LG Trax CU575 (AT&T)

Pros: Compact, fits easily in a pocket; good sound quality in my experience; plenty of features.

Cons: Volume buttons are hard to reach; flip is slightly awkward at times; internal screen quality decent, but substandard.

Summary: I've had the LG Trax for about a month and a half now, and have been pleased with it overall. The sound quality has met my expectations; I've not had any trouble hearing or being heard. The speakerphone volume could be better; even on maximum, I have trouble hearing it while on the highway.

It is fairly comfortable to hold, open, and close, although it feels a bit overly stiff when closing with one hand. The hinge is slightly loose when the flip is closed, but it is not too bad so far, and it feels solid when open.

The internal screen is not bad, but doesn't have the resolution or color depth of similar phones, such as the Razr or the Samsung SGH-A717. (For me, it came to a choice between the A717 and the Trax, and the Trax won out primarily because it felt more comfortable in the hand, and because of the 3-second delay required to light up the external screen on the A717.)

Unlike CNET, I haven't been too bothered by the flat keypad; the number and dial/disconnect keys are easy enough to find, although the function keys at the top tend to blend together. My biggest complaint about the phone is that the volume controls/camera button on the side are so difficult to find, reach, and distinguish, both when I'm talking and when the phone is closed. I have several times accidentally hit the camera button when I meant to adjust the volume, or adjusted the volume the wrong way.

Overall, though, I've been happy with it.