It's been so long since we've reviewed a Nextel cell phone (the last was the Motorola i580 in July 2006) that we almost forgot they existed. In the wake of the 2005 Next/Sprint merger, the carrier announced it was phasing out iDEN-only models in favor of dual-mode handsets like the Motorola ic902 and ic502. But with its new Motorola i335, iDEN is back. Sporting Nextel markings only (you won't find "Sprint" anywhere on the handset or its packaging), the i335 combines traditional Nextel design with a dose of modern style. Its candy bar body is tough and durable, but the i335 is the thinnest Nextel handset to date. It lacks a camera, but of course it offers Nextel's standard array of push-to-talk (PTT) services. The i335 will put a crimp in your wallet if you pay full price ($249), but you can get it for as low as $49.99 with service if you buy it online. To find accessories for this phone, see our cell phone ringtones and accessories guide.
Design
Nextel loyalists will be pleased to know that the Motorola i335 has everything they've come to love in cell phone design. The sturdy candy bar model looks like it could take quite a beating, and the interface, while far from flashy, is functional and reliable. But as we mentioned earlier, the i335 is the first Nextel phone to make a play for the thin handset trend. At 4.7 inches by 1.8 inches by 0.5 inch, it sheds much of the bulk that plagued the carrier's earlier models though it remains slightly heavy at 3.7 ounces. The design succeeds not because it's fashionable, but rather because it's simple and practical. Clad in black with a few silver touches, it's unassuming as well.
Design
Nextel loyalists will be pleased to know that the Motorola i335 has everything they've come to love in cell phone design. The sturdy candy bar model looks like it could take quite a beating, and the interface, while far from flashy, is functional and reliable. But as we mentioned earlier, the i335 is the first Nextel phone to make a play for the thin handset trend. At 4.7 inches by 1.8 inches by 0.5 inch, it sheds much of the bulk that plagued the carrier's earlier models though it remains slightly heavy at 3.7 ounces. The design succeeds not because it's fashionable, but rather because it's simple and practical. Clad in black with a few silver touches, it's unassuming as well.
