New to our cell-phone Ratings: A bruiser, an imposter, and two transformers

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New to our cell-phone Ratings: A bruiser, an imposter, and two transformers

March 12th, 2010

T-Mobile Tap

This eclectic new batch of phones, recently added to our cell phone Ratings, are conventional models, technically speaking, because they don't have the advanced e-mail and application capabilities of smart phones.

But each of the notable models below enhance their usefulness with at least one extra feature: a hardened case for use in rough terrain, a keyboard to facilitate text messaging, or a touch screen for simple navigation and Web browsing. And, as the headline implies, they do it with style. Prices are with a two-year contract.

Samsung Convoy ($70) Verizon
This phone is the Rocky Balboa of cell phones, combining simple communication skills with a hardened outer skin. Its case, claimed to meet military specifications, is weather- and dust-resistant. It lacks the flashlight and compass of its higher-priced competitor, the $150 Casio G'zOne Rock, but its backlit keypad is well spaced, with large buttons that are hard to miss. And also has push-to-talk capability.

T-Mobile Tap ($80)
The Tap isn't a smart phone, even though it looks like one. It has many of the features we like about them, including a large 2.8-inch touch-screen display, and an icon-driven interface that provides direct access to the dialer, contacts, Web, and menu icons, and widget bar. It even has an FM radio.

Pantech Impact

Pantech Impact ($50) AT&T
The Impact has a great design for texters: It opens up like an eyeglass case to reveal a 2.6-inch screen and a keyboard with dedicated keys for launching messaging, contacts, camera, and other applications. The Impact's interesting on the outside, as well. When activated, its shiny, dark exterior transforms into a display and a touch-sensitive keypad with vibration feedback. It's also compatible with AT&T's Video Share, which lets you stream live, one-way video of your special moments to a compatible phone.

LG Lotus Elite ($100) Sprint
Folded closed, this wide-bodied beauty looks more like a cosmetics compact than a phone, with elegant patterns etched on its tinted, brushed-metal case. The outer touch-screen display lets you conveniently access messaging, speed dial, recent history, images, and contacts by simply swiping to the left or right of the home screen. Flipping the phone open reveals a QWERTY keyboard for typing text messages and dialing phone numbers. On it you'll find dedicated buttons for launching social networking (Facebook, MySpace, and Twitter), e-mail, and texting, as well as emoticons. Moreover, this conventional phone lets you view Office documents such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

—Mike Gikas