HTC Merge

“The HTC Merge adds some real heft to U.S. Cellular's lineup, and not just because it's a weighty device. It's a real world phone that works on CDMA networks in the U.S. and accepts prepaid SIM cards overseas. It's essentially a clone of the HTC EVO Shift 4G over on Sprint, except with GSM instead of WiMAX and with a slightly smoother and more polished-looking design. Even if you don't need a world phone, the Merge's quality keyboard and good performance may still win you over. It's our Editors' Choice for smartphones with a physical keyboard on U.S. Cellular.”

“Boiling it down: The HTC Merge just feels like a great phone. We use the word solid a lot in regards to HTC devices, and we're going to do so again with the Merge. It's just solid. The slider mechanism on the keyboard is perfect -- not too stiff, not too light. The keyboard is among the best we've used. The phone is powerful enough to do most of what you're likely to be doing.The Merge is not (yet) a hacker's delight. You can attain temporary root via Visionary, but don't expect the Merge to get the attention of the other devices out there. So who's going to be buying an HTC Merge? If you're in US Cellular's coverage area, it's almost a no-brainer at $149 on contract, especially if you're looking for a phone with a physical keyboard. Having global GSM access is just icing on the cake.We've said it a few times throughout this review: The HTC Merge really isn't top of the line anymore. And some would argue that even when it looked like it was going to launch in the fall of 2010, it already was slipping behind. And you know what? We're perfectly OK with that. Not everybody needs the bleeding edge. And yesterday's HTC technology is a slight shade better than some manufacturers' builds from today.”

“The Merge is a fine smartphone, but it doesn't stand out in terms of features or value. It certainly isn't as exciting as some of HTC's other offerings, and there are some disappointments, such as the older version of the Sense interface, the flattish keyboard, and the weight and bulk. Still, there's little that's out-and-out wrong with it. We wouldn't recommend switching to U.S. Cellular just to get the Merge, but if you're already a subscriber (and a frequent globe-trotter), it's a decent choice and one of the best on the carrier's roster.”