Getting the Right Cell Phone

By Zeeman Haus

The cell phone you were given for free with the purchase of a three year plan just isn't cutting it, is it? Sure, it will call when you need it to, but will it play Mp3's, movies or take pictures? Probably not. What you got with your plan was a rock bottom product- which is why it was free. Now you're thinking about what you'll need to buy to upgrade your current phone, but there are questions aren't there?

There are a few factors to start thinking about before you run right out and spend a grand on a new celly. Such as functionality, what's available in your area (service wise) and style. If that doesn't seem like a lot to think about, brother are you in for an eye opener!

Some carriers are all digital now, in fact a majority of the big cell phone companies are. The smaller ones are the cell companies you need to watch out for. While it's true that you can most likely get a better deal and avoid a long term contract with smaller local companies, not all offer digital service. They might even be on a digital network, but lack the ability to offer digital service. Check with your service provider first off the see what their services are and ask for a list of recommended phone to begin your search.

The next step in your search is for a brand. Normally, brand names aren't that important to most people these days but with cell phones, this is something to consider. There are certain phones that will not work on certain networks. For example one phone brand might work great with AT&T but will not work at all on Verizon. What's even more confusing is that just one model might not work on two networks. So a Nokia XX.1X might work great on TELUS, but that same phone will not work at all with Verizon, where as other Nokia models do fine on both.

Functionality is the big kicker. All major and minor carriers have phones with cameras now. That can be said without any worries on being called wrong. But you might be looking for more than that. Obviously, if you plan on having an all in one phone for email, movies ect, you will want to look into the Blackberry or Palm Pilot series, these are nice and considered the Cadillac of cell phones. If you're a texter you might want to look at a nice slide out phone with a keyboard. List these things and don't back down. No one has really come up with anything too new in the last few years, so you should be able to find what it is you're looking for. Just don't get so caught up in one aspect of your phone you forget about another.

The style of your cell phone says nearly as much about you as what you drive. From school cafeterias to the pub, people do take note of what you are talking into. The main thing after functionality and service is comfort though. If you are comfortable with a certain style, go for it. Sometimes you might have to make concessions on your purchase, but as long as you get what you're after in the end, really who cares?

Insurance might seem like a waste until your $1,000 phone goes fishing without you. Make sure your cell phone company covers changes in insurance before you purchase your new phone. This is important because you are making a pretty good investment and one slip would put you right back where you started, with that same old phone.

With any luck you've already got an idea of what kind of phone you want. You'll notice that no specific recommendations were offered during this article, but that's because cell phones preferences are highly personalized. Remember to look online too; often your carrier will have better deals on the phones you want and models not seen in the store. Carry on cell phone users! - 32525

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