“Phone facts & fancies”

Posted: 11 Jul 2010 09:05 PM PDT

When it comes to choosing a cell phone and a carrier, the combination of choices can be confusing.

When you are choosing a phone for someone else, it can be even more difficult. Do you want something affordable, like a prepaid phone, or something with lots of bells and whistles, such as a smartphone?

To help figure out what kind of phone and plan might be best for your family members, we asked for recommendations from the folks at PhoneDog Media (www.phonedog.com), a Mount Pleasant-based company that provides an interactive mobile news and reviews resource that attracts more than 2.5 million visitors each month.

On this page are their suggestions, compiled by Brenda Rindge.

Smartphones

Apple iPhone 4 (AT&T)

Apple iPhone 4 (AT&T)

Features: 3.5-inch Retina Display, 5.0-megapixel camera, front-facing camera for video calling via FaceTime, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, 3G connectivity, Apple's iOS4 software.

Cost: $199 for 16 GB model; $299 for 32 GB model (two-year agreement required).

Service provider: AT&T.

Textability: On-screen keyboard is one of the best in the industry.

Parental Controls: AT&T offers Smart Limits for Wireless for $4.99 per month per line. Parents are able to limit the number of text messages, amount of data use, time of day that the phone is used and type of content that can be viewed.

Recommended for: Those who enjoy using the Internet, text messaging and using apps on a regular basis. Plus, Apple's iPod platform is fantastic for those who enjoy listening to music.

Also recommended by: CNET.com.

HTC EVO 4G (Sprint)

HTC EVO 4G (Sprint)

Features: 4.3-inch screen, Android 2.1 with HTC's Sense user interface, 8.0-megapixel camera, access to Sprint's 4G network, front-facing camera for video calling, Mobile Hotspot, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth.

Cost: $199 after $100 mail-in rebate (two-year agreement required).

Service provider: Sprint.

Textability: On-screen keyboard works well with the large, 4.3-inch screen.

Parental Controls: Sprint's parental controls are free, and allow parents to block web access, text messages, downloads and incoming/outgoing calls to a pre-approved list.

Recommended for: Those who enjoy using the Internet and text messaging.

Also recommended by: CNET.com.

BlackBerry Bold 9650 (Verizon, Sprint)

BlackBerry Bold 9650 (Verizon, Sprint)

Features: Full QWERTY keyboard, push e-mail capability, 3.2-megapixel camera, 3G connectivity, optical trackpad, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi.

Cost: $149.99 after $100 online discount at Verizon; $199.99 after $100 mail-in rebate at Sprint (two-year agreement required with both).

Service provider: Verizon and Sprint.

Textability: Roomy QWERTY keyboard is great for those who message regularly. Push e-mail means near-instant delivery.

Parental Controls: Verizon offers 'Usage Controls' for $4.99 per month per line. Parents can restrict voice, messaging and data services during specific times of the week, and block certain calls and messages. Sprint's parental controls are free, and allow parents to block web access, text messages, downloads and incoming/outgoing calls to a pre-approved list.

Recommended for: Enterprise users and those who use e-mail on a regular basis.

Mid-cost devices

Samsung Restore (Sprint)

Samsung Restore (Sprint)

Features: Full QWERTY keyboard, 2.0-megapixel camera, Sprint TV, Sprint Navigation, optical trackpad, 3G connectivity, Bluetooth.

Cost: $49.99 after $50 mail-in rebate.

Service provider: Sprint.

Textability: Physical QWERTY keyboard works well for those who text message.

Parental Controls: Sprint's parental controls are free, and allow parents to block web access, text messages, downloads and incoming/outgoing calls to a pre-approved list.

Recommended for: Those who text message and use data services occasionally, but have no need for a smartphone.

LG enV3 (Verizon)

LG enV3 (Verizon)

Features: Full QWERTY keyboard, large internal screen, 3.0-megapixel camera, VZ Navigator, 3G connectivity, Bluetooth.

Cost: $39.99 after $50 online discount.

Service provider: Verizon.

Textability: Physical QWERTY keyboard and threaded text messaging makes it easy to text on a regular basis.

Parental Controls: Verizon offers 'Usage Controls' for $4.99 per month per line. Parents can restrict voice, messaging, and data services during specific times of the week and block certain calls and messages.

Recommended for: Someone who enjoys using VZ Navigator, taking the occasional picture, and text messaging on a regular basis. Plus, it offers a 2.6-inch internal screen in addition to the external display.

Also recommended by: Consumer Reports and CNET.com.

Samsung Gravity 3 (T-Mobile)

Samsung Gravity 3 (T-Mobile)

Features: Full QWERTY keyboard, 2.0-megapixel camera, 3G connectivity, Bluetooth.

Cost: $49.99 after $50 mail-in rebate.

Service provider: T-Mobile.

Textability: QWERTY keyboard with large buttons makes it easy to text message.

Parental Controls: T-Mobile offers Family Allowances, which allows parents to set restrictions on minutes, messages and downloads. 'Always Allowed' numbers allow parents to call even when restrictions have been reached.

Recommended for: The person who makes calls and sends text messages but has no need for smartphone features.