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| Samsung SGH-A777 |
| Full review » Scoreboard » Features » Gallery » |
 The Samsung SGH-A777 is the perfect example of today's mid-range feature phone. The phone packs almost all of the features we like to see on a 3G phone, but none of them are terribly exciting. There's a few bells and whistles, but no real innovation here. In fact, in terms of hardware design, this is one of our least favorite Samsung sliders, as the company has produced some slick models in the past. For the price with a contract, we're not sure the SGH-A777 is worth the upgrade over the Samsung SGH-A737, as GPS navigation is just about all you're getting for $80 (at launch), but if that price drops to nil, this would be a better choice for someone who wants a basic, easy slider to just barely keep up with the Joneses. Release: December 2008. Price: $80.
Pros: Feature-rich slider with all of AT&T's standard 3G multimedia apps. Nice paint job.
Cons: Boring menus and interface design. Hardware didn't appeal to us as much as other Samsung sliders. Nothing exciting here, just the standard carrier stuff.
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55%
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| LG Incite |
| Full review » Scoreboard » Features » Gallery » |
 LG has mostly missed the target so far with touchscreen phones, never coming close to what Apple has achieved on the iPhone, and even lagging behind native rival Samsung on all-touch devices. Is it a coincidence that in the same week Samsung brought their all-touch, Windows Mobile-powered Samsung Omnia to Verizon Wireless, LG dropped the LG Incite on AT&T? Who knows. But even with all the problems we had with Samsung's device, the LG Incite suffers even more under the crushing weight of Windows Mobile, an interface that was not remotely designed for touch. LG has added a menu atop the professional interface, but hasn't extended any style or ease-of-use beyond the menu screens. This would be injury enough, but to add insult, the LG Incite is just not a responsive touchscreen device, and that's what's most important to us. Throw in the boxy styling and cheap build quality, and it's easy to see how LG missed again with this device. Release: November 2008. Price: $200.
Pros: Good connectivity, with 3G networking and Wi-Fi. Web browser does an acceptable job.
Cons: Cheap design and build. Unresponsive touchscreen. Sluggish performance. No improvements to Windows Mobile beyond the main menu screens.
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61%
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| Samsung Rugby |
| Full review » Scoreboard » Features » Gallery » |
 The Samsung Rugby occupies a prime spot in AT&T's Push-to-Talk lineup. Unlike every other major PTT provider (Sprint, of course, and also Verizon Wireless), AT&T has focused primarily on smartphones for walkie-talkie use, including the Palm Centro, the AT&T Tilt and every model of BlackBerry device. The Samsung Rugby is the carrier's only real rugged phone, and this phone is indeed quite rugged. We washed the Samsung Rugby under a faucet, hit it with a motorcycle (check out our video of the incident, filmed up close and in slow motion with the Casio Exilim EX-FH20), and obnoxiously abused it, and the phone held on like a champ, though our small bike did dent and scratch it a bit. We were surprised to find the phone runs nearly the same multimedia interface as the Samsung Propel we recently reviewed, and we think it could use more of a corporate or workforce update to focus on features that walkie-talkie users prefer, like contact list with synchronization and corporate e-mail support. Instead, the phone has AT&T Music and a few e-mail presets, and even these are buried under the aging menus. It's a fine phone for calling and walkie-talkie use, but we think its time for AT&T to re-imagine their interface as they branch out into new phone categories. Release: October 2008. Price: $130.
Pros: Very rugged. PTT offers unique calling features. Good GPS service, surprisingly adequate Web browser.
Cons: We'd like to see more corporate and on-site features, like corporate e-mail and contacts sync. Multimedia features so buried, why bother?
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61%
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| Pantech Matrix |
| Full review » Scoreboard » Features » Gallery » |
 The Pantech Matrix is a familiar design, in fact it's almost exactly the same size and shape as the Pantech Duo, a Windows Mobile phone with a similar, dual-slide design. That's good and bad, as we definitely like the compact shape and slide-out keys on this phone, but the design could use an update, both in terms of the shell, which could be a bit thinner with easier-to-use buttons, and in terms of the interface. While the standard AT&T menus might be more accessible than Windows Mobile, they don't do this phone justice as a messaging competitor. The lack of messaging options, like the ability to set our own POP or IMAP e-mail accounts (so no Gmail for this phone) also hurt the device significantly. Music playback was fine, and the Web browser was surprisingly robust, but we're waiting for a carrier to find a middle-ground user interface for these messaging phones, instead of just stacking on the same old tired designs. Release: October 2008. Price: $80.
Pros: Dual-slide design is still unique. Great call quality. Capable, if sluggish, Web browser.
Cons: Interface nothing special. Lacks many messaging features, where this phone should excel. Mediocre music experience with no headphone options.
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57%
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| Apple iPhone 3G |
| Full review » Scoreboard » Features » Gallery » |
 With its faster networking, GPS for location-based services and, best of all, the App Store, Apple takes a significant step forward with the iPhone 3G as a consumer-centric device. This phone is special, and though it's not for everyone (hardware keyboard lovers need not apply), it is a great choice for consumers who wants a true convergence device. It's not only a decent phone, it's the best iPod on the market and the best portable Web browser money can buy. And with so many new apps coming to market in the near future, the Apple iPhone 3G will only get more exciting when it comes to entertainment and gaming. We're still bothered that Apple's iPhone 3G omits some obvious technology and solutions. Still, if you are looking for an entertaining phone, there's nothing that comes close to the iPhone 3G right now. Release: July 2008. Price: $100.
Pros: Faster networking. GPS for location-based services. App Store. New design provides better reception.
Cons: Camera should be better. Lacks some functions that even basic multimedia phones provide, like video recording. No removable battery.
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77%
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