Below is a list of the latest cell phone releases geared towards the Valentines Day holiday.

Blackberry 8830 in Red
The Blackberry 8830 World Edition Smartphone along with all of the features of the 8800 will be available on the CDMA networks.  Key features include the ability to roam on the GSM 900 and 1800 networks, EVDO high-speed data, Bluetooth 2.0, GPS, and track ball navigation.

Blackberry 8130 in Pink
The Blackaberry Pearl 8130 is an updated CDMA version of the Pearl 8100. Dubbed the Pearl 2 by Verizon the 8130 features an identical form factor along with a new OS, better font rendering software, 2.0 megapixel camera, stereo Bluetooth and a 3.5mm headset jack.

LG Venus in Pink
The LG Venus slider sports dual front screens with the bottom half a dedicated touch screen that changes icons in relation to what's displayed on the top screen. Key features include Haptic feedback, EVDO high speed data, 2.0 megapixel camera with video capture and an expandable memory card slot up to 8GB

Samsung FlipShot in Red
The FlipShot U900 from Samsung improves upon the A990 by adding a better flash, automatic power lens cover, three flashUI themes, MP3 playback and 4GB microSD support. Other key features remain the same with a 3.2 megapixel camera, stereo Bluetooth, swivel display and TV out.

LG SHINE in Red
The LG Shine is a 3G enabled thin slider that sports a large QVGA display. Other key features include video sharing HSDPA data, 2.0 megapixel camera, expandable memory card slot (microSD up to 4GB), 70MB internal memory and video/music playback.

Blackberry 8310 in Red
The Blackberry Curve 8310 is similar to the 8320 except it loses WiFi and gains GPS capability. The 8310 retains all of the functionality you would expect from a Blackberry phone and adds a camera, expandable memory, media player, Bluetooth, voice dialing, maps and trackball navigation.

Motorola RAZR V3xx in Pink
The new RAZR V3xx in pink from Motorola is their first HSDPA phone for North America.  Available in the same ultra-thin clamshell style, the upgraded version features a 1.3 megapixel camera, and a QVGA display.  Also enjoy stereo Bluetooth, speaker-independent voice controls, and streaming video.

Treo Centro in Pink and Onyx Red
The Centro is the smallest mobile device Palm has every introduced. Available in red and black the Centro features a 1.3 megapixel camera, Bluetooth, touchscreen, expandable memory card slot (MicroSD up to 4GB), Palm OS 5.4.9, and an Intel XScale processor 312MHz.

Blackberry 8130 in Red
The Blackberry Pearl 8130 is an updated CDMA version of the Pearl 8100. Dubbed the Pearl 2 by Verizon the 8130 features an identical form factor along with a new OS, better font rendering software, 2.0 megapixel camera, stereo Bluetooth and a 3.5mm headset jack.

Motorola actually faired well having four models make the top ten list, while LG took three spots. Even with having such a presence, Motorola still only manages $80 profit per unit sold. To put that in perspective, Apples iPhone rakes in a whopping $400 per unit!

As more 3G enabled phones are released during the fourth quarter (especially from Samsung) we should see some of the names and rankings change dramatically.

1. Motorola Razr V3
2. Motorola Razr V3m (CDMA version of V3)
3. LG VX8300
4. Apple iPhone
5. LG Chocolate VX8550/8500
6. Motorola MotoKrzr K1m
7. Samsung SGH-A707
8. LG VX5300
9. Sanyo Katana II
10. Motorola V323i/V325i

Source: Information Week

CONS
hard to use touch screen
slider feels like it is going to break
just a very delicate phone

SUMMARY
Dont be fooled by the name "cherry chocolate"-this phone is not as sweet as it sounds.
The phone looks good ill tell you that much. The slider adds style to the phone as well as the large screen and the cool red cherry color just tops it off. Another good thing about this phone is you can use it either slid open, or shut. To use it shut, there is a lock feature since the phone has a touch screen on the outside. It is easy to unlock, simply press the outside buttons on the side of the phone either once or twice (depending on your settings). The last good thing about this phone is the music player. It has loud speakers. The music player is also easy to use. However, this phone has some bad features. When you slide the phone open, it almost feels like the top part is going to slide completely off. You could the say the phone is "delicate". Also, the top of the phone under the screen is a touch screen which i find extremely hard to control despite the setting changes you can make with the sensitivity. It is hard to manage with the touch screen because it is either too sensitive or not sensitive enough. I reccomend not getting the phone and getting a different phone even if it does cost more money. I would have bought a different phone if I knew just how bad the quality of this phone is.]]>http://www.phonedog.com/cell-phone-research/lg-vx-8500-chocolate-red.aspx?utm_source=Rss&utm_medium=CellPhone_lg-vx-8500-chocolate-red&utm_campaign=PhoneDog11/9/2007 7:54:28 PMVerizon is also said to be readying a reduced-cost music essentials kit - memory card, Bluetooth headset, and a few other goodies - for the launch.]]>http://www.phonedog.com/cell-phone-research/blog/chocolate-2-verizon-set-to-unveil-lg-vx8550.aspx?utm_source=Rss&utm_medium=CellPhone_lg-vx-8500-chocolate-red&utm_campaign=PhoneDog7/5/2007 12:00:00 AMVerizon Wireless plan starting November 8, 2006.  Receive one instant rebates of $50 for signing up for a new plan valued at $39 or more with a two year agreement.  Another $50 mail-in rebate is also included. 

The LG VX-8500 White Chocolate is sleek and comes packed with great features that include Bluetooth compatibility, a 1.3 megapixel camera, WAP 2.0 compliant browser, and MP3 player with customizeable player theme.  So don't miss out on this great offer from Let's Talk by selecting the new LG White Chocolate with Verizon Wireless.

1. Motorola K1 KRZR - Verizon/Alltel CDMA (K1m) and Unlocked GSM (K1)
The successor to the RAZR is taller, curvier, and gentler to the touch.  Where the RAZR was all about hard edges, the KRZR's built on sensuous curves, glossy reflective glass, and a longer, narrower profile that feels great in the hand.  Forget the goofy name, this is one gorgeous phone.

2. Sony Ericsson z610i - Unlocked GSM
Glass is in.  LIke the KRZR, the SE z610i is finished with a hard reflective glass surface.  It's like a mirror in an uber-chic funhouse.  The 610 also sports an external OLED display that appears to disappear when not in use, and then magically reappears when it has something to say.  Available in three oh so fashion-y colors: Luster Black, Airy Blue, and Rose Pink.

3. Samsung D900 - Unlocked GSM
There's something about a slider all done up in Black.  I'm not so big on the new sliders available through Cingular and T-Mobile - their silver trim seems somehow cheap to me.  I'll stick with the classic black on black of the D900 - aka Ultra Edition 12.9.  So thin and such a big, beautiful screen.  Wear one with your tux and a crisp, white dress shirt (open collar and sans bow tie, preferably).

4. LG Chocolate - Verizon CDMA
I have to admit that once I waded through all of the hype and got Chocolate in my hands, I wasn't all that impressed.  Maybe I'm a tough sell.  Still, there's no denying the success of this phone, though, and it's due in large part to a sleek form factor, touch sensitive controls laid out like an iPod wheel, and a velvet-smooth marketing campaign.

5. Tie: Cingular 3125/HTC Star Trek - Cingular/Unlocked GSM and Motorola PEBL T-Mobile GSM
The Cingular 3125 (aka HTC Star Trek) is a smartphone gone sexy.  It's definitely geek chic, like Karim Rashid got his hands on a prop from a Sci-Fi movie and turned it into a cell phone.  The 3125 is as slim and stylish a smartphone as you'll find.  Carry one of these and nobody but your fellow WinMobile users will know what you're really packing under the hood.

The MOTOPEBL is kind of chunky and odd, but it's also pretty cool looking.  Touch it, though, and you'll know why it's a winner.  The soft grip plastic is nice to hold, and the smooth-release latch mechanism makes opening the phone fun.  The PEBL's getting kind of old, but they keep re-introducing it in new colors ... I think there's a Pumpkin PEBL just out in time for Halloween.

This phone is scheduled to be offered through Lets Talk, WireFly, and Amazon within 10 to 14 days.  The mercharts compared on this site can generally offer all phones at substantially lower prices than Verizon direct when purchasing a new phone with a plan.

You can view more images, specs, manuals, reviews, and pricing of the LG VX-8500 in our cell phone section.  And remember, everybody loves chocolate!
 

Slated for release around the world across Q3 and Q4 of 2006, the latest versions of the million-selling phone include white and pink handsets and new ‘premium' Chocolate phones with unique design variations and enhanced technical specifications which will be available before the end of the year.

"As the first handset under the Black Label premium brand, Chocolate has been an amazing international success, smashing sales records in many countries," explains Jae Bae, Executive Vice President of Mobile Communications Company of LG Electronics. "It's important to continue to develop the Chocolate family to build on this success, which is why LG is expanding the range, giving Chocolate even wider appeal."

Following the successful international launch of the Chocolate phone which sold more than one million units globally in just eight weeks since early May is no mean feat, but the latest handsets take Chocolate to new audiences, for whom stunning design and desirability combined with great technology are lifestyle expressions.

Chang Ma, Vice President of Marketing Supporting Team of Mobile Communications Company of LG Electronics adds: "The coloured Chocolate handsets will appeal to consumers who want their phone to say something about their personality. The cool white and tempting pink versions ooze modern style and chic while the forthcoming premium handsets with unique design variations promise to be even more desirable, adding technology enhancements to unbeatable design."

The new handsets are already enjoying significant sales success in South Korea and, following in-depth research among 18 and 35 year olds around the globe, the decision has been taken to introduce the phones to select international markets.

"The regional availability of different Chocolate handsets reinforces LG's strategy of launching products that are targeted at specific markets," adds Jae Bae. "While Chocolate has gone on to be an international best-seller, the decision to launch across continents was only taken after intensive focus-group research to ensure local markets would be receptive. However, whether or not to launch all of these handsets or selection of the handsets will differ by each country based on each market needs."

"LG Electronics has 6 design centers worldwide including Seoul, Milan, Beijing, New Jersey, New Delhi and Tokyo which shows commitment to following a design led product development strategy with reference to consumer research to meet consumer needs of each region. While we will always develop cutting edge mobile technology, we also understand that buyers are changing their habits when it comes to choosing mobile phones. The Black Label Series gives LG a unique sales proposition both for mobile retailers and consumers, providing a highly-visible, extremely luxurious brand. Chocolate's success has been a clear validation of that strategy and the new handsets, along with other totally new Black Label launches, will help LG establish itself as the number one manufacturer of design-focused mobile phones worldwide."