Nextel i30sx Cell Phone

The i30sx phone from Motorola - with so many functions, it does a lot more than just look good. Like many Nextel Motorola mobiles, the i30sx is not the most aesthetically pleasing model, but it offers a strong feature set that will appeal to users who care more about the steak than the sizzle. Although this phones performance can be a tad spotty, it is tough to ignore all that you get for your money.

At 5.1 by 1.9 by 1.2 inches and 5.4 ounces, the i30sx is a bit bulky for a shirt pocket but not too obtrusive in a jacket. Though the black-and-gray phone sports a rather industrial look out of the box, you can swap in different colored faceplates.

One design element that we particularly like is the mini joystick that sits above the keypad. This control provides easy menu navigation on the crisp, five-line LCD, as well as one-push access to menus and a list of recent calls. We found the joystick easier to use than the typical wide, flat navigation button that you find on most phones.

The i30sx includes a 250-entry address book, call waiting, three-way calling, wireless Web access, different ring tones, two-way SMS, and text messaging. The phone also uses a SIM card, which lets you transfer your address book and your Nextel ID among different phones. It is also worth noting that Nextel includes a free online account that you can use to house calendar and address-book information. Up to 500 contacts can be stored online (you can import an Outlook database but not sync with it), 250 of which can then be selected for wireless storage in the phone at a given moment through the Nextel network. If you sign up for Nextel Online Plus service, you can access your office e-mail.

Additionally, the i30sx features the companys Direct Connect two-way-radio feature with built-in speakerphone, which allows you to use the mobile as a walkie-talkie and communicate with a designated group of Nextel users--for example, coworkers or family members--in your home market. As with all Nextel phones, the i30sx has two lines, so you can set one for business use and one for personal calls.

As for accessories, you can connect the i30sx to a PC via a separately purchased USB or serial cable. Unlike Motorolas i60c, the i30sx does not have a built-in speakerphone or a vibrate ring tone. You can, however, download the speakerphone feature from Nextels Web site for an additional fee.