How to Choose Cell Phones

Cell phones are not just for making calls anymore. While you can still get a basic cell phone for conversations, the excitement lies in having a cell phone that does more. Want to surf the Web? Watch the news? Play games or check your e-mail? There's a cell phone out there for you.

You should start shopping by choosing a carrier. Not all cell phones work for all carriers, and choosing the cell phone before the carrier can be costly and frustrating. If you already have a carrier you like, then you might be eligible for a cell phone upgrade, which will put a new cell phone in your hands at a reduced price as long as you extend your two-year contract.

If you need a new carrier, start by thinking about where you will use your cell phone. Ask your coworkers and neighbors which carriers they use to find out who provides the best cell phone signal in your area.

You may be able to purchase an "unlocked" cell phone that works with any carrier. Be aware that some of the cell phone's functions may not work with service provided by a different carrier.

Choosing Your Cell Phone
If you just need to make calls, a basic "candy bar" or flip phone may be available for free if you sign up for or renew a two-year contract. Like all cell phones, these models include an address book, a clock and the ability to send text messages. Even a basic cell phone is likely to have a color screen and wireless Internet access, features that are standard on more expensive cell phones.

If you're a shutterbug, you can get a cell phone with a camera or a camcorder built in, but not all camera phones are the same. Look for the megapixel capacity-higher numbers mean better pictures.

Several cell phones now include built-in music players, and some even offer FM transmitters so you can play your songs through a car or home stereo. The built-in transmitters consume battery power and the cell phone may need to be kept close to the antenna for this function to work. Another thing to look for in a music phone is MP3 compatibility and the ability to sync the cell phone with your existing music library. Some cell phone service providers will try to lock you into a proprietary music store.

Whether it's music or pictures, your cell phone will need memory and connectivity. At the higher end, you'll find cell phones with swappable MiniSD memory cards and USB or infrared connections. At the lower end, you may need to upload photos or files from your cell phone to your carrier's Web site, then back to your home PC.

So-called "smart" cell phones are the hot item right now. These provide full Internet access and have a built-in keypad to make typing easier. For most people, a standard cell phone with predictive text will take care of messaging needs. But if you use your cell phone for work and travel frequently, a smart phone may be worth the investment. Make sure that your smart phone can open and send attachments so that you're not leaving needed functions behind on your PC.

Selecting a Plan
Cell phone plans all include a certain number of "anytime" minutes per month. Go over your allotment, and you'll be paying 10 cents or more per minute. Nights and weekends are free with most plans, but it's still a good idea to have more minutes than you expect to use.

If you choose a cell phone with Internet access, it's a good idea to have a plan that includes unlimited data transfer, as casual surfing and e-mail checking can add up to a lot of time. Text messaging is not typically included in data transfer, so you may need a plan that includes texting as well. Some cell phone companies offer family plans that allow you unlimited calling and texting to a limited number of people who use the same carrier.

Roaming, or calls made outside of your service area, is less of an issue with cell phones today, as most carriers have nationwide networks. It's still worth investigating, though, if you travel frequently, particularly to rural areas.

When choosing a plan and a cell phone, remember that you are making a two-year commitment, and you'll pay a penalty of $150 or more if you break the contract. While you can buy a phone without signing up for a contract, it's always cheaper to take the contract, as the cell phone company will subsidize the cost of the phone.

Accessorize
With many states passing laws limiting drivers to hands-free cell phone use, an earbud or Bluetooth headset is a must. Not every cell phone comes with an earbud and a car charger as part of the package, so check what's in the box and get any extras that you need.

How will you carry your cell phone? You may want to get a leather case to protect it or a holster that keeps it close at hand. You can also customize your cell phone with a unique faceplate that shows off your personality. If you want a faceplate, get it at the same time you get a new cell phone and have it installed at the store to avoid losing small parts of your cell phone or damaging the snaps on the faceplate.