Nextel MOTO Buzz™ ic502 (Silver) by Motorola (Sprint - Nextel)

Calls and speakerphone/push-to-talk (PTT): Overall, calls were loud and clear on this cell phone, though we still had to use the side keys to lower the volume occasionally. Call quality was particularly good when we placed three-way calls. We also appreciated that two people can talk and be heard on this phone simultaneously. Additionally, speakerphone quality was just as impressive. We particularly appreciated the dedicated key for activating the feature.

As for PTT, audio quality was excellent. Fellow walkie-talkie users sounded great at just about any volume, and they said the same for us. However, we should note that the final part of our last word got caught off. For example, though we kept saying “out” (as in "over and out") at the end of our transmission, the person on the other end of the line thought we were saying “ow” (as in "ouch"). But, hey, isn’t this what the game of telephone is all about?

Menu/phone book: We found using the cell phone extremely easy. Everything is straightforward, and you won’t spend a lot of time trying to figure out how to do anything on this cell phone. All the extras are located under Tools (that’s the icon in the lower-left corner of the Menu screen). There aren’t too many: just an alarm clock, a world clock, a calculator, and a calendar. Entering contacts is just as easy. You can enter 5 numbers for each, plus a walkie-talkie contact, an e-mail address, a note, and a Web site; you can also set reminders. The Motorola ic502 also supports GPS services; you can add the TeleNav application for an extra monthly fee to get turn-by-turn directions.

Push-to-Talk: The ic502 is a hybrid phone, and let’s take a moment to explain what that means. To send/receive calls and surf the wireless Web, the cell phone uses the Sprint Nextel network. When the push-to-talk walkie-talkie-like feature is activated, the phone uses the Nextel radio network. This is the Nextel push-to-talk feature that’s always been around. Now, there are other cell phones that boast a push-to-talk feature, but they use the carrier’s data networks to make the connection; if you’re in an area where you don’t have any service, you can’t place the call. If, however, you want to contact another person using a Nextel phone, you can still connect. Essentially, this cell phone gives you the best of both worlds.

The feature is easy enough to use. You just need the push-to-talk code of the person you want to call (you can also store this info in the separate walkie-talkie address book), then press Send. Once the person answers, you push the large side button with raised dots on it (very walkie-talkie-like) to speak, then release it when you want to hear a response. Since this is basically a walkie-talkie on steroids (that is, you can connect with people across the country, not just locally), two people can’t speak simultaneously. Your finger has to come off the button if you want to hear the person on the other end.

Look and feel: Nextel cell phones aren’t known to be particularly attractive. Though there have been a few downright gorgeous models, this cell phone isn’t one of those famed beauties. However, the ic502 isn’t the ugly duckling either. The smooth, rubberized black casing makes it quite durable, surviving many drops onto all types of floor surfaces. We particularly like the pear-shaped silhouette, which made it extremely comfortable to hold and use as a walkie-talkie. Since there aren’t a lot of features on this cell phone, the sides aren’t littered with too many buttons. We particularly like the speakerphone button located on the top.

The external display is monochrome, so don’t expect anything too exciting, but it does a good job of showing basic information, such as service, time, caller ID, battery life, and alerts. Just press the walkie-talkie button to light the external display. Additionally, the internal display isn’t all that sharp or rich in color. However, it’s easy to view in all lighting conditions.

Keypad: The keypad is where the cell phone’s design really stands out. The blue-backlit keys are highly tactile, well spaced, and easy to dial in the dark. We also like the minimalism of the top half of the keypad. All the buttons have a purpose, and the two extra buttons are dedicated to features that ultimately make the cell phone easier to use: Web and Back.

This is one area where the Motorola ic502 disappointed us. On average, we needed to charge the cell phone every two days when using it regularly to make calls and send/receive text messages. But when we made two to three 10-minute calls a day with light texting, the Motorola ic502 lasted only three to four days before needing a recharge. However, you do get plenty of notice when the cell phone’s battery is almost depleted, since the phone beeps about every 10 minutes until it's drained of all juice. The good news is that you can connect your cell phone to a Motorola mini-USB-to-USB cable with a PC and recharge the phone that way.