How To Buy A New Cell Phone

There are new cell phone technologies as often as there are new cellphone accessories. If it's been a few years since your last cell phone, you may be surprised at what is now on the market. Touch phones are cool, and full keyboards obviate the use of t-9 technology and needlessly punching your 7 key four times to type an S. But there are other advances that have lessened the price of certain discount cellular accessories.

1. Decide how much you want to invest in your new cell phone. There are usually rebates and deals on phones, especially if you re-sign your contract with your service provider. But if you want to keep up with the latest technology, it's going to cost you - iPhones and other smart phones like them usually charge an additional $30 a month for internet service.

2. Once you've found a cellphone style that appeals to you, check for the features that you want. If you do a lot of texting, a full keyboard might be good for you. If you check your e-mail constantly, then a smart phone is a good choice. And if you're in the car all the time, you may want to invest in Bluetooth car kits, especially because many states have made it illegal to drive (or text) and talk on the phone.

3. Discount cell phone accessories have never been more accessible. Discounted Bluetooth headsets are a fraction of how much they cost five years ago. Car accessories like car chargers, phone cases, and memory cards are handy investments that can save you time and calls. Keeping your phone around to take pictures and stream music is fun too, so make sure your new phone has as much memory as you need. There's nothing worse than being told that your phone doesn't have any more storage and missing a photo opportunity because of it.

4. The quality of the phone's features is also important. Check the camera for picture quality, the volume to make sure that it is clear and the call doesn't drop, a fact that can depend on your service provider and try to stream video and see how long it takes. Ask about the phone's lifespan. You don't want to get a new phone every 9 months, although many people do. It's better to invest in a quality phone that isn't planned to become obsolete within a year.

While it may be hard to get used to your new phone, it will grow on you and soon you will come to appreciate it for being faster and newer than your last phone. Ideally your new phone will last for a couple of years, and by that time, there will be a plethora of new phone technologies that make the phones of today look old school. Most importantly, have fun with your shopping and get something that you love! You'll be using it every day, so it's important to be comfortable with it.