsung Freeform is a good choice. Design The charger jack and  [...]