The Sidekick smartphone has long been popular among younger users, due to its nifty flip screen, rapid-fire QWERTY keyboard, and strong emphasis on wireless email and instant messaging.

This latest model is noticeably smaller than its predecessor, the Sidekick 2, but it is slightly heavier than you’d expect, at 6.7-ounces. The keyboard has been re-designed with hard plastic keys, making it faster and more responsive, while a much looser 360-degree trackball makes navigation dramatically easier.

As a cell phone, the Sidekick 3 makes significant strides over previous models, featuring less echo, better reception, and stronger volume. The addition of EDGE wireless internet technology, meanwhile, allows it to surf the web at twice the speed of previous models, and a the new Bluetooth 1.2 feature enables the use of numerous nifty accessories.

One area in which the Sidekick still can’t match the competition, however, is with its built-in digital camera. The 1.3-megapixel resolution is an improvement, making bright shots look somewhat better, but dimly lit photos still look as grainy as ever.

User of the new device will likely be pleasantly surprised, however, when they try out the built-in MP3 player. It features good sound quality, easy shortcut keys, the ability to organize songs by several different data types.

Although not hugely different from its predecessors, there’s no doubt that the Sidekick 3 has a number of enviable new features, making it one of the better devices in its category. Mainly targeted towards the mid-20s consumer demographic, this is a good choice for the less business-centric user who still wants a smartphone.