Samsung Blast SGH-T729 (T-Mobile)

Pros: ergonomics; voice quality; high res. display; "slider" design; high-contrast keyboard lighting

Cons: speakerphone could be a tad louder

Summary: Once you get past the fact that the name of this phone is marketing hyperbole (the BLAST is not actually a "blast" but it's very, very good) the phone still shines. Voice quality is exceptional and when I am using the speakerphone function, those on the other end are amazed that such good voice quality is possible using a speakerphone. The slider design is much easier to operate than the so-called flip phones and I can see much more information on the display without opening the phone. I also have to tell you that T-Mobile is a much better experience than evil Verizon. T-Mobile customer service is vastly superior and you get to speak with a human being with far fewer "clicks" and far less waiting than the big "V".

Updated on Jan 16, 2009

I've had the Blast for a year now. Dropped it once on hard pavement from my pocket and that cracked the screen. Call lists, etc., not intuitive. Call quality okay; speakerphone not quite loud enough. Would not buy this phone again.

But-T-MOBILE rocks!!! Great customer service. Great connectivity. I'm staying with them.