OUR PICK

Sony Ericsson W580i

Available from: AT&T

Price: $299, unlocked

Pros: The latest in the Walkman line so popular in Europe. Good sound quality, even without a headset. Built-in FM radio and pedometer. Uses GSM protocol and is available in unlocked form, so it travels well abroad. Can be had for less (with a contract) from AT&T.

Cons: Texting is a challenge; the tiny keyboard wasn't designed for human-sized fingers.

Buy this one if ... You want a high-quality dedicated music phone but have a separate smartphone for text-heavy tasks.

Samsung SLM

Available from: AT&T

Price: $150 (with two-year agreement and mail-in rebate)

Pros: Slim (0.5 inch thick). Simple to operate. Good battery life. The first cellphone to offer access to the five million songs on AT&T's new Napster Mobile music service.

Cons: The RAZR-like clamshell design is passé; the phone pales beside its flashier competitors.

Buy this one if ... You want a basic cellphone with excellent music selection but don't need the glitz and glamour.

Available from: Verizon Wireless

Price: $130 (with two-year agreement and rebate)

Pros: A stylish slider with a flashy touchpad that lights up and vibrates when pressed (a good thing, trust us). Can surf the Web and display videos through Verizon's fast 3G network; has access to the two million songs on the carrier's V CAST music service.

Cons: Touchpad and navigation wheel take some getting used to.

Buy this one if... You want a good-looking phone and don't mind the learning curve.