I need a new cell phone, as my current flip phone has a cracked front display, and the inner display is not in good shape either. Problem: I'm cheap, and I have to stick to the phones offered as part of the corporate plan, since this is not exclusively for personal use. Luckily, I do qualify for the corporate upgrade program, which means significantly reduced costs.

My requirements are simple: I want a phone much like the Samsung flip-phone A500 I have now (camera, video, bluetooth, MP3 player and expandable microSD slot). However, I want a few upgrades: 2.0 MegaPix camera, and it has to handle 8 GB in the micro SD slot. And oh yes, I'm not willing to pay much for it. And it must be a flip phone, and I do NOT want a crackberry -- although if the new flip pearl was offered, then I would be tempted.

There are two phones I can find that meet my requirements: The Samsung Cleo, and the LG Reveal. They are reasonably priced flip phones, they have the 2.0 MP camera, bluetooth, MP3, video, and they support up to 8 GB on the micro SD. As a bonus, they both sport a full Querty keyboard, and the Cleo even has a touch screen!

Now, here's the rub: I'm a guy. The Cleo and the Reveal are Chick phones. They're both designed to look like a compact! Arrrgggghhhhh!

Now the Reveal has a model in dark sleet grey that one could argue is gender neutral. But it just feels too much like the whole "man purse" thing.