Kent German,
Senior Editor
April 6, 2009
Like the original iPhone the new iPhone 3G is winning a lot of attention. Its touch-screen interface, music and video players, Internet browser, Exchange e-mail, and new 3G support are impressive, but it's hardly the first or only cell phone around to offer those features. So if you can't afford the iPhone, or you just don't want to switch to AT&T, there are quite a few handsets that give Apple's device a run for its money. They may not be just like the iPhone, but they can do many of the same things (sometimes more), and can do them well. The Samsung Instinct is a new phone for Sprint. It offers an appealing design with a sold and user-friendly feature set. We just wish it had better call quality. Verizon Wireless offers the LG Dare and the LG Voyager VX10000. The Dare's touch screen isn't quite as slick as the iPhone's, but it offers a superior camera, and its call quality is top-notch. The Voyager offers a full alphabetic keyboard and support for live TV. Finally, we ask you to consider the Sony Ericsson Xperia X1. Though Sony Ericsson hasn't officially released it just yet, it promises to be a very exciting phone with a full load of features and an awesome design.
| Product name | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | Check Prices | Check Prices | $129.99 | $79.99 to $599.99 | $3.78 | Check Prices |
| CNET editors' rating |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Average user rating | ||||||
| Review date | June 30, 2007 | July 11, 2008 | June 06, 2008 | June 27, 2008 | November 16, 2007 | November 11, 2008 |
| The Bottom Line | Despite some important missing features, a slow data network, and call quality that doesn't always deliver, the Apple iPhone sets a new benchmark for an integrated cell phone and MP3 player. | The iPhone 3G delivers on its promises by adding critical features and sharper call quality. The iTunes App Store is pretty amazing, and the 3G support is more than welcome. Critical features still are missing, and the battery depletes quickly under heavy use, but the iPhone 3G is a big improvement over the original model. | The Samsung Instinct stands out as one of Sprint's finest devices to date. It's just too bad its call quality could use some improvement. | The LG Dare is an innovative and feature-rich handset with several surprises that sets it apart from other touch-screen phones. | Though we had some minor complaints here and there, the Voyager's sleek design, generous feature set and excellent performance make it the best LG messaging and multimedia phone by far. | The Sony Ericsson Xperia X1 is a well-designed and fully stocked smartphone that offers great customization through the interactive panel interface. However, with its high price tag, the X1 will be a hard sell for most customers and will be a purely luxury item. |
| Similar Products | Compare more products | Compare more products | Compare more products | Compare more products | Compare more products | Compare more products |
| Features | ||||||
| Cellular technology | GSM | WCDMA (UMTS) / GSM | CDMA2000 1X | CDMA2000 1X | CDMA2000 1X | WCDMA (UMTS) / GSM |
| Weight | 4.8 oz | 4.7 oz | 4.4 oz | 3.76 oz | 4.69 oz | 5.1 oz |
| Talk time | Up to 480 min | Up to 600 min | 345 min | Up to 280 min | Up to 240 min | Info unavailable |
| Band / mode | GSM 850/900/1800/1900 (Quadband) | WCDMA (UMTS) / GSM 850/900/1800/1900 | CDMA2000 1X 1900/800 | CDMA2000 1X 1900/800 | CDMA 800/1900 | WCDMA (UMTS) / GSM 850/900/1800/1900 |
| Full specifications | Full specifications | Full specifications | Full specifications | Full specifications | Full specifications | Full specifications |
| Buying choices |
|
|
|
|
||
