Tips on How to Choose the Right Cell Phone

Is it time to toss your old clunker of a cell? Want a new gizmo to play with and learn? The current line up of different phones can be dizzying, but that also allows savvy consumers to choose the exact right fit for them. If all you're going to be doing is making phone calls you probably don't need the touch screen web-enabled phones. On the other hand, if you need to stay up on all your office emails a smart phone is definitely in order. Here are some tips to help you buy the right phone for you.

Price
The huge variety of products available leads to very large price fluctuations. Great phones are available for very little money, if you want only a phone. If you want an all-in-one device that will serve as a communication hub, mp3 player, web surfer, etc you will have to pay more. Remember too, that many services such as text, IM and web browsing also come with additional charges from your phone company.

Bells and Whistles?
What do you need? A phone with a built in camera is handy for those spur of the moment picture opportunities that crop up. You will also want a phone with some sort of detachable memory so that you can take information off of the phone and put it on without having to pay for emailing it to yourself. Do you prefer to text your friends? If you are look into one of the many types of phones that come with full QWERTY keyboards. Do you want to use your phone as an mp3 player? Phones have come a long way, but they still can't compare to a dedicated media player. It's more a matter of convenience to have everything in one spot. So the choice really comes down to how many gadgets you want to carry with you. Know what you want and need and make your decision based on that. Don't let a salesperson talk you into more phone than you will use.

Contract or No Contract
Personally, I find the idea of having to sign up for a contract reprehensible. To me this is like asking for the privilege of giving someone my money. My experience has also shown me that when a provider has me in a contracted position that the customer service I receive drops noticeably. I lose the "well then I'll go with Company XYZ" card. There are advantages to contracts though. Namely, you can get the latest and hottest phone for a fraction of the cost. Just be wary of that "free" or ridiculously under priced phone and remember nothing is ever free.

The Pay-As-You-Go Myth
The companies that provide cellular service have been pushing the notion of certain phones for certain tasks for a long time now. But there is no such thing as a "pay-as-you-go" phone. Any phone can be set up for a monthly plan, and any phone can be pay-as-you-go. What they are trying to do is save the feature-packed phones for themselves so that they can offer a "discounted" purchase price and hook you into a multiyear contract.

What You Do Need
Even if you don't plan on using the internet that often, you want to make sure that you have a phone capable of handling 3G web surfing. There will be a time when you will just need to access your email, or to Google directions to somewhere and without third generation compatibility you will often be lost. Also, check out the vibrate function of any phone you are looking into getting. Hard as it is to believe some phones don't offer this feature or if they do it's combined with an audible ringer, making them inappropriate for when you are in a movie theatre or a meeting.

I hope that this article has helped you gain confidence when buying your new cell phone. Just remember to do your research BEFORE you get into the store. Know what you want and don't be persuaded into purchasing anything else.

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