The Smartest Non-Smartphones

Smartphones are an expensive proposition. It has little to do with the upfront cost, though, in an age of $49 Ozones and $99 iPhone 3Gs. Instead, the killer is the required unlimited data and Web plans. They're tailored specifically for smartphones and can easily send your monthly bill over $100 if you're not careful.

Not everyone can afford that kind of cash these days. So instead, given the recent introduction of some seriously powerful feature phones, I thought I'd step through the ones that give you as much power as possible while still using lower-cost data plans. (You don't even have to sign up for any data plan, technically, although you'll want one if you're going to access the Web or check e-mail.)

AT&T Wireless

LG Xenon (AT&T Wireless)
$99.99 and up

This $99 slider is our favorite midrange AT&T phone, with a decent Web browser and the ability to work with AT&T's $15/month Data Unlimited plan. That's 15 bucks less you'll pay every month than if you went with, say, the Samsung Jack.

Sony Ericsson C905a (AT&T Wireless)
$179.99 and up

At $179, it's not particularly cheap, but you'll save on the data plans. With its 8.1-megapixel Cyber-shot-style camera and excellent music and video players, you won't be wanting for power with this one, either.

Sprint

Samsung Instinct S30 (Sprint)
$99.99 and up

The Instinct S30 looks enough like an iPhone to fool onlookers into thinking you have one. Even so, the S30 is no poser. It offers much of the same music, video, photo, and messaging power as a true smartphone, but at a lower monthly cost. It's also fun to use.

Samsung Rant (Sprint)
$49.99 and up

This affordable messaging machine gives you plenty of SMS and IM capability on the go, and it's a solid voice phone to boot. Due to the slider design, it also looks like a phone when closed, despite its roomy QWERTY keyboard.

T-Mobile

Samsung Highlight (T-Mobile)
$129.99 and up

The Highlight offers a 3.2-megapixel camera, a full touch-screen interface, and one of the most comfortable form factors available. Its Fire and Ice hues are definitely aimed at a certain (younger) demographic, but it's a powerful phone once you get past that.

T-Mobile Sidekick LX 2009 (T-Mobile)
$174.99 and up

The Sidekick LX features a super high-resolution screen, a large and comfy keyboard, and some real software firepower with its built-in Facebook, MySpace, and Twitter clients. It's still not the best e-mail machine, though.

Verizon Wireless

LG enV Touch VX11000 (Verizon Wireless)
$99.99 and up

It's tough to beat this powerhouse of a feature phone, with its flip design, hidden QWERTY keyboard, and pair of ultra high-resolution (800-by-480-pixel), 3.0-inch LCD screens. The enV Touch makes an excellent portable video player, and it even renders desktop Web sites with aplomb.

Samsung Alias 2 SCH-U750 (Verizon Wireless)
$79.99 and up

The Alias 2's amazing e-ink keyboard, which shifts and changes based on how you're using the phone, has made this phone a cult hit. The Alias also has great call quality. We won't blame Samsung for Verizon's subpar email software, but they could have installed a better Web browser.

Source: PC mag

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