If you're a Sprint subscriber and are looking for an alternative to Palm's Treo or Motorola's Q, the Samsung IP-830w could just be your new smartphone.

The IP-830w is Sprint's first Windows Mobile device that supports both CDMA and GSM. Yes, that's right, you can use the IP-830w in 160 countries outside of North America. It also supports the high-speed EV-DO network, for broadband-style data access on the move. The phone runs on Windows Mobile 5.0 AKU 2.6, which has enough in-built and aftermarket software to keep you both productive and amused. 

Almost identical to Samsung's i-730 for Verizon, the IP830w measures 2.29" by 4.59" by 0.96", weighs in at 6.4 oz, and is equipped with slide-out QWERTY keyboard. Overall, the design is not too bad; I like the dark metallic blue case with its silver detailing, but the ugly antenna is a throwback that's out of place compared to its latest competitors. It feels solid in the hand and fits nicely when it's closed. Once you slide out the (small and hard-to-type on) QWERTY keyboard, though, the phone falls off-balance, becoming tricky to operate with just one hand. I don't recommend trying to do everything via the touch screen, either. There's a stylus that stows neatly inside the phone's body, but you end up having to use both hands. The big, vivid 17² by 2.27² TFT boasts 240x320 resolution and 64k colors, making it easy to browse the web, but like so many smart phones it gets difficult to see when you're out in the sun.

Making calls is easy, the reception is decent and sound quality is good as a phone. Unfortunately, the same can't be said for the speaker phone and when using the stereo headset, thanks to crackles and artefacts in the sound. Dedicated keys on the side of the handset make it easy to adjust in-call volume, and I also like the voice note key that lets you record a conversation. Useful if you're on an important call or are being given directions. The phone can manage up to 3.4 hours continuous talk time as standard, and with the included extended battery that gets boosted up to 5.5 hours.