T Mobile Sidekick: Great Features for Less

I'm in the market for a new cell phone, so I've been spending the past few days reviewing different phones and service plans. The iPhone was one of the first models I checked out, because everyone and his brother seems to have one. But while this is indeed a beautiful device, I simply couldn't justify paying all that money for it -- especially now that other manufacturers are offering handsets with comparable features at a fraction of the cost. One of the iPhone competitors that really stands out is the T Mobile Sidekick.

The T Mobile Sidekick has been around for a few years, and it seems to get better and better with each new release. The current model is called the LX, and from what I've read, does everything that you could possible want from a cell phone. For instance, one of the things that Apple lovers like to brag about is the availability of applications ("apps") that make their handsets more useful or fun. Apps run the gamut from blogging platforms to calculators, day planners, and games, all of which expand the phone's capabilities. Well, the T Mobile Sidekick can also accommodate many of the most popular social networking apps, including Facebook, MySpace, and Twitter, so you can always instantly alert your friends to whatever you're doing.

The T Mobile Sidekick also comes with other must-have features such as a full web browser; e-mail, text messaging, and instant messaging capabilities; video recording; a 3.2 megapixel camera; and GPS. You can even "tag" your photos with GPS coordinates that show exactly where you were when you snapped the picture! And of course the T Mobile Sidekick comes with a full QWERTY keyboard to all communication easier.

The more I read about this phone, the more I want to buy it. I've been looking around online for the best deals, and have come across some promising offers. For example, some places are offering a free T Mobile Sidekick with a new plan. That's something I've never seen for the iPhone! Other places are offering instant discounts on the handset, or are throwing in free accessories and gear with each purchase. Since my current service contract is set to expire in a few short weeks, I have lots of flexibility in terms of getting a new phone. In fact, I think my best bet would be to wait until the expiration date and then get a free T Mobile Sidekick LX from one of these online stores.

For those of you who have tons of money to burn, I can understand why you'd be attracted to the iPhone or Blackberry Bold. But anyone wanting to get all the best features in a more affordable package would be wise to check out the T Mobile Sidekick first.