Test Center Roundup: Our 6 Favorite Cell Phones Of 2009, So Far

Recently released in the U.S. by Sprint and Verizon Wireless, the BlackBerry 9630 (aka Tour) was highly anticipated as the next generation of the 8830 World Edition, due to the SIM card it houses for use when traveling abroad. Originally code-named Niagra, the Tour shares the design and many of the specifications of its touch-screen sibling, the Storm (9530). Its 3G speed allows for relatively fast browsing and, toggled with multimedia features, offers video and audio streaming.

The bright 480 x 360 screen displays colors vividly, ideal for viewing photos taken with the integrated 3.2-megapixel camera or watching both streamed videos, as well as those stored on either the 256 MB of internal memory, or an optional microSD card. Although a little discouraging to look at, the Tour's full QWERTY keyboard is comfortable to use, producing minimal mistakes. Rounding out the major features is an unlocked, integrated GPS radio. Battery life is rated at 5 hours talk time and 14 days standby.

Part of the E series of business phones from Nokia, the E71 is a favorite in the Test Center. An extremely thin and sleek-looking phone, the E71 handles the almost obligatory POP3 and IMAP protocols, as well as Nokia's Mail for Exchange. BlackBerry Connect is also supported for those whose business uses a BES (BlackBerry Enterprise Server). With a depth of only .39 inches, the E71 is one of if not the thinnest phone we've had the pleasure of evaluating.

While nowhere near as comfortable as the Tour's, after some practice the E71's keyboard is still relatively comfortable and easy to use. However, those with above-average-size hands may have some difficulty with the rectangular-shaped keys. With multimedia functions such as a music and video player, 3.2-megapixel camera and audio recorder, the E71 is ready for play after a day's work.

Not exactly designed with the businessperson in mind, the Rival (A455) from Motorola is better suited for those who like to keep their phone tucked into a pants pocket or purse. A small, rectangular device, the Rival is available in a sleek silver or funky purple color. Its 2.2-inch screen has touch capabilities, but only for the selection of certain menu options. At 4.4 ounces, the phone feels solid and comfortable to hold.

As a slider phone, the Rival opens to reveal a full QWERTY keyboard. Although the keys are a bit flat, they respond with a satisfying click that assures accurate typing. While not the most comfortable, it is not annoying or frustrating at all. Other features include an audio/video player, a 2-megapixel camera with 7X zoom and a Web browser. With a battery life rated at over 5 hours talk time and 21 days standby, the Rival is sure to last the whole day and into the night of a typical, casual user.

With an integrated 3.2-megapixel still and video camera, Nokia's E75 has the all the bases covered. Automatic geo-tagging of photos is also supported using the phone's A-GPS (Assisted-GPS) receiver, which provides location and navigation data via Nokia Maps (nav license is an additional fee after the free 3-month trial period). A full Web browser and gaming via the company's N-Gage mobile gaming platform will also give users something to occupy their time.

Although part of the same E series, Nokia's E75 is smaller than the E71. This is accomplished in part by the phone's slider functionality, which reveals a full QWERTY keyboard when the front of the phone is slid to the side. Similar to the Rival's, the E75's keys are flat but still quite responsive and comfortable to use. Aside from its messaging features, the E75 has comes with the Quickoffice suite offering full support for viewing and editing Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint documents.

Another favorite in the Test Center, Casio's mobile version of the company's well-known Exilim camera line is a sturdily built flip-phone that sports a 5.1-megapixel camera, with 3X optical zoom. It is also shock-resistant as well as water-resistant up to 1 meter (3.3 feet). Although stylish, the Exilim C721 is a ruggedized device (is it a camera with a phone or vice versa?) that meets MIL-STD 810F standards to withstand immersion in water, blowing rain, humidity, salt-fog, shock, vibration, dust, solar radiation, altitude, low and high temperature storage. With the 2.3-inch display rotated a full 180 degrees and closed, the Exilim resembles a standard point-and-shoot camera, and has the feature set to match. It can also be left open to allow for self-portrait shots.

When held in typical flip-phone orientation, the Exilim C721 functions as expected, with flat, but solid, keys and a circular navigation control. Internet and Verizon Wireless V-Cast services are provided over Verizon's EVDO/Rev A network, and there is a built-in GPS receiver with only VZ Navigator functionality. Battery life is rated for almost 4 hours talk time and 22.5 days standby. Due to the sealed nature of the case, the phone is charged via a desktop cradle, which might be a deterrent for some.

The E series is Nokia's line of business phones, but the company's N series focuses on multimedia functions. As the latest in the series, the N97 is packed with features. Resembling the iPhone, the resistive touch screen is no comparison to the functionality of Apple's capacitive touch creen. Still, it is easy to use and responds nicely to a gentle touch. With an unheard of 32 GB of internal storage memory (expandable to 48 GB via the expansion slot), the N97 is ready for any type of media job. It has a 5-megapixel camera with Carl Zeiss optics and an A-GPS receiver for location services and navigation. File and picture sharing can be done using Nokia's Ovi Share service.

The N97's 3.5-inch 16:9 wide-screen slides up and at an angle to reveal a full QWERTY keyboard whose keys are very shallow, but somehow easy to locate and use. There is a fair amount of resistance, which helps to avoid mistakes, and the rubberized texture provides a nice feel. A circular navigation control is located to the left of the keyboard. Although not designed as a business phone, the N97 supports Mail for Exchange (among other standard protocols).