Verizon Wireless Blitz

Reviewers agree that the Verizon Wireless Blitz (a.k.a. the UTStarcom TXT8010) is a great phone for texting tweens. The slider phone has a 2.2-inch screen and measures 3.5 inches by 2.6 inches by 0.7 inches. The Blitz has a full QWERTY keyboard that slides down from the face of the uniquely shaped body. About the size of a woman's makeup compact when the keyboard is not extended, the phone is small, yet bulky -- it's nearly as wide as it is long. Many Verizon Blitz reviews say its chubby body is hard to fit into a tight pocket. Although the QWERTY keyboard makes texting easier than using a number pad, reviewers agree the Verizon Blitz is limited in other areas. Many customers complain about the quality of the camera (it is, after all, only 1.3 megapixels), and the fact that it doesn't have video-recording capability. A plus for parents is its compatibility with Verizon's Chaperone (*est. $10/month) service, which lets you track the location of your child via GPS. The phone is also compatible with Verizon's VZ Navigator software. The Blitz is available with contract plans (Free with new contract; *est. $80 with renewal) and through Verizon's prepaid service for $100.

Another common complaint is that the Verizon Blitz, a 1x phone, can't access Verizon's high-speed 3G EVDO network. Verizon actually puts a positive twist on that, saying you don't have to worry about kids running up the bill since they can't download music or videos through the phone, although they can still download ringtones. You can also sync the phone with a Rhapsody music account. Reviewers at InfoSync and PCMag.com say the keys on the Verizon Blitz are too small. But users, on the other hand, have been happy with the keyboard. Both owners and reviewers agree that the Verizon Blitz is affordable (*est. $50 with a two-year service contract). The Blitz is also available as a prepaid Verizon phone at Wal-Mart -- sold as the Verizon UT8010 (*est. $100) -- and at Best Buy, sold as the Blitz (*est. $100). But reviewers at PCMag.com, Geek.com and Infosync agree that Verizon's LG enV2 (*est. $50 with contract), a clamshell phone, has a better design, boasting a dedicated phone keypad and a QWERTY keyboard; a bigger, 2.4-inch (internal) screen; and a better camera (2 megapixels) that also takes video.

Both CNET and PCMag.com offer full reviews of the Verizon Blitz, as well as comparison charts of the Blitz and competing cell phones. InfoSync and MobileTechReview.com provide detailed reviews broken down into sections such as music, calling and design. For user feedback, CNET and Geek.com have the most Verizon Blitz reviews, which can be helpful, but not as trustworthy as the reviews done by professional reviewers.