Smartphones: Reviews

Updated May 2009
 

Best smartphone overall

Apple iPhone 3G *Est. $100 and up with contract Compare Prices
 
Expert & User Review Sources:

CNet.com: Reviewers Kent German and Donald Bell offer a lot of detail regarding the Apple iPhone 3G's performance in testing and include ...

PCMag.com: Despite some shortfalls and hiccups, the Apple iPhone 3G gets an Editors' Choice award here. Positives include improved call ...

ConsumerReports.org: This update rates a lot of smartphones, including the Apple iPhone 3G. Testing meets Consumer Reports' typical rigorous ...

About.com: About.com's guide to cell phones Adam Fendelman looks at price, battery life and Internet browsing in this comparative review. He ...

The New York Times: Although technology columnist David Pogue is impressed with some of the improvements in the Apple iPhone 3G, he sees few ...

The Wall Street Journal: Walter S. Mossberg reports that the Apple iPhone 3G "mostly keeps its promises." However, he adds that while the phone itself ...

Computer Power User: Anand Lal Shimpi looks at the differences between the original iPhone and the iPhone 3G and how the improvements stack up. Based ...

MobileTechReview.com: The Apple iPhone 3G is named an Editor's Choice here. Reviewer Lisa Gade says that the original iPhone is not meant for corporate ...

 

Best QWERTY smartphone

BlackBerry Curve series Free to $250, depending on carrier Compare Prices
 
Expert & User Review Sources:

CNet.com: CNET likes the Curve's ergonomics and integrated Wi-Fi, but says its browser isn't as efficient as some rivals'. Even so, Bonnie ...

PCMag.com: The 8330 is a favorite at PCMag.com, with Lendino praising its ease of use, excellent messaging support and improved multimedia ...

MobileTechReview.com: Lisa Gade compares the Curve 8300 to its closest relative, the 8800, but likes the 8300's ergonomically friendly "curvy" design ...

Laptop Magazine: While the only real difference between the 8300 and the upgraded 8310 is the addition of GPS and new colors, Kenneth Butler ...

TopTenReviews.com: Editors say the 8350i -- the sole smartphone in the BlackBerry Curve lineup with versatile push-to-talk capability, GPS and Wi-Fi ...

CNet.com: Cha "absolutely recommends" the new Curve 8900 for its "better design, improved features and faster performance," even though she ...

PCMag.com: Reviewer Sascha Segan says the BlackBerry Curve 8900 bests its predecessor, the 8320, earning PCMag.com's Editors' Choice as the ...

About.com: Cassavoy compares four BlackBerry devices -- the Curve, Bold, Pearl and Storm -- along with the services and support provided by ...

Kiplinger Personal Finance: In this roundup of Apple iPhone alternatives, reviewer Jeff Bertloucci notes that the Curve 8320 is easy to use but lacks the ...

PCMag.com: Segan provides an overview of the four different smartphone platforms -- RIM BlackBerry, Apple, Windows Mobile and Symbian -- and ...

 

Best Verizon smartphone with touch screen

Samsung Omnia *Est. $100 with new contract; $200 with renewal Compare Prices
 
Expert & User Review Sources:

CNet.com: CNET's Bonnie Cha points out that the Samsung Omnia might see a lot of comparisons to the BlackBerry Storm. Overall she would ...

Laptop Magazine: This five-part analysis covers the ups and downs of the Samsung Omnia. Editor Stewart Wolpin particularly likes all of the ...

PC World: This concise write-up highlights the Samsung Omnia's ability to handle all of the applications required of a smartphone. Although ...

InfosyncWorld.com: Although the Samsung Omnia tries to accomplish a lot and generally succeeds, Philip Berne finds its user interface to be ...

PhoneArena.com: The Samsung Omnia is an award winner at PhoneArena.com. Editors here call the Omnia "one of the best smartphones currently ...

CNet.com: More than 200 users have shared their opinions of the Samsung Omnia at CNET. An average rating of four out of five stars is ...

 

Best Sprint smartphone with touch screen

HTC Touch Pro *Est. $300 with contract Compare Prices
 
Expert & User Review Sources:

PCMag.com: PCMag.com rates the Verizon version as "fair" and links to an earlier "good" evaluation of the Sprint version. Reason? "Verizon ...

CNet.com: CNET tests lots of cell phones and rates the HTC Touch Pro as "very good" despite being bulky and sluggish. The touch screen is ...

InfosyncWorld.com: InfoSync gives a good analysis of features, and its score of 77 out of 100 ranks it with the HTC Fuze atop the business ...

Amazon.com: About 10n owner reviews exist at Amazon, too small of a sampling for any real consensus. Most rate the HTC Touch Pro four or the ...

ConsumerReports.org: ConsumerReports.org tests about two dozen smartphones, including the HTC Touch Diamond, but not the HTC Touch Pro.

 

Best world smartphone

Samsung Saga i770 *Est. $100 with contract Compare Prices
 
Expert & User Review Sources:

CNet.com: Cha compares the Samsung Saga world phone to Samsung's Epix, Ace and Omnia, as well as the BlackBerry 8830 World Edition and ...

CNet.com: More than two dozen Samsung Saga owners share their thoughts, and overall, they like the touch pad, full QWERTY keyboard and ...

PCMag.com: Lendino contends that "there's not much of a story to the Saga, especially in light of the competition." The Saga's biggest ...

InfosyncWorld.com: While the Samsung Saga isn't necessarily a powerhouse upgrade to the Samsung BlackJack II and Samsung Epix, Berne says it trumps ...

Brighthand.com: The Saga is nowhere near as elegant as the (unlocked) HTC S740 in Edwards' view, but this world phone's sleek functionality, nice ...

PhoneScoop.com: Nearly a dozen users agree that the Saga has great form factor, with its full QWERTY keyboard, optical mouse and Opera Mobile ...

Amazon.com: Pros and cons go head to head in a handful of user reviews about the Samsung Saga. While the Saga rates well for its good ...

 

Smartphones Runners Up:

BlackBerry Bold *Est. $200 with contract

3 picks by top review sites.

BlackBerry Storm *Est. $100 with contract

3 picks by top review sites.

HTC G1 *Est. $100 with contract

3 picks by top review sites.

Nokia E71 *Est. $360 with contract

2 picks by top review sites.

HTC Fuze *Est. $10 with contract

2 picks by top review sites.

     
 
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Blackberry Bold 9000 Unlocked GSM Smartphone
Buy from Amazon.com
from Amazon.com
New: $556.94   
In Stock.
Average Customer Review:  
 
 
 
 
     
   
 
 
 
     
 
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Nokia E71 Unlocked Cell Phone with 3.2 MP Camera, 3G, Media Player, GPS, Wi-Fi, MicroSD Slot--U.S. Version with Warranty (Gray)
Buy from Amazon.com
from Amazon.com
New: Too low to display   
In Stock.
Average Customer Review:  
 
 
 
 
     
 
image
HTC FUZE Smartphone (AT&T)
Buy from Amazon.com
from Amazon.com
New: $280.95   
Average Customer Review:  
 
 
 
 

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