Holiday Gift Guide 2010
Nov 17, 2010, 2:00 PM by Eric M. Zeman & Philip Berne
Phone Scoop searched high and low to find the widest selection of devices for every carrier, every phone preference and every budget for 2010. Need to pick a gift? We did the hard work for you.
Intro
Tis the season for egg nog, family gatherings and holiday celebrations. In between all the year-end activities with family, friends, colleagues and loved ones, finding the time to shop for said special someones can be hard to lock down.
In order to make your life easier, Phone Scoop did all the heavy lifting when it comes to picking out the very best cell phone for those on your list. We've looked long and hard at what AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, Verizon Wireless and the top-tier pre-paid operators are offering and picked the best of the best.
None of the phones on our list is more costly than $200, and in fact, many are well under $100 and even $50. This year, we took special care to dedicate an entire section to the best phones that are available for free on each carrier. In other words, if you're on a budget, devices have never been cheaper and you shouldn't have to shell out too much cash to get the device of your recipient's dreams. Keep in mind, however, that prices change frequently, and last-minute sales could pop up.
As in years past, Phone Scoop sorted selections based on carrier. Phone Scoop understands that many people choose their carrier before they pick a phone — whether it be for coverage, pricing, or family plan considerations. We're not suggesting carriers in this holiday guide — that's up to you. We're suggesting the best phones for each carrier.
Each of our three main sections — Staying Connected, Dedicated Devices, and Budget Conscious — is broken down further into subcategories that details how phones might be used. We know that the best way to pick a device is to know ahead of time how it will be used.
For example, know some one who is a textaholic? We have a nice selection of QMDs (quick messaging devices), each with a keyboard for pecking out missives (no, not pecking under the mistletoe). Does your older sibling have the largest MP3 and digital movie collection ever? Then perhaps a device that excels at media playback would be best for him or her. As long as you know the person you're shopping for and what they tend to like, you should have no problems picking the right carrier and the right phone.
Last, we'd be remiss if we didn't suggest that, once your loved one or lifetime friend has fully transitioned to their new phone, their old one be properly recycled. If you want to know anything about phone recycling, from reasons to do it to where to take your phone, check out our Cell Phone Recycling Guide.
Staying Connected
Kids
Only When Needed: Phones for young kids that are more for parents' peace of mind.
Parents need to decide for themselves when the time is right for their child to receive his or her first cell phone, and what features it should have. Assuming that most 5-10 year olds don't have huge social networks they need to maintain, simple phones with entry-level feature sets make the most sense. This year, Phone Scoop scoured the carriers' lineups for inexpensive handsets that cover the basics, and cover them well. Most can be tracked via parental monitoring tools online, and they have cameras and the ability to send text messages.
Tweeners
For the tweeners — aged 11 to 15 — who are interested in keeping their social loop tightly closed.
They may not be quite ready for Facebook, Twitter or MySpace, but these up-and-comers absolutely have to get the low-down on the latest happenings from their circle of friends. That means they need a phone that excels at messaging features. QWERTY keyboards, cameras, light Web browsers, and games are all par for the course in this selection of handsets. Plus, let's not forget about style. These phones work hard, and look good doing it.
Messaging Maniacs
Unlimited messaging plans were made specifically for the QMD crowd, serial messegers who don't even know what phone calls are.
You know those stories that reach CNN about people surpassing 5,000, 10,000, even 20,000 text messages in a single month. Yeah, that's your average messaging maniac. In order to post those huge numbers, users of quick messaging devices (QMDs) send texts, pictures messages, IMs, and emails by the thousands. These devices all have QWERTY keyboards, cameras, and the software to make it all easy. Long story short? These phones are for people whose thumbs are blurs of movement across a keyboard.
Social Networkers
Facebook, Twitter, Foursquare, Gowalla, Loopt, Last.fm, Friendster, MySpace, LinkedIn, Flickr, Picasa...do we need to keep going?
The number of avenues through which we can all connect and interconnect with one another can be overwhelming. That doesn't stop this crowd from using all of them. Social networkers require dedicated apps for their network of choice, in addition to solid integration with a camera and online services. These devices all have native support for the major social networks, solid browsers, and access to the unlimited data plans required to make use of all this connectedness. In other words, for the over-sharer in your life, look here.
Old Timers
Grandparents need cell phones these days, too — even if only for making phone calls. Big buttons don't hurt, either.
Everyone loves to receive a phone call from their grandmother, right? Make sure they have a phone with which to call you. This list of phones leans towards the entry-level side of things, but offers features that matter: good call quality, and epic battery life, in addition to easy-to-use hardware, and simple feature sets. Grandma and grandpa may not be the savviest tech users on earth, but these will still make them feel like they are part of the in-crowd. Just don't forget to call them on their birthday.
Dedicated Devices
Workaholics
Remember George Clooney in "Up in the Air"? That's these folks. Their phone needs hardcore email powers (a.k.a., BlackBerry or Microsoft Exchange) and the ability to run business applications.
This selection of devices encompasses the best of the best when it comes to modern smartphones. This year we picked a handful of phones that all have productivity-enhancing QWERTY keyboards, in addition to robust operating systems, bodacious browsers, and good looks to boot. Corporate email support is mandatory, as is access to company-wide calendar and contact data. These phones don't slouch when it comes to downtime, either. They all include great media players, cameras, and have access to rich app stores. For the mobile pro on your shopping list who needs that business brawn mixed with light-hearted entertainment, these should fit the bill.
Media Mavens
Users whose primary interest is having a phone that offers a solid multimedia experience.
Though MP3 players are cheap and widely available, many people want to carry only one device. That means music fans want a device that offers not just a media player, but music software that's easy to use, somewhat interactive, and even helps them discover new music. These devices all have highly capable music players and provide some fun extras, such as links to music-sharing and music-streaming services. That doesn't mean they can't handle other features, too. Each includes a camera, browser and messaging capabilities.
Shutterbugs
In order to qualify, these devices have to offer at least five megapixels and 720p HD video capture.
Phone-based cameras are becoming so good that they can (nearly) replace dedicated point-and-shoots in most instances. Because carrying multiple devices around isn't always convenient (or comfortable), Phone Scoop offers you this fine selection of cameraphones that will handle most daily photography needs with ease, and take things a step further with solid camera software, easy integration with social networks and other sharing services, and of course real HD video recording. They're never going to replace a 35mm dSLR, but you can skip adding a point-and-shoot camera to your loved ones' stockings this year.
Swiss Army Phone
These do-it-all devices cover all the bases — and cover them well. General purpose phones that meet muster.
These phones may not lead their class in any one particular feature, but these are the jack-of-all-trades that get the job done when needed. This selection of devices offers solid browser performance, access to app stores, good camera features, native social networking, Exchange email, and high-speed wireless data.
Budget Minded
Voice Plans
The best phones to choose when you only care about making phone calls.
We hear it all the time. Friends telling us they don't want any fancy features, they just want a phone that can make phone calls. For the ultimate bargain hunters, the cheapest way to stay connected is to buy a phone that doesn't require any add-ons that rack up charges on your monthly bill. No text messages, no data plans, just the minutes you need, plus free nights and weekends, of course. We've picked out a selection of phones that are available free with a contract agreement, and they still pack the basics like Bluetooth and a camera. But the best part is you'll only have to pay for your minutes, nothing more.
Voice + Text
Phones with a keyboard for text messaging fans on a budget.
If you have a teenager at home, or if you're trying to stay connected to your kids, you're going to need a phone that can handle text messaging. Kids send a ridiculous amount of texts every month, so you'll want a plan that offers plenty of messages, and of course some minutes if you can actually get them on the phone. Web browsing isn't so important, but you'll need a modern phone that will appease their sense of style, without emptying your wallet. These phones all offer a slide-out keyboard design, cameras and Bluetooth, and you can find most of them free, or for bargain prices if you buy them refurbished.
Voice, Text, & Web
Smartphones that don't make you pay a lot up front
Sure, calling and text messaging are important, but you want more in a phone. The problem is, you can't throw down $200 for a fancy device that packs more power than your laptop computer. Instead, check out these smartphones. A couple of the phones are free when you sign a new contract, and the rest come in well under $100, so you won't have to choose between buying a new phone and paying the rent. But don't let that low price fool you. These are all capable devices, running Android or Palm's WebOS. Perfect for real Web browsing and keeping up with your Facebook friends. Oh, and they also make phone calls, too.
No Commitments
Phones that let you control how much you pay on a month-to-month basis
Do you really want to sign your life away to your cell phone carrier? With these phones, you don't have to. All of these devices are available contract-free, so you can pay for the minutes, text messages and data you need for the month, with no fear about running over and racking up a huge bill. You might have to pay a little more up front, since the carriers aren't kicking in any cash to cover the price of the phone. But for a little extra, you get the piece of mind knowing you can walk away at any time, without paying early termination fees, or dealing with high-pressure sales folks. All of these phones will cost you less than $200 up front, and many are available for less than half that price. Plus they can all handle features like text messaging and simple Web browsing; whatever you like for whatever you can afford.
About the author, Eric M. Zeman & Philip Berne:Eric has been covering the mobile telecommunications industry for 17 years at various print and online publications. He studied at Rutgers Newark and University of Kentucky, and has a degree in writing. He likes playing guitar, attending concerts, listening to music, and driving sports cars.
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