Introduction

The LG VX8360 is a bit like its predecessor, the VX8350, with a facelift. The camera quality -- 1.3-megapixel -- on both phones is the same. Each phone has access to email, instant messaging, and enhanced, multimedia and short text messaging services. Their gray and silver coating and rectangular shape are about the same too. Users of the VX8360's previous models may not see much difference in this phone at all on first blush. If they look closely, though, they will see a few improvements.

The VX8360, for one, looks better. Its main screen has better image quality, going from 256K-colors and 170 x 220 px resolution on the VX8350 to 262K colors and 240 x 320 px resolution on the VX8360.

Its sheen black face and matte gray and silver finish with discreet external music keys and a well-sized external screen give the VX8360 a more modern and professional finish than similar models that came before it.

The phone lasts longer without a charge, too -- about 90 minutes longer while in use and more than 400 hours longer on standby.

The old VX8350 only uses Mobile Web 2.0, which constricts where users can gain access to the Web to service areas in the United States. The new VX8360 connects to the Internet through any nearby Wi-Fi network, which makes it easier -- and cheaper -- to access the Internet all over the world.

It has a bold set of Internet features for a lightweight clamshell and maintains a reputation as a noteworthy music downloading and playing device. But a lack of memory storage and a corresponding need to buy a memory card in order to take the phone's entertainment features to their full potential could steer some shoppers to a different phone.

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Design

Weighing in at 3.35 ounces and measuring just 3.65 inches long, 1.91 inches across and 0.78 inches thick, the sleek and lightweight VX8360 is drop-in-the-pocket-friendly and fits discreetly in the palm of the hand. The clamshell design has rounded edges, no external antenna, and flips open and closed more smoothly than some of the VX8360's predecessors.

The matte black and gray face and dark gray back cover keep the phone incognito, while a silver lining on the phone's sides gives it a little flash.

A battery is tucked into the back of the phone, while the face of the phone features a 1.17-inch screen with camera lens above the screen and music forward, reverse, play and pause keys below. One glaringly absent feature is a button to lock or unlock the music keys, which means they can get bumped on accident and beep.

The right side of the phone includes a key that activates the VX8360's 1.3-megapixel camera and a microSD memory card port. A headset jack, volume control keys and one-touch voice command button reside on the left side of the phone. A USB port is located on the bottom of the phone.

Flipped open, the phone reveals a silver interior with a two-inch, black-framed screen and silver multi-tap keypad with raised speaker, send, end, clear and navigation keys.

Slick and compact, the VX8360 has a simple yet stylish design, but wouldn't be the ideal buy for someone seeking a more colorful or flashy phone.

Out of the box, the LG VX8360 comes with a standard Li-Polymer battery, wall charger, user guide and quick reference manual.

Introduction

In the spirit of the LG Chocolate line, the CF360 is a 3G slider with a minimalist look. The stylish handset is a music playing, message-sending, video-watching machine, however it takes a little cash and a bit more memory to unleash it's potential. Luckily, there's a memory card slot and the ability to upload music from a PC if buying applications isn't in the budget.

The design is sleek and so close to being all black it's practically in camouflage. Functions match its simplistic look with less-than-colorful icons, bland browser and music player designs, and few examples of fun built-in games. But with the right Verizon service plan, users can connect on instant messaging and email services, watch video streaming and browse the high-speed Internet.

The CF360 is for consumers who want a stylish phone without the need for much functionality. For those are used to smartphones with more complex features, the phone could fail to impress.

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Design

Minimalist is the perfect descriptor for the CF360. The handset has an electric blue or red outline piping down the side of the frame with matching color back-lit on multi-tap keypad labels.

The handset slides out to reveals the alphanumeric keyboard, but the keys can also be accessed without opening the phone. Users can make and end calls, view the contact list, launch instant messenger, send text and multimedia messages and go to "My Stuff" -- a personal menu of games, pictures, songs, videos, tools and applications.

The large 2.0-inch blank screen (when at rest), numeric keypad and external keys only light up when the phone is opened or when the keypad is unlocked -- giving an almost entirely black for a stylish incognito effect.

A microSD memory card slot sits atop the phone. Volume control keys on the left and charger port/headset jack, task menu, and camera activation keys on the right all blend discreetly into the black frame.

Even the 1.3-megapixel camera lens located on the back seems smaller and darker than usual, making taking a picture without the subject knowing a slightly easier task.

With just a dash of color and a hefty dose of black, there are two ways to view the CF360.

One way is to see it as a spy phone of sorts, with features discreetly hidden from view, little color, and the ability to get a few things done without calling too much attention to yourself in a crowd.

The other way to look at the design is to label it boring. There's no flash to this device, and having two color options doesn't add much pizzazz. Plus, unlocking the keypad can be a chore since the keys don't illuminate until the phone is unlocked. That's one definite drawback to having so much of the same color on one phone.

Out of the box, the LG CF360 comes with a standard Li-Ion battery, travel charger, user guide and quick reference manual.

Introduction

The Nokia 7510, offered by T-Mobile, is a well-made fun and functional basic phone. The clamshell is best for users who want a streamlined phone without flashy extras -- providing a camera that records still photos and video, a music player and FM radio.

While the 7510 is a basic, mid-range phone, Nokia added three changeable covers to rotate and match any mood. Unfortunately, the covers were difficult to remove so changing the phone's color at a moment's notice might get frustrating.

The hidden external display is also unique. The display is invisible when idle, but when there is an incoming call or the user touches a button, information is illuminated and shows through the cover.

The handset also offers useful applications such as a calculator, a timer and a unit and currency converter, all of which contribute to a phone that generally provides what users looking for a basic want, without many extras they do not need.

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Design

The design of the exterior of the Nokia 7510 reflects what is inside -- a solidly made, functional phone. It comes with three soft-touch textured exchangeable covers -- red, emerald green and brown -- that are easy to grip and comfortable in the hand.

Unfortunately, it is difficult to change the phone's covers on a whim because the covers are difficult to remove. This is annoying since its microSD memory card slot is located underneath the back cover.

Users will like its hidden external display. When activated, it flashes the time, network reception and other information -- even animations.

At 4.4 ounces, this handset is no lightweight but the construction of the phone feels solid, which compensates for its heft.

The handset is small enough to slip into a pants pocket or other small spaces, at 1.8 inches wide, 3.6 inches long and 0.7 inches thick.

Its external design is simple with only two buttons: one on the right side of the large hinge at the top of the phone, and a rocker key on the upper right side to adjust the volume.

The volume rocker key is inconvenient for left-handed users to reach when the phone is open, since it is on the top panel of the phone.

The hinge button is unique, but it did not seem to increase the convenience of opening the phone. The hinge generally feels solid, but the handset reviewed made a soft clicking sound when opening that made it seem like it could break in the future.

A headset jack is located on the upper right side of the phone, and a micro-USB port on the lower left side of the phone. The power jack is on the upper left side of the phone.

Inside the clamshell, the silver keypad is high-gloss with large, simple keys. They are relatively flat and a bit slippery, but this did not cause much of a problem. A nice amount of separation between the keys makes dialing more convenient. The keypad does pick up fingerprints.

Users can set shortcuts on the four sides of the directional keypad, such as camera, calculator and contacts.

The camera is located on the front. The handset must be opened to take photos because the handset does not have an external camera button. Instead, users have to activate the camera using the keypad.

Out of the box, the Nokia 7510 comes with a battery and charger, handsfree headset, three changeable covers in green, red and brown, a start guide, user guide and T-Mobile services guide.

Introduction

Having a phone with multiple Internet, email, message and entertainment features is good. Being able to use them simultaneously is better.

When connected to a 3G/HSDPA Internet connection, the RIM BlackBerry Bold 9000 can send and receive email and text or multimedia messages while receiving a phone call and browsing the Internet. Even better, the Bold can do all of this quickly without backpedaling -- if a user shifts to another task, the application they were working in will pause where the person left it until they're ready to return to the original application.

The Bold boasts great connectivity and plenty of opportunities to upload great-sounding music and watch vivid videos on the Bold's large horizontal screen. But the Bold's bulky size, so-so camera quality, lack of extra storage space and bland themes could detract some buyers.

Design

Unless you've got quite a paw, the Bold isn't exactly palm-sized. It measures 4.48 inches tall, 2.6 inches wide and 0.59 inches thick and weighs 4.8 ounces. Sliding the phone into a pocket may not be an option, but conveniently the Bold package comes with a black leather holster that blends in with a pair of black pants. It's also slim so it fits in a purse or messenger bag pocket easily.

The silver-lined black face of the Bold features a full raised QWERTY keyboard with buttons that seem small but are large enough to prevent most typing mistakes. The keyboard contains alt, delete, enter shift, speakerphone and symbol keys. Numbers are located to the left on top of letter keys. The QWERTY design expedites the text messaging process, but it makes calling 1-800 numbers that spell the last seven digits of their phone numbers in words a brain twister to figure out.

Above the keyboard is a bar with, from left to right, a send key, a menu key, a trackball that's rolled to move around the screen, an escape key and an end/power key. On the top half of the phone's face is a large, reflective screen, the BlackBerry logo, an earpiece speaker and a light that shines red when the phone is charging. The soft, black back of the phone contains the phone's camera lens.

Located on the left side of the phone are a headset jack, a USB port, and a media card slot. The right side has volume keys and the top of the phone has a mute/standby key. Each side of the phone contains convenience keys.

The phone's design makes messaging and navigating a snap, although it may be too large for some people's tastes and the specialized features may be more than a novice needs.

Out of the box, the RIM BlackBerry Bold comes with a handsfree 3.5mm stereo headset, a travel charger, a USB cable, a 1500 mAh Li-Ion battery, a quick start guide, a getting started guide and a BlackBerry user tools CD with BlackBerry desktop software with media manager.