Slider Cell Phones and Smartphones

All About Slider Cell Phones and Smartphones

The right phone should fit you like a glove, and that's what slider phones do so well. These phones slide open and shut as needed to make or answer calls, send texts, and surf the web. If you'd like a compact phone with physical buttons, browse eBay to find your next phone.

In addition to physical buttons on a sliding panel, here are some features to look for in a slider phone before making your final selection:

• QWERTY Keyboard: If you need to type long emails or send texts, having a QWERTY keyboard can make life easier. A QWERTY layout means that this device has a fully functional, miniature, slide-out keyboard. Slider phone models with full QWERTY keyboards include the LG Extrovert and the Samsung Gravity.
• Touchscreen Android Smartphones: In addition to QWERTY keyboards, many slider Android smartphone models also come with interactive screens. With the keyboard shut, you can use the screen to interact with Android apps. Models with interactive screens include the Samsung Reality and the LG Enact.
• Basic slider cell phone: In addition to smartphones, you will also find basic models with slide technology built in. Models of this type include the Samsung SGH A77.
• Camera: Due to their compact size, slider phones can be great for taking selfies and other quick pictures. Most smart devices come with front and rear cameras. If you'd like to take high-quality pictures, keep an eye out for how many megapixels (MP) the cameras have. Higher MP numbers mean more detailed pictures.
• Battery Life: Battery life is often quite important, so take note of this feature, especially for long hikes or plane trips. Many phone manufacturers, such as LG and Samsung, also allow you to remove and replace batteries on the go.

Most nationwide networks, like T-Mobile and Verizon, allow you to bring your own mobile device. All you need to do is find a slide-type model you like and make sure it's unlocked to use on your network. Here are the three common channels to look for, depending on your coverage area and nationwide provider.

• GSM: AT&T, T-Mobile, and Cellular One use this technology. This means that you can bring a GSM unlocked phone to these plans. In addition, these networks also offer phones specifically for their plan, such as T-Mobile's Alcatec Sparq.
• CDMA: Sprint and Verizon use CDMA, which means you can bring phones that use CDMA to these plans.
• LTE: In addition to GSM and CDMA, providers also use LTE high-speed wireless and data, although Verizon also uses LTE for voice in some areas. LTE unlocked phones give access to high-speed coverage.

Some of the common models of slider phones are available in colors such as black, blue, gold, gray, pink, red, silver, and white.

Also known as slide up our slide out phones, this mobile device comes with function buttons on a drawer-like hinge. Sliding this drawer out turns the phone on and lets you answer calls.