BGR Holiday Gift Guide: Mobile Phones

By Jonathan S. Geller on Nov 25, 2009 at 5:11 PM

Featured November 25, 2009 at 5:11 PM

Every year countless gifts are given during the holidays. Some of them are great, and some of them… well, you can’t win ‘em all. We’ve never done a Gift Guide before but with countless new products popping up almost weekly, we’re surprised those of you who aren’t glued to BGR are able to pick out a gift at all. Sorting everything by price point didn’t make much sense as the average price of what’s listed is around $199 after rebate, so we sorted it by lust-factor. We’re working on a couple other Gift Guides but in the meantime, here’s our cell phone one.

It’s fine, you don’t have to gift wrap it

LGEnVTouch

LG enV TOUCH

If your loved one drops your smartphone like a hot potato because it’s “too complicated”, the LG enV TOUCH may be the perfect gift. Featuring an external 3 inch touchscreen, QWERTY keyboard, drop dead easy menu controls and an HTML browser that runs over an EV-DO Rev. A connection (read: fast), the enV Touch has made our most worthy list for moderately geeky folk this holiday season.

Available exclusively at Verizon Wireless for $99.99 with two year agreement after mail in rebate.

BlackBerryCurve8520

BlackBerry Curve 8520

The latest BlackBerry in the Curve-series from Research In Motion is the BlackBerry Curve 8520, and it packs a punch for a pretty small price. Is it top of the line? No, but it can most definitely get the job done if you’re considering it as a gift for a young professional, recent college-bound individual, or even a mother or father. Everything is neatly packed into this QWERTY keyboard BlackBerry. Things like a 2 megapixel camera, Wi-Fi, extra memory for installing applications and games, and a super long lasting battery round the feature-set

Available from T-Mobile and AT&T in the U.S. starting at $129.99 with two year agreement after mail in rebate.

Sprint HTC Hero

The second best Android handset in the U.S. definitely deserves some love, too, and whomever ultimately ends up receiving the Hero will probably be a happy camper. Featuring a great display, 5 megapixel camera, Wi-Fi, GPS, and an intuitive user interface (read: it’s simple to use), there’s not a whole lot bad to say about Sprint’s Hero. The price is even attractive.

Available exclusively from Sprint for $179.99 with two year agreement after mail in rebate.

HTC Touch Pro2

HTC’s update to their original Touch Pro is practically available on all major carriers in the U.S., and for good reason. If you’re the business type that demands a Windows Mobile handset and are big on conference calling while on the move, there isn’t anything better. It’s one of the most enjoyable phones we’ve ever used to talk on, and its call quality / conference calling / speakerphone is more or less unmatched. It’s a little pricey, though.

Available from T-Mobile, Sprint, AT&T, and Verizon Wireless for $299-$349.99 with two year agreement after mail in rebate.

Nokia E71x

It’s not brand new, but it’s still one of the finest devices that handset-leader Nokia manufactures. What do you get in such a small package? 3G connectivity, Wi-Fi, GPS, a 3 megapixel autofocus camera, a decent QWERTY keyboard and an all black finish. The operating system that powers the E71x is getting a little dated, but that doesn’t mean that there aren’t a host of applications and games available for it. Plus, you can’t really beat the price.

Available exclusively from AT&T for $49.99 with two year agreement after mail in rebates.

Aww, I love it!

MotorolaDroid

Motorola DROID

There are no ifs, ands, or buts. Motorola’s DROID handset is simply the greatest Android phone to date, and from what we’re hearing, it’s a hot seller. If you’re looking for a gift for your anarchist, anti-establishment son, or maybe a husband that gets caught trying to jailbreak his iPod touch, then maybe they might enjoy an Android phone by Motorola. If you’re looking for a gift for a daughter, sister, or wife, the DROID might not be the best choice, however.

Available exclusively on Verizon Wireless for $199 with two year agreement after mail in rebate.

Dude, fetch me a paper bag, I can’t breathe

BlackBerryBold9700

BlackBerry 9700

There isn’t much to it: if your loved one is a BlackBerry-addicted individual and demands the best, there really isn’t anything better. From the pocketable design to the always functional keyboard, global roaming and multimedia features, the BlackBerry 9700 has our vote for the best BlackBerry of all time. (Beyonce music video available for download separately).

Available from AT&T and T-Mobile in the U.S. for $199 with two year agreement after mail in rebate.

iPhone_3GS

iPhone 3GS

Look, they’ve begged you each and every year, you might as well just give in this time. The iPhone 3GS is Apple’s latest smartphone straight out of Cupertino and it’s a beauty. With an unmatched user interface and practically limitless applications and games (just watch out for those iTunes email receipts), this is one iPod that will be sure to keep the kids, nephews, parents, and even grandparents quiet. And happy, too. Just make sure they’re wearing headphones because we’re heard enough Andrea Bocelli out off Grandma’s iPhone.

Available exclusively on AT&T in the U.S. in both 16GB and 32GB sizes for $199 or $299 respectively with two year agreement.

Andrew Munchbach and Kelly Kodgkins also contributed to this article.

Happy holidays, y’all!

80 Comments

Mike Allen

So going off this AT&T has the most lust worthy devices. I’m gonna have to agree. AT&T is awesome. Coolest devices….network is pretty slick too;)
Jm

AT&T sucks weenie
http://Www.Sabarock.com Jm

AT&T ruins apple.
rjholla2003

No love for the Samsung Moment? I’m honestly baffled with the lack of love it’s getting from everyone, from Sprint itself down to the blogs. Not everyone is in love with touchscreen keyboards, so the fact that it has one is a major reason to include it on the list. It’s pretty damn snappy too with the 800MHz processor in there. You’d think it would get more love boasting the highest clock speed out of any Android out. Sure, the Droid has better architecture, but the Moment is definitely no slouch. The keyboard is superior to the Droid as well since it has real buttons.

That’s OK though. I’ll enjoy having a unique phone when people don’t even know about it because of lack of advertising. Sprint’s sleeping on their own stuff IMO.

Amy Whit

I love the Moment but there are a certain number of them that have serious battery issues. Google it and you will be directed to many forums on the subject. Start reading and you find it is more than the. “my phone doesn’t last past the day”, but some are 4-6 hours without much surfing. I love my Moment but it has almost half the battery life of my son’s HERO with the same settings and less surfing. At least it is not as bad as some of the other’s on the forums but it is at the very low end of acceptable. Proximity sensor is my favorite difference between the two.

gomer

Based on my experience, and that this site is frequented by tech lovers. (If you’re posting, you must be), I’d move the droid up the lustworthy chart. I feel the Eris is a better phone than the hero with its proximetry sensor. I also agree a webOS device should be on this list, and that’s coming from a droid owner.
Andy, Inc

T-Mobile Sidekick LX 3G is only $149.99 now ;]
Andy, Inc

T-Mobile’s Bold 9700 is $149.99 too I’m guessing just for Black Friday sales
Kitch

i’m no iphone or AT&T fan but…
what’s with all the heavy downvoting of anyone who does not like verizon?

i mean, if i has just said “Well, i kind of like the iphone more than the droid” my post would become transparent faster than Batman

NunyaBusiness

As a former BtoB wireless consultant,.I can say AT&T is hated because of their substandard network and high monthly fees.

Verizon has the BEST service and coverage in the US.
Sprint has a similar/same service, but for much less money.
AT&T has the Iphone.

Annoyed

“If you’re looking for a gift for a daughter, sister, or wife, the DROID might not be the best choice, however.” Didn’t bother reading any farther than that. Sexist, much?

NunyaBusiness

How is it sexist if the majority of women aren’t as interested in tech and want a simple user interface?

If you’re the exception, that that’s sincerely great.
But, don’t make an ass of yourself trying to create drama where there isn’t any.

You sound like Al Sharpton….and I’ll wisely end my post now.

Miguel Alvarez

If only you were wise enough to have withheld your sanctimonious, duplicitous stupidity in the first place. Hindsight is _always_ 20/20, is it not?

Zeus Reborn

Annoyed,

My recommendation to you: get the 3G Dildo Phone so you can shove it up your rear. I am so sick of feminists.
darkprince

This has less to do with sexism, and more to do with the fact the phone is as portable as a waffle iron – it IS wide and long.
That said, this depends mostly on your choice of handbag du jour – “borderline military-grade” carry-on, or “two nickels and a stick of gum” clutch.
Now THAT was sexist! Please, do we really need more people that look for reasons to get upset?
Sensitive much?

Dale McNamee

Dear Boy Genius,

Thanks for including the Nokia E71x in your guide. It’s a fine phone in the hardware department and the Symbian OS is stable. I bought it in August of 2009 and it’s software has a 06/2009 date,so what’s dated about it ? According to the Nokia site,it has the latest version of the S60 OS.

And as for apps and games…I’m happy with what the phone came with (Quick Office,File Manager,Device Manager,etc.) and right now don’t need any other apps.

Also. I’m not into games at all and uninstalled the games that it came with. Same with music and video downloads. It’s a smart phone/business phone for making/receiving calls,and E-mail and that’s what I bought it for and performs those functions excellently !

It’s a very worthy replacement/upgrade for my venerable Moto Q9h Global phone.
*

I don’t understand why they say that girls would not like the Droid. I am a 15 yr. old girl and I LOVE my Droid!

Ricey

Agreed! I don’t get it either. I’m female who loves the Droid!

regreta

I think they’re saying that girls don’t like the Droid because a lot of people grew up being taught in school — and this may sound crazy — that girls are just naturally idiots when it comes to science and math.

A lot of people who grew up thinking this way, believe that girls who excel with math, science and technology are dreadful creatures because we want to get paid the same amount of money for working at the same jobs as men. Sometimes they spit and utter the word “feminist.”

Other times, they just slip demeaning comments into articles or blogs because they’re IGNORANT or afraid that a woman is going to beat them out of a job.

Or, maybe they’re lonely and girls don’t like them because they’re morons. Maybe they’re just stupid and mean because because their mothers rejected them when they’re young (because they’re morons).

BGR’s writers may simply not be intelligent to realize that insulting half of the population isn’t such a great long-term strategy in a competitive marketplace.
Makes me wonder: how can I trust anyone who is *that stupid* to advise me on technology?!

Imagine if the BGR writer who said that women don’t like the droid, instead said that black people wouldn’t like the droid. That writer (MORON) would have been far more likely to recognize his bigotry, as would his readers.

Instead, the sausage party on this site resorts to insulting more women, and defending each other, ostensibly to prove they have thumbs with which to text and are therefore superior to some other life form … somewhere..

This is the same mentality of the high schoolers in Chicago who recently gang raped a girl outside a dance, while others looked on without question.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: Come on Guys: Isn’t it enough we only make $72 cents to your dollar?!
T

You need to chill the fuck out. The thought that the Droid isn’t appealing to women is due to it’s rough, heavy design with sharper angles. Some call it “industrial.” The rounded, smaller, lighter Hero/Eris would be considered more feminine, as it would fit into your tiny ass pant pockets much more handily. It has nothing to do with ease-of-use, and everything to do with styling. You aren’t a feminist, you’re right. You’re just a retard.
regreta

So hate women and the developmentally disabled? You’re a real renaissance man!

That you would have the nerve to tell women what’s feminine and therefore appropriate for them to use is totally absurd. Upon what foundation do you base your “insights”?

Sure, the droid may not tuck easily into most bra cups, but it’s not really how most women role, in case you hadn’t noticed. Not all of us make a living running around in bikinis and serving jager shots to frat boys, you know.

Look, the design concepts you describe just make no sense to me as a woman. I think your pov is totally antiquated.

Think about it: Men are more likely to carry their phones in their pockets; Women tend to carry handbags to tote their gear.

A central focus of industrial design is utilitarian: How do men’s technological needs vary so much than women’s that women would need a different phone design? Do you think our boobies get in the way when we’re using the pull-out keyboard?

I have to carry stuff for my husband in my handbag all the time because it won’t fit in his pockets. Droid tucks nicely into every handbag I own.

I love my droid because it means that on a lot of occasions when I would have had to lug my laptop around, I’ve got my droid to take care of me.

Do these views make me a feminist, or just practical? Exactly what do you think a feminist is? Either way, your perspective as you articulated it exposes you as a sexist idiot.

http://www.somegenius.wordpress.com Jim

A. Not enough specifics on monthly price points. People really need that info, it is just as important as the intial buy.

Very simple way to put it:

AT&T and Verizon have the highest rates (especially for smartphones), they are exactly the same price-wise, and Verizon does have the best call network (and pretty good customer service), and with recent phone additions finally has some more cutting edge smartphones. AT&T does have problems with its 3G, and its customer service is probably the worst of the big 4.

Sprint tends to have the best prices, Any Mobile deal, nights starting at 7pm and usually has very good signal because it can roam off Verizon (note still not the exact same as actually having Verizon). Customer service is genreally getting better than it has been.

T-Mobile does have good pricing, fairly similar now to Sprint, although they are missing Sprint’s Any Mobile. Great phone selection, and if you don’t like contracts this is far and away the best choice. 3G internet network is still way small, however. Far and away the best customer service.

And Nerd blog or not, I think leaving a suggestion for a basic phone for basic phone users is still a good idea. Just sayin’. LG Xenon for AT&T, LG Env 3 for Verizon, LG Rumor 2 or Samsung Reclaim for Sprint, not sure for T-Mobile.

***disclaimer, I do currently sell Sprint, but have sold all other carriers within the last year (worked Best Buy Mobile).
Chris

I never noticed. How do you type on the Droid the keyboard is so far to the left, it looks extremely uncomfortable.

Regardless, I want it.
http://twitter.com/nevaehkisses sidekickaddict

hmmmmmmmmmmm not bad too bad i cant renew my two years right now smh and my phone is broke
T

As I said. You’re just retarded. You throw barbs like you have the moral high ground yet are so blatantly ignorant and blinded by your hate you fail to even come to the most basic understanding of marketing and target demographics – nevermind the inability to actually read what was written with the proper understaning. The phone is TARGETED at men, 18-35. I guess that makes me agist too in your retarded, warped world view. Nowhere does a target demographic state who can and can not operate the machine. It does not make those assumptions as you do so poorly. It’s a targeted group whereby a company has decided that’s where it is looking to do it’s big business and make the most strides. Guess what? The Sopranos TV show was targeted at males ages 18-55. Does that mean women didn’t watch it, enjoy it, and understand it? Of course not, unless they were retarded, like yourself. And for the record. I have no issue with the mentally handicapped, but I do have problems with those with IQs as low as yours that try to preach without even the most basically understanding of the topic at hand. It makes those with legitimate, real issues seem as insane and asinine as you.

M

’nuff said.

iHEART_android

I LOVE MY DROID and I am a woman.. every phone will have its followers.. but then again I buy a phone bc of what it can do not how it looks! (I made the mistake of buying phones just off of looks before and it was a shit phone that I hated)
killz

no love for palm? The pre by far outpaces most of those.
Jesse

bold 9700 do me now
Electro

Wow… so much sexism and feminism over 1 simple comment.

I got a Verizon Voyager back when they first came out… the whole touch-screen thing was a big deal at the time, and it was one of the first to couple it with a hardware keyboard.

My girlfriend needed a phone around the same time, so a couple weeks later I was back in the Verizon store. When I asked her what kind of phone she was interested, she said “I want one that does everything yours does!” So, we got her a Voyager. For the first month, she was happy with it. Web-browsing and YouTube thrilled her.

Then she realized that the phone was kinda chunky and didn’t fit in her pockets like her old Razr did and didn’t have that girly, eye-destroying fuscia “look-at-me” flair the Razr had too.

So now she hates her phone. She’s decided she’d rather have a less functional phone that can fit in the front pocket of a pair of tight jeans without looking like she’s grown some sort of man-bulge.

Women tend to be more fashion-minded about their phones than men. I think that’s a pretty fair statement. Phones like the iPhone however have been changing this however by providing a smartphone that can also be a fashionable status symbol without being complicated to use for those have never had a smartphone before.

More and more we’re seeing women drawn to the technology and the features over the aesthetics of the device. Phones like the Blackberry Pearl have also contributed to this phenomenon, as well as the fact that smartphone tech is rapidly becoming capable of fitting within thin, compact and polished-looking devices that can appeal to women who may want the smartphone features but don’t want to lug around a fat, ugly, featurephone.

I would love a Droid, but I’m holding out for the Dragon, which I refuse to call the “Passion”. I’m thinking of showing my girlfriend the Droid Eris or another HTC product, since they seem to do a pretty good job of combining form and function.
Electro

Oh, and I hate to double-post (I always think of something else immediately after I hit “Submit”) but I think that the real phone for the uber-geek is the Nokia N900, not the Droid. I don’t know many women comfortable with punching Linux commands into XTerminal(okay, I don’t know ANY women like that). I’m sure that you can get around Maemo 5 just fine without, but from what I’ve read, the N900 is a Linux freak’s wet dream.
$heena!!!!!:)

the droid is such an amazing phone I would love it so badly and it is soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo awesome so yaeh and dont 4get wait i 4got never mind bibi
Shawn

The n900 is an awesome phone, just dont have att for your service or 3g is out.
Why oh why must it be that way. I would love to chuck my iphone for one of those n900′s.
Amy Whit

Wife or daughter get no DROID, how sexist can you be?!!!!
If I was on Verizon it would be the DROID. I’m a mother, wife, daughter, and my HUSBAND doesn’t get my excitement as he uses his Centro and complains about the capacitive touch screens lack of a stylus… He just doesn’t get it. Don’t be so f-ing sexist!!!

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It’s fine, you don’t have to gift wrap it

Aww, I love it!

Dude, fetch me a paper bag, I can’t breathe

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