Fast phone facts
Q: I just signed up with AT&T, and I need a simple phone with a good display (I have problems with eyesight); good sound; and one-touch, speed, and/or voice dialing. Most sites don't offer all the details I'm interested in.
--Jeff Viets

A: Your best bet is the Ericsson R300LX. It has all the features that you want, and you can even adjust the font size on the screen so that text and numbers are easier to read. I tested the R300LX and its predecessors (the R280 and the R289LX), all of which I found to be basic and reliable.

Help, I broke my phone!
Q: I just bought the LG-TM510, and after a couple of days, the tab that holds the battery in place broke. Still in my 14-day grace period, I went to my local Verizon Wireless store, and they gave me another phone. A week later, the second phone broke (the outside screen filled with ink).

So I went back to the Verizon store (it's now 15 to 17 days after the initial purchase) and learned that they were unsure if the repair was covered under the one-year warranty. Four weeks later, I picked up my phone and learned that nothing was even done with it. I felt totally ripped off, especially when they tried to resell the same phone to me. I still have my phone, which works but doesn't let me see who's calling unless I flip it open. Diva, is there anything I can do?
--Ripped off

A: First, I'm appalled that damage to the outside LCD--a key feature on the TM510--isn't covered under the warranty. But you can take preventative measures. Whenever you buy a cell phone, always opt for insurance, which covers any physical damage. Basically, once you pay the $35 to $50 deductible (depending on your provider), you get a new phone. Typically, you'll get the same or a similar model. To find out who's your insurance carrier, dial *611 on your Verizon phone or call 888/881-2622 or 877/646-7874.

Searching for service
Q: From what I have read, the Sony Ericsson T68 is my "must have" item of the year to satisfy the technological exhibitionist in me. However, I've also read that service is spotty and may not work with VoiceStream. Can you shed some light on this topic? I'd hate to end up with a $500 paperweight on my desk.
--Peter

A: The T68 is one hot phone. In fact, it just won our annual March madness cell phone tournament. It's in such high demand that you might have a hard time getting your hands on one. But if you manage to find one, the phone should work just fine on VoiceStream service. While the company doesn't currently support or sell the T68, the phone still runs on VoiceStream's network on the east coast. We tested the phone in New York City using VoiceStream service and didn't notice any change in performance.

Two in one
Q: I have both a cell phone and a pager, but I would like get rid of my pager and find a cell phone that has the capabilities of both items. I'm willing to pay between $29 and $35 per month for service. Do you have any suggestions?
--Bob

A: This is a tall order, but I like a challenge. The biggest obstacle to overcome is the monthly service cost; by the time carriers get finished adding on taxes and various fees, you end up paying about $5 to $10 more than the plan's quoted cost. It sounds like you might do well with a basic plan ($20 to $25 per month) with no long distance, minimal minutes, and few extras. Turn the phone into a pager by adding a mobile-messaging feature to the plan for an additional $3 to $5 per month. If you get a lot of pages now, opt for the more expensive plan that allows for more messages. This will help you avoid paying extra when you receive messages that aren't included in the plan.

Since most phones support two-way text messaging (send/receive short text messages to/from your phone), finding a combination pager/phone is actually pretty easy. There are two Motorola phones that come to mind immediately: the V200, which is a clamshell phone that has a small QWERTY keyboard, and the Talkabout T193, which was designed for text messaging.

Check out your local service plans from Verizon Wireless, Cingular Wireless, and VoiceStream. You'll probably be able to find something that fits your needs. Before you sign on the dotted line, have the salesperson total up a sample monthly bill for you. Be sure local taxes and fees are included. This way, you'll have a good idea how much you'll be paying for monthly service.