Compared to the larger event held every spring, the autumn version of the Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association (CTIA) show is relatively quiet. Though we're glad the event is just around the corner at San Francisco's Moscone Center, we usually see few announcements of new cell phones. But that doesn't mean there isn't anything interesting going on. In fact, this year, Kyocera, Sanyo, and Audiovox (now UT Starcom) unveiled new mobiles, one of which is destined for soon-to-be-born MVNO carrier ESPN Mobile.

Kyocera introduced the KX12, the Xcursion KX160, and the Sonic Slider. Taking cues from the standard Nextel cell phone, the CDMA KX12 offers push-to-talk functionality in a rugged and durable candy bar-style design. The CDMA Xcursion KX160 promises Bluetooth and a VGA camera, while the debut of the Sonic Slider marks the first true multimedia phone for Virgin Mobile. Also for Virgin Mobile is the UT Starcom Snapper. Resembling the Audiovox Flasher V7, the Snapper offers mid- to low-tier features in a standard flip-phone design. Lastly is the Sanyo MVP. A made-over Sanyo MM-5600 for new carrier ESPN Mobile, the eye-catching red-and-black flip phone offers a generous selection of multimedia features, including access to ESPN sports programming and news. For more about the show, see CNET's Alpha blog or our CTIA video roundup.

Phone model	Network	Carrier; price	Availability	What's cool about it
Kyocera KX12	CDMA 800/1900	TBD Check prices	Early 2006	Push-to-talk capable; rugged design with rubber side grips; flashlight; voice dialing; basic PIM functions; text and multimedia messaging; gaming; wireless Web browser; polyphonic ring tones; color display
Kyocera Sonic Slider	CDMA 800/1900; AMPS 800	Virgin Mobile; $249 Check prices	Now	Slider design; Virgin Mobile's first multimedia phone; MP3 and WMA music player; VGA camera with flash and MPEG-4 video recorder; 16MB of integrated memory; TransFlash card slot; speakerphone; basic PIM functions; text and multimedia messaging; instant messaging; gaming; wireless Web browser; polyphonic ring tones; color display
Kyocera Xcursion KX160	CDMA 800/1900	TBD Check prices	Late 2005	Bluetooth; VGA camera with flash; speakerphone; voice dialing; flashlight; basic PIM functions; text and multimedia messaging; gaming; wireless Web browser; polyphonic ring tones; color external display; 65,000-color internal display
Sanyo MVP	CDMA 800/1900; EV-DO	ESPN Mobile; TBD Check prices	Early 2006	Similar to Sanyo MM-5600; stylish red and black design; MP3 and AAC player; 1.3-megapixel camera with flash and video; support for direct photo printing; 3G capable for streaming video; exclusive ESPN content; Mini SD card slot; speakerphone; basic PIM functions; text and multimedia messaging; gaming; wireless Web browser; polyphonic ring tones; 65,000-color external display; 262,000-color internal display
UT Starcom (Audiovox) Snapper	CDMA 800/1900; AMPS 800	Virgin Mobile; $149 Check prices	Now	VGA camera with flash; speakerphone; voice dialing; basic PIM functions; text and multimedia messaging; gaming; wireless Web browser; polyphonic ring tones; 65,000-color display