Cell Phone Buying Guide

The mobile phone market is continuously growing, with mobile phone manufacturers rolling out new models regularly. There are many uses of a mobile phone now, with most having a wide range of features. There are also more basic models available for those who want to own a phone for the simple tasks like making and receiving a call.

When you are looking for a new mobile phone, it is always advised that you see the actual model and hold it in your hand before you buy. There are many great mobile phone websites on the Internet where you can get great deals and offers, but come back to these once you have selected the model that is perfect for you. Mobile phones come in all different weights and sizes and we all have different hand sizes, so holding a phone can determine whether it is the right model for you.The different styles of mobile phones available are:

Candybar - This is the straight up and down design, which is the shape of a candybar or chocolate bar.

Clamshell - This phone folds in half and is often referred to as a flip phone.

Slider - This type has a sliding screen which is pushed upwards to reveal the keypad underneath.

Touchscreen - Smartphones have a touch screen which allows you to operate the phone by touching the screen. These phones can also have a full keyboard which slides out from underneath them, whereas other have a virtual keypad on screen.

Looks
The appearance of a mobile phone can sometimes reel you in, before you know exactly how the phone works and what features it has. Don't judge a phone by its appearance and find out more about how it operates prior to making your final decision as it is an expensive mistake to make. Touchscreen phones are not for everyone and it is definitely worth testing the phone in store to see if it is something that you could get used to operating. There are usually a range of colours available for most models, so ask to see them in the colour you would prefer.

Performance
The performance is ultimately the most important factor when considering a new mobile phone. The performance will determine how the phone will deliver the features to you. Ask to use the phone to make a call, send a text and listen to its loud speaker capabilities. The keypad will vary from phone to phone, so have a go and press the buttons. Some buttons are smaller then others and situated differently, therefore it is a good idea to check the button size is adequate for your finger size and that they are situated where your fingers can reach them and feel comfortable. The battery life is an important performance factor too. Some models can be disappointing in this area, and need charging at the end of each day. This also depends on how much a phone is used during a day. Mobile phone features also affect battery life, such as large colour screens, and web browsing. You can expect a phone battery to last around three days from average usage. The processor on board determines the speed in which the mobile phone operates applications, so if apps is a feature you wish to use, it is worthwhile investigating the type of processor on board.

Features
The mobile phone market has grown considerably over recent years, and the features that have been developed has also grown dramatically. It is important to determine which features are appropriate to you and what you wish to use the mobile phone for. Common features include a camera, text messaging, MP3 player, games, video calling, email, web browser and bluetooth. Although these are the more common features you may wish to choose a mobile phone that has more or less than this. To consider the uses of a mobile phone that will benefit you is a good place to start, for example, if you have children and are often out and about, a camera would be a useful feature, or if you commute to work and want to listen to music en route, an MP3 player feature would be ideal. Some of the more advanced features include:

Wi-Fi - This allows you to communicate with other wi-fi enabled devices, as well as connect to the Internet. There are an increasing number of public wi-fi hotspots, such as McDonalds, and although most are free, others charge by the hour.

3G - This is a fast Internet connection, similar to broadband Internet. With 3G on your phone you can download games and music quickly as well as make video calls.

Video recording - Many mobile phones have cameras, but there are also some that can record video.

Social networking shortcuts - Due to the huge popularity of social networking, a lot of phones now have dedicated shortcuts to the most popular sites such as Facebook and Twitter. Some phones such as the HTC Desire also has a feature called Friend Stream which allows you update your status across the networks in one go.

Widgets - Many phones, including Smartphones, have widgets pre-installed which give you up to the live information such as the weather in your area, news, stocks and handy tools such as bookmarks and photo albums.

Apps - (or Applications) Many of the smartphones on the market are compatible with apps. Operating systems such as Android, Apple iOS and BlackBerry OS all work with apps. An app is an application that can be used on your phone such as iBooks for the Apple iPhone. This is downloadable from iTunes and allows you to then buy and read books on your iPhone. There are thousands of apps to choose from across all operating systems. There are many free apps, and some that will be paid for.

The list of features is endless between each mobile phone manufacturer, so it is important that you look at each and what they can offer you. Another area to investigate thoroughly is network providers and price plans.

Network Providers
Each network provider will offer different, and competitive, tariff options for your mobile phone choice. With each one you can choose to pay monthly for the phone, line rental and usage costs, alternatively you can choose pay-as-you-go which means that you will need to buy the mobile phone first and then top up the phone with credit as you need it. The main network providers available in the UK are:

Vodafone

Orange

Three

T-Mobile

O2

Each network provider will be able to provide you with their latest price plans and offers. There are also many mobile phone online retailers that have some great packages with free gifts and other special offers such as free line rental for a specified time.

Mobile phones and driving
In 2003 the Government introduced a law against driving whilst using a mobile phone. From February 2007 the penalty was increased to a £60 (or up to £2,500 upon conviction) and three penalty points. The Government encourages all drivers to switch off mobile phones whilst operating a car.

We cover all of the latest news on mobile phones, along with details of special offers and and tariff discounts at Unbeatable.co.uk.