Kyocera Neo E1100

Kyocera's Neo E1100 (*est. $35) is arguably the most unique cell phone in its product line. A blue OLED light strip runs down the center of the phone, giving it a futuristic look. There is a small LED screen hidden on the outside of the flip -- an element that CNET's Kent German says "works well with the handset's sleek design." When opened, a reverse hinge allows the front of the E1100 to fold behind the back.  A 262,000-color display is present on the inside of this clamshell. Reviewers also like the robust feature set of the Neo -- Bluetooth, GPS, a 1.3-megapixel camera, microUSB connector and a speakerphone are all part of the package.

Noticeably missing from the Kyocera Neo E1100 is the presence of any true media applications. It does not come with a music player, and only ringtones and simple applications are downloadable. In addition to this, the camera does not have support for video. Experts say that on a phone at this price point, though, omission of these features is to be expected. Another disappointment is the 2.5 mm headset jack that delivers only mono sound. For the price, critics agree that the Neo E1100 is a worthwhile phone for U.S. Cellular. Even if its media capabilities are not fully developed, the Neo's distinctive looks are enough to make it an option for those who need a fairly inexpensive, functional handset. In general, critics prefer the Neo E1100 to other offerings from Kyocera, such as the Melo S1300 and K132. Its overall performance may be similar to two other Kyocera models -- the Mako S4000 and K323 -- but the Neo's one-of-a-kind design gives it the edge in most reviews.

Three expert reviews contain a good amount of information about the Kyocera Neo E1100. Chad Mumm of Switched gives the reader the best overview, with a section on what he likes and dislikes about the Neo. Kent German of CNET takes a first look at the Neo at a trade show, and although this review is not in the same format as most of CNET's cell phone write-ups, it gives an objective look at some of its features. A report at TechFAQ is a bit shorter than the ones at Switched or CNET. It offers an overview of specs and includes pros and cons sections.