The best feature phones list compiled below, is for those who need a handset strictly for the most basic attributes and who surf the net occasionally. There’s no denying the fact that smartphones are much more efficient and let you stay productive at all times. But, not everyone needs a smartphone and shelling out an insane amount of money for a device that you cannot make the most of, doesn’t really make sense. On the other hand, a feature phone not only offers access to the internet, but also saves you from paying for all those data plans that are mandatory for smartphones. So now if you have decided to go for a feature-rich device instead, let us help you choose one.
1 – Pantech Renue AT&T:
Environment-conscious people who are looking for a rugged phone that goes easy on their pocket, should consider the AT&T Pantech Renue. Constructed from 67 percent recycled material, this device resists sand, dust, extreme temperatures and humidity. Additionally, it has been fitted with a 3.2-inch capacitive touchscreen as well as a full QWERTY keyboard to facilitate on-the-go messaging. The handset is powered by the Brew platform and employs a 3MP camera.
Price: $69.99 (with a two-year contract)
2 – Samsung Gusto 2 Verizon:
The touchscreen and the full QWERTY keyboard may be the ‘in’ thing in the mobile segment, but if you still prefer those good old flip phones, the Samsung Gusto 2 will definitely catch your fancy. A 2-inch display and a numeric keypad greet you as soon as you open the flap and it tells you the contact information when you receive a call or a text message.
Another useful attribute of this device is ‘fake call’ that should come in handy to bail yourself out from awkward social situations. You can even expect a 1.3MP camera.
Price: $79.99 (with a two-year contract)
3 – Samsung Intensity III Verizon:
This alternative on our assortment of feature phones offers the best of both worlds as it not only comes with a numeric keypad, but also a physical QWERTY keyboard. It utilizes 80 percent post-consumer material and is sturdy enough to withstand dust, shocks, humidity, varying temperatures, altitude and more.
Running the Brew platform, this Bluetooth-enabled device can also be employed for the purpose of clicking pictures and recording videos with the assistance of its 2MP camera.
Price: $79.99 (with a two-year contract)
4 – LG Extravert Verizon:
Another device meant for texting-buffs is the LG Extravert that has been outfitted with a slide-out QWERTY keyboard, apart from a 2.8-inch WQVGA touchscreen. Its Favorites shortcut key offers instant access to 10 contacts and the homescreen can be customized with as many as 15 widgets for directly launching frequently used applications.
Complete with an A/V player and built-in Bluetooth, the device is armed with a 2MP camera.
Price: $79 (with a two-year contract)
5 – Nokia Asha 311:
Now here’s a touchscreen phone that borrows functions from a smartphone, but does not require you to burn a huge hole in your pocket. This Nokia OS-based device runs the Series 40 platform and a 1GHz processor should allow you to multitask as well as play some really demanding games that are complimentary with the Asha range.
Its 3.5-inch LCD touchscreen reinforced with Corning Gorilla Glass can even recognize gestures like swipe, pinch and pull. The Wi-Fi- and 3G-enabled handset is equipped with a 3.2MP camera as well.
Price: €92
6 – Pantech Link II AT&T:
If you are a fan of physical keypads, we have one more option for you in our queue of the best feature phones in the form of Pantech Link II. This candy bar phone’s 2.4-inch display shares the front panel with a full QWERTY keypad, while a 2MP camera lays claim on the flip side. The Bluetooth-certified device keeps you entertained with its built-in music player and permits you to access the internet using the web browser.
Price: Free (with a two-year contract)
7 – Motorola Gleam+:
The makers of this device are certainly not wrong in saying that great design never goes out of fashion. This precisely is the reason why we have another clamshell device on this list.
The extremely stylish handset encased in a sleek form factor drenched in shades of silver and white, flaunts dual screens – a matrix display with 144 LEDs and a 2.8-inch WQVGA screen of 400 x 240p resolution. It tags along a 2MP camera as well as a WAP 2.0 browser.
Price: £69.50
8 – Alcatel One Touch Premiere U.S. Cellular:
And now we have a bar QWERTY phone that has been outfitted with a 2.8-inch capacitive touchscreen in addition to a physical keyboard, both of which rest on the front panel of the device. A 2MP camera complete with video recording capability and a built-in LED flash, is accompanied by an expansion slot for a microSD card. It has been pre-installed with an HTML browser and extends support to the carrier’s 3G network.
Price: $29.99 (with a two-year contract)
9 – Kyocera DuraCore Sprint:
The Kyocera DuraCore, an extremely rugged smartphone that takes advantage of Sprint Direct Connect, is the next alternative on our list of feature phones. It meets Military Standard 810G demands for resistance against dust, vibration and shocks in case of accidental drops.
The 3G-enabled device features a web browser for access to your favorite websites. It operates with the help of the Java Brew platform and draws power from a 1360mAh battery.
Price: $49.99 (with a two-year contract)
10 – Nokia Asha 302:
The Nokia Asha 302 comes across as the perfect replacement for a smartphone. It can not only connect to available Wi-Fi hotspots, but also extend support to the 3.5G technology. This customizable device adopts the candy bar form factor and is already installed with applications like Facebook and WhatsApp.
It flaunts a 2.4-inch LCD transmissive screen, a full physical QWERTY keypad and a 3.2MP camera.
Price: £69.95
11 – Samsung Freeform 4 U.S. Cellular:
Yet another candy bar QWERTY phone to have graced our catalog is the Samsung Freeform 4 that features a physical keypad to facilitate typing on the move. Besides the keyboard, its front panel accommodates a 2.4-inch QVGA display, while the flip side sports a 2MP camera which can even record videos.
And that’s not all. Voice activated dialing, in-built music player and web browser, one-touch speakerphone and access to social networking websites are just some of the other attributes.
Price: $0.01 (with a two-year contract)
12 – Samsung M370 Sprint:
Much like its counterpart the Gusto 2, the M370 here is a flip phone as well. Compatible with 3G, it runs the Brew mobile platform and is fueled by a Qualcomm QSC6055 processor and 128MB RAM.
It brings along a 1.3MP camera and a 1000mAh battery that can cough up the juice for talk time of about 5.4 hours. The lightweight device offers a viewing real estate of 2.4 inches.
Price: Free (with a two-year contract)
Conclusion:
One thing is pretty clear from this lineup of the best feature phones. Although these aren’t as high-end as smartphones, they can still perform most of the common functions such as gaming, video recording and social networking. And you can choose from the various form factors including clamshell, candy bar, touchscreen or touchscreen with slide-out QWERTY keypad. So as soon as you make up your mind regarding the device you wish to purchase, drop in a comment to let us know which one you picked.
