Sprint PCS Phones

The vast majority of the PCS phone lineup comes from Samsung and Sanyo, but they also carry a few offerings from Motorola, Nokia, RIM, and PalmOne.

Slim Like the Motorola RAZR

While Sprint does not carry the ubiquitous RAZR from Motorola (in fact, there is only one Moto handset in their entire lineup), they haven't left the skinny flip phone market completely untapped. Quite the contrary, in fact, because there are no fewer than two slim clamshells available through Sprint PCS.

• Samsung A900: Also known as the Samsung "Blade", this music-centric flip phone is just as skinny as the popular MOTORAZR, but it packs in a couple of things that give it a leg up on the competition. The exterior music controls, for one, are a great addition, as is its ability to transfer data at very high speeds, thanks to its built-in EV-DO 3G connectivity. This is because it can tap into the Sprint "Power Vision" network. Some of its best selling points include Sprint live TV, Bluetooth, 1.3 megapixel camera, and an anorexic 0.57-inch profile.

• Sanyo KATANA: It seems that skinny phones have to come with sharp names. Motorola has a RAZR (razor), Samsung has a Blade, and so -- appropriately enough -- Sanyo has a Katana. Available in black, pink, or blue, this super skinny flip phone is priced the same as the Samsung A900 and is just a touch thicker at 0.60-inches. Based on the spec sheet alone, the Blade is a superior unit, because the Katana only has a VGA camera and Bluetooth, lacking 3G high-speed data and mobile television. Some may say it has a more distinct, more attractive design, however.

Business Tools and Smartphones

Business users need not feel left out. If playing music, taking pictures, and sending text messages are far from being your top priorities, then Sprint still has all your productivity needs covered with its (relatively) small selection of smartphones (or what they call "smart devices".

• BlackBerry 7130e: The most affordable of the three business-minded handsets available through Sprint, the 7130e makes use of Research in Motion's signature SureType keyboard for easy text input, comes with "Broadband-like speeds where available", and -- of course -- push email for receiving your messages in real-time.

• Palm Treo 700p: Palm was once king of the hill when it came to PDAs, but they're not the most prominent choice when it comes to PDA phones these days. Nonetheless, there is a certain minimalist appeal to the Palm operating system, due to its intuitive interface and exceptional personal information management (PIM) tools. The 700p is a little pricey, though, at $500.

• Smart Device PPC-6700: This self-branded PDA phone runs on Windows Mobile 5.0, providing a very familiar environment for PC users. You get an integrated QWERTY keyboard that slides away when not in use, a 1.3 megapixel camera for pictures and videos, and WiFi connectivity. You can also enjoy mobile variations of Outlook, Excel, and PowerPoint.

Other Sprint PCS Cell Phones

• LG Fusic: A powerful music-oriented cell phone, the LG Fusic is another flip phone from Sprint PCS. Said to offer "tunes, talk, and more", this digital dual band handset can hop onto the Sprint Power Vision EV-DO network, expand its memory with microSD cards, and shoot photographs and videos with its 1.3 megapixel camera. Of course, it's most prominent selling point is its built-in MP3 player (which can also handle AAC and AAC+ formats).

• Samsung MM-A800: Unlike its A900 skinny flipping cousin, the A800 is a little chubbier but it boasts a beautiful sliding form factor. Thanks, in part, to the extra girth, the Samsung A800 does come with plenty of features and functions to keep any techie happy. Among them are a 2.0 megapixel camera (with flash, zoom, and macro mode), TransFlash memory expansion, Sprint Media Player for live or "on-demand" video, and PictBridge support. Too bad it seems that this phone is on its way out, with Sprint placing it in the "Clearance Center" bin.

• Motorola C290: It's unfortunate that the only Motorola handset that Sprint carries is this basic unit. Word is that Sprint may be picking up the Motorola Q smartphone at some point, but in the meantime, if you can't live without your Moto and must sign with Sprint, then this really is the only option for you. As an entry-level phone, the C290 can be had for a very cheap asking price (currently less than $20 with a service agreement). Don't expect too much in terms of features: you'll get a 1.2 x 1.5 CSTN 65k color main display, a built-in speakerphone, and not much else. Yup, it doesn't even have a camera.

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