A nice feature of the SMT5800 is that a quick tap on the on/off button brings up a handy menu for changing the ringer volume or locking the device. It's also a hardy, rugged little unit that feels less vulnerable, despite its smaller size, than the XV6800.


 Back of SMT5800, Keyboard Exposed

Perhaps because it's smaller or maybe because of the way the slider is designed, the SMT5800's keyboard slips out more readily and more quickly than the XV6800's, meaning on the littler one slight hand movements can accidently start the keyboard slide, which automatically shifts the display to horizontal. While you want that shift when you're really using the keyboard, it can be a distraction if you didn't mean to execute a slide.

Both units come with a charger, a carrying sleeve, a USB cable, the battery, and a USB splitter to allow charging and earpiece use simultaneously. The XV6800 also comes with a spare stylus. Both run on Windows Mobile 6.0 and should get Windows Mobile 6.1 upgrades eventually.


Back of XV6800, keyboard Exposed

Such high functionality in both smartphones corresponds with quick battery drains and charging proved somewhat inconsistent. The SMT5800 on a full charge could be relied upon for six hours, sometimes it lasted longer but not always.

The XV6800 lasted longer, seeming to be reliable for 12 hours, though in both cases we weren't streaming video or doing intense web surfing. The SMT5800 didn't always hold a full charge after several hours plugged in, which may have been due to a faulty charger rather than the device itself, though we can't conclusively say.

Overall, the bigger XV6800 would be more appropriate for people relying on e-mail, accessing the Web, document viewing and photo functions, while the smaller SMT5800 would be preferable to those who expect to use their smartphone's phone features more intensely.