How to Buy a Cell Phone
Posted on January 1st, 2009 by monsterguide
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These days, it’s hard to conduct your daily affairs without the help of a cell phone. A cell phone is a handy piece of technology that has expanded to include more than just calls and text messaging. However, how much of these technological advancements do we actually need? Here are some tips on how to buy a cell phone.
Budget
Consider the highest amount you’ll pay for a brand-new cell phone. Now, include your estimated budget for your cell phone coverage for a year. Base your budget on your expenditures on your cell phone usage last year, and add 10% for inflation and other expenses such as repairs. You now have your estimated annual budget for your new cell phone unit as well as your cell phone usage.
Plan and Coverage
While phones that offer web browsing, video conference calls and global roaming sound wonderful, they also cost money. Since the type of phone you’re getting also depends on which network service you’re choosing, consider your phone usage patterns of the previous year. Do you take frequent trips outside the country? Are you often on the go and have a need to be connected to Internet to check your emails? Do you really need the option of having a video voice conference phone call? If you have honestly answered no to any of these, it’s safe to say that you will survive without these features and hence can settle on a simpler and more user-friendly cell phone unit.
When shopping for a plan, you can either go post-paid or prepaid. Postpaid plans bill you a fixed or metered rate monthly for your network usage. Postpaid also usually comes with free minutes or lower rates and discounts. Prepaid plans offer loading services once your pre-purchased network usage minutes are up. Think back on your cell phone usage for the past year. If you’re the type who can regulate cell phone usage, having a postpaid plan can work for you. If you can’t, maybe a prepaid plan can help you regulate your calls to fit your budget and be more manageable.
Most basic plans offer 300 to 400 minutes of talk time, which is usually acceptable for the average cell phone user, including emergency phone calls. National calling plans are also recommended, even if you don’t go outside your own state much, in terms of features, cost, and minutes.
Phone Features
Deciding on a brand and an operating system can help you or deter you from becoming used to your cell phone. Some people also use their cell phones as their own organizers and calendar, as well as to process documents, so consider what programs and features you will find useful. The weight, design type and screen should also be chosen not on how hi-tech they are, but how they will adapt to your lifestyle. Consider your usage before buying that impressive cell phone with the foldable keyboard.
Two things that your phone shouldn’t be without: A cell phone battery that lasts three to four hours per talk time and a headset or earphones. These two will make your life and cell phone usage easier.
Read Reviews
The Internet is a wonderful way to look up the user comments and reviews on the cell phone unit you’re deciding to buy. Some websites can also provide alternative phone brands and units for your needs and specifications.
Shop
Malls and cell phone shops are the most common places we shop for our cell phones, but you also have the option of going online or buying a secondhand phone. Shopping at malls can give you a good idea of the top price that you can compare later on. Shopping can also give you an opportunity to look for cheaper alternatives. Be careful with your transactions, and if you buy online, make sure that you are buying from a dealer of good repute.
E911
E911 is an emergency service that can help track a cell phone unit to its exact location. This is especially important if you are going to replace your home phone line with a handheld unit. Ask your provider whether this service is available.
Keep in mind that your needs are always changing, and fortunately, cell phone technology has kept up; all you need to do is look closely.
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