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Worst cell phones of 2006

Nicole Lee Nicole Lee, Associate Editor December 20, 2006

Picking out a list of the worst cell phones of 2006 was a little difficult. None of the phones we reviewed this year were completely horrible--even some of the lowest-rated phones were actually decent in some way. That said, we did pick out a few phones that left us disappointed more than anything else. First is the Sanyo RL4930, a dull and bulky cell phone that does feature Sprint's ReadyLink walkie-talkie service. However, there certainly are better phone options out there with the same service. Then there's the horribly disappointing Motorola Slvr L6. With a name like the Slvr, we thought it would be a great slim candy bar, but it turned out to have a low-resolution display, a poor keypad, blurry picture quality, and an average speakerphone. Finally, there's the most expensive clunker of the year, the Bang & Olufsen Serene. While we appreciate its innovative design and one-of-a-kind appearance, its sideways camera and incredibly cost-prohibitive price of over $1,000 puts the Serene firmly in the do-not-buy list for us.

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Review date February 09, 2006 April 26, 2006 November 28, 2006
The Bottom Line The Sanyo RL4930 offers a couple of useful features, but if you're looking for a ReadyLink phone, there are better options available. If you can get it at a bargain price, the Motorola Slvr L6 is a solid option for users who want a functional phone with sexy looks, but true phone fanatics will be disappointed. The Bang & Olufsen Serene is a showpiece of a cell phone with a design unlike any other. Unfortunately, form does not meet function, and the Serene is more suited to be showcased in a museum rather than carried around in your pocket.
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Features
Cellular technologyCDMA2000 1X / AMPS
GSM
GSM
Weight4.4 oz
2.8 oz
4.1 oz
Talk timeUp to 330 min
Info unavailableUp to 190 min
Wireless InterfaceInfo unavailableBluetooth
Bluetooth
Service ProviderSprint Nextel
AT&T (formerly Cingular)
Unlocked
Band / modeCDMA2000 1X 1900 / AMPS 800
Info unavailableGSM 900/1800/1900 (Tri-Band)
Full specifications Full specifications Full specifications Full specifications
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