Best New Bluetooth Phones
The must have feature with cell phones is Bluetooth, the technology that makes your wireless phone really wireless. Bluetooth links your mobile phone with a tiny wireless headset, allowing you to lose the wires and keep your hands free for more important things. Make or take calls while your phone is stored in your purse or pocket - or even up to 30 feet away!
Here are our favorite mobile phone models, broken down by the carrier (most costs noted are based on an average with a 2-year contract). You'll need to also buy a Bluetooth headset to take advantage of this feature.
T-Mobile
We like the Motorola V195 primarily because of the very affordable price of $30. It has good voice quality and is a great basic phone. At this low price though, it doesn't have extra features you may want, like a camera.
We love the Nokia 6103, which is free with a 2 year contract at T-mobile.com. In addition to bluetooth capabilities, this phone has everything the connected woman wants:
- Camera and video capture/playback
- Send and receive instant messages with Yahoo, MSN, AOL or ICQ - I use this feature everyday!
- myFaves capable - unlimited anytime minutes with your myFaves network - T-mobile exclusive
- Caller ID pictures - a fun way to see who is calling and you can quickly decide to answer or not
- Predictive text input
- FM radio
Verizon
Get the hottest new entertainment accessory - all packed into your phone! Not only is the LGVX9400 equipped with Bluetooth, so you can stay connected hands-free, it also has the powerful punch of Verizon's new Vcast Mobile TV service.
The Bluetooth wireless supports profiles and allows to you listen to music stored on your phone using your Bluetooth headset, in addition to using it for calls. Using the phone's Bluetooth, you can also print pictures and send vCards!
This phone is a little pricey, coming in at $149 with a 2-year contract. Some Verizon locations are now offering a $50 rebate, bringing this little technology wonder down to only $99! Check out the features below and you'll see why we think this is such an amazing deal!
- Bluetooth Support - with profiles, hands-free calling, stereo audio distribution, file transfer for basic printing and vCards
- 1.3 Megapixel Digital Camera & Camcorder - resolutions up to 1280x960 with features like night mode, self time, color effects and a video recorder that can take 15 sec for sending in a message or record up to 1 hour for storage. You can also set videos as your wallpaper!
- Data and text services, including VCAST Music Player, VCAST Video, Mobile Web 2.0
- Location based services - the VZ Navigator is a GPS service and offers you voice prompted turn-by-turn directions to your destination. This phone is also supports Verizon's Chaperone service, which enables you to locate your family member's phone from your handset or PC with just a touch of the button. If your family member enters or leaves the "Child Zone" you have set up on their phone, you are notified by text message.
- BroadbandAccess Connect capable for high-speed browsing
- VCAST Mobile TV capable - this service is currently available in 19 cities and offers high quality mobile television service with both network and cable television programming.
Sprint
Now you can have tunes, talk and more for only $9 with the online special Sprint is running now on it's LG Fusic model. This is one of the best reasonably priced Bluetooth phones on the market for listening to music in stereo.
Load up your new LG Fusic with music from the Sprint online music store, your MP3s or using the built-in FM receiver.
The Fusic has a 1.3 megapixel camera that takes great pictures - really sharp images when you're in good light. You'll have to hold the camera very still if you're taking a photo in low light though. The camcorder takes decent video - perfect for snapping those video moments while on-the-go.