Top texting phone for Sprint
Pros: Full QWERTY keyboard, Sleek and slender design, Easy-to-use interface, Good call quality
Cons: Pricier than other texting phones, Lag noticeable during some functions, Square shape may not appeal to everyone, Lack of business-related applications
Free with new contract
Budget messaging phone for Sprint
Pros: Full QWERTY keyboard, GPS and Bluetooth, Supports corporate and personal email, Accepts up to 16 GB memory cards, Affordable
Cons: Awkward navigation keys, Average music player, No Wi-Fi, Choppy web browser
Free with new/renewal contract
Prepaid phone for messaging mavens
Pros: No contract, Nice keys on QWERTY slideout keyboard, Good call quality, Memory expandable to 16 GB, Adequate 2.1-inch display screen
Cons: IM and email support not so great, No video recording, Not the cheapest option
*Est. $200, no contract
Well-rounded touch-screen phone for T-Mobile
Pros: Fun user interface, 5-megapixel camera, Screen vibrates at touch, Loud speakerphone
Cons: Memory card slot under battery, Touch screen is sluggish, Lack of Wi-Fi, Mediocre web browser
Free with new contract
Trendy handheld with QWERTY keyboard
Pros: Excellent full QWERTY keyboard, Can work most places in the world, Supports multiple music and video formats, Can customize Sidekick shells (not LX), Good for messaging
Cons: Plastic body, No Wi-Fi , No Word document support, Unimpressive camera, Choppy video playback, Poor email and text storage, MicroSD slot is under back cover
from Free with new contract
A full-featured multimedia touch-screen phone for Verizon
Pros: Large, bright LCD screens, Decent 3.2-megapixel camera with flash, Good web browsing and media playback
Cons: Short battery life, Touch interface can be quirky, Mediocre call quality, No Wi-Fi
from $49.99 with new contract
A very good all-around messaging phone for Verizon
Pros: Excellent build quality and design, Comfortable keyboard, Camera has flash, Vibrant LCD screens
Cons: Poor web browser, Non-standard headphone jack, Mediocre camera
Free with new contract
A well-rounded phone with an exceptionally bright display
Pros: Bright, sharp 3.2-inch touch screen, Roomy QWERTY keyboard, Good music and video players
Cons: Non-standard headphone jack, No flash or autofocus for camera, Hard to use lock/unlock button, No Wi-Fi
Free with new contract
Good entry-level messaging phone for AT&T
Pros: Touch-screen display, Long battery life, Good call quality, High-speed network, Solid build quality
Cons: Confusing user interface, Touch-screen can be quirky, Limited email compatibility, Web browsing hit-and-miss
Free with new contract
T-Mobile's Sidekick still an acquired taste despite improvements
Pros: Excellent keyboard for messaging, Bright, crisp screen , Integrated apps for Twitter and Facebook
Cons: No Wi-Fi, Poor camera and video quality, So-so call quality , Short battery life
from $149.99 with new contract
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