Amita Persaud uses her BlackBerry smart phone as more than just a phone.
"My smart phone is my calendar. It's my MP3 player. It's my camera. It's my banking. It's my e-mail access, my Web browsing. I can keep in touch with everyone through social networking. You name it, I have it on my cell phone," said Persaud.
Consumer Reports has put dozens of smart phones through a series of tests.
To check voice quality, a high-tech dummy was hooked up to a computer that simulates phone calls. Software analyzes the incoming and outgoing sound.
Since many people also use their phone as a camera, Consumer Reports tests picture quality.
And testers rate how easy it is to text message, view e-mail, and browse the Web. And they also assess how long the battery lasts.
The very popular iPhone 4 is a fine performer. However, Consumer Reports' tests found if you touch a gap on the phone's lower left side, you could lose your connection. Apple says call to request a free bumper to alleviate the problem.
Among the top-rated phones in Consumer Reports' tests are a number of Android phones, including the Samsung Captivate, used with AT&T, and the Samsung Vibrant, with T-Mobile service.
"These phones were among the highest scoring in our ratings, particularly when it came to their displays, which are especially adept at showing high-definition video," said Mike Gikas, Consumer Reports.
And for Verizon, Consumer Reports top-rates the Motorola Droid X and Droid 2. They offer excellent navigation and displays.
For Sprint-Nextel, Consumer Reports top-rated the HTC Evo 4G. The Evo is the first phone to work on Sprint's 4G network, which is faster for browsing the Web and uploading video files.
All Consumer Reports Material Copyright 2010. Consumers Union of U.S. Inc. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Consumer Reports is a not for profit organization which accepts no advertising. It has no commercial relationship with any advertiser or sponsor on this site. For more information visit consumerreports.org.
