Sprint PCS Touchpoint TP1100 Phone (Sprint)

• Web enabled
• External electro-luminescent display screen
• Text-messaging capability
• Full PIM functions
• Up to 2.5 hours' digital talk time and 135 of digital standby time; includes Lithium-ion battery and desktop charger

The single-band 1,900 MHz CDMA TP1100 measures 1 by 3.4 by 1.9 inches and weighs only 4.2 ounces. Its glittering silver case and flip housing showed no wear from demanding everyday use. Its external display screen, which displays the date, time, signal strength, and available battery power, enhanced the phone's striking physical design. If your service plan includes caller ID, the screen will also show you who's calling before you even open the phone to answer a call. Volume controls and an integrated headset jack dot the left-hand side of the phone, and the retractable antenna extends 2 inches for enhanced call reception.

A bright, seven-line screen (six lines of text and one line of status indicators) makes it easy to read e-mail, enter phone book information, and work on the Web. The keypad, with its raised rubberized buttons, is well designed and nicely spaced. We had no trouble operating the phone with one hand, whether scrolling through our inbox or setting any one of the 17 available ringer options.

We were also impressed with the TP1100's four-way directional key, which allows you to shuttle quickly through call logs, phone book entries, and other menu selections.

The TP1100's menu selections should serve almost anyone's needs. Scrolling down through the menu reveals the following options: Call History (10-number outgoing, incoming and missed-call logs), Messages, Phone Book, Calendar, Wireless Web, Sounds (to set alerts and ringer types), Display, Security, Setup (to customize roaming modes, any-key answer, Web guard, and other features), Calculator, and Games (Puzzle and an addictive version of Blackjack).

The Web browser accesses popular Web sites as well as the latest news, financial, sports, weather, and entertainment updates. (We also placed a CD into our Amazon.com shopping cart in a matter of minutes, without frustration.) You can train the phone to recognize voice-activated numbers. We had no trouble setting up voice tags, and used easy voice commands to manage our calendar and other PIM functions.

With its event calendar, calculator, and series of different alarms, the TP1100 can double as a basic PDA. Other baseline features include a T9 predictive keypad, scratch-pad memory, text-messaging capabilities, built-in vibrating-ringer alert, call timers, and 99 speed-dial locations with nine one-touch slots. It's worth noting that the phone book can hold 199 contacts, and each entry can store up to five numbers per name. The TP1100 also supports carrier-dependent features such as caller ID, call forwarding, and three-way calling. If you purchase a data cable, you can synch the TP1100 with a PC or PDA and import your computer's address book to the phone, or transfer your faxes and text messages from the phone to your computer.

The lithium-ion battery is rated for 150 minutes of talk time and 135 hours of standby time. In our testing, the TP1100 held a call for 145 minutes, while it lasted for just under six days (142 hours)in standby mode.

The TP1100 is one of the handsomest phones around and is designed to handle most business and personal needs. Although the inherent limitations of a single-band phone makes us cringe, the reliability of Sprint PCS's digital network allows us to recommend the TP1100 without reservation. --Thom Arno

Pros:

• External screen
• Web enabled
• Excellent design, tiny case
• 7-line screen

Cons:

• Single-band only

How We Tested Battery Talk/Standby Time

When reading our reviews, you should view the test results of mobile-phone battery talk time and standby time as relative information only. Many variables, including carrier signal strength at your location, signal consistency (including incoming and outgoing calls), display and ringer settings, and battery charging methods and history, will affect performance. When handset manufacturers and mobile phone carriers list talk-time and standby-time ratings, they usually include disclaimers about variable performance and often refer to the times they publish as maximum times. Some quote expected battery life ranges, and in this case you're probably safe to assume you'll experience at least the minimum rated range. Note that manufacturers of dual-mode digital and analog handsets publish battery-life rates for both digital and analog modes, as analog mode consumes much more power than digital mode.

Our Tests: We tested digital-mode talk and standby times with each phone. Prior to each test, we fully charged the phone's battery according to the manufacturer's directions. To test digital-phone talk time, we turned the phone on, established a digital carrier signal, dialed a number in our test lab, and, when the call rang through, took the receiving phone's handset off the hook. When all went well, we didn't do anything else except record the time when the phone died. In a couple of cases, the phones lost the signal and dropped the calls. If we were right there and could redial, we did so immediately and continued running the test. Otherwise, we halted the test, recharged the battery, and started the test over. Assuming consistent carrier-signal strength, this test should represent best-case talk time. And it's worth noting that several phones' talk-time performance significantly exceeded the manufacturers' ratings.

To test digital-phone standby time, we turned the phone on, established a carrier signal, and left the phone in standby mode. We checked the phone every few hours (for what was often days on end) until the phone finally cut out. Since no outgoing or incoming calls occurred during testing and because the phone was not moved, this method should represent best-case standby time, again assuming consistent carrier signal strength.