Fashionable Cell Phones

Cell Phones as Fashion Accessories

Most people want a basic cell phone  to make calls, check voice mail, and maybe send a few text messages to friends. Others want a phone that does it all -- MP3 player,  camera,  streaming video, email access. Then there are the fashionistas willing to sacrifice some functionality for uniqueness of form -- a phone that stands out from the crowd.

There are many ways to make your phone look unique. There's the conventional method of simply changing the faceplate for something with a little more color or sparkle. You can also bling-out your phone with faux or real gemstones encrusted on the faceplate.

And then... there is design. If you want to make a statement every time you get a call, check out these MoMA-worthy phone.

The Motorola Line Up
MOTO RAZR (Motorola)  Although it's not a new design, the RAZR is still one of the most distinctive phones on the market. Super-sleek profile is a minimalists dream. Packed with features, including MPEG4 video playback, Bluetooth compatibility, a digital camera, and more. Now look for the Moto Razr V3i  that has a built-in iTunes music player. Available in a silver finish or in a soft black (to match your brand-new iPod nano. ) There is also a pink,  gold  (D&G), blue,  and red  (for AIDS awareness). Costs about $200, although some rebates may be available.	Motorola SLVR  Following behind the RAZR's footsteps, the SLVR has been tiptoeing about the cell phone scene for months now. The standout feature is it's size and design that include a big bright LCD screen and an etched touchpad. It's as sleek and stylin' as the RAZR but thinner and more stable and sturdy. Big benefits include the iTunes music player, Bluetooth compatibility, and GSM technology. The L2 is the only model in the line without a digital camera. Pink and black models available.	Motorola KRZR  It's a beauty with all its slimness and shiny façade (that attracts lots of fingerprints). Feels solid, as it is a little heavier and thicker than the RAZR. Despite its skinny design, it carries a fat price tag starting around $500. Notable features include a digital music player and digital camera (albeit with a measly 1.3MP) for stills and video.

Cutting Edge Cellphones by Nokia and Curitel
Nokia 5300 Xpress Music  This little number has just made its debut and it's red hot! This tri-band GSM phone slides up to a compact brick of power for blasting MP3s and for chatting with friends or for doing business. Slightly bulkier, but still lightweight and so much more powerful than you'd expect. Takes a 2GB SD memory card (only 5MB onboard storage), has a 1000 contacts in the directory (for names, email, company, title, nickname, and more), bluetooth compatibility, infrared port, PC syncing with USB port, support for push-to talk, and more. There's also a high resolution camera, 3.2 hours of talk time, and high-speed music upload time.	Nokia 7280  The Nokia 7280 is unique in design -- there is no other phone on the market that is even similar. This phone has no numbers -- instead it has an iPod-like wheel and button. Phone expands to make it a little easier to use during calls. Also includes a camera, but doesn't take video (only stills.) Bluetooth, FM radio, speakerphone, etc. Many high-end features, but costs around $400. Not the easiest phone to use, but definitely stands out in a crowd!	Curitel GA-400B Identity  A little phone with a big name. Not immediately as striking as the Nokia 7280, but has a subtle style all its own. Camera, web surfing capability, interchangeable faceplates that come with their own wallpaper and ringtones. The quirky shaped phone is bent and has the keypad at the top and the display at the bottom;small control pad may be difficult to get used to. Only available in some areas - check to see if it's available in yours.

Nokia's L'Amour Collection
Nokia 7380  An innovative fashion statement to complement your style and taste with iconic and slim design. Accentuated with leather, cloth, metal, and ceramic finishes for the ultimate in luxury. Intuitive Nokia Navi™ Spinner Glass mirror display with light-enhanced effects for touching up makeup before you make an entrance. Capture the pictures with a 2-megapixel camera Integrated music player for MP3/AAC/M4A formats. FM radio (requires stereo headset, sold separately). Bluetooth wireless technology. Standard Li-Ion Battery 700 mAh -- Digital Talk Time up to 3 hours. Digital Standby Time up to 10 days.	Nokia 7370  Swivel design, leather accents and etched metal surfaces result in an exquisite phone. Be inspired by the brilliance of its 262,144-color, 240 x 320 pixel display. 1.3 megapixel camera with 8x digital zoom and black and white special effects. Video ring tones and integrated 3D stereo speakers. Comes with high-speed mobile XHTML browsing for Internet access.