Top Cell Phone Bargains

We?ve highlighted 10 cell phones designed to help you get maximum bang for the buck in everyday use.

If you’ve flipped open a technology magazine lately, watched many TV commercials, or even scoped out the cell phones your friends are using, you’d be excused for thinking there weren’t any models out there for under $150. Audiences in general can’t help but fixate on the high-profile, high-dollar devices – naturally, they’re the ones we all fantasize about owning. But unless you need to check your e-mail every 23 seconds, fact-check your friends on Wikipedia on the spot, and entertain yourself at all hours of the day with an endless collection of games or downloadable TV shows, the truth is that most people don’t really need these devices. With that in mind, we’ve highlighted 10 of the most practical and affordable cell phones out there, designed to help you get maximum bang for the buck in everyday use.

LG Shine, $10 on AT&T with Contract

It’s tempting to get the refurbished version for free, we know. But if you’re going to use a cellular handset every day for the next two years or so, you might as well part with $10 more to get a brand new one with a more comprehensive warranty. The mirror finish on the Shine puts the unit miles above all the clunky freebies AT&T offers in terms of looks, and 3G Internet access, a sharp 2-megapixel camera and solid multimedia features make it a winner in the practicality department, too.

BlackBerry Pearl, Free on Verizon with Contract

The fact that this model is still selling after more than two years on the market should be some testament to its popularity. Mind you, as far as BlackBerry devices go, it’s no longer cutting-edge anymore. But as a freebie, it’s hard to beat the features, including a full HTML Web browser, QWERTY keyboard, and dead-steady reception.

Check out our BlackBerry Pearl Review.

Nokia 5610, $50 on T-Mobile with Contract

Looking for a phone that can truly double as a digital music player when you’re not busy making calls? The front slider on the Nokia 5610 makes it easy to switch over to MP3 playback from wherever you are in the menu system, letting you enjoy your music at a moment’s notice without wading through five different screens. It also scores extra points for a surprisingly robust built-in speaker, FM radio, and 3.2-megapixel camera.

Samsung Rant, Free on Sprint with Contract

We would recommend the Rant at any price under $100, so the fact that you can pick it up for absolutely nothing right now makes it quite a score. A 2.1-inch display and full QWERTY keyboard that slides out from the side make this inexpensive and compact phone an ace for media and text fiends. Support for Sprint’s speedy EV-DO data network and the availability of Sprint TV also ratchet it a notch above its very similar predecessor, the LG Rumor.

LG Lotus, $50 on Sprint with Contract

A distinct square form factor not only sets this clamshell phone apart visually, it makes it exceptionally easy to pocket. Fold it open, and you’ll find a full (if slightly cramped) QWERTY keyboard, along with one of the most vibrant cell phone screens we’ve had the pleasure of laying eyes on. Roll in a 2.0-megapixel camera, a snappy Internet connection, respectable battery life, and you have a winner.

Check out our LG Lotus Review.

Nokia E71x, $100 on AT&T with Contract

It may fall on the very upper end of what we consider a budget phone, but we couldn’t help pointing out what a bargain Nokia’s E71x is. (In fact, it even made our Best of CTIA 2009 list this year.) From the rock-solid QWERTY keyboard to the rugged metal case, which feels as cool as it looks, nobody will guess what this phone actually cost you. And given all the smartphone functionality buried within the versatile (albeit sometimes confusing) Symbian operating system, you’re getting a lot of muscle for your dollar, too.

Casio G’zOne Boulder, $80 on Verizon with Contract

If you’re a bit of a klutz, consider this phone a bargain just for the fact that you won’t have to replace it in three months when you drop it into the toilet. (May your previous phones rest in peace in those watery depths). The fully waterproof and drop-proof Boulder will stand up to be pretty much whatever abuse a normal sane person can throw at it – no train tracks or bullets, please – and still come out ticking. If you can tolerate the bulk, the rugged shell also gives the handset its own unusual style, and battery life, reception and call quality are all very good.

Motorola Renew, $10 on T-Mobile with Contract

Not much really sets most ultra-cheap “candybar” phones apart from each other to begin with, so if you’re content with a pretty standard feature set, you might as well go with this unique eco-friendly model. It’s made from recyclable materials, comes with an envelope to recycle it when it reaches the end of its lifespan, and has had all the pollution from its manufacture offset with carbon credits. Buy it less for the technical features and more for your conscience – if you believe the marketing hype.

Check out our Motorola MOTO W233 Renew Review.

Motorola ROKR E8, Free on T-Mobile with Contract

Like Nokia’s 5610, the ROKR serves as both a media player and a cell phone, with some spunky styling and effects to set it apart. The keypad, which lights up below, has keys that morph from cell phone controls to media controls before your eyes, and although you can’t actually depress the touch-sensitive buttons, tiny actuators under each key produce a sensation that feels as if you did.

Samsung Propel, $20 on AT&T with Contract

Samsung reprises Pontiac’s famous “Wider is Better” routine in this squat little phone, which packs a full QWERTY keyboard and 2.33-inch screen into a smooth sliding design. The BlackBerry-style keyboard makes heavy-duty texting and e-mailing a snap, and pages load quickly using AT&T’s 3G network and the integrated HTML browser.

Check out our Samsung Propel (SGH-a767) Review.