Which Sprint PCS Cell Phones Get the Best Reception?

I've had cell phones since they first came on the seen in the late 1980s. I am an IT Director who loves gadgets and technology. I have tried all of the coolest new features that cell phones offer. However, at the end of the day, there are a few basic characteristics that a cell phone has to have that seem to get overlooked. The biggest being reception. I've tried all of the major carriers and can tell you that I use Sprint for my personal account even though I don't think it necessarily has the best network. I represent an organization that is one of Sprint's largest accounts (it may be the largest). We heavily use mobile technology and the services of all major carriers. Although I believe Verizon is the best managed network, I think Sprint gives you the best bang for the buck. However, that is subjective and subject to change so you should do your homework.

The basic features to me that are important in this order are:

1. Reception
2. Sound Quality
3. Battery Life
4. Speaker Phone Quality
5. Ability to Traverse Menus for Address Book & Call History

Internet browsing, mp3 capability, and streaming video are nice features, but, without the basic phone features being covered you always feel limited. I'm in a unique position that allows me to try any new piece of equipment. So, after having tried MANY cell phones here's my top pick up until today (June 9, 2006):

The Sanyo SPC-4900. Yes, you got it right, the 4900. Why? Simple; it has the best reception of any cell phone in the industry even today. Long after the SPC-4900 was discontinued, Sprint ordered their supplier in China to crank out several hundred thousand of these units which were provided to their business-class customers (i.e., those who could not afford to lose reception). I know this because of my relationship with Sprint PCS.

I was provided with one, and wow, I still use it today as my personal phone. Where all other phones get little or no reception, there's the 4900 with 4 bars of signal strength. Now, that's not to say that this is the perfect phone. It's not. I am not a fan of the bar phone although it does have it's highlights when stowed in a front pocket. Here's my rating of this phone:

5/5 Reception - second to none

4/5 Sound Quality - listening is fine, however, the shape of the bar causes the mic to be distanced from the mouth when speaking. Therefore, sound for the other party could be better.

5/5 Battery Life - second to none

1/5 Speaker Phone Quality - it would be fine, but, this is not a full-duplex unit as Sanyo claims. This means calls go in and out depending on who is trying to talk and the echo factor.

5/5 Ability to Traverse Menus for Address Book & Call History - Sanyo is tops in this area followed closely by Samsung.

Ok, so let's hear from you. If you can identify a cell phone that scores well in these areas, please share it with us and rate it in the five areas mentioned above. Provide your comments by cliking on the comments link below.