Audio/Video, Cell Phones, Video Games, Advice, Editor's Picks, Reviews
Just Tell Me What to Get: Flat Phone
A reader writes: I've had a MotoRAZR for nearly two years and I'm ready to get a new phone. The RAZR's keyboard is kind of hard to use, but I'd like something that's still slim enough to fit in my pocket and but doesn't skimp on features like music playing and camera. And I don't want to spend more than $50. Just tell me what to get!
Hey reader: We're huge fans of T-Mobile's Samsung Trace, which is not only the world's slimmest phone (only 0.3-inches thick), but also a solid performer that beats many handsets four times its size. The keypad's keys are big, easy-to-press, and responsive, which makes everything from dialing to playing games a cinch. (We should mention that the surprisingly large, two-inch color LCD is also good for gaming.)
The Trace is also light-about 2.5 ounces--which makes holding the phone for long conversations easier on your arm. Though it's only 1.3 megapixels (still the industry standard), the built-in camera delivers solid images on the fly, and a camcorder does clear, colorful video (that you can turn into screensavers, among other fun features). The Trace also has a built-in audio player that can handle MP3 and AAC music files (but not iTunes-purchased ones). Also, it's quad-band GSM, which means you can use it as a world phone when you're traveling overseas. Our only complaint? Sometimes we actually can't find it in our pocket--it's that slim! At $49.99 (with rebate and a two-year commitment with T-Mobile), the Trace is just barely under the $50 limit, but we'd happily pay four times that much for it.
_thumbnail.jpg "Vintage Keyboards")
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Steph said 8:01PM on 4-11-2007
Looks great. Too bad you can't JUST get the phone and NOT the service with T-Mobile. I love my current service and won't be switiching just for a phone though. Nice phone though.
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JERMEY NEWTON said 2:18PM on 4-11-2007
Yeah, it's so slim that it'll snap in half if you put any pressure on it while it's in your pocket. Maybe they were to concerned with the weight rather than the durability when engineering the Trace. It's constructed with all plastic. Cheap plastic.
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PattyV said 2:24PM on 4-11-2007
I have the delightful Sanyo Katana...love it! Sturdy, practical, but in PINK, it's cutesy, feminine, and easy to find.
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Devynn said 2:42PM on 4-11-2007
i'm a big fan of ebay. when the new phones come out, there are TONS of sellers on ebay that have them for the cheap/decent prices AND some come UNlocked, meaning, they work with ANY sim card. so if you want this particular phone, i would suggest ebay. that's how i got my last two phones, a moto razr v3 and a limited edition hello kitty okwap a236. at the time, it was the world's SMALLEST phone. gotta love ebay! :)
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ericsmusclecars said 4:12PM on 4-11-2007
the thinner they are the cheaper they are...
www.ericsmusclecars.com
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Jesse said 5:49PM on 4-11-2007
The features of the Trace phone look great! However, being so thin, it is more likely to break before your 2-year contract is met! I will stick with my current cell phone company and the reliability of the phones. Remember folks, you get what you pay for. It would be intersting to see how many of the Trace phones break within the first 6 months. Please do not try to sell cell phones until they have been tested by Joe Blow for at least the first 6 or 7 months.
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Berneice said 5:59PM on 4-11-2007
I have the katana phone and just love it. It's thin and lightweight, bluetooth compatable for long conversations. And pink, the only color that really matters to me. I also have my grandson's pic on the front. I have had several other phones over the years,but this is my favorite. It does come in other colors.
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denise said 6:21PM on 4-11-2007
i have the lg cu500 its a flip phone and i love it the camera is good video is good too, before this i had a moto slvr which was a good phone too it was thin and pretty sturdy but it was alway dirty looking because you hold the screen right up to your face the screen was often cloudy i did keep it in a case because i like to keep my phones in good shape i prefer flip phones to this candy bar style of phone. regarding the phone featured in this article my daughters friend has this phone and it lasted her all of a week she put it in her pocket and sat down and the phone snapped in half, the warranty does not cover this as it is considered misuse so she was out the cost of the phone all in all if you are careful maybe this is a good phone for you. for me its my lg cu500 it was a bit costly but well worth it for the features alone and the quality of the phone
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kee said 6:41PM on 4-11-2007
I have had this phone since October 2006 and I must say that it is AMAZING. Some may think its cheap but I have not had any problems with my phone at all. I love this phone and t-mobile!
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Taylor said 7:31PM on 4-11-2007
The phone looks cool in the picture, but as others have said, it will snap in half just trying to call someone. I have an old phone and I am going to "trade it in". Also, I don't know if this is super important, but why buy a phone that doesn't support iTunes? Everyone has that now a days and it stupid. I'm sticking with Verizon and and probably going to end up getting the Chocolate.
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Char Witt said 7:32PM on 4-11-2007
T-Mobile Is The S**t Cingular/AT&T Sucks and so does the people to have that service.
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JEANNE said 7:43PM on 4-11-2007
''TO ''DANG SMALL., ALREADY LOSE MINE, IN MY PURSE. ETC.,
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mike said 7:51PM on 4-11-2007
sim card?you got to be kidding right?
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huey said 7:59PM on 4-11-2007
its very nice
how much
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jtsb_8 said 11:06PM on 4-22-2007
some of these people just dont make sense, this phone may be made of plastic but its not something that will just snap in half. i have a samsung trace ^ that phone and ive had mine for a while. i have actually stepped on mine and dropped it more times than u can imagine and its still in great condition with the exception of a few light scratches. i would say that out of the 4 phones ive had this samsung trace has satisfied me the most!!! itunes isnt all that great on a phone besides itunes doesnt have too many artists this doesnt support itunes but it will support my whole music collection which is better for me. im not too big a fan of flip phones mainly because they will snap in half by the hinges . i have even dropped my trusty little trace phone in the water and believe it or not its still working like new i love t-mobile and i love the trace!!! way to go samsung with this great phone !!
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Melissa said 12:04PM on 6-24-2007
I love my razor just got it a few weeks ago and no prob. I love the hot pink you can find it anywhere you lay it, & the #'s are larger and easier to see except on incoming call which I am still trying to make larger. If anyone out there knows how to make the fonts as large as the clock please write me and let me know! Thanks!!!
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Chris said 1:36AM on 6-05-2007
They *DO* simply snap in half. If you have a kid in a car seat and you put this phone in your pocket it will snap clean in two. 6 months into the 2 year contract and they want me to pay $100 to replace it (to exercise the warranty cost twice the cost of the phone). I'm not a real big tmobile fan right now.
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Jimmy said 6:40AM on 6-25-2007
this Phone has nothing on the Samsung Upstage
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