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In terms of performance and functionality, the Sanyo 4500 is arguably the best phone we have encountered. The sleek, well-designed 4500 has plenty of features, including voice-activated dialing and a voice memo recorder, that aren't available in most premium phone models. Out of the box, we were impressed with its sleek, robust construction, alluring silver finish, and intuitive controls. The 4500 also boasts dual-band/dual-mode electronics, unsurpassed talk and standby times, and sophisticated functionality including Web access, e-mail and two-way SMS capabilities. At 5.3 (H) by 1.7 (W) by 1.1 (D) inches and weighing just 5 ounces, the 4500 is sturdy and a bit trimmer than its competitors. We could easily operate the side-mounted volume controls while on a call, and we effortlessly placed calls and navigated the Web with one hand. The headphone jack, located just above the volume controls, allowed us to hook up a hands-free kit and stash the 4500 in our pocket while we conducted conversations. We aren't fans of retractable antennas--as they are prone to damage--but we used the 4500 for several weeks without any complaints or breakage. And while the 4500 doesn't have an infrared modem, you can sync it with your computer using a standard data cable connection kit. The six-line screen (five text lines, one icon line) and blue backlit display allow for seamless navigation through the 4500's bountiful menu selections. Using the four-way navigational button, you can peg through the following menu selections: Call History, Messages, Phonebook, Roaming (where you can activate a safeguard against placing or receiving accidental roaming calls), Wireless Web, Calendar, Environment (so you can match the phone's alerts to your surroundings), Sounds, Display (enter your own personal greeting or adjust screen settings), Security, Setup, Special (access to the calculator and two weird games--Crab Catch and Slot Machine), Voice Service, and Keyguard. One caveat: The games, especially Slot Machine, gulp battery life. Fortunately, a travel charger, which fully rejuiced our sample model in about 45 minutes, is included. The 4500's design is rounded out by a well-spaced keypad, OK and CLR buttons for menu prompts, Talk and End buttons to place and end calls, a lavender Speaker button (for voice-activated calls), and a speaker located on the back of the phone. Hands down, the voice-activated features are the heart of this phone. It was a cinch to set up voice tags and establish a list of 30 friends and associates we could call with voice-activated dialing. While our sample 4500 handled single names better than full names, we never had trouble getting the phone to recognize first names. Once we set up voice tags, all we needed to do was press the Speaker button, say the name of the person we wanted to call, and the 4500 handled the rest. The voice memo recorder was just as useful. Instead of scrambling for Post-it notes or our PDA, we saved our to-do lists, important numbers, and reminders in the 4500's memory. An added bonus: when playing messages back, you have the option of listening to them over the earpiece or main speaker. You can even attach a voice ringer to any number in voice dial memory. This was a little tricky to figure out, but we never had to crack the owner's manual for assistance. And the minibrowser is just as functional and organized. The 4500 has quick access to all your favorite sites as well as news, weather, stock, and entertainment updates. Again, the phone's superb navigational controls made surfing the wireless Internet a joy, and we can't say that about all Web-enabled phones. One question that remains unanswered, though: Why do you have to go so far into the options to enter your own URL? Like most phones of its kind, the 4500 supports carrier-dependent features such as caller ID, call forwarding, three-way calling, and call forwarding. And, with its 300-name phone book and 200 SMS capacity, the 4500 further cemented its status as an ideal business communication tool. The phonebook also has labels for your different contacts. We tagged most of our phone book entries, whether they were our colleagues, friends' mobile or pager numbers, fax numbers, or roommates. Organizing short text messages was just as easy: We assigned a folder for each contact and stowed messages in their respective folders. Other baseline features include a T9 predictive keypad; eight speed-dial locations; 10-number incoming, outgoing, and missed call logs; built-in vibrating alert; and 10 different ringer selections, including voice alert, which announces the name of the person calling. With its event calendar, to-do list, calculator, and series of different alarms, the 4500 doubles as a PDA. And the phone has plenty of other noteworthy features to boot. If the 4500 is unable to find a carrier signal after 15 minutes of searching, a power-save feature is automatically activated. Press any key, and the phone starts to look for a signal again. For your own sanity, whenever the phone is in power-save mode a message is displayed on the screen. Also, if you dig in the phone book, you'll find direct lines to 411, roadside assistance, and account info. You also find a pause feature that enables you to successfully preprogram voice mail or credit card call numbers. The 4500 also offers advanced security features. You can lock both the phone itself (to prevent outgoing calls, except to emergency numbers) and the keypad (to prevent accidental calls if the phone is in your backpack), set different call restrictions, erase your call logs, or store numbers in a secret location. Furthermore, if your phone is lost or stolen, a special feature lets you erase personal information and lock the phone by sending a SMS message from your PC, PDA, or other device. The lithium-ion battery is rated for up to four hours of talk time and 288 hours of digital standby time. Our sample 4500 (outfitted with a Sprint PCS account) sipped battery power; it held a call for four hours and 15 minutes and it lasted over 12 days in standby mode. You read that correctly: our 4500 was left on for almost two weeks before the battery gave out. Whether you're a businessperson who needs a thorough mobile communications device or someone merely looking for a cool new phone for everyday use, the 4500 is ideal for people who aren't impressed by the norm. --Thom Arno Pros: Excellent functionality and style Voice-activated dialing Voice memo recorder Web enabled PIM functions Organized, intuitive menus Unparalleled battery performance Cons: Retractable antennas break easily Supports only two languages, English and Spanish 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 in formation only. Many variables, including carrier signal strength at your location, signal consistency (including incoming a nd outgoing calls), display and ringer settings, and battery charging methods and history, will affect performance. When han dset 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, a nd in this case you're probably safe to assume you'll experience at least the minimum rated range. Note that manufacturers o f dual-mode digital and analog handsets publish battery-life rates for both digital and analog modes, because analog mode co nsumes 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 ph one's battery according to the manufacturer's directions. To test digital phone talk time, we turned the phone on, establish ed a digital carrier signal, dialed a number in our test lab, and, when the call rang through, took the receiving phone's ha ndset off the hook. When all went well, we didn't do anything else except record the time when the phone died. In a couple o f cases, the phones lost the signal and dropped the calls. If we were right there and could redial, we did so immediately an d continued running the test. Otherwise, we halted the test, recharged the battery, and started the test over. Assuming cons istent carrier signal strength, this test should represent best-case talk time. And it's worth noting that several phones' t alk-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. Because no outgoing or incoming calls occurred during testing and because the phone was not moved, this method should represent best-case stand by time, again assuming consistent carrier signal strength. Overview Compatible with Sprint cell phone service, the Sanyo VM4500 features an Internet browser, integrated digital and video cameras, PCS Ready Link- and Vision-capability (a primary benefit of the phone), and more, all displayed on a large, 2.1-inch, high-resolution screen that supports 65,000 colors. The VM4500's clamshell design also provides a 1-inch external color screen for display of picture caller ID and the usual date, time, and status icons, all available to users before they even open the phone. Calling Features Used simply as a phone, the VM4500 features a 4-way scroll key for easy menu navigation and calling on its tri-band (world wide) network. Nifty, multi-color LEDs light up with each incoming call, and also double as the flash and video light for the camera and camcorder respectively. Primary calling features include voice-activated dialing, which allows users to speak a pre-saved name, number, or function and the phone will call it up automatically; as well as an integrated speakerphone, and PCS Ready Link capability, which lets users enjoy quick, walkie-talkie style communication with one or more PCS Ready Link users. (PCS Ready Link service is optional). There's also two internal phone books: a standard phone book that holds up to 300 entries (and seven phone numbers for each entry), plus up to 300 email and Web addresses; and a dedicated PCS Ready Link phone book (for service subscribers), which provides easy access to your PCS Ready Link contacts, up to 200 personal conta! cts, and up to 200 company-provided contacts. The VM4500 also includes eight "festive" 32-chord polyphonic ring tones, and it supports TTY functionality for the hearing impaired. Messaging and Internet As a PCS Vision phone (service optional), the VM4500 also provides PCS Business Connection, text-and-picture email, the previously mentioned PCS Ready Link, and basic text messaging, in addition to access to various games, ring tones, screen savers, and wireless Internet connectivity. PCS Business Connection lets users stay connected to multiple personal or company email accounts, including up to two Internet-based inboxes (such as Yahoo or Hotmail email accounts) and one corporate account (using Microsoft Outlook or Lotus Notes). It also includes access to calendar, directories, and attachments found in PC-based email accounts. Users can also send pictures--either taken with the built-in camera or downloaded from the Web--along with text and up to 10 seconds of voice recording, using the PCS Vision messaging service. This service also includes PCS Mail, PCS Short Mail, Wireless Chat and Messaging Fun games. The VM4500 is also compatible with GPS-based E911 emergency locatio! n service (where available). Fun and Games For fun, the VM4500 provides a 640x480 pixel resolution VGA camera, which features auto-focus and an excellent 4x optical zoom and 16x digital zoom capability. The video camera records 15-second clips and can play them back right on the phone's LCD screen. For night and indoor videos, the camcorder's video light provides extra illumination. Videos can be saved on the phone, stored online, or sent via text attachment to friends and colleagues. The VM4500 can also provide access to colorful, graphics-intensive online games, built using the Java 2 platform Micro Edition (J2ME). Downloadable ring tones include the standard pop music selections, as well as some show tunes and sound effects. For personalization, users can assign custom ring tones to specific numbers in the phone's address book. Vital Statistics The Sanyo VM4500's includes a 2.5 mm universal jack compatible with most hands-free headsets. The phone weighs 3.85 ounces and measures 3.60 x 1.85 x 1.07 inches. Notably, its Lithium Ion batteries are rated at only up to 3.25 hours talk time, and up to 10 days digital standby time, and 1.7 hours analog talk and 23 hours analog stand-by time. It supports voice and text prompts in English and Spanish.