I run the worlds Biggest 3G Forum so I know alot of general info on phones. Im in the UK, so not really sure whats available in the US, but looking at the cingular website (by typing in a new orleans zip code, which is where your from according to your account) there is quite a range of choice.
If you give me some more info. I could help you a bit more. Are you looking for a 3G Phone (basically, if you dont know what this is, its basically the internet at 384kbps rather then the normal 48kbps that the normal phones have. 3G also allows video calls) or just a normal 2G Phone? Do you want a touch screen or standard? Is there a certain OS you would like, like Symbian or windows mobile? Also, do you care about cameras?
Personally, looking on the cingular website and what they offer, I have narrowed it down to 3 handsets taking an educated guess at what you should get.
Ok first is the Cingular 8525. This is a touchscreen windows mobile device, and is also 3G and even HSDPA (which is also known as super 3G, basically 1.8mb connection rather then the standard 384 3G one) and has wifi and a QWERTY keyboard. This is great if your going to be browsing the internet alot, and ive been using a WM phone and I loved it. Other things with this phone is it has a 2MP camera, a VGA video calling camera, and general phone things like bluetooth etc. This phone is also known as the HTC TYTN and here are some more specs for it:
http://www.gsmarena.com/htc_tytn-1659.php
Next is the Nokia E62. Here in the UK, its a 3G phone (called the E61 in the UK), but it looks like there in the US its not. It has built in wifi, Symbian 60 OS (which is personally my favorite) and has a QWERTY keyboard. This phone DOESNT have a touch screen and is the smallest out of my selection. However, it DOESNT have a camera built in. More specs here:
http://www.gsmarena.com/nokia_e62-1708.php
Last but not least is the Palm Treo 650. Ive never used or seen this phone, but ive heard its great. Dont really know much about it, expect that it has a QWERTY keyboard, a touch screen, and a camera (not a very good one, but still a camera). However, this DOESNT have wifi which is dissapointing.
Specs found here:
http://www.gsmarena.com/palm_treo_650-907.php
Here is the list I got the phones from:
http://www.cingular.com/cell-phone-service/cell-phones/pda-phones-smartphones.jsp?_requestid=16722
If you have any other phones in mind, let me know what they are, and I will give my opinion on them. Personally, if you dont mind about Size and would like a touchscreen, I would get the Cingular 8525 (also if you dont have a small budget to stick to).
Let me know what you think of these phones above
. If there is anything else I can do to help, or any questions to answer, please ask.