Engadget's back to school guide: Mobile phones
By Chris Ziegler 
posted August 17th 2010 2:20PM
posted August 17th 2010 2:20PM
Welcome to Engadget's Back to School guide! We know that this time of year can be pretty annoying and stressful for everyone, so we're here to help out with the heartbreaking process of gadget buying for the school-aged crowd. Today, we have mobile phones in our sights -- and you can head to the Back to School hub to see the rest of the product guides as they're added throughout the month.
Back in our day, the only "mobile phone" at school was the one that broke off the dorm wall after our roommates got a little too rowdy, but nowadays, a capable, high-power handset is quickly becoming a must-have for students of all ages. Regardless of your budget, your parent's budget, or your little one's budget, we've got options that should help with studying, gaming, music, and maybe even the occasional call home.
On the cheap
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Sure, the Pixi wasn't the best webOS-based phone even when it was brand new -- but it's really hard to argue with a free smartphone, particularly one running a modern (read: non-WinMo) platform. Add in the fact that both Verizon and AT&T are selling the Plus version with WiFi, and you might have all the makings of the perfect first smartphone. |
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Nokia Nuron Like the Pixi Plus, the Nuron is a compelling choice mainly because it's free -- and it includes Ovi Maps Navigation at no charge. Full review, free on contract at T-Mobile |
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BlackBerry Curve 8520 An optical pad, great keyboard, and BBM make this a great choice for the future corporate raider in your family. Free on contract at T-Mobile |
Mid-range
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AT&T's locking down of Android is an ongoing annoyance, but when you consider the inescapable realities that a ton of people use AT&T and there really aren't that many 850 / 1900 Android devices available, that puts things in perspective. We loved the Aria's shape, size, and cute design touches, the modern midrange processor, and the fact that HTC stuck with an HVGA display despite dimensions that probably could've let them justify stepping down to QVGA. And naturally, Sense works great as usual. |
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Samsung Intercept Three words: available in pink. For some back-to-schoolers looking for a way to get into Android, that might be the only thing you need to hear. $99.99 on contract from Sprint |
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BlackBerry Bold 9650 The promise of a future BlackBerry 6 upgrade makes this phone -- considered RIM's top-of-the-line QWERTY CDMA model -- worth a look. Hands-on, $99.99 on contract from Verizon |
Money's no object
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For our money, the EVO 4G is still one of the best phones you can buy, and it may very well be the best Android device currently sold anywhere in the world. And if you're in a WiMAX market, it just gets sweeter. |
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Motorola Droid X It's hard to find a better touchscreen typing experience than what the Droid X offers, thanks to the unusually expansive display and multitouch capability. Full review, $199.99 on contract from Verizon |
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Apple iPhone 4 No back-to-school phone buyer's guide would be complete without an iPhone mention -- but with the Apple Store quoting 3 weeks for delivery, you'd better order now. Full review, $199 to $299 on contract from AT&T or Apple |
Ah man, Motorola StarTac. Those were the days.
@zerverize if they had a startec with 3gs and wifis i would totally rock it like the ironic hipster i am
@zerverize I used to throw my Startac 7868 (CDMA IS-95) from Airtouch/Verizon against the brick wall over and over again to show people how durable the phone was. That thing was a MONSTER, reliable as hell.
I recall an article about it, where the head of Motorola's mobile phone division would start his day by dipping his Startac into a cup of water and then testing it by making a call.
@victor BTW, my family had 3 startacs back in the mid 90s. Startac 3000s, 8 hours of battery life FTW!
My GOD, they went EVO over iPhone?
Didn't expect that Engadget, you're changing, for the better!
@Edmunn Don't reply to the first comment just to get a higher position.
@zerverize
I still occasionally use my dual band Startac whenever the sprint people can figure out how to activate it.
The best phone out there right now is still the Nexus One. If I were looking at a "back to school" phone then that would be by far the coolest choice. You'll soon be munching on Gingerbread while the rest are still waiting for frozen yoghurt. You'll also get more chicks.
@zerverize I can't believe you didn't put the Galaxy S devices up there for the "money is no object" category. Other than Froyo, which is forthcoming, and looks in the case of the Vibrant and Epic, those devices kick the crap out of the Evo in every possible metric. The Captivate is better looking, more powerful, has greater connectivity options, is lighter, has a better display, and on and on.
@SirNoDroin @victor @ruby
I would totally rock it if they had a StarTac with 3gs, wifi, gps, amoled and froyo too XD. I for one loved my StarTac and Nokia 3210 :).
@Chris Ziegler
Chris, I give you guys a lot of strife, but you definitely kick the ire avatar there, Gee. That's Canadian for Guy, BTW.
@NikAmi Engadget won't put the Galaxy S up because of the GPS issues. They have a bias against the phone(s) now.
@zerverize
Perhaps for phones outside of the "money's no object" category, Chris should also have noted the minimum monthly plan rates (Minutes, SMS, data)?
@Chris Ziegler hahaha I love how you called him out on this.
I hate non-direct replies, they're just too lazy to scroll to the bottom. When people are too lazy to scroll with one finger, I fear the worst for humanity.
@Chris Ziegler Everyone's doing it, why can't we?
@zerverize
I hate it when people reply to the first comment just to be near the top. Especially when it has nothing to do with the topic on hand.
@Edmunn its because Chris Zeigler wrote the article he seems to be more pro-Android then the rest of the Engadget staff
@zerverize
i lost my StarTac on a rollercoaster at Cedar Point in Sandusky, OH. I actually got it back in teh mail (i live in Brooklyn NY) about 3-4 months later. It was beat to hell and looked like it had been through a few good rainstorms but i plugged it in, turned it on and it worked (minus one button).
@Edmunn *gasp* now maybe all the conspiracy nuts on here will realize a little more that maybe engadget isn't so much biased, as much as they just give credit where credit is due.
@Chris Ziegler
Thank you brother for saying that. Nothing like a response that has nothing to do with the post they're responding to. Pure egomaniacs.
@zerverize
If I plugged mine into the cigarette lighter & made a call, that thing got so hot, I swear it could cook an egg!
@Edmunn
its because the Evo has a "cellphone" part that that WORKS!! zomgs wtfbbq, i know its revolutionary
@owen66
My wife dropped her Tilt off of the Magnum at Cedar Point. The shut the ride down and retrieved it for her. It survived the fall except the battery cover was missing and some scaring on a corner. I was very impressed with the durability of the phone but it is built like a brick.
@zerverize I am writing this comment just to be close to the top, take that:
"@Andronicus Posted Aug 17th 2010 3:54PM
@zerverize
I hate it when people reply to the first comment just to be near the top. Especially when it has nothing to do with the topic on hand"
@zerverize
Most of these phones aren't available in the UK. The closest Aria equivalent here is the HTC Wildfire, and the Droid X equivalent is the Motorola Milestone XT720. EVO 4G has no equivalent, nor does the mid range Samsung. The rest are available luckily and I agree with Engadget - all great phones
Chris.........seriously? EVERYBODY does that on engadget. Always.
@Chris Ziegler i agree, but perhaps you could direct engadget to design a comment section that doesn't cause people to reply to the first comment just for a higher position. Maybe it's because you have hit next page, next page, next page to get to more comments? I know that means more ads, but it also means fewer read comments. just a thought.
@23542354 IPhone 4 is phenomenal I'm on one right now and it works everywhere I don't got sprints spotty service I love my phone ;)
I'm with you!!! My iPhone 4 is great. No complaints here
@zerverize
I STILL have my analog AND digital star tac's, in the boxes. I just couldn't part with them.
@Edmunn,
The iphone4 is barely mentioned as a "3rd" phone here, and with no positive text as the other two have.
So its clear here that Engadget has bowed to the demands of Apple-hating commenters. It is obvious that somehow the audience here has a skewed view of the world and thinks that Android is God, and anybody who mentions a good thing about Apple and iDevices is portrayed as a son of Satan, or a foolish apple fanboy. Any positive mention of Apple in any engadget article is criticized to the limit, and any such comment is downgraded to oblivion. When android is praised the commenters adore the article and its author, and android-praising comments are always made highest ranked.
And finally engadget authors have caved in to this audience.
Is this reality? Really? Are Apple products really crap? Is Android heaven? You really need to think here. Sometimes fanboism can become irrational.
Didnt Android start as an iphone clone, and added a few little features like navigation, and recently voice actions and flash? (along with other problems like battery drain, messy app store, no polish, etc)
Is iphone 4 really that bad? If you really think so, then personally I feel you should re-evaluate how your approach to the world, and to this issue.
@NikAmi
Don't forget the poorly performing gps. That's a big selling point for back to school if in a new city(if college bound). Wish I'd know that prior, thank goodness to the 30 day trial and return policy.
@grkhetan
Are you kidding? Some people cry at any mention of Apple. Others cry at any mention of not Apple. Both are known as trolls.
@Frank Zappa
To bad they dont sell them here any more, I still get asked "What phone is that, I've never seen one, blah blah. And this is almost a year after release. Plus im getting Gingerbread before anyone else!
@NikAmi I think that's precisely why they didn't make it up there, you can't throw a whole range of Galaxy devices and count it as one, while only focusing on their varied strengths.
"Better looking" is impossible to assess as it's too subjective. And while the Captivate on paper trumps the Evo in several fields, many people still prefer HTC for one good reason: Sense.
Motorola hasn't made a phone to match the StarTAC yet. It's like they forgot everything they did right on that phone.
And screw the assholes in Congress and the telcos who railroaded this E-911 BS through the lawmaking process, giving Verizon and the others an excuse to refuse to activate StarTACs and other perfectly good phones because they don't have "GPS". The idea was that everyone had to get new phones, and to do that they'd pretty much have to renew their contracts. Everybody wins except the customers.
Ever call 911 from your supposedly E-911-capable phone? The first thing they ask is, "Where are you?"
@zerverize The StarTAC was my 2nd cell phone ever... I've never had a phone since that was as reliable as it was. I can't remember EVER having to reboot the thing. Tower coverage back in those days was less than stellar, but this phone held its own on reception. I like my smartphone features now, but I know quite a few folks (my wife included) that would love a phone as simple and reliable as this. No camera/color screen/mp3 or any other sort of fanciness needed.
No Kin? WTF?
/s
@ChazClout
That was DOA, it doesn't count.
@ChazClout
Missed the /s I see...
I think I just crapped my pants. The Evo was the top recommendation for "money's no object." Is this Engadget?
@etwashoo2 it's reverse-psychology, iphone lovers tend to post more than the "haters" think of how many "WHY WASN'T THE IPHONE4 LISTED AS THE BEST PHONE" comments are about to come in.
@etwashoo2
And the Pixi??? Engadget is always ripping on the Pixi for being rather slow . . . .
@etwashoo2 about time! Show that Android pride!!!
EVO ftw!
@etwashoo2 It's because Topolsky wasn't writing this :)
@SirNoDroin You must not be able to read, because all Engadget has is Apple haters.
@etwashoo2
I know, eh? Did somebody just hack this site?
@SirNoDroin
Still waiting for those supposed comments. Perhaps fandroids are the worst?
@etwashoo2 I know right! Not even a mention of any of the Vertu's!!
@etwashoo2 Everyone should Ziegler has a soft spot for the EVO after the review.