In this day and age, when buying back-to-school supplies, a cell phone is almost as essential as pencil and paper (oh, how times have changed). However, all cell phones are not created equal, and some are better suited for students than others. Our picks here aren't the most advanced or flashiest, but they offer features that we think will come in handy for back-to-schoolers. Whether it's a full QWERTY keyboard to text message friends, organization tools to keep your schedule on track, or multimedia features for outside of class, these cell phones and smartphones are at the head of the class.
Editors' top pick
The bottom line: The Palm Centro isn't the innovative product we were looking for from the company, but with its slimmer size, ease of use, and affordable price tag, the Centro is a good option for those looking for their first smartphone.
Price:
$0.00
The bottom line: The Samsung Instinct stands out as one of Sprint's finest devices to date. It's just too bad its call quality could use some improvement.
Price:
$129.99 - $599.99
The bottom line: The Nokia 5310 continues the fine Xpress Music tradition by offering a satisfying blend of features and performance in an attractive design.
Price:
$49.99
The bottom line: The Z9 may not offer anything new but it's a fine cell phone in all regards. It offers an attractive design, a great feature set, and superb call quality.
The bottom line: The 6301 is a great choice for a T-Mobile HotSpot @Home cell phone. Just don't count on its camera.
Price:
$79.99
The bottom line: The LG enV(2) is not much more than a slimmed down version of the enV, but it still serves as an excellent high-end messaging phone.
Price:
$79.99 - $369.99
The bottom line: The LG Decoy is an excellent phone on its own, but the addition of a built-in Bluetooth headset puts it over the top.
Price:
$149.99 - $499.99
The bottom line: The Pantech Breeze is definitely ideal for senior citizens and those with disabilities, but it's also an all-around great phone for anyone who wants a decent entry-level handset.
Price:
$29.99
The bottom line: The RIM BlackBerry Pearl 8130 improves on an already-impressive smartphone with the addition of GPS, video recording, and 3G support.
Price:
$49.99
The bottom line: The T-Mobile Sidekick LX will continue to attract a legion of young fans with its fresh design and excellent messaging capabilities. We like the improved display, and the software update brings some much-needed additions to the features department.
Price:
$199.99
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