Samsung Messager SCH-R450

The Samsung Messager SCH-R450 is a slider cell phone with a full QWERTY keyboard, but with only 2G network support rather than the faster 3G network. There are plenty of those on the market. The draw with the Samsung Messager SCH-R450, as with other MetroPCS and Cricket phones, is that there's no two-year contract. Everyone is month-to-month with plans ranging from $30 to $50, plus some extra charges for add-on services. On the other hand, an unlocked version of the 2G, the full-QWERTY Pantech Slate, costs a little less. Professional reviews are generally positive and say call quality is good, even "quite good." But PCMag.com adds that "Metro's IM and email options fall behind those of other carriers, making the keyboard less of a benefit than it might otherwise be."

The Samsung Messager has some standard features, although a few are assessed in reviews as mediocre, such as the 1.3-megapixel camera and the MP3 player. There's also no video capture or playback. But you can text message, instant message, email and surf the web. There is a microSD memory card slot, located under the battery cover but not under the battery (a plus), and one review says it worked with a 16 GB card. The body is plastic, the screen is 2.1 inches with 176-by-220-pixel resolution, and reviewers like the QWERTY keyboard. Editors at CNET say "the keys have a pleasant rubbery texture, and they feel responsive as well."

Few top review sources rate the Samsung Messager SCH-R450. The exceptions are PCMag.com and CNET, both among the most credible sources of cell phone reviews. If you have a subscription, Consumer Reports rates lots of Samsung phones, some with QWERTY keyboards, but not the Samsung Messager SCH-R450.  We found no owner reviews at Amazon.com. A smattering of user comments at BestBuy.com, Samsung.com and CNET indicate some dissatisfaction with battery life. It's rated at 3.5 hours, but we found no independent testing, even at CNET or PCMag.com.