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Best of 2006: Music and Multimedia PhonesBy Philip Berne, 28 December 2006
Which phone rocked us this year? Which were our favorite for movies and television? Check out our favorite music and media phone, including the first 3.5G handsets, and some phones made with music in mind.

Music and Multimedia phones

Our favorite music phones included the crowd favorite Sony Ericsson W810i, as well as the only RAZR with iTunes, the Motorola RAZR V3i. The LG CU500 earns its place as the first 3.5G phone in the U.S., while Sanyo's M1 impressed us with its performance and 1GB of internal memory. The Samsung SGH-A707 (Cingular's SYNC) took music seriously, though it lacked the accessories and ease of Nokia's 5300 XpressMusic. Helio proved the third phone's a charm with its GPS-capable Helio Drift. Finally, Samsung's SPH-M610 wowed us with its slim design and top-notch features.

A worldwide favorite Walkman phone
Sony Ericsson W810i    Similar models »
Score: 80% When: October 2006 Worth: $70 - $200 Carrier: AT&T
The original Walkman phone is back with a vengeance; Sony Ericsson's W810i sports several improvements over the W800i - and they're of the right sort. A review by Sindre Lia.
Read »   Gallery »
Sony Ericsson W810i


The only RAZR that can play your iTunes hits
Motorola RAZR V3i    Similar models »
Score: 82% When: September 2006 Worth: $200 - $400 Carrier: AT&T
Finally released in the U.S. through Cingular, the V3i boasts built-in iTunes support, a 1.2-megapixel camera and the ubiquitous RAZR shell. Will it replace your precious iPod?
Read »   Gallery »
Motorola RAZR V3i


The first HSDPA-enabled media phone in the U.S.
LG CU500    Similar models »
Score: 50% When: July 2006 Worth: $50 Carrier: AT&T
Will the LG CU500, Cingular's first foray into the speedy world of HSDPA handsets, lure customers to all that 3.5G has to offer? Philip Berne puts the new clamshell through its paces.
Read »   Gallery »
LG CU500


The SYNC can play Napster and Yahoo Music tunes
Samsung SGH-A707    Similar models »
Score: 63% When: November 2006 Worth: $25 - $100 Carrier: AT&T
Also known as the Cingular SYNC, this HSDPA-enabled flip phone works with Cingular's new music service and promises smooth, skip-free mobile video. Philip Berne samples the A707's sights and sounds.
Read »   Gallery »   Features »   Side-by-side »
Samsung SGH-A707


Nokia's sporty 5300 takes its music seriously
Nokia 5300 XpressMusic    Similar models »
Score: 56% When: January 2007 Worth: $Free Carrier: T-Mobile
With stereo Bluetooth, dedicated music buttons and a sporty design, the Nokia 5300 boldly declares itself a music phone. Will it replace your MP3 player as well as your phone?
Read »   Gallery »   Features »   Side-by-side »
Nokia 5300 XpressMusic


Helio's Drift let's you watch viral videos while you stalk your friends
Helio Drift    Similar models »
Score: 60% When: November 2006 Worth: $225 Carrier: Helio
With its icy cool design and unique interface, Samsung's new Drift for Helio finds your friends with Buddy Beacon and MySpace Mobile. Will it help you find the party, or leave you all alone?
Read »   Gallery »
Helio Drift


Samsung's slimmest flip phone watches movies and downloads music
Samsung SPH-M610    Similar models »
Score: 82% When: November 2006 Worth: $130 - $330 Carrier: Sprint
This wafer-thin clamshell features stereo Bluetooth, a 2-megapixel camera and access to Sprint's Music Store and TV services. Does the M610 belong in your pocket?
Read »   Gallery »
Samsung SPH-M610
Best Music phones
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