Best Cell Phone

Apple iPhone 3G

The Apple iPhone 3G. All of the buzz makes it is difficult to sort out the truth from the hype, causing the consumer to wonder where the true value of the iPhone comes from. If you decide to purchase a new phone from AT&T, the prices for the iPhone range from $200 (8GB) to $299 (16GB). It is important to note that the purchase of a 2 year contract with a data and voice plan are necessary to get these prices, costing around a minimum of $70 a month. The iPhone’s main contender is the BlackBerry Storm 9530, which costs $200 (8GB) with a 2 year contract. Consumers can expect to pay around $120 minimum for both a voice and data plan for the Blackberry.

What's Good:

The support that is available for the iPhone is unparalleled, giving the consumer a wide variety of applications and games. Compared to Verizon’s weak support for the Blackberry platform, which offers only a fraction of the options that Apple provides, the iPhone stands out in this area. This is mainly due to the success of the iTunes App Store, which gives you the ability to download programs straight to your phone, without the use of a computer. The App Store is constantly updated and is always on the cutting edge, providing fresh content to the consumer.

What's Bad:

The iPhone’s main weakness is its battery life. If you plan on watching movies, listening music, or browsing the web, you should expect the battery to last for 3-5 hours. While this seems like a fair amount of time, it can be frustrating if you are unable to make a phone call. The Blackberry Storm seems to have similar issues, with tests showing its battery life to be almost identical with the iPhone’s.

Why it's the Best:

The iPhone wins the best pick for the smartphone category because of its creative, slick, and practical appeal. With the great support that comes from Apple’s App Store, the iPhone clearly displays more value for the consumer than Verizon’s alternative. Also, with both brands costing practically the same price, the wide variety of options that Apple provides makes the iPhone stand out among its competition.