Nextel

Upside: Lots of options; PhotoShare album is multifunctional and user-friendly.

Downside: Expensive; limited selection of camera phones.

Bottom line: Though it's a latecomer to camera phones, Nextel offers plenty of choices, but they're pricey.

Nextel i860 Check prices

Nextel is still relatively new to the camera phone game. It introduced its first model just last year and still has the smallest selection of the major carriers. That said, Nextel offers a number of choices for sending messages. Four data packages are available, each allowing a certain number of pictures messages in addition to other services such as mobile e-mail, instant messaging, text messaging, and unlimited Web access. The basic plan gives 40 multimedia messages for $9.99 per month, the standard plan includes 80 for $19.99 per month, and the enhanced plan limits you to 120 for $29.99 per month. If you go over your amount or prefer to pay as you go, you'll be charged 25 cents per message.

Nextel i275 Check prices

Another option is Nextel's PhotoShare online storage album. For $2.99 per month, you get 500MB of storage. Photos can be uploaded from your phone, your PC, or your digital camera, and you can access your album at any time through your handset or a computer. You also can order prints and gifts and share photos with friends or family via e-mail. Besides the monthly PhotoShare fee, you'll need a data plan and the free application, which is downloaded to your phone.

Camera phones include: 

• Nextel i860

• Nextel i275

More cell phone resources from CNET: 

• New cell phone reviews • Camera phone reviews • CNET's favorite camera phones

• Cell phone buying guide • On Call: Answers for your cell phone questions • CNET's quick guide to 3G

• CNET's quick guide to Bluetooth • Ultimate cell phone headsets • Camera phone secrets

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