Kyocera Koi KX2 (Verizon Wireless)

Of all the cell phones we saw at the 2004 Cellular Telecommunciations & Internet Association show in Atlanta, the Kyocera KX2 Koi, with its unique styling, managed to earn an honorable mention on our "cream of the crop" list. And now, almost seven months later, we're glad to report that that recognition was well deserved. Not only does the Koi sport an eye-catching swivel design, this Verizon Wireless handset also comes packed with features that will appeal to a broad variety of users. That said, while its limited business features and subpar battery life might disappoint more high-maintenance callers, overall we give it two thumbs up. Its $219 price is fair, but you should be able to find it for less with a service contract.

Editor's note: We have changed the rating in this review to reflect recent changes in our rating scale. Click here to find out more. In the world of cell phone fashion, customers have been limited for the most part to candy bar mobiles and flip phones. However, in the past couple of years, new designs have begun to emerge that break this pattern. Kyocera first jumped on this trend earlier this year with its SE47 slider phone, and the company now rolls out its KX2 Koi swivel phone. While the 4-ounce handset is somewhat bulky (3.9 by 1.9 by 0.9 inches) even when closed, we had no problem fitting the attractive blue-and-silver mobile in our pocket. Covering most of the front face is a vivid 2.25-inch-diagonal display. With support for a vibrant 262,000 colors, it was easy to see in most lighting conditions (both the brightness and the contrast are adjustable). The screen is constantly exposed, however, so be careful of scratches. Also, be aware that the text font size cannot be changed.