As the cell phone guy at PC Magazine, I go through about 100 phones a year. What's scary is how many phones I don't get to. I tend to review more expensive, flashy handsets, on the principle that people probably need more buying advice before they plunk down $200 than before they spend $20. (Also, flashy handsets make fun reads, even if you're not in the market for a new phone.)

But that means many phones go unloved and unexamined. This week, I've picked five - one from each major US carrier plus one phone with no carrier - and I'll give you a quick rundown of the pros and cons of each one. Sure, it's not a review, but it's better than nothing, right?

LG VX5200 (Verizon)
Lowest price: $49.99 after mail-in rebate

Key features: Flip phone, VGA camera with 32 MB of memory, speaker-independent voice dialing, speakerphone, dual color screens.

Pros: LG phones on Verizon have a reputation for quality. Great price for the features you get. Plenty of memory for photos.

Cons: Screen will seem dimmer than on phones like the LG VX6100. No V CAST, though I'm not sure that's really a "con."

Summary: A midrange Verizon flip phone with a great price and an impressive feature set for non-techies.

Would I recommend it if asked offhandedly at a cocktail party? Sure. I've personally carried Verizon LG phones for years now, and I find them well-balanced, reliable handsets. Our readers also chose LG as their favorite brand on Verizon.

Find more information at: Phonescoop, MobileBurn

Check GearLog.com tomorrow for the next phone we won't review.