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| T-Mobile G1 |
| Full review » Scoreboard » Features » Gallery » |
 The T-Mobile G1 may not have the visual panache and artistry of Apple's UI, but in terms of navigating the phone's myriad and diverse feature set, Google has created an interface in Android that is fun, intuitive and quite powerful. The new Google Android 1.5 "Cupcake" update brings even more parity with the iPhone, and some cool new tricks to the party as well. The phone offers convenience beyond belief without redundantly stacking menu items on top of each other. The apps included with the device, and some of the apps we've downloaded from the Google Market, are fresh and in many cases surprisingly unique. From the Google Maps Street View that creates a virtual world with the built-in compass and accelerometer to the Amazon MP3 store that offers DRM-free downloads to the Compare Everywhere app that scans barcodes and finds local deals on popular products, the T-Mobile G1 offers capabilities and developer access beyond any handheld device we've seen. The new Cupcake update might not push potential customers over the edge, but existing users will be delighted with the onscreen keyboard, the new video recording capabilities and clever UI enhancements, like the desktop folders and the improved look all around. The Google Android OS and the T-Moblle G1 aren't perfect, but they're better than most systems out there, and for an open source OS, they're a fun way to experience what's to come in the world of multimedia smartphones. Release: May 2009. Price: $180.
Pros: Excellent, fun and intuitive new interface design from Google. Solid messaging and Web browsing options. Surprisingly good camera.
Cons: Dull hardware design. Serious reception problems hurt voice quality. Lacks many necessary options, including business e-mail and video player.
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Mediocre |
74%
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Excellent |
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| Nokia E71 |
| Full review » Scoreboard » Features » Gallery » |
 The Nokia E71 is a great slab-style QWERTY phone, better than almost any on the market. It has a slimmer, cooler design than the Motorola Q9h or the Samsung BlackJack 2, and it can handle almost all of the business tools that those Windows Mobile 6.1 phones use. It doesn't have all of the carrier amenities that we usually ignore anyway, like over-the-air music downloads and streaming video clips, and it could be more localized for U.S. users. Still, we had no problem setting up the phone for our Exchange ActiveSync business e-mail, and all of our favorite business features, like tethered modem support and Office Document handling, worked nicely. The biggest challenge this phone faces is competing with the ultra-low, carrier subsidized prices of its competitors, but if you want the top of the line phone in this form factor, the Nokia E71 is an easy choice. Release: July 2008. Price: $500.
Pros: Great design with a comfortable keyboard and a slim, slick case. Fast networking on AT&T's 3G network. Plenty of features, including GPS, Wi-Fi and Exchange support.
Cons: Setup could be confusing for the U.S. audience. Exchange AciveSync drains the battery significantly. Camera is lousy.
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Mediocre |
73%
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Excellent |
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| Palm Centro (Unlocked) |
| Full review » Video » Scoreboard » Features » Gallery » |
_it00.jpg) The audience for an unlocked phone is a special bunch, and we wouldn't recommend this phone as an alternative to a carrier-sponsored version if you don't mind signing a new contract. But if you need the unlocked option, the Palm Centro still makes for an appealing, small smartphone. Everything on the inside screams 2006, but the Palm OS worked pretty well then, and it still works well now. It isn't getting any prettier, and the Web browser is practically ancient by today's standards, but for calling and e-mail, the phone is solid. We recommend trying it before you buy, because the small keyboard might stymie even medium-sized fingers, but if the size fits, go right ahead. Release: June 2008. Price: $300.
Pros: Improved calling interface. Unlocked Centro means T-Mobile users might have a shot. Same small design we liked.
Cons: Same small keyboard, same old interface. Apps like the Blazer browser and Pocket Tunes music player starting to show their age.
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Mediocre |
59%
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| RIM BlackBerry Curve 8330 (Sprint) |
| Full review » Scoreboard » Features » Gallery » |
_it00.jpg) The Sprint BlackBerry Curve 8330 is a slight but significant improvement over the Verizon Wireless version of the same phone, thanks to the additional apps that Sprint has thrown in. On Sprint's Curve, we found plenty of instant messaging options, including GTalk, our favorite, as well as the Facebook app for BlackBerry. We also liked Handmark's Pocket Express, which didn't quite excuse the poor Web browser, but did make information gathering more pleasant. Best of all, the Sprint BlackBerry Curve 8330 retains the excellent battery life and improved scheduling capabilities we've come to appreciate on this device. Right now, this is probably the best BlackBerry on the market, as well as the best multimedia smartphone Sprint has to offer. Release: May 2008. Price: $200.
Pros: Comes with more useful apps than competitor. Best-in-class battery life. Loads of messaging options. Comes with more useful apps than competitor. Best-in-class battery life. Loads of messaging options.
Cons: Web browser is subpar. Call quality could sound better. Media transfer software would be nice. Web browser is subpar. Call quality could sound better. Media transfer software would be nice.
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Mediocre |
74%
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Very good |
Excellent |
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| RIM BlackBerry Curve 8330 (Verizon Wireless) |
| Full review » Scoreboard » Features » Gallery » |
_it00.jpg) Without improving much, RIM has managed to maintain the BlackBerry Curve's status as a compelling device. The interface on Verizon Wireless BlackBerry Curve 8330 is more polished and clean looking than the original model, and the menus are a bit shorter and less daunting. The calendar has been cleaned up, and the media interface has been slightly improved. Otherwise, the Curve 8330 on Verizon packs all the standard BlackBerry features, which is a good thing, but we'd still like to see more. Other carriers, especially Sprint, are more likely to pack extra IM clients onto their BlackBerry devices, and we'd like to see an improved Web browser, like the Opera browser, make it's way to this device. But for calling features, battery life and even navigation, this phone is hard to beat. Release: May 2008. Price: $50.
Pros: Best looking BlackBerry yet, with a polished interface. Excellent battery life. Sharp navigation sensor.
Cons: Keyboard kind of small. Call quality could be better. Web browser renders messy pages. Camera horrendous.
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Mediocre |
69%
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Very good |
Excellent |
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