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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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| Motorola Krave ZN4 |
| Full review » Scoreboard » Features » Gallery » |
 The Motorola Krave ZN4 has some great hardware, with a cool flip shell and a very responsive touchscreen interface. Unfortunately, the user interface that hardware supports is something of a letdown, with an inconsistent design and some aging apps, like the V Cast Music Store and the OpenWave Web browser, that haven't gotten better with time. In this way, the Motorola Krave ZN4 is like the opposite of the LG Dare on Verizon Wireless, which was a phone that had a unique and modern interface, but lacked the hardware to keep up. Of course, both of these phones borrow liberally from the Apple iPhone 3G's playbook, but neither of them come close to measuring up to AT&T's multimedia smartphone. We liked the cool, clear flip and the V Cast Mobile TV capabilities, but even the advanced TV features gave us trouble, and for the severe starting price, we'd have to recommend buyers look elsewhere. The Motorola Krave ZN4 feels like the first version of a phone family that might someday be great, and we'd stick with the look and feel, but everything else on this phone needs an update. Release: October 2008. Price: $180.
Pros: Responsive touchscreen interface. Cool design with the clear flip and invisible wiring. Great navigation features.
Cons: User interface feels half-baked. Some static during calls. Reception problems with V Cast Mobile TV service. Lousy Web browser with strange pointer tool. Aging messaging and music playback apps.
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62%
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| Motorola Adventure V750 |
| Full review » Scoreboard » Features » Gallery » |
 Verizon Wireless doesn't leave much choice when it comes to PTT phones. Either you go rugged and waterproof with the G'zOne Boulder, or you go rugged and stylish with the Motorola Adventure V750. The Adventure V750 is a better phone all around, though that doesn't mean it's perfect. But though the lack of waterproofing might mean improved call quality and better reception on this phone, we think this tough RAZR-like phone would be a real winner if it could take a swim from time to time. Still, the phone packs real multimedia features and impressive hardware into a fairly attractive (yes, we know it looks like a RAZR) shell. We would like to see Motorola break out a bit from the stodgy Verizon interface design and really bring this phone's media features up to speed, and then it would be a more compelling device for any audience. Release: August 2008. Price: $80.
Pros: RAZR-like design is still new to the PTT world. Very good call quality and calling features. Great navigation options. Very fast networking.
Cons: Speaker is clear, could be louder. Messaging and 3G multimedia features come up short. Waterproofing would make this a killer device.
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61%
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| Sanyo Katana Eclipse |
| Full review » Video » Scoreboard » Features » Gallery » |
 The Sanyo Katana Eclipse is the Katana series finally honed to pleasing, unique multimedia phone, and unique is probably the key word. No longer in the RAZR's shadow, the Katana has the cool customizable color-changing LEDs that we liked, and a bevy of great multimedia features. Unfortunately, not all of these worked so well, especially if network reception was an issue, but Sanyo has the basics covered. The phone makes great calls, comes packed with easy-to-use calling features, and includes some surprisingly good messaging tools. Is this phone better than the new Motorola RAZR VE20? They're an equal match, so if you like the flashing lights, stick with this phone, but if you need larger screens and a more polished interface, check out the latest competitor. Release: August 2008. Price: $50.
Pros: Cool design, with flashy, color-changing LED lights. Solid interface, if a little blocky. Calls sounded great; with a load of good calling features as well.
Cons: 3G features, like music, video and location-based search, underperformed. Reception problems hurt data services. Mediocre camera. Cramped keyboard.
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63%
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| Motorola RAZR VE20 |
| Full review » Scoreboard » Features » Gallery » |
 The Motorola RAZR VE20 is the best RAZR on the market right now. We've been uttering that phrase about once a year for the last four years or so, and it's no less true now. The RAZR VE20 is a fine phone. It doesn't break any new ground, except for its sleek, polished interface, but it gets a lot of things right. Making phone calls, for one thing, is a good experience on the MOTORAZR VE20. GPS navigation works well; there's plenty of messaging options; and music isn't bad either, despite the lack of equipment. So what if it's a RAZR, let Motorola worry about that. It's a fine feature phone, and it isn't a bad choice for someone looking for a flashy phone with plenty under the hood. Release: August 2008. Price: $100.
Pros: Curvy, feminine new design for RAZR family. Polished user interface and menu screens. Loads of multimedia features.
Cons: There's nothing wrong with being a RAZR. MicroSD card slot buried under battery. We'd like to have more memory. Web browser lousy and dated. Streaming services can't keep up with downloads.
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64%
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