a StarTac 7868Pros:Small sizeTri-modeCons:Weak batteryLacks many options most phones have standardCost: $149Audiovox CDM 9000Pros:Data capableCan receive text messagesTri-modeCons:Weak batteryPhone book only holds 99 entriesCost: $60Motorola Vulcan V8160Pros:Smallest phone availableWeb enabledCons:Too small for comfortable useExpensiveCost: $199**Also available through Verizon: Kyocera QCP 2035 and the MotorolaTimeport P8767, reviewed through Verizon**RecommendationsFor general and personal use: For the average persons needs, Verizon and Cingular Wireless make the most sense with their expandable coverage plans and inclusion of free night and weekend calling with all plans 19.99 and up (does not always apply to Verizon). As a college student I find I use 95% of my minutes in the evenings and on the weekends, and my phone is off the majority of the daytime. Unless a more advanced phone is desired, the Ericssons and Nokias are reasonably priced and come with a wide array of options. Hidden costs are minimal and with three options for coverage, roaming charges can be reduced to a bare minimum. A plan for thirty to forty dollars offers between 200-400 peak minutes, which is often more than enough for general use. Verizon and Cingular offer caller ID, call waiting, three-way calling, call forwarding and voice mail, all free of charge.For business use: Sprints nationwide coverage attracts many, while offering the most peak minutes at the lowest rates. Watch for promotions where you can quickly double the minutes of a plan for the original price; they seem to have them every few months. All calls for most of their plans within the continental United States classify as local calls as long as you are within their digital coverage while the call is in progress. Features such as caller ID and voicemail are presented as options, but rarely can you get all the options you want without having to pay an additional cost. These pick and ch...
