The Top 10 Smart Phones

If you're in the market for a cell phone that has QWERTY input and a whole lot more, consider one of these 10 smart phones.

All Images
Related Articles

Getting Started at the App Store
Decade Review for IPhone
Most Popular PC World Stories of 2009
Qualcomm Reorganizes as COO Lauer Leaves
Android Smartphones Expected to Shine in 2010

4) Apple iPhone -- PCW Rating: 83 (Very Good) 5 of 11

The iPhone gives you plenty to love, and plenty to lament. The iPhone has a solid design and a beautiful, touch-sensitive 480-by-320-pixel screen you can control with multiple taps or pinches of your fingers. Its browser, while not as versatile as the one on your laptop, is impressive. And of course, it works fine as a cell phone. But activation requires a two-year service plan, which may outlast the sealed-in battery. And the iPhone doesn't work with AT&T's fastest (HSDPA) data network. Full Review & More Photos | Test Report | Latest Prices

1) RIM BlackBerry Curve 8320 -- PCW Rating: 88 (Very Good)

The RIM BlackBerry Curve 8320 from T-Mobile is the same as the original BlackBerry Curve 8300, though it comes in two different colors, titanium gray or gold. The news is under the hood: The 8320 adds technology that lets you make voice calls over a Wi-Fi network. Full Review & More Photos | Test Report | Latest Prices

2) T-Mobile Wing -- PCW Rating: 84 (Very Good)

The T-Mobile Wing is a reasonable value, given the phone's versatile functionality, stellar call quality, and excellent battery life. However, its limited on-board storage and poorly constructed buttons might give you pause. Full Review & More Photos | Test Report | Latest Prices

3) T-Mobile Dash (Windows Mobile 6) -- PCW Rating: 84 (Very Good)

The upgrade to Windows Mobile 6 adds support for Microsoft's productivity applications to this already impressive phone. Full Review & More Photos | Test Report & More Photos | Latest Prices

4) Apple iPhone -- PCW Rating: 83 (Very Good)

5) Motorola Q Global -- PCW Rating: 82 (Very Good)

Quad-band GSM voice and highs-speed (HSDPA/UMTS) data support (the latter in the U.S. only, though) plus integrated GPS and a good keyboard make the Q Global worth considering for business travelers, but poor battery life and AT&T Wireless's pricey, limited overseas GPS and data services may disappoint. Full Review & More Photos | Test Report | Latest Prices

6) Palm Centro -- PCW Rating: 81 (Very Good)

Palm OS aficionados in search of a more contemporary design than the aging Treo may applaud this sporty, petite handset--especially given its attractive $100 price and support for Sprint's speedy EVDO data service. The keyboard, though small, is surprisingly typable, making poor battery life, lack of Wi-Fi or GPS (not surprising at this price) and a fragile-feeling plastic case the principal drawbacks. Full Review & More Photos | Test Report | Latest Prices

7) Samsung BlackJack II -- PCW Rating: 80 (Very Good)

The successor to the popular BlackJack adds GPS support (but not Wi-Fi) to the quad-band AT&T GSM and 3G (HSDPA/UMTS) data support on the original. An improved keyboard and good battery life also impress, but there's still room for improvement with the sound quality and the fingerprint-magnet case--and we miss the Picsel Viewer app for Office docs (now handled by Windows Mobile 6 Office applications). Full Review & More Photos | Test Report | Latest Prices

8) T-Mobile Sidekick LX -- PCW Rating: 80 (Very Good)

As ever, the Sidekick's oversize swiveling screen and roomy keyboard will appeal most to people who use their handsets more for messaging, e-mail, and snapping the odd still image than for voice calls (or video capture). Battery life is outstanding. But lack of Wi-Fi or 3G support on T-Mobile's network will discourage the Sidekick LX's use for Web browsing. Also, there is no GPS, the $350 pricetag is high, and in the era of the iPhone and any number of skinny clamshells, the LX looks rather bulky. Full Review & More Photos | Test Report | Latest Prices

9) RIM BlackBerry 8700g -- PCW Rating: 79 (Good)

The BlackBerry 8700g is more consumer-friendly than other BlackBerry devices, but it still lacks a camera. Full Review & More Photos | Test Report | Latest Prices

10) RIM BlackBerry 8820 -- PCW Rating: 78 (Good)

The RIM BlackBerry 8820 from AT&T can provide wireless voice and data access over both cellular and Wi-Fi networks. Other than that, it's almost identical to the BlackBerry 8800 (which the 8820 will replace in AT&T's lineup). Full Review & More Photos | Test Report | Latest Prices