cover story

Best phones & plans Here’s how to get the best cell-phone deal amid changing choices

ore competition among survey of Consumer Reports readers. Inside phones, especially sophisti- AT&T is now positioned in last place over- Operating Smart-phone cated smart phones. More all and in almost every market we rate. systems Ratings varied service options, in- Wireless is no longer the clear Mcluding more phones and plans that don’t for phones Page 32

Page 28 require a contract. A change in regulatory Cell-phone approach from Washington that promises AT&T scored Prepaid Ratings to end some problems with carriers, such phones Page 34 lowest in almost as unexpectedly high bills. Could the cell- Page 29 Cell-service phone market finally be turning in favor every respect. New smart Ratings of consumers? phones look Pages 32-37 This special report aims to bring you up top dog in overall satisfaction with our sub-

promising to date on a fast-changing marketplace, scribers, a position it held in most years 911 calls on Page 29 outline the choices in phones and plans since 2003. This year, the carrier that re- cell phones geared to your priorities, and suggest ways spondents were most satisfied with, at least Find the best fit Page 38 you can pay less and get more. for service under a contract, was U.S. Cel- Page 30 How to We begin with more on the important lular. It serves 26 states, half of them in the Cell-phone conserve new developments in wireless and what Midwest, and is new to our Ratings. Sprint radiation battery life they might mean to you: has pulled even in overall satisfaction with Page 31 Page 38 AT&T is now the worst carrier. AT&T Verizon, and T-Mobile is close behind. Two was the only carrier with scores that or even three of those top carriers are statis-

dropped significantly in our satisfaction tically tied in satisfaction in a majority of tatcheva eva by illustration

26 consumer reports january 2011 the 23 cities in which we rated service. Among no-contract carriers, Consumer Cut your cell-phone costs Cellular scored highest for satisfaction. iPhone rivals come on strong. Though Buy your phone at Costco. Don’t overbuy minutes. a fine phone in most respects, the newest This warehouse store was the only In our 2009 survey more than version of the Apple/AT&T smart phone, 1 retailer to receive top marks for 5 a third of respondents with the iPhone 4, can have reception problems price and service in a 2009 Consumer allotments of minutes used half or less of Reports survey of places to buy cell what they paid for. That’s because the if held in a certain way in an area with a phones. As an example of Costco’s prices, monthly fee also buys lots of “free” night, weak signal. But that isn’t the only iPhone we found the Verizon Droid X weekend, in-network wireless, and concern. Our survey data, reflecting all for $100 at Costco.com, compared with calling-list minutes. versions of the phone, found that iPhone $300 with a $100 rebate at a Verizon Review the voice minutes you have owners were, by far, the least satisfied store. (In high-tax California, you’d save used and not used in the past six with their carrier. They rated their data about $19 on sales tax, too, because it’s months. You might be able to switch to a service (Web and e-mail) lower than did calculated before rebates are applied.) plan with fewer billable daytime/ owners of other carriers’ smart phones anytime minutes, provided it offers the Monitor use and act as needed. same free talk-time benefits. that, like the iPhone, have a host of apps To avoid being among the one in five that encourage heavy data use. 2 readers who got higher-than- Avoid termination fees. The iPhones did well in our tests, but expected bills, often for going over their Sixteen percent of our readers our Ratings also list other high-scoring plan limit, check your use midway through 6 with a contract wanted to switch phones from carriers with higher satis- the billing cycle via Settings on your carriers but didn’t want to get hit with phone. Pageonce.com sells smart-phone early-termination fees that can run as faction scores than AT&T. Some of them, apps that monitor usage and send you a high as $350 per phone early in the including the HTC Evo 4G and text or e-mail warning about overages. contract term. (Penalties gradually Galaxy S models (the Fascinate, Epic, Vi- If you’re going to exceed your decline the further along you get in brant, and Captivate, all recommended) allotment, temporarily switch to a the contract term.) even beat the iPhones in some respects higher-limit plan backdated to the start Instead, consider transferring your and have larger screens. And more possi- of the billing cycle. If you’ve already contract to someone else for a $20 to $25 ble standouts are in the wings. (See received a shocking bill, don’t emulate fee through Celltradeusa.com or “These New Smart Phones Look Promis- the 9 percent of survey respondents who Cellswapper.com. To avoid being stuck simply paid an unexpectedly high bill with a disappointing carrier, test the ing,” page 29.) without a peep. phone and service during the 15- to Conventional phones get smarter. Call the carrier and ask to have the 30-day trial period, when you can quit Last year, about a third of the conventional penalties reduced or removed. That and port your number to another carrier cell phones in our Ratings had a touch worked for 36 percent of the bill-shocked without penalty. screen, which is almost standard on smart group; only 10 percent of them were Weigh monthly costs, too. phones. This year closer to half the conven- unsuccessful. Of the remaining The purchase price of the phone, tional phones have a touch screen to help respondents, 3 percent were waiting for the dispute to be resolved, and 7 percent especially a smart phone, can be you navigate to websites or open apps. 7 had other outcomes. a surprisingly small contributor to So-called smart features track with the total cost of owning it over, say, changing use patterns. Almost all respon- Check employee discounts. a two-year period. That’s especially true dents to our survey still made at least some AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, U.S. Cellular, for T-Mobile smart phones, which you voice calls on their cell phone, but 75 per- 3 and Verizon offer discounts to the can buy with or without a contract, at cent used it to send or receive text messag- employees of companies that use their differing prices and fees. service. To see whether you qualify, For example, with a T-Mobile es, and half used it for access to the Internet the carrier’s name and “employee contract, you get two new or personal e-mail. discount,” and navigate to the Web page XT smart phones free. Two years of At least one downside exists to the ris- that asks for your work e-mail address. unlimited talk, text, and data service ing sophistication of conventional cell Discounts can be as high as 20 percent, costs $4,320. Without a contract, you phones. Almost all smart phones require though some deals exclude the Apple pay for the phones but equivalent data service, and some also require a mes- iPhone or certain service plans. monthly service costs less, so the saging plan. Some of the higher-rated two-year total is $4,020, a saving of Weigh Walmart Family Mobile. conventional phones in our Ratings also $300. But if you buy those Cliq XTs from Though we lacked sufficient data Walmart Family Mobile, a partner with require a messaging service (AT&T) or a 4to rate it, consider this service, a T-Mobile, you pay less for the phones data plan (Verizon) even if you don’t want partnership between T-Mobile and the and comparable no-contract service. The it. The AT&T messaging plan costs $20 per retailer. It offers a few T-Mobile phones total for two years is $2,420, far less than month and up, and the Verizon data ser- running on T-Mobile’s network. Some of either T-Mobile option. vice runs $15 to $30 per month. the phones and service plans cost less than at T-Mobile. If Walmart doesn’t have Consider a family plan. If you Data plans are moving away from the the phone you want, conventional or need four cell lines, for instance, all-you-can-eat flat rates that have been smart, you can buy one at the no- a family plan can save through the norm. New smart-phone data services 8 contract price from T-Mobile and transfer shared minutes and add-a-line prices from AT&T are sold only in metered pack- it to a Walmart Family Mobile plan, the that tend to be lower than fees for ages of 200 megabytes or 2 gigabytes per carrier’s spokesman said. separate lines. phone and expire at the end of each

january 2011 www.ConsumerReports.org 27 cover story best phones & plans

month. The new Walmart Family without a contract; Verizon doesn’t. brand of T-Mobile services sells data in The big-name carriers are offering more 200MB, 500MB, and 1GB bundles, which no-contract plans and phones­—sometimes can be shared by all phones on the account under separate brands, such as Sprint’s and don’t expire until they’re used up. Boost and Virgin—but smaller no-contract Plans with data limits are not necessar- specialists have made their plans look ily bad. The average phone user with data more like contract plans. Carriers such as access uses only 200MB a month and would Metro PCS and Virgin Mobile offer unlim- now pay less with AT&T than with the old ited monthly plans in addition to pay-as- unlimited plans. An average iPhone user, you-go service. Consumer Cellular has eating up 344MB per month, would pay the “postpaid” billing at the end of the month, same or slightly less. But cell-phone data rather than the prepaid billing that’s been consumption promises to rise, which could the norm for no-contract cell service. eventually drive up bills. Because what counts most is whether No-contract options multiply. More you’re locked in by a contract, we’ve sepa- than 90 percent of our survey respondents’ Mobile, are offering more smart phones. rated our Ratings on pages 36 and 37 into phones were serviced under a contract. Verizon and T-Mobile now offer most of contract and no-contract­ service. Compared with those customers, respon- their phones, smart and regular, with or Faster 4G networks expand. So-called dents with no contracts made far fewer without a contract. But some marquee fourth-generation networks are expand- calls and rarely used data. Perhaps their smart phones, notably the iPhone from ing, promising data speeds that are up to 10 simpler needs, and possibly lower expec- AT&T, are still sold only under contract. times faster than networks. Sprint is tations, account for the fact that no-­ Phones usually cost more when they’re the leader, and its WiMAX (Worldwide In- contract respondents were more satisfied bought without a contract. That’s because teroperability for Microwave Access) 4G overall than those who had contracts. there’s no subsidy from the carrier, as there network is available in about 60 cities No-contract service is generally most usually is when you sign a contract. But throughout the U.S. Sprint said New York, suitable for light use, but no-contract op- with a contract, a portion of the fees you Los Angeles, and San Francisco should be tions are expanding beyond bare-bones ba- pay every month is used to “pay back” the fully on line by now. Verizon said it planned sics. There are now more conventional cell company for that initial break. With a no- to roll out its LTE (Long Term Evolution) 4G phones that provide data services without contract phone, there’s no payback, and network in 38 markets by late 2010 and to a a contract, a change from the past. And monthly fees should therefore be lower. For total of 100 million people by the end of carriers that specialize in no-contract ser- example, T-Mobile gives you a break on the 2011. No-contract specialist Metro PCS of- vice, including Virgin Mobile and Boost price of the monthly plan when you buy a fers 4G service in Dallas, Detroit, Las Vegas,

Consider your options in operating systems

Smart phones all share the ability to from the Web and social networks. browse the Web and run apps (Web APPS There are more than 100,000 at applications), handle office and personal Android Market, and you have the rare ability e-mail, multitask, and facilitate social to buy apps outside the dedicated store. It Easier networking. But how easily and how well can access the MP3 library. The new BlackBerry 6 you can do those tasks varies by operating OS has a system. The OS also affects apps selection, BlackBerry. It’s among the best at e-mail friendlier, though the highly popular Facebook, setup, account management, and more Weather Channel, Google Maps, and messaging. The latest version, BlackBerry 6 dynamic are available on most platforms, (see photo at right), is more user-friendly. interface. except possibly the brand-new Windows 7. APPS There are more than 14,000 at Here are summaries of the leading BlackBerry App World, which leans to the phone systems, listed alphabetically: business user; more paid than free apps; and no shopping or coupon apps. 7. The main screen has Android. Google’s OS excels at search and customizable Live Tiles with real-time updates mapping and includes GPS-based navigation, iOS. The iPhone’s operating system is still from the Web and social networks. It drives usually a free app. Android supports large unrivaled for content. Its latest version uses large displays—we’ve seen it on phones with touch displays; we’ve seen it on phones with folders to conserve desktop space. On newer 4.3-inch screens­—and supports networked, 4.3-inch screens. Customized via widgets, it can devices, it also supports the highest- player-to-player gaming. One omission: At gather and present in a single view contacts, resolution display; networked, player-to- press time, it lacked cut and paste. The older calendar appointments, and other data from a player gaming; and video chat. OS remains on a few phones, variety of online sources. Apps folders conserve APPS There are more than 300,000 at the none of which we now recommend. desktop space. Some Android phones support App Store for the iPhone, including many APPS There were about 1,000 at press time. Flash video, which can enhance Web unavailable on other platforms. iTunes access The system can access movies and music in browsing, video chat, and real-time updates is a big plus. Zune marketplace. illustration by eva tatcheva eva by illustration

28 consumer reports january 2011 Los Angeles, and Philadelphia and expects to cover nine more cities soon. Good choices from no-contract carriers But 4G isn’t necessarily as fast as is The phones available from smaller providers that sell no-contract plans sometimes claimed, and the speed advan- exclusively are usually different from, and simpler than, those offered by the tage it does have will be more apparent to contract carriers. But there are a few models in our Ratings of smart phones and those who surf the Web a lot or who use conventional phones, identified in footnotes, that were tested under contract such data-heavy functions as video chat. and are also available from no-contract carriers. Below are three other decent Also, the number of 4G phones is still lim- choices, one from each of the three no-contract-only carriers we had sufficient ited. For example, Verizon won’t have one data to include in our Ratings. anytime soon because it’s focusing first on 4G computers, a spokesman says. “Bill shock” is common. One in five survey respondents reported receiving an unexpectedly high bill in the previous year, often for exceeding the plan’s voice, text, or data limits, an experience called “bill shock.” Half of them were hit for at least $50, and one in five for more than $100. In October, the Federal Communica- tions Commission proposed that cell carri- ers be required to send customers alerts before they incur hefty overage fees, which for voice minutes are 25 to 2680 $20 Samsung T301G $30 LG Flare $15 45 cents per minute, five to nine times the (Consumer Cellular) (TracFone) (Virgin Mobile) regular 5 cents-per-minute average price. When tested in its This lightweight sliding This lightweight, no-frills We support that customer-friendly idea, a discontinued AT&T cell phone with phone is fine for voice no-brainer that should be a snap for to- version, this sliding support and a camera has calls. Voice quality day’s sophisticated smart phones. model had a decent good voice quality and is good, but talk time is Some carriers, including Verizon and 6.5 hours of talk time 6 hours of talk time. The only 3 hours. It supports Sprint, claim to be doing that already, but only fair voice 2-inch display stands out only one network quality. It has Bluetooth for readability. It shows frequency band, which though one staffer did not receive such an support and a camera. remaining minutes. might limit coverage. alert before incurring an overage charge.

1 first look These new smart phones look promising Though not yet rated, these models have all fared well in preliminary evaluation.

Samsung Focus $200 LG Quantum $200 myTouch 4G $200 BlackBerry Bold 9780 HTC HD7 $200 (T-Mobile) (AT&T) (AT&T) (T-Mobile) $130 (T-Mobile) This This model, which uses Running Windows Phone Other myTouch models have This update of the model has a huge (4.3-inch) the new Windows Phone 7, this has a 3.5-inch touch scored well, and this has a high-scoring Bold 9700 screen and a 5-megapixel 7 OS, has a 4-inch touch screen, slide-out keyboard, 3.8-inch display, a 5-megapixel has a 5-megapixel camera that can record HD screen, 5-megapixel and 5-megapixel camera camera with HD (720p) video camera with flash and (720p) video. A hinged camera that can record that can record HD (720p). and a front-facing camera auto focus. Plus it runs protective bezel can prop HD (720p) video, and The Quantum can beam for video chats. It beams the new BlackBerry up the phone when it’s virtual keyboard. content to compatible TVs. content to compatible TVs. 6 operating system. flipped open.

january 2011 www.ConsumerReports.org 29 cover story best phones & plans Find the best fit We pick phones and plans to suit varying needs

1 only for the minutes or texts you use for Minimal phone user less than $15 a month, possibly much You want a phone mostly for emergen- less if you use the phone very little. If cies or occasional calls on maybe 10 days you’re buying a phone for a family mem- per month, with fewer than 100 voice ber, you can add a line to your existing minutes, 20 texts, and no Web surfing family plan for as little as $5 a month at or e-mailing. Or you want a simple first T-Mobile. Be sure the plan has enough cell phone for your tween or teen. shared minutes to accommodate the ad- A basic no-contract phone. It has a ditional users. minimum of features, but you don’t Smart choices include: need many bells and whistles. You’ll pay • Common Cents Pay As You Go Round for the phone, but most of the “free” Down ($8 per month). This is a prepaid no- phones that require contracts have contract brand of Sprint’s, but none of the higher monthly fees. Sprint phones from our tests were among A pay-as-you-go no-contract plan. the small number of phones the carrier of- You can get a plan in which you pay fered at press time.

you might have to buy more minutes than with a contract plan, which usually includes “free” nights and weekends, in- network mobile-to-­mobile, and calling-list minutes. Most no-contract plans charge for every minute. Want mostly texting? There are slim pickings. Forget Verizon’s Nationwide Messaging Plan with No Voice Minutes, which costs $35 to $55 a month, plus 25 to 40 cents a minute. Instead, try T-Mobile’s $15 Prepaid Monthly Unlimited Text plan 1 with 10-cent-a-minute voice or Virgin Mo- 1 Talker and texter bile’s $25 Beyond Talk 300, with unlimit- You want it all You use your phone fairly frequently but ed texting, e-mail, data, and Web. You want to do everything with your phone, rarely to surf the Web or for e-mail. Smart choices include: including using a host of applications. A so-called . It has a • These T-Mobile contract plans: Even A fine multimedia smart phone. The QWERTY keyboard for easy typing, a Web More Talk + Text 500 for an individual ($50 iOS and Android operating system lead the browser, and multimedia capability but a month) or couple ($80 a month). For a way in apps and multimedia navigation, not the integrated multiple e-mail ac- family, Even More Family Talk + Text 1500 so a phone using one of those systems is counts and countless apps of a smart for four lines ($110 per month). For the your best bet—but buying an iPhone locks phone. Many feature phones scored high phone, one of several Samsung models you into low-rated AT&T, at least for now. in our cell-phone Ratings. With some, that fared well in our Ratings, including A contract everything plan. Figure on you’re required to add a monthly data plan the Gravity T ($75 with a two-year contract) 700 talk minutes, 700 text messages, and or a messaging plan if you sign a contract. and the Comeback (free). 400MB of data per month per line. For that With others, you’re not obliged to add any- • Straight Talk All You Need ($30 per plus a signature handset, your best bet is thing. Choose a phone that won’t require month per line). (We don’t have a tested to go with a major carrier. you to pay for add-ons that you won’t use. phone to recommend for this plan.) Smart choices include: A talk and texting plan. The average • Cricket Wireless Basic $35 ($35 per • Sprint Everything Data with Any Mobile consumer uses about 700 voice minutes month for the first line, $30 for each ad- Anytime 450 plan ($70 per month) or Ev- per month per line and sends 700 texts. ditional line). (We don’t have a tested erything Data Family with Any Mobile Good options include T-Mobile and some phone to recommend for this plan.) Anytime 1500 ($170 per month), plus the smaller, no-contract carriers. The best • Consumer Cellular Anywhere 1500 plan Samsung Epic 4G ($250). stack up well against the big names for for a two-line couple ($76 per month with • Verizon Nationwide Talk and Text 450

voice and text service and cost less. But AARP discount) plus the Nokia 2680 ($20). ($90) plus X ($200). tatcheva eva by illustrations

30 consumer reports january 2011 1 close up How risky is cell-phone radiation? The Food and Drug Administration values only to ensure that maximum says the “weight of scientific evidence radiation exposure falls below the level at has not linked cell phones with any which experts agree there could be health problems,” including brain adverse health effects. tumors from the low-level radiation that phones emit in normal use. Still, consumers are caught in the middle, Yet in the past year San Francisco trying to resolve conflicting messages lawmakers have enacted an from regulators and legislators. (The ordinance requiring that cell phones latter include those in the European disclose the amount of radiation Parliament who have called for stricter 1 emitted, and Rep. Dennis Kucinich limits on exposure to cell-phone Ardent e-mailer (D-Ohio) announced plans to push for radiation, which have been criticized by E-mail is your top priority. Talking and radiation warnings on all cell phones. many scientists.) texting are important, too; Web surfing, less so. Phone manufacturers are required by Consumers Union believes a number of A (fairly) smart phone. In addition to federal law to package every cell phone measures would benefit consumers: with information about its specific allowing you to manage multiple ac- • The U.S. needs a national research absorption rate (SAR) values. The higher program on cell phones and health. Rep. counts, smart phones have the ability to the SAR value, the more radiation the Kucinich has called for such an effort as link with corporate e-mail services such as body absorbs. But there’s usually no part of his cell-phone safety proposals. BlackBerry Enterprise or Ex- explanation provided with those • The FDA and the FCC should step up numbers, not even the fact that all change servers, which allow you to open their efforts to provide better and more phones sold have levels lower than what e-mail attachments. Some phones even visible guidance to consumers on the the FDA considers a concern. allow you to edit those documents. risks, if any, of cell-phone radiation. But you don’t need a brainy, top-rated The FCC should mandate that the SAR In September 2010, the Federal • smart phone for e-mail. A less expensive information included with phones be Communications Commission revised its more consistent. The information that’s model further down in the Ratings should Web page to address some of the currently provided varies greatly in its suffice, including a number of BlackBerrys, confusion about SAR values. The updated format and detail, as the photographs the phones that pioneered mobile e-mail. FCC fact sheet (www.fcc.gov/cgb/ below illustrate. Since you’ll be typing lots of e-mail, con- consumerfacts/sar.html) states that SAR values indicate the maximum possible sider a phone with a physical keyboard Bottom line. We will continue to track exposure from a given phone, not the and not just a virtual one on its touch the research. In the meantime, if you are varying levels of exposure in normal use. screen; some models have both. concerned about radiation, minimize So a phone with a lower reported SAR A plan with moderate data limits. exposure by using a speaker phone or value isn’t necessarily safer than one with hands-free headset, holding the phone Unless you’re downloading a lot of attach- a higher value, and SAR values can’t be away from the head and body (especially ments, such as hefty documents, you won’t used to reliably compare cell-phone when a call is connecting), and reducing eat up a lot of data megabytes with e-mail. models. The FCC says it requires SAR use, especially by children. So a plan that offers low-to-­middling band- width should be fine. One survey found that owners of BlackBerrys used just 80MB of data a month on average. Some no-contract carriers, including Consumer Cellular, Net10, and Tracfone, don’t offer smart-phone service at all. Others offer relatively few smart phones, and those they do offer might not be served fully. For example, the BlackBerry plans at Virgin Mobile, which cost as lit- tle as $35 all-inclusive, don’t include sup- port for corporate e-mail—a big reason that many people buy a BlackBerry in the first place. Smart choices include: • Straight Talk Unlimited ($45 per month, no-contract plan). (We don’t have a tested phone to recommend for this plan.) Walmart Family Mobile ($50 per month, • INconsistent A phone might include a simple measure of radiation absorption (left), no-contract plan) plus the Motorola Cliq a statement that the phone meets the safety standard for radiation (center), or XT ($250). ­comprehensive test data and background information (right).

january 2011 www.ConsumerReports.org 31 cover story best phones & plans

A1 Motorola Droid X A2 Samsung Fascinate B1 Samsung Epic 4G C1 Samsung Vibrant D3 Apple iPhone 3G S

Overview Smart phones printer, or computer. A1, A2, A3, and A4 C1’s display is among the easiest to see in bright Phones are grouped by the carriers that sell support a version of flash video that will light. Its six-axis motion sensing enhances them. Carriers are listed in order of their enhance most Web browsing. A1 and A2 can gaming, and it can share content via Wi-Fi with compatible devices such as a TV, printer, or overall scores in our September 2010 survey record 720p (or HD) video. computer. C1 and C2 can record 720p (or HD) of satisfaction with cellular service among Best choices for Sprint: video and support a version of flash video that ConsumerReports.org subscribers. In B1 samsung Epic 4G $250 will enhance most Web browsing. C2 and C3 are addition to overall scores, consider a carrier’s B2 HTC Evo 4G $200 very good Android phones with a handy slide-out record in our service Ratings, data-service B3 samsung Intercept $100 keyboard, but they’re heavier than most. C8 is a costs, operating system capabilities, and apps. B5 BlackBerry Bold 9650 $200 very good choice for T-Mobile traditional BlackBerry users, but it’s not a touch-screen B6 $50 dRecommended model. It’s being replaced by the Bold 9780. These are high-scoring models overall; some B1 and B2 support Sprint’s ultrafast 4G WiMax Best choices for AT&T: offer specific strengths, described below. network. They can record 720p (or HD) video D2 samsung Captivate $200 and support a version of flash video that will D3 Apple iPhone 3G S (8GB) $100 Best choices for Verizon: enhance most Web browsing. B1 has a D4 HTC Aria $130 A1 Motorola Droid X $200 top-notch, five-row, physical keyboard; a D5 BlackBerry Torch 9800 $200 A2 samsung Fascinate $200 display that’s among the easiest to see in A3 Motorola Droid 2 $200 bright light; and six-axis motion sensing that D9 Palm Pre Plus $50 A4 HTC $200 enhances gaming. It can share content via D2’s display is among the easiest to see in bright A5 LG Ally $50 Wi-Fi with other compatible certified devices such as a TV, printer, and computer. But it’s light. It can record 720p (or HD) video and A10 Palm Pre Plus $50 supports a version of flash video that will heavier than most. B2 has an extra-large enhance most Web browsing. It can share display; a second, front-facing camera; and an A1 has an extra-large display and an HDMI content via Wi-Fi with compatible devices such HDMI jack. But it’s larger and heavier than jack, but it’s larger and heavier than most. A2 as a TV, printer, or computer. D3 has the best most. B3 is a fairly low-priced Android phone is relatively thin and its display is among the MP3 player, access to the most phone apps, and with a very good slide-out keyboard. B5 is a easiest to see in bright light. Its six-axis motion the largest single collection of music we’ve seen. very good choice for Sprint traditional sensing enhances gaming. A3 has a very good Its display is among the easiest to see in bright BlackBerry users but is not a touch-screen slide-out keyboard but is heavier than most. light. (The newer D1 shares those attributes, but model. B6, a compact model, lets you shuffle A4 is relatively thin and complements its we don’t recommend it because of its reception multiple applications on its touch screen like a touch screen with an optical joystick for easier problems.) D4 is a compact model with an deck of cards without losing your place. You phone navigation. A5 is a fairly low-priced interface similar to A4’s. D5 is a very good choice flick an app off the page to close it. Android phone with a very good slide-out for traditional BlackBerry users interested in keyboard, but it’s heavier than most. A10, a Best choices for T-Mobile: adding a touch-screen interface and integrated compact model, lets you shuffle multiple social networking, but it’s heavier than most. C1 samsung Vibrant $200 applications on its touch screen like a deck of D9 is a compact model that lets you shuffle cards without losing your place. You flick an C2 t-Mobile G2 $200 multiple applications on its touch screen like a app off the page to close it. A1, A2, and A3 can C3 HTC myTouch 3G Slide $180 deck of cards without losing your place. You flick share content via Wi-Fi with a compatible TV, C8 BlackBerry Bold 9700 $130 an app off the page to close it. Guide to the Ratings See the cell-phone Guide to the Ratings (page 34) for information on entries that e-mail readability, attachment capabilities, and text-messaging features. We also are shared by cell and smart phones. Overall score is based mainly on display, weigh how easy it is to synchronize the phone with a computer and to access navigation, voice quality, phoning, messaging, Web browsing, multimedia, and applications while on a call. Web browsing mainly assesses browsing battery life, as well as document editing out of the box, size, and weight. Under capabilities, including the ability to handle more than one browser, flash video, size, S is for small, M for midsized, and L for large. Under operating system, A is and Java, as well as data connections such as 3G and Wi-Fi. Multimedia mainly for Android; B, BlackBerry; i, iOS; P, Palm webOS; S, Symbian; and W, Windows considers the camera and music player, plus GPS navigation, voice memo, and Mobile. Display score considers display size and resolution and evaluates streaming or live audio and/or video. Bluetooth data is the ability to exchange legibility in different lighting. Phone navigation indicates how easy it is to access files with other Bluetooth devices out of the box. All smart phones can record features and modes, such as phoning, messaging, camera, etc. We also consider video and have a music player and Bluetooth stereo headset capability. All smart programmable shortcuts, touch screens, and user guides. Phoning considers the phones feature Web browsing via Wi-Fi (except B8 Palm and C11 Nokia) and number of step-saving functions for making and receiving calls, including support GPS navigation for maps with spoken turn-by-turn directions (except C9 hands-free capabilities such as voice command and Bluetooth, speed dialing, BlackBerry). Price is based on a two-year contract in October 2010 from the DTMF and ringer controls, security options, and more. We also evaluated keypad indicated carriers, including rebates. Verizon and T-Mobile phones are also readability in different lighting. Messaging mainly assesses keyboard ergonomics, available as no-contract models.

32 consumer reports january 2011 Where are Windows Phone 7 models? These arrived Ratings Smart phones too late to include in our Ratings. See pages 28 and 29. dRecommended In performance order, by carrier. (Carriers listed in order of user satisfaction.) 5 Excellent 4 Very good 3 Good 2 Fair 1 Poor Brand & model Price Overall score Test results Features Similar models and other Keyboard Size

Rank carriers offering comparable service Display

models are listed in small Phoning Virtual Messaging Battery life Battery Multimedia type with the phone's price. Physical World phone World Camera (MP) Camera Voice quality Voice Touch screen Touch Web browsing Web

Performance and features data Bluetooth Voice command Voice Editing included Editing Broadband data Broadband Display size (in.) size Display Phone navigation Operating system Operating Recommendation might vary somewhat from 0 100 Memory-card slot

the tested model's. messaging Requires Requires data service Requires P | F | G | VG | E A VERIZON This carrier was among the more satisfying in almost all cities in our survey. nd 1 Motorola Droid X $200 • L A 75 &Z &Z &V &X &Z &Z &Z &X 4.3 M • EV-DO 8.0f • • • • nd 2 Samsung Fascinate 200 • • M A 75 &Z &Z &V &X &X &Z &Z &X 4.0 M • EV-DO 4.9f • • • • nd 3 Motorola Droid 2 200 • • M A 75 &Z &Z &V &X &X &Z &Z &X 3.7 M • • EV-DO 5.0f • • • • nd 4 HTC Droid Incredible 200 • M A 73 &Z &Z &V &X &X &Z &Z &C 3.7 M • EV-DO 8.0f • • • nd 5 LG Ally 50 • M A 72 &Z &Z &V &X &X &Z &Z &X 3.2 M • • EV-DO 3.1f • • • • 6 Samsung Omnia II 50 • M W 71 &Z &X &V &X &X &Z &Z &X 3.7 S • EV-DO 4.9f • • • • 7 HTC Imagio 50 • M W 70 &Z &X &V &X &Z &Z &Z &C 3.6 S • EV-DO 5.0 • • • • • 8 Motorola Devour 80 • L A 70 &X &Z &V &X &X &Z &Z &X 3.1 S • • EV-DO 3.1 • • 9 BlackBerry Storm2 9550 150 • M B 70 &X &X &V &C &Z &Z &Z &C 3.3 S • EV-DO 3.1f • • • • • nd 10 Palm Pre Plus 50 • S P 66 &X &Z &V &C &X &Z &Z &C 3.1 M • EV-DO 3.1f 11 HTC Ozone 0 • M W 64 &C &C &V &X &Z &Z &X &X 2.4 • EV-DO 1.9 • • • • • 12 Palm Pixi Plus 0 • S P 63 &C &X &V &C &X &Z &X &C 2.6 M • EV-DO 1.9f B SPRINT This carrier was among the more satisfying in a large majority of cities in which it was rated in our survey. nd 1 Samsung Epic 4G 250 • • M A 76 &Z &Z &C &X &Z &Z &Z &X 4.0 M • • WiMAX 4.9f • • • • nd 2 HTC Evo 4G 200 • • L A 74 &Z &Z &V &X &X &Z &Z &C 4.3 M • WiMAX 8.0f • • • nd 3 Samsung Intercept ⁄ 100 • • M A 70 &X &Z &V &X &X &Z &Z &C 3.2 M • • EV-DO 3.1 • • • 4 HTC Hero 150 • • M A 69 &X &Z &V &X &X &Z &Z &C 3.2 M • EV-DO 4.9 • • • BlackBerry Bold 9650 5 200 M B 68 2.4 EV-DO 3.1f nd Verizon, $150, U.S. Cellular, $160. • • &X &X &C &X &Z &Z &Z &C • • • • • • nd 6 Palm Pre 50 • • S P 66 &X &Z &V &C &X &Z &Z &C 3.1 M • EV-DO 3.1f € 7 BlackBerry Curve 8530 50 • • M B 64 &C &X &V &X &Z &Z &Z &C 2.4 • EV-DO 1.9 • • • • Verizon, $30, U.S. Cellular, $0. 8 Palm Pixi 0 • • S P 60 &C &X &V &C &X &X &X &C 2.6 M • • EV-DO 1.9f C T-MOBILE This carrier was among the more satisfying in more than half of the cities in which it was rated in our survey. nd 1 Samsung Vibrant 200 • • M A 76 &Z &Z &V &X &Z &Z &Z &Z 4.0 M • HSDPA 4.9 • • • • • nd 2 T-Mobile G2 200 • • M A 75 &Z &Z &V &X &Z &Z &Z &Z 3.7 M • • HSDPA 5.0f • • • • • nd 3 HTC myTouch 3G Slide 180 • • M A 72 &X &Z &V &X &X &Z &Z &Z 3.4 M • • HSDPA 5.1f • • • • 4 HTC HD2 100 • • L W 71 &Z &C &V &X &Z &Z &Z &X 4.3 M • HSDPA 5.0f • • • • • 5 Motorola Cliq XT ‹ 90 • • M A 71 &X &Z &V &C &X &Z &Z &Z 3.1 M • HSDPA 4.9f • • • 6 Samsung Behold II 100 • • M A 71 &X &Z &V &X &X &Z &Z &X 3.2 S • HSDPA 4.9f • • • • T-Mobile myTouch 3G 70 7 3.5mm Jack 50 • • M A &X &Z &V &C &X &Z &Z &X 3.2 S • HSDPA 3.1 • • • › d 8 BlackBerry Bold 9700 130 • • M B 69 &C &X &C &X &Z &Z &Z &X 2.4 • HSDPA 3.1f • • • • • n AT&T, $200. 9 BlackBerry Curve 8520 0 • • M B 65 &C &X &V &X &Z &X &X &X 2.4 • EDGE 1.9 • • • • • 10 - Garminfone 50 • • M A 64 &Z &C &V &V &X &Z &Z &X 3.5 M • HSDPA 3.1 • • 11 Nokia 5230 Nuron 0 S S 61 &X &C &V &X &X &X &Z &X 3.2 S • HSDPA 1.9 • • • • D AT&T This carrier scored lowest in satisfaction in almost all cities in our survey and was the worst-rated in almost all other respects. Apple iPhone 4 (16GB) 1 200 M i 76 3.5 M HSDPA 5.0f Apple iPhone 4 (32GB), $300. • &Z &Z &C &X &X &Z &Z &Z • • • nd 2 Samsung Captivate 200 • M A 76 &Z &Z &V &X &Z &Z &Z &Z 4.0 M • HSDPA 4.9 • • • • nd 3 Apple iPhone 3G S (8GB) 100 • M i 74 &Z &Z &V &X &X &Z &Z &Z 3.5 M • HSDPA 3.1 • • nd 4 HTC Aria 130 • S A 74 &X &Z &V &X &X &Z &Z &X 3.2 M • HSDPA 5.1 • • • • nd 5 BlackBerry Torch 9800 200 • M B 74 &X &Z &V &X &Z &Z &Z &X 3.2 M • • HSDPA 5.0f • • • • • 6 Motorola Backflip 50 • M A 69 &X &X &C &C &X &Z &Z &X 3.1 S • • HSDPA 4.9f • • • 7 BlackBerry Bold 200 • M B 69 &X &X &C &X &Z &Z &Z &C 2.6 • HSDPA 1.9f • • • • • 8 Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 150 • M A 68 &Z &Z &V &C &X &Z &Z &X 4.0 S • HSDPA 8.0 • • • • nd 9 Palm Pre Plus 50 • S P 67 &X &Z &V &C &X &Z &Z &X 3.1 M • HSDPA 3.1f • 10 Palm Pixi Plus 0 • S P 64 &C &X &V &C &X &Z &X &X 2.6 M • HSDPA 1.9f • ⁄Also available from no-contract carrier Virgin Mobile for $250. €Also available from no-contract carriers: $250 from Boost, $280 from MetroPCS, $250 from Virgin Mobile, and $180 from Cricket. ‹Available from Walmart Family Mobile without a contract for $250. ›To be replaced by Bold 9780.

january 2011 www.ConsumerReports.org 33 cover story best phones & plans

Overview Cell phones The tested phones were all competent, so any low-priced model in the Ratings offers fine value. But also consider the carrier’s track record in our service Ratings. Prices from carriers are based on a two-year contract, including any rebates. Phones with $0 for price are provided at no extra charge when you sign a new two-year contract. dRecommended These are high-scoring models overall; A1 LG enV Touch B1 Samsung Instinct HD B2 LG Rumor Touch some offer specific strengths, which are described below. Best choices for Verizon: A1 LG enV Touch $40 Ratings Cell phones A2 samsung Alias 2 $25 In performance order, by carrier. (Carriers listed in order of user satisfaction.) A3 casio G’zOne Brigade $200 A5 LG enV3 $80 Brand & model Price Overall score Test results Features A9 samsung Convoy $70 Keyboard Rank service Virtual Messaging Battery life Battery Ease of use Ease of

A1 has a fairly large, external touch screen; Physical World phone World Camera (MP) Camera Voice quality Voice inside, there’s a regular screen (which screen Touch Video recording Video Voice command Voice Broadband data Broadband Display size (in.) size Display Recommendation shows a landscape view of whatever was 0 100 Memory-card slot Requires messaging messaging Requires

on the exterior screen) and keyboard. A1, data service Requires P | F | G | VG | E A2, A3, and A5 have generously sized VERIZON This carrier was among the more satisfying in almost all cities in our survey. physical keyboards, and A1 also has a A virtual one. A1 and A3 can view Office nd 1 LG enV Touch $ 40 • 74 &Z &C &Z &C 3.0 S • • EV-DO 3.1f • • • documents, such as Word, Excel, and nd 2 Samsung Alias 2 25 • 72 &X &C &Z &X 2.6 • EV-DO 1.9 • • • PowerPoint. But A1 and A3 are heavier Casio G'zOne d 3 200 • 71 &X &V &Z &X 2.9 • EV-DO 3.1f • • • than most. A2 has a 2.6-inch screen with n Brigade a dual-hinged design that integrates a 4 Samsung Reality 50 • 69 &X &V &Z &C 3.0 S • EV-DO 3.1 • • • keyboard with phone controls. Its backlit nd 5 LG enV3 80 • 69 &X &C &Z &C 2.6 • EV-DO 3.1f • • • keys change from numbers to letters, 6 LG Chocolate Touch 40 • 69 &X &C &X &C 3.0 S • EV-DO 3.1 • • • depending on how you use the phone. 7 Nokia 7705 Twist 25 • 66 &X &V &Z &C 2.4 • EV-DO 3.1f • • • Open the phone vertically and the buttons 8 LG Cosmos 0 63 &X &V &Z &X 2.0 • 1xRTT 1.2 • • become a numbered keypad with controls for making calls; open the phone from the nd 9 Samsung Convoy 70 62 &X &C &C &C 2.2 EV-DO 1.9 • • • sides and the buttons become a keyboard. nd 10 Samsung Jitterbug J 100 60 &C &C &C &C 2.1 • Verizon Wireless A5 has a smallish external display and a 11 30 58 &X &C &C &C 2.0 EV-DO 1.9 • • roomy keypad, and it opens up to reveal Escapade a 2.6-inch screen, stereo speakers, and B SPRINT This carrier was among the more satisfying in a large majority of cities in which it was rated in our survey. keyboard. But some phone functions are accessible only when the phone is open. nd 1 Samsung Instinct HD 50 • • 66 &X &C &X &C 3.2 S • EV-DO 5.0f • • • A3 and A9 are made to be ruggedized, nd 2 LG Rumor Touch ⁄ 30 65 &X &C &Z &X 3.0 S • EV-DO 1.9 • • • weather-resistant phones. nd 3 LG Lotus Elite € 0 62 &X &C &Z &C 2.4 S • EV-DO 1.9 • • • If simplicity is paramount: 4 LG Remarq 0 62 &X &C &Z &C 2.4 • 1xRTT 1.2 • • 61 A10 Samsung Jitterbug J $100 5 Sanyo Incognito ‹ 50 &C &C &Z &C 2.6 S • EV-DO 1.9 • • • 6 Samsung Seek ‹ 20 60 &C &V &Z &C 2.6 S • 1xRTT 1.2 • • A10 has big buttons, a comfortable ⁄Also available from no-contract carrier Virgin Mobile for $150. €Also available from U.S. Cellular as LG Mystique, $100. ‹Also available earpiece, and even a dial tone. The provider, from no-contract carrier Boost; B5 is $100, B6 is $150. Great Call, offers free directory assistance and will update your contacts if you phone, Guide to the Ratings fax, or mail them. You don’t need a contract, Overall score is based mainly on ease of use, voice quality, messaging, and battery life. Scores are rounded; models but service is pricey. The phone is thick and are listed in order of precise overall score, within categories. Ease of use mainly considers step-saving functions for lacks common features. making and receiving calls, as well as display and keypad readability and multimedia versatility. Voice quality considers listening (what we heard) and talking (what was heard at the other end) in noisy and quiet settings using Best choices for Sprint: live phone calls; we show the lower of the two scores. Messaging assesses keypad ergonomics, text-messaging B1 samsung Instinct HD $50 features, support for , and whether the phone can open e-mail attachments. Battery life is an average of talk time with strong and weak network signals, and considers standby and display times. Display size is B2 LG Rumor Touch $30 diagonal, in inches. Under touch screen, S indicates single touch and M indicates multi-touch that lets you pinch to B3 LG Lotus Elite $0 zoom in or out of Web pages or photos. Keyboard indicates a physical or virtual QWERTY layout. Broadband data is fastest U.S. broadband network supported. WiMax is speediest. EV-DO and HSDPA are faster than 1xRTT and B1 has a large, 3.2-inch touch-screen display EDGE. Camera (MP) is resolution in megapixels; f indicates a flash. Video recording is via camera. Memory-card

34 consumer reports january 2011 with a virtual keyboard. Its full-featured, 5-megapixel camera can record HD video, which you can output to a TV. Video quality was on a par with that of the better pocket camcorders we’ve tested. And its Wi-Fi connection, rare in a conventional cell phone, allows the fastest Web surfing. But it’s a bit slow when opening multimedia applications. B2 has a fairly large touch-screen display and a generously proportioned keyboard that slides out for easier texting. But it’s heavier than most. B3 has a dual display. When the Lotus is C1 Samsung Gravity T D1 Samsung Impression D2 LG Vu Plus folded shut, its wide, square shape looks more like a cosmetics compact than a phone. The outer touch-screen display lets 5 Excellent you easily access the phone’s main

4 Very good functions by swiping to the left or right of 3 Good 2 Fair the home screen. Flipping the phone open dRecommended 1 Poor reveals a keyboard for typing text messages and dialing phone numbers. B2 Brand & model Price Overall score Test results Features and B3 can view Office documents, such as Keyboard Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Rank service Best choices for T-Mobile: Virtual Messaging Battery life Battery Ease of use Ease of Physical World phone World Camera (MP) Camera Voice quality Voice Touch screen Touch C1 samsung Gravity T $75 Video recording Video Voice command Voice Broadband data Broadband Display size (in.) size Display Recommendation 0 100 Memory-card slot C2 LG Sentio $0 Requires messaging messaging Requires

Requires data service Requires P | F | G | VG | E C3 samsung Comeback $0

C T-MOBILE This carrier was among the more satisfying in more than half of the cities in which it was rated in our survey. C1 has a 2.8-inch, touch-screen display nd 1 Samsung Gravity T $ 75 69 &X &V &Z &Z 2.8 S • HSDPA 1.9 • • • • and a very good keyboard that slides out nd 2 LG Sentio 0 66 &X &V &X &Z 3.0 S • HSDPA 3.1 • • • • for easier texting. The relatively thin, pocket-friendly C2 has a 3.0-inch touch- d 3 Samsung Comeback 0 64 &X &V &Z &X 2.6 • HSDPA 1.9 • • • • n screen display that supports a virtual 63 4 Samsung Gravity 3 50 &C &V &Z &X 2.4 • HSDPA 1.9 • • • • keyboard. C3 has a 1.5-inch outer display Sony Ericsson 61 and a keypad that facilitates phoning. It 5 Equinox 0 &X &V &C &X 2.2 HSDPA 3.1 • • • opens up like an eyeglass case to reveal a AT&T This carrier scored lowest in satisfaction in almost all cities in our survey and was the worst-rated in 2.6-inch screen and keyboard that should D almost all other respects. satisfy most texters. But it’s bulkier than Samsung 68 most. C1 and C3 can view Office documents, nd 1 Impression 130 • &X &V &Z &X 3.2 S • • HSDPA 3.1 • • • such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. nd 2 LG Vu Plus 150 • 68 &X &V &Z &X 3.0 S • HSDPA 3.1f • • • • nd 3 Samsung Solstice › 30 • 68 &X &V &X &X 3.0 S • HSDPA 1.9 • • • • Best choices for AT&T: 4 Samsung Sunburst 20 • 68 &X &C &X &Z 3.0 S • EDGE 1.9 • • • • D1 samsung Impression $130 5 Samsung Strive 20 • 65 &X &V &X &C 2.6 • HSDPA 1.9 • • • • D2 LG Vu Plus $150 nd 6 Samsung Rugby II 100 64 &X &V &C &Z 2.2 HSDPA 1.9 • • • • D3 samsung Solstice $30 7 Link fi 0 • 63 &X &V &X &Z 2.4 • HSDPA 1.3 • • • D6 samsung Rugby II $100 8 Pantech Breeze II 20 62 &X &V &C &X 2.2 HSDPA 1.3 • • • • D1, D2, and D3 have relatively large 62 9 Pantech Impact 0 • &X &V &Z &X 2.6 • HSDPA 1.9 • • • touch-screen displays. D1 and D2 have ›To be replaced by Solstice II. fi Also available from no-contract carrier AT&T GoPhone for $60. generous slide-out, physical keyboards. D1 also has a virtual keyboard, as does the slimmer D3. D2, D3, and D6 can view Office documents, such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Touching the top side of D2’s standby screen provides a handy drop- down menu that lets you access the music slot accepts flash-memory cards. Cell phones A10 Samsung and A11 Verizon Wireless lack a memory-card slot. Voice player, Bluetooth, messaging, and more. command allows dialing from the phone contacts by speaking the name or dialing numbers by saying the digits, D3 has a handwriting recognition feature without training the phone. All models can be used with Bluetooth mono headsets. All conventional cell phones that lets you jot down numbers, letters, support Bluetooth data and can exchange files with other Bluetooth devices out of the box, except A10 Samsung. symbols, and punctuation, which are then The following models lack Bluetooth stereo headset capability: A8 LG, A10 Samsung, and A11 Verizon Wireless. All cell converted to typed text. D1 lacks standard phones support GPS navigation for maps with spoken turn-by-turn directions, except A10 Samsung, B4 LG, and B6 Samsung. The B1 Samsung supports Web browsing via Wi-Fi. World phones support GSM bands mostly found in voice-activated dialing. D6 is made to be a Europe. Some phones require a data plan for browsing the Web or accessing e-mail and other media services and/or ruggedized, weather-resistant phone. D1 require a messaging plan to send and receive any texts or picture and video messages. Price is based on a two-year and D6 are heavier than most. All support contract in October 2010 from the indicated carriers, including rebates, except A10 Samsung, which requires no AT&T’s Video Share, which lets you stream contract. Verizon and T-Mobile phones are also available as no-contract models. live, one-way video to a compatible phone.

january 2011 www.ConsumerReports.org 35 cover story best phones & plans

Overview Cell-phone service Best regional carrier overall: Also consider: We’ve divided our overall Ratings into separate U.S. Cellular Three prepaid no-contract carriers (not rated charts that reflect experiences with cell-phone due to insufficient data) might be worth a This carrier offers service in 26 states. It try for their attractive pricing. Straight Talk, carriers under a contract and without a stands out for value, voice service, and sold through Walmart, offers unlimited contract, drawn from all survey respondents. customer service. (We lacked sufficient data to voice, text messages, and Web access for $45 In addition, where we have sufficient data, rate it on some aspects. It’s included in the a month, and 1,000 voice minutes and we’ve drawn on the experiences of contract Milwaukee Ratings.) messages and 30MB of Web access for $30 a and no-contract customers to create month. It uses the Verizon prepaid network, Best choices if your phone and city-by-city Ratings. which is almost as comprehensive as the service needs are fairly basic: regular Verizon network. If you live in a city it Best choice overall for most people: Consumer Cellular serves, consider MetroPCS. Its unlimited Verizon Wireless TracFone local plans start at $30 a month. Walmart Sprint Family Mobile is too new to rate but is worth These are the standout carriers for service checking out. It offers no-contract plans. We These are the highest-scoring nationally without a contract. Like most no-contract like the low price and the fact that you buy available carriers for contract service. carriers, they offer fewer phones (and no data service for the account, not each line, Verizon Wireless has an edge in voice smart phones) than the major carriers. so the data bundle is shared among all service overall. Sprint scored better in They use AT&T’s network, though their handsets and doesn’t expire until it’s used some aspects of customer service, which relatively basic phones aren’t likely to place up. WFM is a private-label brand of T-Mobile, is a remarkable turnaround from past heavy demands on its data component, which handles everything. You can buy any years when that was a weak point for which AT&T contract customers found to be T-Mobile smart phone with no contract and the company. a weak point. move it to your WFM plan.

Ratings Cell service by city In order of reader score, within 23 metropolitan areas. Differences in reader score of less than six points are not meaningful.

Provider Reader score Service Provider Reader score Service Provider Reader score Service Data Data Data Texting Texting Texting No service No service No service Dropped calls Dropped Dropped calls Dropped 0 100 0 100 0 100 calls Dropped ATLANTA DENVER LOS ANGELES Verizon 76 &X &X &C &Z Verizon 73 &X &X &X &X Verizon 75 &X &C &C &X Sprint 73 &C &C &X &C T-Mobile 67 &V &C — — Sprint 72 &C &C — — T-Mobile 70 &V &C &V &V AT&T 55 &B &B &V &B T-Mobile 70 &C &C — — AT&T 60 &V &B &V &B DETROIT AT&T 55 &B &B &B &B BOSTON Verizon 75 &X &X &C &X MIAMI Verizon 71 &C &C &C &C T-Mobile 74 &B &C — — Sprint 77 &X &C &X — Sprint 70 &C &C — — Sprint 73 &C &C &C &C Verizon 75 &Z &C &C &X T-Mobile 68 &B &C — — AT&T 63 &C &V &C &B T-Mobile 74 &V &C — — AT&T 62 &B &V &C &B HOUSTON AT&T 63 &C &V &C &V CHICAGO Verizon 77 &Z &X &X &Z Milwaukee Verizon 74 &X &C &C &X Sprint 72 &C &C — — U.S. Cellular 84 &Z &Z — — Sprint 71 &X &C — — T-Mobile 70 &V &C — — Verizon 73 &X &C &X &Z T-Mobile 68 &V &C &B — AT&T 61 &C &V &C &B AT&T 59 &B &V &B &B AT&T 58 &B &B &B &B INDIANAPOLIS MINNEAPOLIS-ST.PAUL DALLAS-FORT WORTH Verizon 75 &X &X &X &X Verizon 74 &X &X &C &X Verizon 75 &Z &X &X &X Sprint 72 &C &C &X — T-Mobile 72 &C &C &C — T-Mobile 73 &C &C — — AT&T 64 &C &V &C &B Sprint 67 &C &C &C — Sprint 73 &C &C &C &C KANSAS CITY AT&T 58 &V &B &V &B AT&T 63 &C &V &C &V Sprint 80 &X &C &C &X NEW YORK Verizon 76 &X &X &X &X Verizon 72 &X &C &C &X T-Mobile 71 &V &C — — Sprint 69 &C &C &C &C AT&T 67 &C &C &C &C T-Mobile 69 &B &C &C — AT&T 57 &B &B &B &B

36 consumer reports january 2011 5 Better 4 Ratings No-contract service 5 Better Ratings Cell-phone service with a contract 3 Summary Ratings, reflecting all cities 4 Summary Ratings, reflecting all cities surveyed, in order of overall score. 2 surveyed, in order of overall score. 3 Differences in score of less than four points are not meaningful. 1 Worse Differences in score of less than 2 Provider Reader score Service Customer support three points are not meaningful. 1 Worse Provider Reader score Data Data Voice Voice Value E-mail E-mail Phone Texting Website Website Voice 0 100 Value Issue resolved Issue

0 100 Staff knowledge Consumer Cellular 87 &Z &C U.S. Cellular 82 &Z &Z &C &C — — — &Z &Z TracFone 82 &X &C Verizon Wireless 74 &C &X &C &C &C &C &C &C &C T-Mobile 79 &C &V Sprint 73 &C &C &C &C &C &C &X &C &C Verizon Wireless 76 &V &C T-Mobile 69 &V &V &V &V &X &C &C &C &C Virgin Mobile 75 &C &C AT&T 60 &B &B &V &B &B &B &B &B &B AT&T GoPhone 68 &B &V

5 Better 4 3 2 1 Worse Provider Reader score Service Provider Reader score Service Guide to the Ratings Ratings are based on 58,189 responses from Data Data ConsumerReports.org subscribers surveyed in Texting Texting September 2010. Ratings by city include responses No service No service from customers with conventional (contract) and Dropped calls Dropped 0 100 0 100 calls Dropped no-contract service. Separate analyses were PHILADELPHIA SEATTLE conducted of overall ratings for contract and no-contract carriers. Only providers with sufficient Verizon 73 &X &X &C &X Verizon 73 &X &X &C &C data for ratings are included in each chart. Reader T-Mobile 70 &B &C — — Sprint 72 &C &C — — score reflects respondents’ overall satisfaction with AT&T 63 &C &V &V &B T-Mobile 71 &C &C &V &V their cell-phone service and is not limited to factors listed in the Ratings charts. A score of 100 would 59 PHOENIX AT&T &V &B &B &B mean all respondents were completely satisfied; 80 would mean very satisfied, on average; 60, fairly Verizon 77 &Z &X &X &Z ST. LOUIS well satisfied. Reader scores are not directly Sprint 74 &X &X — — Verizon 76 &X &X &C &X comparable among the three Ratings charts. Value T-Mobile 71 &C &C &C — T-Mobile 72 &C &C — — reflects the percentage of respondents that rated the AT&T 59 &V &V &V &B Sprint 71 &X &C &C &C carrier as very good or excellent in value for money. Voice service reflects the percentage of respondents AT&T 67 SALT LAKE CITY &C &C &C &V who said they experienced various problems when Verizon 76 &Z &X &X &Z TAMPA, FLA. making calls. In the city chart, two specific voice problems are rated: no service and dropped calls. 74 T-Mobile &C &C — — T-Mobile 73 &C &C &C — Texting reflects difficulties, including texts not being AT&T 62 &C &V &V &B Verizon 72 &Z &X &X &X sent or received or being much delayed. Voice and Sprint 72 &C &C &C — texting scores are based on the percentage who SAN DIEGO reported no problems in the previous seven days, AT&T 67 &C &C &C &C Sprint 76 &X &X &X — statistically adjusted for cell-phone usage rates. Verizon 75 &X &C &C &X WASHINGTON, D.C. Scores for Data reflect the percentage of respondents who gave very good to excellent scores 73 T-Mobile &C &C — — Sprint 73 &C &C &C &X for the overall experience with Web access and e-mail AT&T 60 &V &V &V &B Verizon 72 &X &C &C &X from their phones. Customer support is based on SAN FRANCISCO T-Mobile 72 &V &C — — the quality of the carrier’s website, ease and speed of reaching support staff by phone, e-mail helpfulness, AT&T 62 &V &V &V &B Verizon 74 &X &X &C &X and knowledge and competence of support staff. T-Mobile 73 &C &C — — Issue resolved reflects the percentage who said their issue was satisfactorily resolved in a timely Sprint 68 — &C &C &C manner. Ratings are relative, reflecting differences AT&T 51 &B &B &B &B from the average of all providers in all areas. “—” indicates insufficient data. Respondents might not reflect the general U.S. population.

january 2011 www.ConsumerReports.org 37 cover story best phones & plans

For 911 calls, is a cell phone as safe as a landline?

As Americans increasingly communicate police and other emergency responders wirelessly, some 60 percent of the nation’s found them, regardless of how they called. 240 million 911 calls are placed through cell There was no statistically significant phones. A 2010 Consumer Reports National difference whether they used a cell phone, Research Center survey of more than 2,000 traditional landline, or VoIP phone. subscribers who made at least one 911 call in But with landline and VoIP 911, operators the past year reveals that for 71 percent of were significantly more likely to find callers emergency calls from a cell phone, no other by determining the location of the phone. type of phone was available. More than one-third of landline and VoIP That’s largely because emergencies users were located in that manner compared often occur away from home—say, with only 7 percent of cell callers. Landline after a car accident—but 12 percent of and VoIP 911 give the operator your home ConsumerReports.org subscribers and about address, including an apartment number if it 25 percent of Americans now have no landline appears on your phone bill. With cellular, in their home and use only cell phones. That operators see only geographic coordinates. raises concern about the relative reliability of With all phone technologies, the operator emergency calls placed through cell phones asked respondents for their location at the vs. landline phones. Dropping a landline can home in a remote location, E-911 might not be start of the call in at least three of every four be penny-wise, but could it be pound-foolish available, or worse still, there might not even calls, perhaps if only to verify the address on if you need to call 911 from home? be a cell signal. Check the status of E-911 in the screen on landline and VoIP calls. But if Not necessarily. Overall, we think that your county at nena.ddti.net. Examine your you can’t speak—if you’re incapacitated or dropping your home landline and making carrier’s coverage map. If you find any holes distraught, for example—it’s­ clearly a huge all calls—including 911 calls—on a cell in coverage in your area, check whether other advantage if your address automatically phone is generally a safe bet, based on our carriers have better coverage. shows up on the operator’s screen. analysis and data from our survey. These considerations can help you decide whether Cell callers at home reached E-911. But Cell service is better in a natural disaster. it’s worth the risk to cut the cord: they sometimes had more difficulty. Virtually Telephone landlines and cell-phone towers all (98 to 99 percent) of the 841 respondents are equally vulnerable to the ravages of E-911 is up and running. Just over 97 percent who called 911 from home got through to a severe weather, earthquake, and other of the population and 90 percent of the 911 operator, whether they used a cell phone, natural disasters—which is when you may nation’s 3,135 counties are covered by wireless traditional landline, or VoIP landline. But most need to call 911. But cellular carriers E-911. That means call centers can identify 9 percent of the cell callers had some can more easily restore service. They have your cell-phone number for callback as well as difficulty getting through, and 1 percent had fleets of mobile cell towers on trailer trucks your phone’s latitude and longitude within a lot of trouble, including repeated dropped throughout the country that can be deployed about 55 to 330 yards—a city block or calls, no signal, and poor connections. to restore service quickly to an area that has two—using your call signal and either GPS or (Cellular service comes with the inherent risk suffered a catastrophe. ground-based triangulation, according to the of interference from weather, terrain, and National Emergency Number Association. objects.) By comparison, 3 percent of landline Your cell phone might not work at home. That stacks up very well against landline 911, callers and 1 percent of VoIP callers had minor About 11 percent of Consumer Reports which covers 99 percent of the population difficulty getting through to a 911 operator. subscribers reported that problem in our and 96 percent of counties. 2009 survey. If you have spotty cell service, Rescuers found almost all cell callers. don’t rely on it. Either keep your landline or Rural areas have less E-911 coverage. If Almost every survey respondent (96 to switch to a wireless carrier that provides a you live in a rural area or enjoy a vacation 98 percent) who called 911 from home said stronger signal to your home.

1 Close up How to conserve battery life Our tests found that this year’s smart Shut off access. When you’re Reduce screen brightness. Set phones last longer on a charge than their in an area where you know brightness to Auto, which makes predecessors, but they can still easily run there’s no signal or you won’t the screen only as bright as out of juice before the day is up. Here are be using your phone for a needed for the light conditions. ways to maximize battery life, either by while, turn it off or set it to (If the phone has no Auto setting, modifying your habits or tweaking your airplane mode. Otherwise it lower screen brightness yourself.) phone’s settings, which are easily accessed will keep making futile, Setting the screen to shut off after via a desktop icon (usually a gear or tool). power-eating attempts to the shortest period of inactivity connect to the carrier’s might help. Seek strong signals. Phones use more power network. Also turn off Wi-Fi, when they’re trying to access a weak network Bluetooth, and 3G (if possible) Update less often. If possible, signal. Avoid stashing the phone in a crowded when you’re out of range or reduce how often the phone purse or briefcase or inside a lower desk won’t be using those features. updates e-mail, news, social- drawer. It can be harder for a phone to get And turn on GPS only when network feeds, and other apps

a signal in those places. you need it. to, say, once every half-hour. tatcheva eva by illustration

38 consumer reports january 2011