If you've been trying to decide between buying a cell phone or an MP3 player, your dilemma might have been solved.

Samsung's Uproar ($400; 800-726-7864) is a dual-band, dual-mode Sprint PCS cellular phone and an MP3 music player. The 4-ounce phone has the standard litany of deluxe features -- voice-activated dialing, voice mail, calendar, wireless Web browsing, even e-mail and AOL Instant Messenger. The battery provides about 130 minutes of talk time in digital mode, or 44 minutes in analog; standby time is up to 120 hours in digital, 13 hours in analog -- more than enough.

Uproar's MP3 player is a great way to while away the time waiting for a call. You can upload tunes created with the accompanying MusicMatch Jukebox software only a few minutes after connecting the phone to a Windows computer using the included USB data cable. The phone's 64MB of memory can hold about a dozen songs recorded at CD quality.

Samsung didn't skimp on luxury. Use the special stereo ear buds (included) with the phone to listen to music Or, use the ear buds and built-in microphone for phone calls. A small "remote" you can clip to your shirt lets you pause or skip to other tracks.

Considering the cost of some phones and MP3 players, $400 isn't all that pricey before you tack on the monthly Sprint charges. (Sprint PCS's sometimes spotty access is a factor to consider, depending on where you live.) Whether Uproar is for you may depend on if you like Sprint -- but it's certainly worth a look. -- Eric Griffith

Bottom Line: The Samsung Uproar is a superior phone with entertaining musical ability.