Cell Phones

PCS Phone Samsung RL-A760 (Sprint)

The Samsung RL-A760's claim to fame is its support for Sprint's Ready Link walkie-talkie feature, which makes it easy to instantly communicate with anyone on a Ready Link capable phone. When you add that to advanced voice recognition features, a speakerphone and a color screen, you've got a powerful tool for mobile productivity.

Design
The RL-A760's handsome clamshell form factor houses an internal 128 x 160, 65,000-color display. There's also a supplementary, 96 x 96 grayscale display that displays call information, battery life, time of day, signal strength and more. An extendable antenna is located on the top right side of the phone. The outside cover is dominated by a large speaker/microphone for speakerphone and voice recognition applications. Most of the phone's features and on-screen menus are controlled by a five-way center button above the handset's dial pad. The Ready Link service is operated by a button on the left side of the phone-- walkie-talkie style. A 2.5mm headset jack is also provided.

Calling Features
The phone's built-in address book allows you to assign up to 300 entries, each storing six numbers, with a total capacity for 300 numbers and 300 email and Web addresses. A separate Ready Link phone book provides easy access to 200 personal contacts and 200 company-provided contacts. You can customize your caller ID by linking a downloaded image or photo to a specific phone number in your contact list. Choose from 29 ring tones, offering a variety of traditional ring tones as well as polyphonic (32-chord), melodic ring tones and vibrating alert. The RL-A760's GPS location technology pinpoints your exact location when you dial 911 (where available). Perhaps most importantly for users in rural areas, the RL-A760 is a tri-mode phone, meaning it can operate on Sprint's digital PCS network, as well as analog networks that serve many outlying areas.

Hands-free operation of your phone is easy with the built-in speakerphone while enhanced voice recognition allows you to speak numbers digit by digit or speak the name of anyone in your phonebook. You can also command the phone to give you a status update on battery and coverage strength. Voice features are speaker-independent, so there's no need to train the phone to respond to any one person's voice.

The RL-A760's Ready Link feature lets you enjoy the convenience of quick, walkie-talkie style communication at the touch of a button with one or several Ready Link users anywhere you go (Sprint PCS Ready Link service charges apply).

Messaging, Internet and Tools
If you need basic messaging capabilities, the RL-A760 has you covered as support is built-in for sending and receiving SMS text messages (Sprint PCS text messaging charges apply). T9 text entry, a technology that makes it easier for people to enter words and text on handsets, is built-into the unit-- a plus for text messaging users.

The phone also supports PCS Vision email and instant messaging capabilities. Sprint PCS Vision transforms the wireless experience from something that's simply functional into something visual, entertaining and highly personalized. MSN Hotmail, Yahoo Mail and AOL Instant Messenger are all supported by Sprint's PCS Vision service. PCS Vision mobile Web services let you check out sports scores, get your seven-day forecast, check your flight status, and stay up to date with the latest news. Experience full-color graphic versions of popular Web sites.

A number of handy software tools are bundled with the RL-A760 including a calendar, a calculator, an alarm clock and a to-do list. A voice recorder lets you record up to 10 one-minute memos for later retrieval.

Entertainment
The RL-A760 lets you choose from a variety of pre-set images to customize your main and external displays and make them unique to you. With PCS Vision service, you can download games like Tetris and Pac-Man, as well as additional ringers, screensavers and backgrounds.

Vital Statistics
The Samsung RL-A760 weighs 3.8 ounces and measures 3.5 x 1.8 x 1 inches. Its lithium-ion battery is rated at up to 3 hours of digital talk time, and up to 216 hours of digital standby time. It runs on the AMPS 800/CDMA 800/CDMA 1900 frequencies. The phone comes with a one year limited warranty.

What's in the Box
RL-A760 handset, AC battery charger, lithium-ion battery, user's manual.

PCS Phone Nokia 6016i (Sprint)

With a vibrant, full-color screen, support for SMS text messaging, a speakerphone and voice-activated dialing, the 6016i is an affordable, entry-level phone with top-level features. It's a great companion for Sprint PCS users who want simple PCS voice functionality.

Design
The 6016i follows the tried and true Nokia candybar style with an extendable antenna mated to a dedicated internal antenna. The phone includes a 2.5mm headset jack, a USB data port, and a standard Nokia charging connector. The 96 x 65 color display boasts 4096 colors. Detachable faceplates are available for the front and rear of the handset so you can dress up your phone to suit your mood.

Calling Features
The 6016i's built-in address book can store up to 250 contacts for quick and easy management of phone numbers. Choose from 30 built-in ringers, including MIDI ring tones with up to 16-chord polyphonic sound, as well as a vibrating alert. Voice activated dialing makes calling your friends, family and associates as easy as saying their names. You can also speak up to 25 numbers with the sound of your voice. The 6016i's GPS location technology pinpoints your exact location when you dial 911. Perhaps most importantly for users in rural areas, the 6016i is a tri-mode phone, meaning it can operate on Sprint's digital PCS network, as well as analog networks that serve many outlying areas.

Messaging, Internet and Tools
If you need basic messaging capabilities, the 6016i has you covered as support is built-in for sending and receiving SMS text messages (Sprint PCS text messaging charges apply). T9 text entry, a technology that makes it easier for people to enter words and text on handsets, is built-into the unit-- a plus for text messaging users.

A number of handy software tools are bundled with the 6016i including a calendar, a calculator, a voice recorder with 30 seconds of recording memory, an alarm clock, and a to-do list. The 6016i lets you carry these tools wherever you go so you can create appointments and view your schedule at a moment's notice.

Entertainment
The 6016i is Java enabled, meaning it supports games written on the Java platform. Turn downtime into fun time when you play one of three built-in Java games-- Air Glide, Bowling, or Sky Diver-- right on your phone's display. The phone also features customizable colors and screen backgrounds so you can make your phone reflect your personality.

Vital Statistics
The Nokia 6016i weighs 3.87 ounces and measures 4.26 x 1.97 x 0.91 inches. Its lithium-ion battery is rated at up to 3.5 hours of digital talk time, and up to 360 hours of digital standby time. It runs on the AMPS 800/CDMA 800/CDMA 1900 frequencies. The phone comes with a one year limited warranty.

What's in the Box
Nokia 6016i handset, AC battery charger, lithium-ion battery, user's manual.

PCS Phone Samsung i600 (Sprint)

Samsung I300 Phone (Sprint)

PCS Phone Sanyo RL-4920 (Sprint)

The Sanyo RL-4920's supports Sprint's Ready Link walkie-talkie feature, which makes it easy to instantly communicate with anyone on a Ready Link capable phone. When you add that to great battery life (up to 5.5 hours), a color screen, a speakerphone and support for PCS vision services, you've got a powerful tool for mobile productivity.

Design
The RL-4920's sporty candybar form factor sports a 128 x 112, 65,000-color display. An extendable antenna is located on the top right side of the phone and the rear panel is dominated by a speaker for speakerphone and voice dialing applications. Most of the phone's features and on-screen menus are controlled by a five-way center button above the handset's dial pad. The Ready Link service is operated by a button on the left side of the phone-- walkie-talkie style. A 2.5mm headset jack is also provided, as is a USB-compatible data connector.

Calling Features
The phone's built-in address book allows you to assign up to 300 entries, each storing seven numbers, with a total capacity for 500 numbers and 300 email and Web addresses. A separate Ready Link phone book provides easy access to 200 personal contacts and 200 company-provided contacts. You can customize your caller ID by linking a downloaded image or photo to a specific phone number in your phone book. Choose from 11 multi-chord, melodic ring tones and eight traditional ring tones, including vibrating alert. The RL-4920's GPS location technology pinpoints your exact location when you dial 911 (where available). Perhaps most importantly for users in rural areas, the RL-4920 is a tri-mode phone, meaning it can operate on Sprint's digital PCS network, as well as analog networks that serve many outlying areas.

Hands-free operation of your phone is easy with the built-in speakerphone. Voice recognition allows you to speak the name of anyone in your phonebook for rapid dialing. The RL-4920's Ready Link feature lets you enjoy the convenience of quick, walkie-talkie style communication at the touch of a button with one or several Ready Link users anywhere you go (Sprint PCS Ready Link service charges apply).

Messaging, Internet and Tools
If you need basic messaging capabilities, the RL-4920 has you covered as support is built-in for sending and receiving SMS text messages (Sprint PCS text messaging charges apply). T9 text entry, a technology that makes it easier for people to enter words and text on handsets, is built-into the unit-- a plus for text messaging users.

The phone also supports PCS Vision email and instant messaging capabilities. Sprint PCS Vision transforms the wireless experience from something that's simply functional into something visual, entertaining and highly personalized. MSN Hotmail, Yahoo Mail and AOL Instant Messenger are all supported by Sprint's PCS Vision service. PCS Vision mobile Web services let you check out sports scores, get your seven-day forecast, check your flight status, and stay up to date with the latest news. Experience full-color graphic versions of popular Web sites.

For business users, the RL-4920 offers something special. Sprint PCS Business Connection service is supported by the phone and it gives you secure, remote, real-time access to Microsoft Outlook or Lotus Notes information-- including email messages and attachments, calendar, business directory and personal contacts. You can also respond to meeting requests, access documents stored on your desktop PC, and view email from Internet email accounts, including Sprint PCS Mail, Yahoo!, Earthlink and more.

A number of handy software tools are bundled with the RL-4920 including a calendar, a calculator, an alarm clock, and a to-do list and scheduler. A voice recorder lets you record up to 50 minutes of voice memos for later retrieval or download to a PC.

Entertainment
The RL-4920 lets you choose different font sizes when sending messages or accessing your browser. You can also choose one of four background screens for your phone's display. With PCS Vision service, you can download games like Tetris and Pac-Man, as well as additional ringers, screensavers and backgrounds.

Vital Statistics
The Sanyo RL-4920 weighs 4.03 ounces and measures 4.22 x 1.85 x .89 inches. Its lithium-ion battery is rated at up to 5.5 hours of digital talk time, and up to 168 hours of digital standby time. It runs on the AMPS 800/CDMA 800/CDMA 1900 frequencies. The phone comes with a one year limited warranty.

What's in the Box
RL-4920 handset, AC battery charger, lithium-ion battery, user's manual.

PCS Phone Samsung PM-A740 (Sprint)

With a VGA camera and flash, dual color displays and voice dialing, the PM-740 is a great mobile companion and a great way to get and receive images on the go. It's the perfect complement to Sprint PCS service and Sprint PCS Vision wireless services.

Design
The PM-740's sleek clamshell form factor houses an internal 128 x 160, 65,000-color display. There's also a supplementary, 96 x 96 full-color display that displays pictures, call information, battery life, time of day, signal strength and more. An extendable antenna is located on the top right side of the phone. The VGA camera and LED flash unit are housed just above this display. Handy up/down buttons are located on the left side of the phone for quick menu navigation. Most of the phone's features and on-screen menus are controlled by a five-way center button above the handset's dial pad. A 2.5mm headset jack is also provided. Power charging is handled by a port on the bottom of the phone.

Calling Features
The phone's built-in address book allows you to assign up to 300 contacts with up to 6 entries per contact. You can customize your caller ID by linking a downloaded image or photo to a specific phone number in your contact list. Polyphonic ring tones are supported and there's also a vibrating alert to keep things discreet. The ringer ID function lets you assign ringtones to specific callers, and the voice dialing feature allows for quick, voice activated calling of pre-programmed contacts. The PM-740's GPS location technology pinpoints your exact location when you dial 911 (where available). Perhaps most importantly for users in rural areas, the RL-A760 is a tri-mode phone, meaning it can operate on Sprint's digital PCS network, as well as analog networks that serve many outlying areas.

Messaging, Internet and Tools
The PM-740 covers the messaging basics with support for sending and receiving text and picture messages. With Sprint PCS Picture Mail, you can take a picture anytime and send it to family and friends instantly while on the Sprint PCS Network (Sprint messaging charges apply). Easily save your pictures on your PM-740 or store them online at sprint.com/picturemail, where you can share and upload unlimited pictures to create albums. T9 text entry, which is a technology that makes it easier for people to enter words and text on handsets, is built-into the unit-- a plus for mobile email and text messaging users.

The PM-740 also supports PCS Vision email and instant messaging capabilities. Sprint PCS Vision transforms the wireless experience from something that's simply functional into something visual, entertaining and highly personalized. MSN Hotmail, Yahoo Mail and AOL Instant Messenger are all supported by Sprint's PCS Vision service. PCS Vision mobile Web services let you check out sports scores, get your seven-day forecast, check your flight status, and stay up to date with the latest news. Experience full-color graphic versions of popular Web sites.

A number of handy software tools are bundled with the PM-740 including a calendar, a calculator, an alarm clock and a to-do list. A voice recorder lets you record short memos for later retrieval.

Imaging and Entertainment
The fun really starts with the PM-740's built-in VGA camera. Capture great pictures in low-light situations with the built-in LED flash. The camera also features image brightness control and a handy self-timer-- so you can be in the picture, too.

The PM-740 lets you choose different screensavers and backgrounds to make the phone suit your style. With PCS Vision service, you can download games like Tetris and Pac-Man, as well as additional ringers, screensavers and backgrounds.

Vital Statistics
The Samsung PM-740 weighs 3.46 ounces and measures 3.5 x 1.8 x 1 inches. Its lithium-ion battery is rated at up to 3 hours of digital talk time, and up to 192 hours of digital standby time. It runs on the AMPS 800/CDMA 800/CDMA 1900 frequencies. The phone comes with a one year limited warranty.

What's in the Box
PM-740 handset, AC battery charger, lithium-ion battery, user's manual.

Nokia 3589i Phone (Verizon Wireless)

With support for messaging, application and game downloads, and voice dialing, the Nokia 3589i is a great mobile companion for Verizon Wireless users.

Design
The 3589i follows the tried and true Nokia candybar style with an extendable antenna mated to a dedicated internal antenna. The phone includes a 2.5mm headset jack and a USB data port for connectivity with a PC. The 96 x 65 color display boasts 4096 colors. Detachable faceplates are available for the front and rear of the handset.

Calling Features
The 3589i's built-in address book can store up to 500 contacts for quick and easy management of phone numbers and email addresses. The phone comes with 35 built-in polyphonic ringtones plus a vibrating alert, both of which can be customized to identify incoming calls. More polyphonic ringtones can be added, as can MP3-based ringtones. Voice activated dialing makes calling your friends, family and associates as easy as saying their names. You can also speak up to 25 numbers and control other phone features with the sound of your voice. The 3589i's GPS location technology pinpoints your exact location when you dial 911.

Messaging, Internet and Tools
The 3589i has all the bases covered when it comes to messaging. Support is built in for sending and receiving text and graphics via messages. T9 text entry, which is a technology that makes it easier for people to enter words and text on handsets, is built into the unit-- a plus for mobile email and text messaging users.

Getting on the Internet anywhere is easy with the 3589i, as well. Verizon's optional Mobile Web package allows you to read and send e-mails, exchange instant messages and view your favorite web content on your phone. You can check your e-mail, trade stocks online, compare prices while shopping, access flight information, get movie listings and find directions to the theater.

Verizon's Get It Now wireless download service is also fully compatible with the 3589i. This pay-per-download service features application downloads, games and productivity tools. You can also personalize your handset with ringtone downloads and digital photo-sharing tools using the Get It Now service.

A number of handy software tools are bundled with the 3589i including a voice memo recorder, a calculator, a calendar with up to 100 entries, and an alarm clock with snooze and a stopwatch. Via download on its Web site, Nokia offers a free application called PC Suite that facilitates easy synchronization of contacts, calendar events and other data between the phone and your PC.

Imaging and Entertainment
The 3589i is BREW enabled, meaning it supports games written on the BREW platform. Games are available via the Get It Now service. The phone also features customizable themes, screen backgrounds and fonts so you can make your phone reflect your personality.

Vital Statistics
The Nokia 3589i weighs 4.10 ounces and measures 4.68 x 1.96 x 0.92 inches. Its lithium-ion battery is rated at up to 3 hours of digital talk time, and up to 192 hours of digital standby time. It runs on the AMPS 800/CDMA 800/CDMA 1900 frequencies. The phone comes with a one year limited warranty.

What's in the Box
Nokia 3589i handset, battery charger, lithium-ion battery.

PCS Phone LG PM-325 (Sprint)

WIth an innovative sliding design, Bluetooth and a VGA camera, the boldly designed PM-325 from LG makes a powerful statement while keeping you up to date with the latest wireless technologies. It's a great companion for Sprint PCS users who want the power of PCS Vision functionality.

Design
The phone's unique sliding keypad reveals a bright, 65,000-color, 128 x 160 screen. When not in use, the screen collapses to a smaller size and displays only vital data, such as time, incoming calls, signal strength and battery life. Most of the phone's features and on-screen menus are controlled by a five-way center button above the handset's dial pad. A button to engage the camera for quick shots, as well as up/down volume and selection buttons, are placed on the left side of the unit. The phone's 2.5mm headset jack is placed on the top right side of the unit, while the VGA camera and self-portrait mirror are placed on the back. Charging and USB data connectivity (via a USB adapter) are provided on the bottom of the unit. The PM-325 features an internal antenna-- nothing to snag or break off.

Calling Features
The PM-325's built-in address book can store up to 200 contacts with five phone numbers each. The address book also stores email and web addresses of contacts. Record your own ring tone, or choose from one of 24 multi-chord melodic ring tones and six traditional ring tones. There's also a vibrating alert for when you want to be discreet. Voice activated dialing makes calling your friends, family and associates as easy as saying their names. You can also speak up to 30 numbers with the sound of your voice. Know who's calling you by linking downloaded images and photos to specific contacts in your internal phone book. The PM-325's GPS location technology pinpoints your exact location when you dial 911 (where available). Perhaps most importantly for users in rural areas, the PM-325 is a tri-mode phone, meaning it can operate on Sprint's digital PCS network, as well as analog networks that serve many outlying areas.

Because the PM-325 is Bluetooth-enabled, you can use a variety of headsets and handsfree kits for total wireless freedom when you're on the go.

Messaging, Internet and Tools
The PM-325 covers the messaging basics with support for sending and receiving text and picture messages. With Sprint PCS Picture Mail, you can take a picture anytime and send it to family and friends instantly while on the Sprint PCS Network (Sprint messaging charges apply). Easily save your pictures on your PM-325 or store them online at sprint.com/picturemail, where you can share and upload unlimited pictures to create albums. T9 text entry, which is a technology that makes it easier for people to enter words and text on handsets, is built-into the unit-- a plus for mobile email and text messaging users.

The PM-325 also supports PCS Vision email and instant messaging capabilities. Sprint PCS Vision transforms the wireless experience from something that's simply functional into something visual, entertaining and highly personalized. MSN Hotmail, Yahoo Mail and AOL Instant Messenger are all supported by Sprint's PCS Vision service. PCS Vision mobile Web services let you check out sports scores, get your seven-day forecast, check your flight status, and stay up to date with the latest news. Experience full-color graphic versions of popular Web sites.

The PM-325 ships with a calendar and scheduler, a voice memo application with up to 3 minutes of record time, and a notepad. An alarm clock, calculator and world clock are also included, as is the very handy restaurant tip calculator. Never dine without it!

Imaging and Entertainment
The fun starts with the PM-325's built-in VGA camera. Capture pictures with up to 8x digital zoom and choose from a variety of customizable options, such as different color tones, brightness levels, and white balance settings. You can even customize your own camera shutter sounds. The PM-325 lets you choose between normal and large font sizes for easier reading, and there are four different theme skins and a variety of built-in screensaver selections and clock display options. With PCS Vision service, you can download games like Tetris and Pac-Man, as well as additional ringers, screensavers and backgrounds.

Vital Statistics
The LG PM-325 weighs 3.32 ounces and measures 3.92 x 1.82 x 0.9 inches. Its lithium-ion battery is rated at up to 3.2 hours of digital talk time, and up to 168 hours of digital standby time. It runs on the AMPS 800/CDMA 800/CDMA 1900 frequencies. The phone comes with a one year limited warranty.

What's in the Box
PM-325 handset, AC battery charger, lithium-ion battery, user's manual.

Audiovox CDM9155 PCS Phone (Sprint)

Compatible with Sprint cell phone service the Audiovox CDM9155 features an Internet browser, text messaging, speakerphone, changeable faceplates so you can customize your phone's exterior appearance, and more, all displayed on a 7-line grayscale screen. It runs on CDMA service.

For calling, the phone provides vibrate mode, voice dialing, speakerphone capability, and a 100-entry phone book. You'll also get text messaging with T9 predictive text assistance. When you get on the mobile Internet, you can take advantage of data download, plus search for news, stock quotes, the weather and more. For hearing-impaired customers, this phone offers TTY/TDD (Telecommunication Device for the Deaf) compatibility with adapter (sold separately). There's also a handy GPS locator so help can find you when you get lost. The CDM9155 comes with a battery rated at 2.8 hours talk time and 150 hours standby time. It weighs 3.8 oz. and measures 5.0 x 1.8 x 0.8 inches.

What's in the Box
CDM9155 phone, battery, AC charger, charger cord, user documentation

PCS Phone Sanyo MM-7400 (Sprint)

The Sanyo MM-7400 has many of the high-end features discriminating wireless users have come to expect; video messaging, streaming video playback, an LED camera with flash, and Ready Link walkie-talkie capability, all wrapped up in a stylish form factor. It's a great choice for those who want to take hold of the power of Sprint's PCS Vision services.

Design
The MM-7400's sporty clamshell form factor features rubberized trim for greater durability. The top cover houses an internal 176 x 220, 65,000-color display. There's also a supplementary, 64 x 64 full color display on the outside of the cover that displays pictures, call information, battery life, time of day, signal strength and more. An extendable antenna is located on the top right side of the phone. The outside cover also features a large speaker/microphone for speakerphone and voice recognition applications. A VGA camera and LED flash unit are housed just above the speakerphone. Snap-on faceplates are available, letting you dress up the phone to suit your style. Most of the phone's features and on-screen menus are controlled by a five-way center button above the handset's dial pad. The Ready Link service is operated by a button on the left side of the phone-- walkie-talkie style. A 2.5mm headset jack is also provided.

Calling Features
The phone's built-in address book allows you to assign up to 300 entries, each storing seven numbers, with a total capacity for 500 numbers and 300 email and Web addresses. A separate Ready Link phone book provides easy access to 200 personal contacts and 200 company-provided contacts. You can customize your caller ID by linking an image, color or photo to a specific phone number in your phone book. The phone supports ringers with up to 72-chord polyphonic sound and you can choose from multi-chord, melodic ring tones and other traditional ring tones, including vibrating alert. Meeting mode lets you press a button to auto-answer a call and place it on hold, providing you enough time to exit your meeting and take the call.

The MM-7400's GPS location technology pinpoints your exact location when you dial 911 (where available). Perhaps most importantly for users in rural areas, the MM-7400 is a tri-mode phone, meaning it can operate on Sprint's digital PCS network, as well as analog networks that serve many outlying areas.

Hands-free operation of the MM-7400 is easy with the built-in speakerphone while enhanced voice recognition allows you to speak numbers digit by digit or speak the name of anyone in your phonebook. You can also command the phone to give you a status update on battery and coverage strength. Voice features are speaker-independent, so there's no need to train the phone to respond to any one person's voice.

The MM-7400's Ready Link feature lets you enjoy the convenience of quick, walkie-talkie style communication at the touch of a button with one or several Ready Link users anywhere you go (Sprint PCS Ready Link service charges apply).

Messaging, Internet and Tools
The MM-7400 covers the messaging basics with support for sending and receiving text and picture messages. With Sprint PCS Picture Mail, you can take a picture anytime and send it to family and friends instantly while on the Sprint PCS Network (Sprint messaging charges apply). Easily save your pictures on your MM-7400 or store them online at sprint.com/picturemail, where you can share and upload unlimited pictures to create albums. Because the MM-7400 supports video capture and playback, you can also send video messages via Sprint PCS video mail. Store them online, or send them to computers or other Sprint PCS Vision video phones. T9 text entry, which is a technology that makes it easier for people to enter words and text on handsets, is built-into the unit-- a plus for mobile email and text messaging users.

The phone also supports PCS Vision email and instant messaging capabilities. Sprint PCS Vision transforms the wireless experience from something that's simply functional into something visual, entertaining and highly personalized. MSN Hotmail, Yahoo Mail and AOL Instant Messenger are all supported by Sprint's PCS Vision service. PCS Vision mobile Web services let you check out sports scores, get your seven-day forecast, check your flight status, and stay up to date with the latest news. Experience full-color graphic versions of popular Web sites. The phone also supports multimedia services that, with the built-in Sprint Media Player, allow you to see and hear the latest news, sports, weather and more in full-color video and vivid sound while on the go.

A number of handy software tools are bundled with the MM-7400 including a calendar, a calculator, an alarm clock, and a to-do list and scheduler. A voice recorder lets you record up to 72 seconds of voice memos for later retrieval.

Imaging and Entertainment
As mentioned, the MM-7400 features a built-in VGA still and video camera with zoom and autofocus features. Capture clips up to 30 seconds in length and save them or send them to friends via Sprint PCS video messaging. Again, the phone's built-in video player lets you view video content on your phone.

The MM-7400 lets you choose between different font sizes for easier reading, and there are four different background screens for the phone's display. With PCS Vision service, you can download games like Tetris and Pac-Man, as well as additional ringers, screensavers and backgrounds.

Vital Statistics
The Sanyo MM-7400 weighs 4.06 ounces and measures 3.64 x 1.97 x 1.13 inches. Its lithium-ion battery is rated at up to 3.5 hours of digital talk time, and up to 288 hours of digital standby time. It runs on the AMPS 800/CDMA 800/CDMA 1900 frequencies. The phone comes with a one year limited warranty.

What's in the Box
MM-7400 handset, AC battery charger, lithium-ion battery, user's manual.

PCS Phone LG 4NE1 (Sprint)

PCS Phone palmOne Treo 650 (Sprint)

The PalmOne Treo 650 boasts all the legendary features of the venerable Treo 600, plus a whole lot more. Now with Bluetooth, a higher resolution screen, a removable battery, and an improved keyboard, the Treo 650 is once again on the cutting edge of Smartphone technology. It offers all the functionality of a high-end Palm OS-powered PDA, a cell phone and a VGA camera. Simply put, it's the ultimate mobile office companion.

Design

Click the image to get a closer look at the Treo 650's features.

Under the hood, the Treo 650 features Palm OS 5.4, 32MB of RAM (23MB available for end user storage), and an Intel PXA270 312 MHz processor. The design retains the same popular form factor as the Treo 600 with a few subtle, yet significant, changes. The unit's screen has been dramatically enhanced to support 320 x 320 resolution and the full QWERTY keypad has been redesigned for greater ease of use. The top of the unit features an expansion card slot for SD and MMC-based memory and expansion cards. There's also an infrared port here for line of sight data transfers, as well as a handy switch for turning off the phone's ringer. A five-way navigator controls most of the phone's menus and operating system functions, while quick application buttons on either side of the navigator get you to your favorite applications in a snap. The left side of the unit features a volume up/down toggle plus a handy user-customizable button that can be assigned to any phone or PDA function. The rear of the Treo 650 houses a loudspeaker, as well as the VGA (640x480) camera unit. A touchscreen stylus can be tucked away on the right side of the phone. Meanwhile, a combined charging, data, and accessory attachment port is housed on the bottom of the unit, as is a standard 2.5 mm stereo headset jack.

Calling and PDA Features
All the of the Treo 650's phone and PDA functions are designed to provide an integrated, seamless experience. For instance, you can type in the name or initials of a contact on the keypad to dial them. Or, use the touchscreen and stylus to copy information from an email and quickly paste it into another email or text message. All of the latest phone features folks expect are built-in, too, like a handsfree speakerphone, polyphonic ringtones, a vibrate mode and picture caller ID. The capacity of the unit's address book is only limited by the amount of internal and expansion memory available. Use the Treo 650's Bluetooth capability to wirelessly sync your contacts with your PC or Mac (yes, Mac!). Headsets, car kits and other wireless peripherals can also be paired with the unit via Bluetooth.

The Treo 650 is also a fully functional Palm OS device. That means that a huge library of applications, from spreadsheets to word processors to games, can be added to the Treo 650. It's easy to perform multiple tasks like checking your calendar while talking on the phone or dialing calls directly from your contacts list. Familiar Palm OS software ships with the handset including calendar, calculator, clock, contacts, memo, and task management applications. Real Player for video and MP3 playback, VersaMail email client, and DataViz Documents to Go for mobile access to spreadsheets and text documents, are also included.

The unit's memory expansion slot allows you to transfer music, photos, and video from your desktop. Or, use it to load additional games and applications.

Messaging and Internet
The device fully supports SMS and MMS messaging for rapid exchange of pictures, text and video via Sprint's instant messaging system. Other Sprint PCS Vision services are also supported, such as mobile email, web browsing and instant messaging. Sprint's PCS Business Connection service, which is fully compatible with the Treo 650, gives you secure, remote, real-time access to Microsoft Outlook Exchange-- including email messages and attachments, calendar, business directory and personal contacts. You can also respond to meeting requests, access documents stored on your desktop PC, and view email from POP3 and IMAP4-based email accounts, including Sprint PCS Mail, Yahoo!, Earthlink and more.

Imaging and Entertainment
The Treo 650's built-in camera features a 2x zoom, a flash and a self portrait mirror. While the camera is great for taking stills, it can also function as a camcorder, allowing you to capture MPEG4 video to the unit's memory. The device ships with two games, Zap! 2016 and Handmark Solitaire, and many more Palm-based games are available. As mentioned, the device ships with Real Player, so you can use your Treo 650 as a portable MP3 and video player. Keep your tunes loaded on a memory card and you're ready to go with stereo sound wherever you roam.

Vital Statistics
The PalmOne Treo 650 weighs 6.30 ounces and measures 4.40 x 2.30 x .90 inches. Its lithium-ion battery is rated at up to 5 hours of digital talk time, and up to 300 hours of digital standby time. It runs on the CDMA 800/CDMA 1900 frequencies. The phone comes with a one year limited warranty.

What's in the Box
Treo 650 handset, lithium-ion battery, USB HotSync cable, headset, AC charger, user manual, software CD-ROM.

palmOne Treo 600 PDA Phone (Verizon Wireless)

Compatible with Verizon Wireless service, the PalmOne Treo 600 offers all the functionality of a high-end PDA and a cell phone. Complete with a backlit QWERTY keyboard and a digital camera, it's the ultimate mobile office companion.

Calling and PDA Features
As a phone, the 800/1900 MHz Treo provides a built-in one-touch speakerphone feature, a mute button and caller ID, plus a few other snazzy features. For example, you can slide the ringer switch on the top of the phone, and it instantly puts the phone in silent mode, so there's no more wading through screen menus in the dark before the movie starts. And, by typing in initials or a name into the keyboard, you can dial anyone in your contacts list instantly. The keys have a special ergonomic dome shape, designed to be extra thumb-friendly. Plus there are tons of single and double key shortcuts you can use to launch Palm applications, up to 25 at once. But, if you're set in your ways with your PDA, you can always forego the keyboard and simply use the screen dial pad and stylus. Other calling features include vibrate mode, 16-channel MIDI polyphonic ring tones, and external volume buttons and ringer/silent switches.

For your PDA needs, the Treo sports 32 MB of RAM (24 MB user-available), plus a calendar and Palm OS organizer (version 5.2.1H), with the standard features such as Contact List, Memo Pad, To Do List, and more. You also get 24 MB of available memory to hold additional Palm OS software applications of the thousands that are available, such as MP3 players. When you sync up, the Treo 600 provides one-touch transfer of your Contacts to your PC's Outlook.

Messaging, Internet and Tools
"Blazer", the 600's color browser, gives you fast access to the Web, including sites not optimized for the mobile Internet, so you can lets you track your stocks, read headlines, and get directions, plus entertain yourself with downloadable ring tones and pictures. You can also download Palm OS software applications directly to your phone, and enjoy access to wireless email (Verizon Mobile Web email and wireless web service charges apply). Plus, you can send and receive SMS text messages to other phones or to any email address, and keep track of the conversation with threaded messaging.

You can even attach photos to your text messages. The Treo 600's built-in 640 x 480, 0.3 megapixels digital camera makes it easy to take and send the photos back to your PC, use them in text messages, or as picture caller ID by attaching the pictures to corresponding people in the contacts list.

Everything in the Treo 600 is integrated, so it's easy to perform multiple tasks like checking your calendar while talking on the phone or dialing calls directly from your contacts list. The handy design also provides a cell phone-like, 5-way navigation button, and the easy-access Favorites screen for the built-in Web browser. Other features of the Treo 600 include Contact List with Instant Lookup, a calendar, MMS/Picture Mail, Memo Pad, an Advanced Calculator, CityTime world clock, Palm Desktop 4.1 software for Windows and Macintosh, HotSync Manager, link to Microsoft Outlook (Windows only), IR capability, SD/MMC SD I/O-ready expansion, MP3-capability (with 3rd party software, SD memory card and headset adaptor).

Vital Statistics
This phone is rated with full charge at up to 6 hours talk time, and up to 240 hours (10 days) standby time. With an external battery pack (not included), you can add up to 3 hours of additional talk time and 180 hours of standby. It measures 4.4 x 2.4 x 0.9 inches and weighs 5.9 ounces. It operates on the CDMA 800/1900 MHz frequencies.

What's in the Box
Treo 600 handset, USB HotSync cable, ear bud headset, travel charger, pouch, user manual, synchronization software CD-ROM.

PCS Phone Samsung N400 (Sprint)

Similar to Samsung’s much-hyped A500, the N400 has an amazing 128-by-128 color screen, an easy-to-view menu, and all the multimedia features that come with the Sprint PCS Vision network—wireless Internet and e-mail access and downloadable Java games and apps, ringers, and screen savers. All that, and it has a speakerphone function, too.

The N400 fully charged in about 4 to 5 hours and powered up quickly. Unlike its cousin, the A500, this phone does not have an external LCD screen; however, we didn’t miss it. When the earpiece to this flip phone is closed, it frames the main screen so your display is still exposed for screening your calls. We also loved the elegant placement of the navigational buttons, which we found much improved from the A500’s tightly clustered button layout. With the flip phone closed on the N400, you can still access the Menu button on the left and the Back button on the right so you can do everything but use the phone features while the top is closed. A joystick between these two buttons makes scrolling up and down through menus or left to right during messaging fast and easy. Opening the flip top gets you to the phone keypad and Talk and End buttons, so there is no danger of accidentally hitting a button and calling someone with the top closed. Cool blue backlighting on the keypad buttons made dialing from a dark office a piece of cake.

As a Sprint PCS phone, the N400 supports all the multimedia extras and we tested them out. We used the standard aquarium screensaver, which looked amazingly crisp and bright on the full-color screen. The standard polyphonic ring tone--a maniacal clucking chicken sound—was far too realistic. As for games, the N400 is loaded with Space Invaders and demos of Cybiko’s CyRace and Sega’s Monkey Ball, which all look great on the color screen and are easy to maneuver through with the joystick controls. Other fun screen savers, ringers, games, and applications are downloadable through PCS Vision, but you should expect to pay a buck or two for each one. The N400 also joins the picture-taking craze by offering the ability to download photos from a Sprint PCS camera and e-mail them to friends. This is more of a frivolous feature, but can be valuable for e-mailing photos immediately when vacationing or house hunting

We expected an amazing Internet experience on the N400 with its color screen. While the experience was good, we were surprised that Internet surfing on this phone mainly uses a text-based menu so the great graphics aren’t always utilized. In addition, we found connection and page loading times to be fairly slow (about 1 minute average). Still, the superior contrast and 10-line screen made reading a CNN article much more pleasant than on most competing cell phones, and we think that the interface would entice most consumers to access news, weather, and sports scores pretty regularly via the Internet connection. E-mail and text messaging (among other Sprint PCS-enabled phones only) were also slow in terms of load and send time. Text input was a bit tedious but you have the choice of T9 input, which speeds typing up a bit. We did find the character count of 128 characters per message to be limiting for anything more than the simplest correspondence.

And what about the standard phone features? They may seem almost secondary on this phone with all the other awesome facets attracting your attention, but they are actually quite good. The phone book only holds 250 entries but features multiple phone numbers and the option to set speed, voice, and/or group dialing and a special ringer or image for each of your contacts. Unfortunately, the name field only allows 12 characters and can’t fit a first and last name for most contacts, which is a real drawback for business use. Another disadvantage to the N400 is that it doesn’t let you assign the same number to two contacts (i.e., roommates or co-workers with the same work number).

The N400’s voice quality was adequate and the speakerphone was loud and crystal clear. We found it convenient to shift into speakerphone while on a call by pressing the small button on the upper left side of the phone and liked that we didn’t have to be using an earpiece to activate it. The ringer on the phone is also on the loud side. If you like to have the alert sound for tasks or meetings scheduled in the N400’s planner, we recommend you turn the sound way down during quiet meetings so you don’t startle everyone around you. Our tests of voice dialing on the N400 found that voice recognition worked perfectly. One final and unusual bonus on the N400 is its airplane mode, which allows you to access some of the phone’s features, such as games or the planner, during air travel without interfering with the aircraft’s electronics.

The phone fell just short of its rated standby time, making it through 5 rather than 7 days.

Overall, this phone is on our list of favorites, and we would recommend springing for the N400 if upgrading from a basic phone to one with a high-quality color screen. We think the flashy aspects of this phone will appeal to techno-geeks who want to wow their friends with the latest and the greatest. The multimedia features are more focused on fun than productivity so the N400 is probably best for light business users. --Cristina Vaamonde

Pros:

• Amazingly crisp graphics on color screen
• Great button layout
• Supports PCS Vision multimedia features and downloads
• Optional digital camera attachment
• Speakerphone for safer phone use while driving
• Airplane mode

Cons:

• Slow Internet connection/loading
• Limited character count in text messaging and phone book
• Can’t assign same number twice in phone book

How We Tested Battery Talk/Standby Time

When reading our reviews, you should view the test results of mobile-phone battery talk time and standby time as relative information only. Many variables, including carrier signal strength at your location, signal consistency (including incoming and outgoing calls), display and ringer settings, and battery charging methods and history, will affect performance. When handset manufacturers and mobile phone carriers list talk-time and standby-time ratings, they usually include disclaimers about variable performance and often refer to the times they publish as maximum times. Some quote expected battery life ranges, and in this case you're probably safe to assume you'll experience at least the minimum rated range. Note that manufacturers of dual-mode digital and analog handsets publish battery-life rates for both digital and analog modes, as analog mode consumes much more power than digital mode.

Our Tests: We tested digital-mode talk and standby times with each phone. Prior to each test, we fully charged the phone's battery according to the manufacturer's directions. To test digital-phone talk time, we turned the phone on, established a digital carrier signal, dialed a number in our test lab, and, when the call rang through, took the receiving phone's handset off the hook. When all went well, we didn't do anything else except record the time when the phone died. In a couple of cases, the phones lost the signal and dropped the calls. If we were right there and could redial, we did so immediately and continued running the test. Otherwise, we halted the test, recharged the battery, and started the test over. Assuming consistent carrier-signal strength, this test should represent best-case talk time. And it's worth noting that several phones' talk-time performance significantly exceeded the manufacturers' ratings.

To test digital-phone standby time, we turned the phone on, established a carrier signal, and left the phone in standby mode. We checked the phone every few hours (for what was often days on end) until the phone finally cut out. Since no outgoing or incoming calls occurred during testing and because the phone was not moved, this method should represent best-case standby time, again assuming consistent carrier signal strength.

PCS Phone Sanyo SCP4900 (Sprint)

PCS Vision Audiovox PM-8920 Picture Phone (Sprint)

While this phone's claim to fame is its 1.3 megapixel still camera, it's also a full-featured phone with a speakerphone, an airplane mode and support for Sprint PCS vision wireless Internet services.

Design
The 8920's traditional clamshell form factor sports a large 128 x 160 display with a stunning 260,000 colors. A supplementary 96 x 64 color display on the outside of the cover displays picture IDs, call information, battery life, time of day, signal strength and more. An extendable antenna is located on the top right side of the phone while the phone's 1.3 megapixel (1280 x 960) camera unit is housed on top of the phone. A unique macro switch allows you to capture incredible detail in shots that feature very close subjects. A quick camera button, as well as up/down keys for volume control are located on the left side of the phone. Most of the phone's features and on-screen menus are controlled by a five-way center button above the handset's dial pad. A 2.5mm headset jack is also provided, as is a USB-compatible data connector.

Calling Features
The 8920's built-in address book allows you to store up to 300 entries, with each entry storing up to five numbers/addresses, for a total capacity of up to 1,500 numbers and up to 300 email and Web addresses. You can customize your caller ID by linking a downloaded image or photo to a specific phone number in your phone book. Choose from 11 multi-chord, melodic ring tones and eight traditional ring tones, including a vibrating alert. The 8920's GPS location technology pinpoints your exact location when you dial 911 (where available). Perhaps most importantly for users in rural areas, the 8920 is a tri-mode phone, meaning it can operate on Sprint's digital PCS network, as well as analog networks that serve many outlying areas.

The 8920's speakerphone lets you talk handsfree wherever you roam, while the phone's voice dialing function makes calling as easy as saying a contact's name. An integrated airplane mode turns off the unit's phone functions while still allowing you to use phone's camera, tools and games.

Messaging, Internet and Tools
The phone supports text and picture messaging for sending and receiving high-quality photos and quick notes to friends and colleagues. (Sprint PCS messaging charges apply). T9 text entry, a technology that makes it easier for people to enter words and text on handsets, is built-into the unit-- a plus for text messaging users.

As mentioned the 8920 supports PCS Vision services, including email and instant messaging capabilities. Sprint PCS Vision transforms the wireless experience from something that's simply functional into something visual, entertaining and highly personalized. MSN Hotmail, Yahoo Mail and AOL Instant Messenger are all supported by Sprint's PCS Vision service. PCS Vision mobile Web services let you check out sports scores, get your seven-day forecast, check your flight status, and stay up to date with the latest news. Experience full-color graphic versions of popular Web sites.

For business users, the 8920 offers something special. Sprint PCS Business Connection service is supported by the phone and it gives you secure, remote, real-time access to Microsoft Outlook or Lotus Notes information-- including email messages and attachments, calendar, business directory and personal contacts. You can also respond to meeting requests, access documents stored on your desktop PC, and view email from Internet email accounts, including Sprint PCS Mail, Yahoo!, Earthlink and more.

A number of handy software tools are bundled with the 8920, including a calendar, a calculator, an alarm clock. A voice recorder lets you record up to 60 minutes of voice memos.

Entertainment
In addition to a macro mode, the 8920's 1.3 megapixel camera includes a built-in flash, self-timer, and a 8x digital zoom capability. You can also choose from five different picture resolution settings. With PCS Vision service, you can download games like Tetris and Pac-Man, as well as additional ringers, screensavers and backgrounds.

Vital Statistics
The Audiovox CDM-8920 weighs 3.88 ounces and measures 3.40 x 1.85 x .90 inches. Its lithium-ion battery is rated at up to 3.5 hours of digital talk time, and up to 168 hours of digital standby time. It runs on the AMPS 800/CDMA 800/CDMA 1900 frequencies. The phone comes with a one year limited warranty.

What's in the Box
Audiovox CDM-8920 handset, lithium-ion battery, AC charger, user's manual.

PCS Phone Samsung A460 (Sprint)

If you liked the Samsung A400, you’ll love the A460. With the A460, Samsung has kept all the great attributes of the A400 while adding a few polishes that make the A460 one of the sleekest phones on the market. Like it’s predecessor, it’s packed with easy-to-use features, such as voice-activated calling and one-touch Web access. It also retains the elegant two-tone silver finish. But it’s both lighter and more compact and includes an outside LCD screen, which allows you to see the time, date, and battery life without opening the phone.

About the size of a deck of cards, the phone weighs 3.4 ounces and measures 3.4 inches by 1.81 inches by 0.83 inches. Despite its size, the phone has a solid construction and opens and closes easily without feeling flimsy. The extendable antenna seems a bit fragile and thin, but with a bit of care most callers should have no problems with it. Also handy are the volume and ringer controls on the side of the phone, which let us adjust the phone volume instantly while waiting in line at a coffee shop.

When we opened the phone and switched it on, we were pleased to see that it powered up and was ready to use in about 10 seconds--an impressive feat given the graphic-rich content of the start screen. The keypad is practically flawless, leaving enough space between keys for error-free dialing for those with bigger fingers. The directional key, situated top and center, is a bonus, letting us browse through the phone’s many menus and options without a hitch, which was especially handy while using the wireless Web. The eight-line screen is nicely proportioned and easy to read, both in text size and image clarity, and the four-color gray lends depth to the screen images, giving them a polished look. The soft electric-blue backlighting made dialing a taxi a breeze in a dimly lit lounge. Changing the phone’s ring tones was simple too--the hard part was choosing one of the 23 tones offered. Eventually we settled on a rather psychedelic version of Ludwig Van Beethoven’s Fuer Elise. Ringer volume is also easily adjustable, with eight levels of sound and a vibrate mode that ensures you won’t miss a call. The phone is also equipped to work with downloadable ring tones, available from Sprint for a minimal fee.

One of the best features the SPH-A460 offers is its one-touch wireless Web access. The OpenWave Mobile Browser connected quickly and information from the phone’s preprogrammed news, weather, and entertainment sites loaded smoothly and were easily navigated. Built-in GPS technology lets the phone access location-based and 911 emergency location services (where available)--handy for accessing driving directions or pinpointing where you are when lost. Best of all, the phone is enabled for voice dialing, and we were able to program and call numbers within minutes of picking up the phone. Voice-activated dialing worked well whether we whispered or yelled into the phone, but understandably, it did seem to have a slight problem with our commands as a garbage truck rolled past. Calls were clear and a bit on the loud side, even with the volume turned to the lowest level, but we’ll take too loud over too quiet any day.

Besides the excellent calling features, the e-mail, voice-memo recorder, fax, address book, calendar, and two-way text messaging make the phone an ideal tool for business trips, keeping you connected in more ways than with just a phone call. Or, if you find yourself stuck in an airport or on the train, you can pass time trying to master one of the three rather enigmatic games: Push Push, Fly Ribbon, and Spider Hunter.

We were quite happy to see the battery life exceed Samsung’s guidelines in our testing. The phone held a call for more than 3 hours, and remaining on for 180 hours in standby mode, as compared with its manufacturer rating of 2.4 hours digital talk time and 170 hours of digital standby time.

Once again, we’re thrilled with this solid new addition to the Samsung legacy, and can only look forward to what they’ll come up with next.

--Steve O’Neil

Pros:

• GPS technology for access to location-based services
• One-touch Web access
• Graphic-rich 8-line screen
• Voice-command capability
• Sturdy flip design

Cons:

• Call volume a bit loud
• Games simple, somewhat confusing

How We Tested Battery Talk/Standby Time

When reading our reviews, you should view the test results of mobile-phone battery talk time and standby time as relative information only. Many variables, including carrier signal strength at your location, signal consistency (including incoming and outgoing calls), display and ringer settings, and battery charging methods and history, will affect performance. When handset manufacturers and mobile phone carriers list talk-time and standby-time ratings, they usually include disclaimers about variable performance and often refer to the times they publish as maximum times. Some quote expected battery life ranges, and in this case you're probably safe to assume you'll experience at least the minimum rated range. Note that manufacturers of dual-mode digital and analog handsets publish battery-life rates for both digital and analog modes, as analog mode consumes much more power than digital mode.

Our Tests: We tested digital-mode talk and standby times with each phone. Prior to each test, we fully charged the phone's battery according to the manufacturer's directions. To test digital-phone talk time, we turned the phone on, established a digital carrier signal, dialed a number in our test lab, and, when the call rang through, took the receiving phone's handset off the hook. When all went well, we didn't do anything else except record the time when the phone died. In a couple of cases, the phones lost the signal and dropped the calls. If we were right there and could redial, we did so immediately and continued running the test. Otherwise, we halted the test, recharged the battery, and started the test over. Assuming consistent carrier-signal strength, this test should represent best-case talk time. And it's worth noting that several phones' talk-time performance significantly exceeded the manufacturers' ratings.

To test digital-phone standby time, we turned the phone on, established a carrier signal, and left the phone in standby mode. We checked the phone every few hours (for what was often days on end) until the phone finally cut out. Since no outgoing or incoming calls occurred during testing and because the phone was not moved, this method should represent best-case standby time, again assuming consistent carrier signal strength.

Samsung A400 Phone (Sprint)

Much like the wildly successful SCH8500, Samsung's new dual-band SPH-A400 is packed with easy-to-use features that make it an indispensable tool for both business and pleasure. The solid construction, GPS capability, and voice-activated features are sure to win over a whole new generation of callers.

About the size of a deck of cards, the phone weighs 3.5 ounces and measures 3.5 inches by 2 inches by 0.8 inches. The silvery metallic casing is stylish yet subtle, and features a sturdy folder design. The extendable antenna seems a bit fragile, but with a bit of care most callers should have no problems with it. Also handy are the volume and ringer controls on the side of the phone, which let us adjust the phone volume on a crowded bus and quickly shut the ringer off in the low light of a movie theater.

When we opened the phone and switched it on, we were pleased to see that it powered up and was ready to use in only 10 seconds, which was particularly excellent given the graphic-rich content of the start screen. The keypad is designed perfectly, leaving enough space between keys for error-free dialing for those with bigger fingers. The directional key placed top and center is a definite bonus, letting us browse through the phone's many menus and options without a hitch, which was especially handy while using the wireless Web browser. The six-line screen is nicely proportioned and easy to read, both in text size and image clarity, and the four-color gray lends depth to the screen images, giving them a polished look. Changing the phone's ring tones was simple--the hard part was choosing one of the 24 tones offered. Ringer volume is also easily adjustable, with eight levels of sound and a vibrate mode that ensures you won't miss a call. The phone is also equipped to work with downloadable ring tones, available from Sprint PCS for a minimal fee.

One of the best features the SPH-A400 offers is its one-touch wireless Web access. The OpenWave Mobile Browser connected quickly and information from the phone's preprogrammed news, weather, and entertainment sites loaded smoothly and were easily navigated. Built-in GPS technology lets the phone access location-based and 911 emergency location services (where available)--handy for accessing driving directions or pinpointing where you are when lost. Best of all, the phone is enabled for voice dialing, and we were able to program and call numbers within minutes of picking up the phone. Voice-activated dialing worked well whether we whispered or yelled into the phone, but understandably, it did seem to have a slight problem with our commands as a few loud trucks rolled past. Calls were clear and a bit on the loud side, even with the volume turned to the lowest level, but we'll take too loud over too quiet any day.

Besides the excellent calling features, the e-mail, voice-memo recorder, fax, address book, calendar, and two-way text messaging make the phone an ideal tool for business trips, keeping you connected in more ways than with just a phone call. Or, if you find yourself stuck in an airport or on the train, you can pass time trying to master one of the four basic and rather confusing games: Push Push, Fly Ribbon, Puzzle World, and Spider Hunter.

We were quite happy to see the battery life exceed Samsung's guidelines in our testing. The phone held a call for almost 4 hours, and remaining on for 187 hours in standby mode, as compared with its manufacturer rating of 3 hours digital talk time and 170 hours of digital standby time.

Overall, we're thrilled with this solid new addition to the Samsung legacy, and can only look forward to what they'll come up with next.

--Heather Campbell

Pros:

• GPS technology for access to location-based services
• One-touch Web access
• Graphic-rich 6-line screen
• Voice-command capability
• Very sturdy flip design

Cons:

• Call volume a bit loud
• Games simple, somewhat confusing
• Some ring tones too quiet

How We Tested Battery Talk/Standby Time

When reading our reviews, you should view the test results of mobile-phone battery talk time and standby time as relative information only. Many variables, including carrier signal strength at your location, signal consistency (including incoming and outgoing calls), display and ringer settings, and battery charging methods and history, will affect performance. When handset manufacturers and mobile phone carriers list talk-time and standby-time ratings, they usually include disclaimers about variable performance and often refer to the times they publish as maximum times. Some quote expected battery life ranges, and in this case you're probably safe to assume you'll experience at least the minimum rated range. Note that manufacturers of dual-mode digital and analog handsets publish battery-life rates for both digital and analog modes, as analog mode consumes much more power than digital mode.

Our Tests: We tested digital-mode talk and standby times with each phone. Prior to each test, we fully charged the phone's battery according to the manufacturer's directions. To test digital-phone talk time, we turned the phone on, established a digital carrier signal, dialed a number in our test lab, and, when the call rang through, took the receiving phone's handset off the hook. When all went well, we didn't do anything else except record the time when the phone died. In a couple of cases, the phones lost the signal and dropped the calls. If we were right there and could redial, we did so immediately and continued running the test. Otherwise, we halted the test, recharged the battery, and started the test over. Assuming consistent carrier-signal strength, this test should represent best-case talk time. And it's worth noting that several phones' talk-time performance significantly exceeded the manufacturers' ratings.

To test digital-phone standby time, we turned the phone on, established a carrier signal, and left the phone in standby mode. We checked the phone every few hours (for what was often days on end) until the phone finally cut out. Since no outgoing or incoming calls occurred during testing and because the phone was not moved, this method should represent best-case standby time, again assuming consistent carrier signal strength.

PCS Phone Samsung A600 (Sprint)

PCS Vision Picture Phone Sanyo PM-8200 Red (Sprint)

Compatible with Sprint cell phone service, the Sanyo PM-8200 includes a built-in VGA digital camera with an LED flash, push-to-talk capability, voice dialing, Internet capability, and much more, all displayed on a 1.8-inch, 65k color LCD screen.

See a detailed view of the phone's features

Calling Features
Used simply as a phone, the PM-8200's features include vibrating alert, voice dialing, call screening, a dedicated speakerphone and voice mail button, push-to-talk, and a 300-entry phone book capacity with picture-ID capability. It also supports mobile-to-mobile (walkie-talkie) direct link for up to 6 simultaneous users. This phone supports TTY/TDD (Telecommunication Device for the Deaf) devices.

Messaging and Internet
This phone provides SMS two-way messaging, conventional email, and predictive text assistance, plus picture sharing and voice-memo picture attachment. The PM-8200's Internet connectivity also lets you access online services such as stock quotes, road directions, airline information, entertainment, and more. You can download Java applications (version J2ME) to add additional capabilities to your phone, and high-speed data transfer and download round out the package. The PM-8200 is GPS capable.

Organizer

Multishot feature: Take up to 8 rapid shots in sequence

The PIM organizer included with this phone provides programmable reminders for holidays, birthdays, or other significant dates, an event calendar, to-do list, call alarm, alarm clock, calculator, world clock and more.

Fun and Games
For fun, the PM-8200 sports a built-in VGA digital camera, outfitted with a flash, digital zoom, self-timer, multi-shot capability, plus fun frames, color tones, and a security camera lockout feature. The PM-8200 also features 32 chord ring tone capability, and the usual downloadable ring tones, screen savers, wallpaper, and games, in addition to the ones built in to the phone.

Vital Statistics
The Sanyo PM-8200 weighs 3.64 ounces and measures 3.34 x 1.85 x 1.02 inches. Its Lithium Ion batteries are rated at up to 3 hours talk time, and up to 12 days standby time.

PCS Phone palmOne Treo 600 (Sprint)

Treo 600 is a small, simple to use smartphone with a built-in QWERTY keyboard. It seamlessly combines a full-featured mobile phone and Palm OS organizer with wireless communication applications like email, messaging and web browsing, and even a digital camera-to simplify both your business and personal life. The keyboard, five-way navigation button and other cool design features make it possible for you to get more done in fewer steps, with just one hand, and without having to swap back and forth between applications. And it's still lightweight, stylish and small enough to fit in your pocket. CDMA Model: 800/1900 MHz nationwide coverage by Sprint

Samsung VM-A680 PCS Video Mail Phone (Sprint)

Overview

Compatible with Sprint PCS cell phone service, the Samsung VM-A680 sports a high-end (for a cell phone) video and digital camera, full compatibility with the (optional) Sprint PCS ergonomic game pad, plus a WAP Internet browser, and plenty of phone and organizer features, all displayed on an easy to read, 128 x 160, 65K STN color display.

Calling Features

Used simply as a phone, the VM-A680 benefits from a 5-way scroll key for easy menu navigation and dialing. Primary calling features include a voice-activated phone book and dialing, call timers, redial, any-key answer, auto-answer, mute control, no-answer transfer, one-touch 911, vibrating ring, differential ring, and a phone book capacity of 200 entries. There's also picture caller ID, so users can attach pictures they take with the built in camera and attach them to corresponding phone book contacts. There's also 32-chord polyphonic tones and alerts, and the VM-A680 is TTY compatible for hearing- or speech-impaired users, with select TTY devices.

Internet

With a PCS Business connection, users can access e-mail and view full color versions of popular Web sites.

Organizer

Organizer features include an internal phone book calendar, to-do list, voice memo function, world clock, alarm, countdown timer, and calculator.

Video and Camera

The fairly sophisticated video-capture feature lets you take a 15-second video clip of whatever you like, then save and send the performance to your friends, family, or co-workers via the phone’s built-in e-mail. There's a self-timer, digital zoom, plus brightness and resolution controls, and even a little movie light for illumination during night shoots. The still camera can also take and send pictures via advanced text messaging, and it comes with brightness, color tone, black and white option, and a handy multi-shot feature that lets you, you can capture up to 15 images to produce albums of sequential action photos.

Game Pad Option

One of the more interesting things about the VM-A680 is its gamepad accessory, (sold separately), which is designed to provide an arcade- or home-gaming-like experience on the VM-A680's color screen. It allows players to execute simultaneous moves, like evading and firing at the same time. A variety of interesting game packages are also available for the phone, including Retro (comes with the games Ms. Pac Man, Galaxian Mini, Missile Command, Centipede, Q*Bert, and more), Kids Games (includes Disney‘s Lilo and Stitch--Space Escape, Pooh‘s Honey Pot Challenge, Ice Cream Man, Drop ‘N‘ Find, and Bubble Blast), and many more.

Vital Statistics

The Samsung VM-A680 weighs 3.4 ounces and measures 3.26 x 1.81 x 0.87 inches. Its Lithium Ion batteries are rated at up to 192 minutes talk time and up to 216 hour standby. The phone supports English and limited Spanish text prompts, and features an extendable antenna and headset jack.

PCS Vision Picture Phone Nokia PM-6225 (Sprint)

Compatible with Sprint cell phone service, the Nokia PM-6225 features an integrated VGA (640 x 480) camera, MMS, half-duplex speakerphone, FM radio, Java-compatibility, voice dialing, and more, all displayed on a high quality backlit "full graphics" 128 x 128 pixel, 4,096 color screen.

For calling, you'll enjoy a dedicated voice mail button and indicator, plus call timers, redial, missed call indicator, call log, any-key answer, speed dial, mute control, no-answer transfer, one-touch 911, differential ring, and a phone book capacity of 500 entries. Nokia also supports TTY/TDD (Telecommunication Device for the Deaf) compatibility with phone adapter (adaptor not included).

Get online, and in addition to access to stock quotes, weather, movie times, and more, you'll also enjoy SMS two-way mobile text messaging, downloadable ring tones, and four games included with the phone: Water Rapids, Bounce, TriplePop, and Beach Rally. Since the PM-6225 is also Java-compatible, you can download more Java-based games and applications from the Web to enhance your phone. A PIM is included along with a calculator to help you manage time and finances, and data can be transferred and synched with your PC using the built in infrared feature. There's also voice memo if you just need to take a quick note.

The digital still camera has VGA resolution (640 x 480 pixels) and sports a 10-second self-timer for your convenience. The PM-6225 weighs 3.46 oz. and measures 4.21 x 1.81 x 0.83 inches. Its batteries are rated at 156 minutes talk time and up to 168 hours standby

What's in the Box
Nokia PM-6225 phone, lithium ion (LiIon) battery, travel charger, start here guide (with activation information, the Sprint terms and conditions of service and warranty information)

PCS Vision Picture Phone Sanyo PM-8200 Silver (Sprint)

Compatible with Sprint cell phone service, the Sanyo PM-8200 includes a built-in VGA digital camera with an LED flash, push-to-talk capability, voice dialing, Internet capability, and much more, all displayed on a 1.8-inch, 65k color LCD screen.

See a detailed view of the phone's features

Calling Features
Used simply as a phone, the PM-8200's features include vibrating alert, voice dialing, call screening, a dedicated speakerphone and voice mail button, push-to-talk, and a 300-entry phone book capacity with picture-ID capability. It also supports mobile-to-mobile (walkie-talkie) direct link for up to 6 simultaneous users. This phone supports TTY/TDD (Telecommunication Device for the Deaf) devices.

Messaging and Internet
This phone provides SMS two-way messaging, conventional email, and predictive text assistance, plus picture sharing and voice-memo picture attachment. The PM-8200's Internet connectivity also lets you access online services such as stock quotes, road directions, airline information, entertainment, and more. You can download Java applications (version J2ME) to add additional capabilities to your phone, and high-speed data transfer and download round out the package. The PM-8200 is GPS capable.

Organizer

Multishot feature: Take up to 8 rapid shots in sequence

The PIM organizer included with this phone provides programmable reminders for holidays, birthdays, or other significant dates, an event calendar, to-do list, call alarm, alarm clock, calculator, world clock and more.

Fun and Games
For fun, the PM-8200 sports a built-in VGA digital camera, outfitted with a flash, digital zoom, self-timer, multi-shot capability, plus fun frames, color tones, and a security camera lockout feature. The PM-8200 also features 32 chord ring tone capability, and the usual downloadable ring tones, screen savers, wallpaper, and games, in addition to the ones built in to the phone.

Vital Statistics
The Sanyo PM-8200 weighs 3.64 ounces and measures 3.34 x 1.85 x 1.02 inches. Its Lithium Ion batteries are rated at up to 3 hours talk time, and up to 12 days standby time.

PCS Vision Picture Phone Sanyo PM-8200 Blue (Sprint)

Compatible with Sprint cell phone service, the Sanyo PM-8200 includes a built-in VGA digital camera with an LED flash, push-to-talk capability, voice dialing, Internet capability, and much more, all displayed on a 1.8-inch, 65k color LCD screen.

See a detailed view of the phone's features

Calling Features
Used simply as a phone, the PM-8200's features include vibrating alert, voice dialing, call screening, a dedicated speakerphone and voice mail button, push-to-talk, and a 300-entry phone book capacity with picture-ID capability. It also supports mobile-to-mobile (walkie-talkie) direct link for up to 6 simultaneous users. This phone supports TTY/TDD (Telecommunication Device for the Deaf) devices.

Messaging and Internet
This phone provides SMS two-way messaging, conventional email, and predictive text assistance, plus picture sharing and voice-memo picture attachment. The PM-8200's Internet connectivity also lets you access online services such as stock quotes, road directions, airline information, entertainment, and more. You can download Java applications (version J2ME) to add additional capabilities to your phone, and high-speed data transfer and download round out the package. The PM-8200 is GPS capable.

Organizer

Multishot feature: Take up to 8 rapid shots in sequence

The PIM organizer included with this phone provides programmable reminders for holidays, birthdays, or other significant dates, an event calendar, to-do list, call alarm, alarm clock, calculator, world clock and more.

Fun and Games
For fun, the PM-8200 sports a built-in VGA digital camera, outfitted with a flash, digital zoom, self-timer, multi-shot capability, plus fun frames, color tones, and a security camera lockout feature. The PM-8200 also features 32 chord ring tone capability, and the usual downloadable ring tones, screen savers, wallpaper, and games, in addition to the ones built in to the phone.

Vital Statistics
The Sanyo PM-8200 weighs 3.64 ounces and measures 3.34 x 1.85 x 1.02 inches. Its Lithium Ion batteries are rated at up to 3 hours talk time, and up to 12 days standby time.

Sanyo RL-7300 PCS Vision Ready Link Phone (Sprint)

While the RL-7300 might look like a basic clamshell, it is actually a rugged, powerful mobile companion with great features like push-to-talk, a speakerphone, and dual color displays. Folks who need a phone that can take a beating will like this device. Plus, the instant communication of Sprint's Ready Link push-to-talk technology makes it great for the working world.

Design
The RL-7300's sporty candybar form factor sports a 132 x 176, 65,000-color main display, plus a 64 x 64, full-color secondary display on the outside of the front cover. In addition to the secondary display, the front panel features a speaker for speakerphone and voice dialing applications. An extendable antenna is located on the top right side of the phone, while most of the phone's features and on-screen menus are controlled by a five-way center button above the handset's dial pad. The Ready Link service is operated by a button on the left side of the phone-- walkie-talkie style. A 2.5mm headset jack is also provided.

Calling Features
The phone's built-in address book allows you to assign up to 300 entries, each storing seven numbers, with a total capacity for 500 numbers and 300 email and Web addresses. A separate Ready Link phone book provides easy access to 200 personal contacts and 200 company-provided contacts. You can also customize your caller ID by linking a photo to a specific phone number in your contact list, or use voice dialing to automatically dial up to 30 pre-programmed contacts with the sound of your voice. In addition to a vibrating alert, you can choose from preloaded ring tones to jazz up your incoming calls. The phone offers a variety of traditional ring tones as well as polyphonic (32-chord), melodic ring tones. The RL-7300's GPS location technology pinpoints your exact location when you dial 911 (where available). Perhaps most importantly for users in rural areas, the RL-7300 is a tri-mode phone, meaning it can operate on Sprint's digital PCS network, as well as analog networks that serve many outlying areas.

Hands-free operation of your phone is easy with the RL-7300's built-in speakerphone. Meanwhile, the RL-7300's Ready Link feature lets you enjoy the convenience of quick, walkie-talkie style communication at the touch of a button with one or several Ready Link users anywhere you go (Sprint PCS Ready Link service charges apply).

Messaging, Internet and Tools
If you need basic messaging capabilities, the RL-7300 has you covered as support is built-in for sending and receiving SMS text messages (Sprint PCS text messaging charges apply). T9 text entry, a technology that makes it easier for people to enter words and text on handsets, is built-into the unit-- a plus for text messaging users.

The phone also supports PCS Vision email and instant messaging capabilities. Sprint PCS Vision transforms the wireless experience from something that's simply functional into something visual, entertaining and highly personalized. MSN Hotmail, Yahoo Mail and AOL Instant Messenger are all supported by Sprint's PCS Vision service. PCS Vision mobile Web services let you check out sports scores, get your seven-day forecast, check your flight status, and stay up to date with the latest news. Experience full-color graphic versions of popular Web sites.

For business users, the RL-7300 offers something special. Sprint PCS Business Connection service is supported by the phone and it gives you secure, remote, real-time access to Microsoft Outlook or Lotus Notes information-- including email messages and attachments, calendar, business directory and personal contacts. You can also respond to meeting requests, access documents stored on your desktop PC, and view email from Internet email accounts, including Sprint PCS Mail, Yahoo!, Earthlink and more.

A number of handy software tools are bundled with the RL-7300 including a calendar, a calculator, an alarm clock, and a to-do list with scheduler. A voice recorder lets you record short voice memos for later retrieval.

Entertainment and Customization
In addition to allowing you to choose one of four background screens for your phone's display, The RL-7300 lets you choose different font sizes when sending messages or accessing your browser. With PCS Vision service, you can download games like Tetris and Pac-Man, as well as additional ringers, screensavers and backgrounds.

Vital Statistics
The Sanyo RL-7300 weighs 4.24 ounces and measures 3.71 x 1.97 x 1.12 inches. Its lithium-ion battery is rated at up to 3 hours of digital talk time, and up to 96 hours of digital standby time. It runs on the AMPS 800/CDMA 800/CDMA 1900 frequencies. The phone comes with a one year limited warranty.

What's in the Box
RL-7300 handset, AC battery charger, lithium-ion battery, user's manual.

PCS Phone Samsung VGA1000 (Sprint)

With an integrated camera, voice dialing, and dual color displays, the Samsung VGA1000 makes a great mobile companion. Other features, like support for Sprint's wireless Web services, as well as built-in games and ringtones, round out a strong package that is sure to please.

Design
The VGA1000's handsome clamshell form factor houses an internal 128 x 160, 65,000-color display. There's also a supplementary color display on the front panel of the device that displays call information, battery life, time of day, signal strength and more. An extendable antenna is located on the top right side of the phone, and the camera and flash unit are placed on the rear of the device. Meanwhile, most of the phone's features and on-screen menus are controlled by a five-way center button above the handset's dial pad. A 2.5mm headset jack is also provided.

Calling Features
The phone's built-in address book allows you to assign up to 300 entries, each storing six numbers, with a total capacity for 300 numbers and 300 email and Web addresses. You can customize your caller ID by linking a photo to a specific phone number in your contact list. In addition to a vibrate mode, the phone allows you to choose from a number of polyphonic ringtones that make your received calls all the more exciting. The VGA1000's GPS location technology pinpoints your exact location when you dial 911 (where available). Perhaps most importantly for users in rural areas, the VGA1000 is a tri-mode phone, meaning it can operate on Sprint's digital PCS network, as well as analog networks that serve many outlying areas.

Another key calling feature of the VGA1000 is its enhanced voice recognition capabilities. The system allows you to speak numbers digit by digit or speak the name of anyone in your phonebook. Voice features are speaker-independent, so there's no need to train the phone to respond to any one person's voice.

Messaging, Internet and Tools
If you need basic messaging capabilities, the VGA1000 has you covered as support is built-in for sending and receiving SMS text messages (Sprint PCS text messaging charges apply). T9 text entry, a technology that makes it easier for people to enter words and text on handsets, is built-into the unit-- a plus for text messaging users.

The phone also supports PCS Vision email and instant messaging capabilities. Sprint PCS Vision transforms the wireless experience from something that's simply functional into something visual, entertaining and highly personalized. MSN Hotmail, Yahoo Mail and AOL Instant Messenger are all supported by Sprint's PCS Vision service. PCS Vision mobile Web services let you check out sports scores, get your seven-day forecast, check your flight status, and stay up to date with the latest news. Experience full-color graphic versions of popular Web sites.

A number of handy software tools are bundled with the VGA1000 including a calendar, a calculator, an alarm clock and a to-do list. A voice recorder lets you record memos for later retrieval.

Imaging and Entertainment
With its robust set of camera functions, the VGA1000 shines in the imaging department. The VGA-quality (640x480) digital camera lets you take, view, store and send pictures wirelessly in full color. You can also control brightness levels, white balance and color tone to get the image and effects you want. Other features include a self-timer for group shots, built-in fun frames to decorate your images, a multi-shot function for action sequences, and a self-portrait mode for special moments. Capture pictures in high, medium or low resolution and digitally zoom in up to 4 times. As mentioned, there's also a flash for low-light situations.

The VGA1000 lets you choose from a variety of pre-set images to customize your main and external displays and make them unique to you. With PCS Vision service, you can download games like Tetris and Pac-Man, as well as additional ringers, screensavers and backgrounds. You can even turn your phone into a gaming device with an optional, attachable game pad that makes it fun and easy to navigate when playing complex, fast-paced games on your phone.

Vital Statistics
The Samsung VGA1000 weighs 4.48 ounces and measures 3.5 x 1.9 x 1 inches. Its lithium-ion battery is rated at up to 2.9 hours of digital talk time, and up to 168 hours of digital standby time. It runs on the AMPS 800/CDMA 800/CDMA 1900 frequencies. The phone comes with a one year limited warranty.

What's in the Box
VGA1000 handset, AC battery charger, lithium-ion battery, user's manual.

PCS Phone Audiovox/Toshiba VM4050 (Sprint)

Not your typical cell phone, the tiny, stylish PCS Vision Video Phone VM4050 from Audiovox by Toshiba gives PCS Vision customers the ability to record video and audio directly on their mobile phones, then e-mail it to anyone, anywhere across the Sprint Nationwide PCS Network. Using External Picture Caller ID you can link a picture or downloaded graphic to the contacts in the phone's internal phone book and see who's calling without even opening the phone.

The phone's built-in camera and camcorder let you take and send still images (at VGA, 640 x 480-pixel resolution) or up to 15-seconds of full-motion video. Easy to use, the auto-focus phone boasts a 260K, full-color screen (310 x 350 pixels). It also has 4x digital and 2x telescopic zooms for taking still photos. The handset features a sub-LCD slot so you can preview a picture before taking it, as well as a built-in self-timer. Choose from 17 different frames to make picture-taking fun.

Save your videos on the phone or store them online. You can attach a 10-second voice message and text message to your video, and the handset stores up to 30 videos at once. An integrated camera/video light enhances both still pictures and video.

The phone features a spectacular 2.2-inch main LCD--a 260K, TFT, 18-bit color display--as well as an outside color LCD, which uses STN technology and supports 65K colors.

A built-in speakerphone makes hands-free operation a cinch. Use the voice-memo feature to record reminders, save conversations, or record and use voices as ringers or alerts. The phone's Voice Guidance voice output provides spoken output of phone numbers, call logs, and other details (supports voice and text prompts in English and Spanish).

A supplied standard rechargeable lithium-ion battery gives you up to 3.3 hours continuous talk time and up to 10 days of continuous standby time in digital mode, with up to 1.5 hours continuous talk and up to 15 hours continuous standby time in analog mode. When used with an extended rechargeable lithium-ion battery (not included), you get up to 4.5 hours continuous talk and up to 15 days continuous standby time in digital mode and up to 2.8 hours continuous talk and up to 30 hours continuous standby in analog mode.

Express your personality with hundreds of unique downloadable polyphonic, animated, and voice ringers, including the latest music releases, show tunes, and sound effects which you can assign to specific incoming numbers.

Using Sprint's messaging service you can send and receive e-mail, exchange text messages, or even join a chat room. PCS Vision lets you personalize your wireless service by wirelessly downloading screen savers right from their phone, many of which feature synchronized animation.

Other features include a personal organizer (with calendar, to-do list, alarm, timer, calculator, clock, and internal 300-slot phone book--up to five numbers for each entry), an embedded Global Positioning System (GPS) chip necessary for using E911 emergency location services (where available), graphically enhanced single- and multi-player games, full-color graphic versions of popular Internet sites, compatibility with PCS Business Connection, and compatibility with select TTY devices.

What's in the Box
Phone, battery, AC/DC charging cable, and a user's manual

Sanyo RL2000 PCS Vision Ready Link Phone (Sprint)