Bonnie Cha,
August 1, 2008
Finally, all that hard work is paying off--you're moving up the corporate ladder, but with that comes more responsibilities and obligations. A typical workday could have you dashing from status meetings to client visits and back to your desk. And while a PDA and a cell phone might do a nice job of keeping you on track and connected to the office, wouldn't it be great not to have to carry both around? The solution may be a smartphone. If you've been hesitant to graduate to a smartphone because it seems too advanced or excessive, think again. These smartphones are good starters, offering ease of use and the essential tools for messaging, voice calls, and productivity. Read our reviews to see if one is right for you.
| Product name | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $79.99 to $369.99 | $0.01 to $149.99 | Check Prices | $79.99 | $149.99 | $99.99 to $449.99 |
| CNET editors' rating |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Average user rating | ||||||
| Review date | December 06, 2007 | October 28, 2007 | July 11, 2008 | December 17, 2007 | July 29, 2008 | June 16, 2008 |
| The Bottom Line | Although the Samsung BlackJack II doesn't bring any revolutionary upgrades, there are a number of welcome additions, including GPS and better performance, to make it a worthy successor and a good-value smartphone. | For the young professionals who have outgrown their cell phone but aren't quite ready for a business-centric device, the T-Mobile Shadow offers a nice compromise, as the entry-level smartphone brings the capabilities of a Windows Mobile smartphone into a fresh and affordable package. | The iPhone 3G delivers on its promises by adding critical features and sharper call quality. The iTunes App Store is pretty amazing, and the 3G support is more than welcome. Critical features still are missing, and the battery depletes quickly under heavy use, but the iPhone 3G is a big improvement over the original model. | The RIM BlackBerry Pearl 8130 improves on an already-impressive smartphone with the addition of GPS, video recording, and 3G support. | With the new features, extra level of customization, and affordable price tag, the T-Mobile Sidekick is a good choice for the carrier's younger customers looking for an all-in-one communication device. | Despite some minor shortcomings, the Palm Centro offers Verizon Wireless customers an easy-to-use, affordable, and solid performing smartphone that's perfect for the first-time buyer or anyone on a budget. |
| Similar Products | Compare more products | Compare more products | Compare more products | Compare more products | Compare more products | Compare more products |
| Features | ||||||
| Packaged contents | Info unavailable |
Carrying case Hands-free headset |
Info unavailable | Info unavailable | Info unavailable | Info unavailable |
| RAM installed size | Info unavailable |
64 MB |
Info unavailable | Info unavailable | Info unavailable | Info unavailable |
| Band / mode |
GSM 850/900/1800/1900 |
GSM 850/900/1800/1900 (Quadband) |
WCDMA (UMTS) / GSM 850/900/1800/1900 |
CDMA 800/1900 |
GSM 850/900/1800/1900 (Quadband) |
Info unavailable |
| Cellular technology |
GSM |
GSM |
WCDMA (UMTS) / GSM |
CDMA |
GSM |
Info unavailable |
| Talk time | Info unavailable |
Up to 300 min |
Up to 600 min |
Info unavailable |
Up to 300 min |
Up to 210 min |
| OS provided |
Microsoft Windows Mobile 6.0 |
Microsoft Windows Mobile 6.0 |
Apple MacOS X |
Info unavailable | Info unavailable |
Palm OS 5.4.9 |
| Color support |
16-bit (64K colors) |
16-bit (64K colors) |
32-bit (128K colors) |
Info unavailable | Info unavailable |
16-bit (64K colors) |
| Clock speed | Info unavailable |
200 MHz |
Info unavailable | Info unavailable | Info unavailable |
312 MHz |
| Weight | Info unavailable |
5.3 oz |
4.7 oz |
0.2 lbs |
4.5 oz |
4.2 oz |
| Height | Info unavailable |
4.1 in |
4.6 in |
4.2 in |
4.7 in |
|
