Last year Samsung entered the ultra-thin arena with its MM-A900 clamshell for Sprint, battling against and reminiscent of Motorola's popular RAZR handset. Although eerily similar in form and design, the MM-A900 was technologically more advanced, upgrading and improving many features consumers griped about on the RAZR.

Samsung SGH-T509

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Released this month, Samsung's latest slim phone debuts on T-Mobile store shelves. Designed to go head-to-head against the Motorola SLVR L6, the new SGH-T509 hopes to improve and enhance features lacking in Motorola's iconic phone to dominate the "credit card" phone market.

Adding improvements over the SLVR L6, the T509 features high-speed EDGE connectivity and a large 262K-color screen. With external similarities with the SLVR, comparisons are undoubtedly going to be made.

Currently Motorola has three SLVR-family handsets available, the high-end L7 (with iTunes), the mid-level L6, and the entry level L2. Since the T509 is a mid-level device priced competitively with the L6, further references to the SLVR will mean the SLVR L6.

Going against Motorola's SLVR L6, the T509 hopes to offer consumers another fashionable choice when deciding which ultra-thin phone to go with.

Samsung SCH-A870

Introduction

Long before its release, the Samsung SCH-A870 had rumors circulating about various advanced features like EV-DO and a 2.0-megapixel camera. Unfortunately, the actual A870 is not quite so advanced.

Samsung SCH-A870

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Instead, it offers the standard array of mid-range features packaged together with a mid-range price. Keeping its lower price in mind, the A870 is hardly a disappointment; it offers a nice design, a VGA camera with flash, Bluetooth, voice command and other handy features.

The design features both internal and external screens, as well as a two-tone exterior. Display options give users some leeway to customize wallpapers, fonts, and color schemes. And while the camera doesn't take print-quality images, it does feature various tools for fine-tuning PC-ready photos, as well as color effects for some added fun.

Camera phones have evolved since first being integrated with cell phones in 2003. And as they broke the megapixel barrier in 2004, they were no longer novelty items used to snap phone wallpapers and text message attachments; but rather practical photos large enough to print. Offering high-quality lenses, handhelds progressed to become digital camera replacements, providing users with a convenient camera in their pocket just in case impromptu moments occur.

Samsung SCH-A990

Your Price: $249.99 with service

Moving forward, Verizon Wireless recently broke the 3-megapixel barrier, introducing the most advanced camera phone to date. Offering not just a powerful 3.2-megapixel lens, advanced functions only commonly found on standalone digital cameras are included on the Samsung SCH-A990, such as flash, auto-focus, picture editor, PictBridge Digital Printing, zoom, TV-out, and a 180-degree swivel screen.

Consumers can also record video, watch streaming video through VCAST Video, and listen to and download music through VCAST Music service. Rounding out the versatile feature set, Verizon Wireless' VZ Navigator ensures consumers are never. Integrating a tool for customers to find directions, the A990 includes mapping, audible turn-by-turn navigation and the ability to find over 14 million points of interest.

Providing a robust imaging, audio, and entertainment package, the Samsung A990 is the leader of the new generation of not just camera phones, but multimedia entertainment devices.

Samsung SGH-ZX10

Earlier this month Cingular launched the Samsung SGH-ZX10, its first 3G clamshell. Upgrading existing EDGE (2.5G) networks to UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System), the ZX10 allows customers to transfer data at broadband rates, achieving speeds of up to 220 to 320 kbps.

For much of the world, 3G is synonymous with UMTS, and the ZX10 leverages worldwide standards so consumers only need to take one communication device with them while traveling around the world. In addition to dual-band UMTS support, the ZX10 also features quad-band GSM technology, letting users connect worldwide wherever GSM networks are available.

As the new flagship phone of Cingular's 3G network, the ZX10 integrates multimedia features with broadband technology, offering video on-demand through Cingular Video. Via UMTS, customers to can watch video clips on the ZX10 from popular programming channels such as the Cartoon Network, CNN, ESPN, NBC, iFilm, and even HBO. With 50 MB of shared memory and a TransFlash memory card slot, the ZX10 ensures there is enough storage for hours of entertainment during those long trips on the road.

Samsung MM-A940 Review

Few designs have revolutionized the mobile marketplace as the clamshell. Functional yet pocket-sized, the flip phone managed to fit a large screen and surface area with a reduced size, optimizing the tradeoff between robust multimedia and compact design. It's no wonder flip phones are North American favorites.

Introducing the MM-A940, Samsung put a "twist" to the clamshell standard. Turning heads figuratively and literally, the A940 puts a new perspective to common characteristics.

As one of the few devices to reach the 2.0-megapixel barrier, the A940 amazingly includes optical zoom, allowing consumers true zoom capabilities without the loss of resolution. Coupled with an MP3 player and Sprint's new EV-DO (Evolution Data Optimized) wireless high-speed multimedia network, the A940 is a multimedia powerhouse.

Available through Sprint PCS, the A940 represents a new generation of "Power Vision" devices. Unlike previous phones with strengths in imaging, audio, or connectivity, the A940 combines all three, allowing users the access to digital music, video, and entertainment at just a few keystrokes away.

Samsung SPH-A640 Review

Newly launched on Sprint, the Samsung SPH-A640 offers consumers several key visual enhancements and personalization features such as an illuminated backlit external display and three user changeable interfaces including a new black and white menu.

Samsung SPH-A640

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Offering many of Sprint's features, such as SMS messaging and ReadyLink push-to-talk walkie-talkie technology, the A640 caters to functional consumers. Including many now-standard necessities, the A640 features a built-in camera, text messaging, and Bluetooth technology.

While lacking some newer cell phone features like MP3 and video recording capabilities, the A640's sleek black design and focus on usability make it attractive device for consumer looking for a fashionable and affordable phone to communicate with friends and family.

Motorola RAZR V3i Review

Building on the V3's popular design, the V3i offers an updated and streamlined look while maintaining its ultra-slim profile. Dark gunmetal gray casing that features a brushed texture on the upper section gives the phone an interesting and stylish look. The solid feel and smooth lines of the V3 have only been enhanced by the V3i's updates.

The clear area that surrounds the 65K-color external LCD has grown and now encompasses the Motorola logo that glows blue whenever the external screen's backlight is activated. The small external screen offers at-a-glance access to the time, network status, and battery strength.

Located at the top of the phone is the 1.23-megapixel digital camera which allows the user to take photos up to 1280 x 960 px. For self-portraits or group shots the external LCD can be used as the viewfinder.

Along the sides of the phone are shortcut keys that allow for easy access when the clamshell is closed or while speaking on the phone. A dedicated Voice Key on the right activates the MotoSpeak advanced speech recognition feature. Along the left side, the Volume Keys can be used to adjust the volume of the ringer, earpiece, and external speaker. Below the volume buttons, a Smart Key has a variety of uses - including as a selection key or to take a picture with the clamshell closed. A multi-function port on the bottom left accommodates the charger, Motorola headset, or USB cable to connect to a PC.

With the ubiquity of ultra-thin devices, consumers are looking for new ways to differentiate themselves from the general public. Much of the appeal of the Motorola RAZR was its unorthodox design, released when much of the market was using Nokia-designed candybars.

Samsung SGH-D807

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Creating the SGH-D807, Samsung put a spin on the popular RAZR. Rather than the familiar clamshell design, the D807 is slim slider, with similarly appealing features packed into a 15 mm profile.

Not just looks and no function, the D807 offers an impressive array of multimedia features, such as a high-resolution 262K-color LCD, integrated 1.3-megapixel camera and MP3 player, and Bluetooth wireless connectivity. An external microSD memory slot in addition to the D807's 18.0 MB internal memory, allows users to take advantage of the phone's multimedia capabilities.