Mobile music: cell phones that play MP3s

Updated January 20, 2006

Cell phones are all about multimedia these days, and many new models coming with integrated music players. They may not have loads of memory or crystal-clear audio quality, but they can be great for listening to tunes when you're on the go. Remember, though, that handsets equipped for MP3s aren't designed to replace your stand-alone player; owning both gadgets is still the best plan. One of the most anticipated music phones this year was the Motorola Rokr E1 for Cingular. The much-hyped iTunes phone offers solid sound quality and of course iTunes compatibility, but it has some drawbacks. There has since been a revamped version, the Motorola Rokr E2. While it doesn't have iTunes on it, its design has improved significantly, earning it a finalist spot in the Best of CES 2006. Alternatively, Cingular offers the Sony Ericsson W600i, which features an attractive swivel design. Although it's not sold by a carrier, the unlocked Nokia N90 is a sure bet for a quality MP3 phone if you have the dollars to spare. And don't fear, CDMA customers; you too can rock out with Verizon's LG VX9800 or Sprint's slim Samsung MM-A900, both of which support over-the-air MP3 downloads from Verizon's V Cast Music store and Sprint's Power Vision music store, respectively.

More resources

New cell phone reviews  Editors' top cell phones

Sprint's 3G phones  Cell phone buying guide