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Getting the phone

Affordable gadgets have Internet capabilities

by Vikki Lipset and Eric Griffith

Once you've chosen a cell phone plan that fits your lifestyle and budget (see our Oct. 15 issue), it's time to select a phone. Not all cell phones are created equal. Even if you want the works, do your research, because there are trade-offs to make no matter what the phone.

Below, we review five phones from leading manufacturers that are reasonably priced and can access the Web.

Our top choice of the five is the Samsung SCH-3500, based on an effective mix of price and features. Samsung makes ease of use a primary consideration, and the phone will work as a wireless modem for your laptop.