The best Verizon Wireless Messaging Phones

The PhoneDog - Jul 14, 07 12:46 PM | More by this editor | 10+ comments

More:top messaging phones, T-Mobile No Annual Contract

What's the best phone? You keep asking us, so we're going to answer. You've seen our Top 5 lists from time to time, but now we're proud to announce PhoneDog official rankings of the best phones as decided by the editorial team. We're keeping track of our old lists too, so you'll be able to click through the archives to see what phones were added to or dropped off of a list and when.

Check out our top three Verizon messaging phones!

View full product info

1. KIN ONEm

Pros

Excellent QWERTY keyboard
WiFi
Fantastic 5 MP autofocus camera with a flash
Zune music player built-in (worth $100 by itself)
Impressive email client
One of the best web browsers for a featurephone
Capacitive touchscreen
Unique UI

Cons

We're not sure what the deal is with these phones or how long Verizon plans to continue selling them. Most of the advertised features have been shut down so we're guessing the phones themselves will discontinued shortly. In short, buyer beware.
Hardware design may be a turn-off for some people. It's a love it or hate it thing.

Summary

It's true that Microsoft shut down the KIN Studio, KIN Loop, and KIN Spot services, basically whittling the phone down to a simple featurephone; however, this may have been more of a positive than a negative. The social networking features were nice, but the overall performance of those features was simply not up to par with expectations and disappointing overall. Without those features, the phone is actually pretty good and contains other features that you simply won't find on other featurephones, at least not together. The capacitive touchscreen, excellent camera, WiFi support, Zune player, and impressive e-mail client make this one a no-brainer. Proceed without caution though and consider that con we brought out.

View full product info

2. LG Octane

Pros

Same great design and physical keyboard that was so popular with the enV series
3.2 MP camera with autofocus and a flash
Solid build quality with stylish design

Cons

2.5mm headphone jack
The lack of a touchscreen may bother some

Summary

The enV line of phones were some of the best in the business. They may appear to be gone, but the Octane retains the same great design, the same amazing keyboard, and the same great camera. Not only that, but it's cheaper!

View full product info

3. LG Cosmos Touch

Pros

Cool touchscreen display
Decent physical keyboard
3.5mm headphone jack with a music player and an external microSD card slot come together for a great music listening experience

Cons

1.3 MP camera could have (and should have) been better
The device is a little small so typing on the keyboard may be hard for some

Summary

The Cosmos Touch delivers as a mid-range messaging phone and even has some perks for music listeners. Because of this, we're willing to make an exception for it's mediocre camera.

About the author

Last but certainly not least, the PhoneDog himself chimes in every once in a while with some obscure news and interesting reads. - full profile

Become a PhoneDog Fan on Facebook and don't forget to "Spin to Win!" today! Know something we don't? E-mail us or post it on our Facebook page