The brainy bunch: CNET readers' favorite smart phones

Bonnie Cha
Associate editor

October 10, 2005

Smart phones are still pretty new to the technology scene, but that hasn't slowed us or you down from checking out these brainy cell phone/PDA combos. While we put these devices through its paces in CNET Labs, it's you, our readers, who are the harshest critics. After all, you are the ones living with and using these gadgets on a daily basis. Here are the five smart phones that you gave a passing grade: The Audiovox SMT5600, the Samsung SCH-i730, the Sony Ericsson P910a, and the T-Mobile Sidekick II moved to the head of the class, receiving at least a 7.0 rating from more than 50 readers. And keep an eye on the new kid on the block, the I-mate Jam. Although there are currently only 28 user opinions, this up-and-comer already has an average 8.4 rating, so the Treo better watch its back. Speaking of which, did you notice that the Treo was absent from this list? Read our reviews to see if one is right for you.

More resources

Editors' top smart phones

CNET readers' favorite cell phones

Smart phones with hidden keyboards

Read the latest smart-phone reviews

	Remove from list	Remove from list	Remove from list	Remove from list	Remove from list
Product name	Audiovox SMT5600 (AT&T)	Samsung SCH-i730 (Verizon Wireless)	Sony Ericsson P910a (Unlocked)	T-Mobile Sidekick II	I-mate Jam

Review date	November 30, 2004	June 30, 2005	December 16, 2004	August 3, 2004	August 23, 2005

Editors' rating (Editors' rating explained)	8.0 Excellent	8.3 Excellent	8.0 Excellent	6.7 Good	7.6 Very good

Buying choices	Prices from online stores: Searching for pricing data...	Prices from online stores: Searching for pricing data...	Prices from online stores: Searching for pricing data...	Prices from online stores: Searching for pricing data...	Prices from online stores: Searching for pricing data...

Product videos	Watch video	Watch video	Watch video	Watch video

Review summary	Aside from the tiny buttons and some e-mail issues, Audiovox's SMT5600 is a fantastic smart phone. Call quality is good, it's well constructed, and its display is magnificent.	Small, light, and powerful, the Samsung SCH-i730's high-speed data support and built-in Bluetooth and Wi-Fi make it an excellent choice for those who have to stay connected at all times, though the crippled Bluetooth support may spoil the party for laptop road warriors.	The Sony Ericsson P910a offers road warriors a superb smart phone and multimedia alternative to devices such as the Treo 650 and the BlackBerry.	T-Mobile's Sidekick II adds a built-in camera to its stellar e-mail, surfing, and IM abilities, but some annoying flaws remain.	Similar to the I-mate SP3i, the I-mate Jam is a fun multimedia-capable smart phone. That said, the lack of a keyboard makes it better for reading e-mail than sending it.

Product series	N/A	N/A	N/A	See all products in this series	N/A

My Products	Add to my products Add to my products I want it Track pricing and other product info. I got it Get a custom support center on this product. Close Added to my products: I want it (See all) Added to my products: I got it (See all)	Add to my products Add to my products I want it Track pricing and other product info. I got it Get a custom support center on this product. Close Added to my products: I want it (See all) Added to my products: I got it (See all)	Add to my products Add to my products I want it Track pricing and other product info. I got it Get a custom support center on this product. Close Added to my products: I want it (See all) Added to my products: I got it (See all)	Add to my products Add to my products I want it Track pricing and other product info. I got it Get a custom support center on this product. Close Added to my products: I want it (See all) Added to my products: I got it (See all)	Add to my products Add to my products I want it Track pricing and other product info. I got it Get a custom support center on this product. Close Added to my products: I want it (See all) Added to my products: I got it (See all)

User comments	Be one of the first to rate this product!	Be one of the first to rate this product!	Be one of the first to rate this product!	Be one of the first to rate this product!	Be one of the first to rate this product!
Basic Specs
Service Provider	AT&T	Verizon Wireless	Unlocked	T-Mobile	Info unavailable

Cellular technology	GSM	CDMA2000 1X	GSM	GSM	GSM

Band / mode	GSM 850/1800/1900	CDMA2000 1X 1900/800	GSM 850/1800/1900 (Tri-Band)	GSM 900/1800/1900 (Tri-Band)	GSM 900/1800/1900 (Tri-Band)

Talk time	240 min	Up to 132 min	Up to 780 min	Up to 270 min	Info unavailable

Wireless Interface	Infrared (IrDA) , Bluetooth	Infrared (IrDA) , IEEE 802.11b , Bluetooth	Infrared (IrDA) , Bluetooth	Info unavailable	Bluetooth compatible

Weight	3.67 oz	6.5 oz	5.5 oz	6.5 oz	Info unavailable

Carrier	Cingular Wireless	Verizon Wireless	Info unavailable	T-Mobile	Info unavailable


Product name	Audiovox SMT5600 (AT&T)	Samsung SCH-i730 (Verizon Wireless)	Sony Ericsson P910a (Unlocked)	T-Mobile Sidekick II	I-mate Jam

Full specifications	Full specifications	Full specifications	Full specifications	Full specifications	Full specifications

Price range	Visit the manufacturer's or carrier's Web site to purchase this product.	As Reviewed: $649.98 Check manufacturer's site for availability	Email me when this product is available	Check latest prices $49 from 1 store	Compare prices on the I-mate Jam at mySimon.com