The best thing about the Sanyo SCP4500 are the buttons -- many people underestimate the power of buttons, but the Sanyo's buttons are great. Add to that: some really good sound, a good mid-range price if you throw in a $50 coupon (Amazon) or a service reimbursement from Sprint, a neat speaker phone option, and a good, bright Indiglo-style display -- it's a phone I highly recommend. For those of you considering the less expensive Touchpoint 1100, having used it a lot, I recommend the Sanyo instead unless you really need the smaller flip-phone size.

Buttons/Interface: Very intuitive, whenever you make a call, the screen has further details on how you can switch to speaker phone, mute or three-way call - this is in contrast to many other phones out there who leave you high and dry without giving you access to carrier features. The 4-way pad in the center of the phone is quite useful for navigation and a lot easier than other phones that have them on the left of the phone. The Keyguard is easy to access by using the pad as well (and keyguard is essential for this non-flip phone).

Size: A little on the big side perhaps (this is no Qualcomm brick, but be prepared for something that looks more like a Nokia from a year ago), but I think the battery life and screen size advantages are more than worth the tradeoff.

Screen: Good-looking Indiglo backlight, 5 line screen that's really easy to read (writing is pretty big). My one complaint here is that I wish it were easier (I'm not sure you can, if so I haven't figured it out) to change the font on the phone, but it doesn't appear to be possible. The 5-line screen makes reading text on Wireless Web pretty easy, though it's not quite as good as the new thin Sanyo is / will be, will definitely suffice for the next year at least.

Battery life: The real winner here -- I've left this phone on for days on end without noticeable drain. Has the longest standard battery life of any phone I've used.

Web/typing: Comes equipped with Tegic T-9, so typing in words in wireless web/messaging applications is really easy. The phone's resolution is perfect for the current bevy of WAP sites you'll find right now.

Overall, I highly recommend this phone.


Recommended: Yes

Amount Paid (US$): 149