Getting started
Service providers determine which phone models work on their networks. So when you're replacing your phone, use this cell phone guide to help you decide whether you'll stay with your current cellular service carrier or switch to a new one. Major carriers use one of two digital networks: CDMA (Alltel, Sprint, and Verizon) or GSM (AT&T and T-Mobile). The network plays a big part in the capabilities your phone will have and, to some extent, its performance.
You'd think you'd start shopping for a cell phone by pitting phone against phone, but it all begins with choosing your service provider. Your service provider will dictate what transmission technology your phone uses, and choosing the actual phone comes after that. CDMA is a common US system used by carriers like Verizon, GSM is the European standard that's becoming more en vogue, utilized by carriers like Cingular. iDen is only used by one carrier, Nextel, but enables push-to-talk and walkie-talkie capability.
Once you've decided on your carrier, take a minute to calculate how often you'll be using your phone--and where. Know whether you're signing up for local, regional, or nationwide coverage. The low-rate deals that carriers advertise are usually local plans, which cover only a limited area, but are fine if you rarely travel. If you spend a lot of time outside your home calling area, go with a regional or a nationwide plan, and avoid getting slapped with roaming charges. For the best value, make sure your plan includes free long distance as well, a common inclusion with today's plans. Pay close attention to when their peak hours end and their "weekend" hours begin, as well as how many included minutes (often called "anytime" minutes) you can use before going over your limit.
When you’re ready to buy a phone, you’ll first have to decide which of the two types, regular or smart, meets your needs and budget. Choose a regular model if you need only voice and text-messaging capability, and perhaps a music player and camera. Smart phones, with their advanced operating systems, QWERTY keyboards, and other PDA-like features, are a better choice for people who need frequent access to e-mails, an organizer for appointments and contacts, and Internet-based services.
Useful features such as support for wireless Bluetooth headsets, GPS navigation, and high-speed data access can greatly enhance user satisfaction.
Types of cell phones: Regular cell phones / Smart phones
Regular cell phone
Most models are compact and priced from $20 to $150, or come free with a two-year contract. The keypad and overall operation is generally straightforward. All allow you to store frequently used numbers and to send and receive text messages. Many have basic cameras and support for wireless Bluetooth headsets for hands-free communication. You’ll need to spend more than $100 to access high-speed data networks (3G) and enjoy music and video-based services. Other capabilities might include a touch screen, a QWERTY keyboard, an HTML browser, a multi-megapixel camera, memory-card storage for music and pictures, and more option for custom ring tones, games, and other services. back to top
Smart phone
Long used by corporate travelers to keep up with e-mail and appointments, smart phones are catching on with consumers. Some want to tap out text messages on a QWERTY-style keyboard rather than the tiny keypad of a regular cell phone. Others see no reason to tote a PDA and a regular cell phone when a smart phone can do the job of both.
The world of smart phones divides into two categories. Some offer business-focused capabilities in a palm-fitting package. They allow you to create and edit spreadsheets and documents, and they usually come with Microsoft Outlook, Palm Desktop, or other personal information management software for your PC. Many of those models have touch screens for accessing the phone's many features. Other smart phones are geared toward personal use. They're fine for playing music and other multimedia, reading e-mail messages, and opening Office-type attachments, but they don't allow you to create or edit documents and spreadsheets.
Finally, you can pick your phone. What is important to you and your daily life? Reception? Sleek design? Features like cameras, picture messaging, and keyboards for text messaging? It all depends on your lifestyle, whether it's a phone for sophisticated business, multimedia pleasure, or straight communication. Features that all users may find interest in include an external caller ID, for knowing who's calling before you even open the phone, a camera or video phone, a phone capable of picture messaging, or perhaps one with bluetooth technology for connecting to your computer. Some users may even want push-to-talk capability for quick, one-touch contact.
Business users may be interested in smart phones, which combine cell phone and PDA functions in one unit. These are considerably larger and much more expensive than standard cell phones, often costing upward of $600, but they eliminate the need for two separate devices. Most users won't need the comprehensive contact features of a PDA, and others can continue to use a separate PDA if they already have one.
Features
Look for useful features
Today's cell phones come equipped with many useful calling and multimedia features, including a media player, camera, Web browsing, child-location, and call-management services. Some features, such as programmable shortcuts, Bluetooth, speakerphone, and voice command help to make the phones easier to use.
Bluetooth | Camera | Document editing | GPS navigation | Hearing-aid compatibility | Mac compatibility | Media player | Memory card | Preset and custom text messages | Programmable shortcuts | QWERTY keyboard | Speakerphone | Standard headset connector | Touch screen | Voice command | Wi-Fi
Bluetooth This technology enables the phone to work with wireless headsets and most hands-free car systems for tangle-free calls. (But avoid using any phone, even hands free, while driving.) Some phones support stereo Bluetooth headsets for music and other multimedia. And some can wirelessly exchange pictures, contacts, and other files with other compatible Bluetooth devices, such as a computer, cell phone, or PDA.
Camera Most new phones have cameras with resolutions of 1-megapixel and up that are capable of producing respectable snapshots, though many lack a flash, which is helpful when taking pictures in dark environments. Look for models with 3-megapixel cameras or higher if you intend to print some of what you shoot. Those models take photography more seriously by pairing sharper image sensors with high-grade lenses, auto focus, zoom, and brightness controls for greater photo control.
Document editing All smart phones allow you to review documents. Some models add the convenience of creating, deleting, and editing them.
GPS navigation
All mobile phones have some type of location-based technology to help emergency responders find you when you dial 911 or 112. But an increasing number of phones support GPS Navigation services. They integrate GPS with maps and search engines to give you real-time, spoken, turn-by-turn directions to an entered address, or to help you find nearby businesses by name or category, such as Joe's Pizzeria or hospitals. Some phones lack automatic rerouting, spoken turn-by-turn directions, and other advanced capabilities, which limits their usefulness while you drive.
Hearing-aid compatibility Some phones interfere with hearing aids. Even those with hearing-aid compatible designations are not guaranteed to work with all hearing aids. Your doctor can help you choose a phone compatible with the aid you use. Or go to www.accesswireless.org.
Mac compatibility Many phones let you synchronize appointments, contacts, and documents with a computer, but only some can do that with Macintosh computers.
Media player Most phones have very competent media players, allowing you to view videos and sort music tracks according to genre, album or artist, playlists, etc. They also typically have more than one playback option, such as repeat and shuffle. Some phones, such as the iPhone, have media capabilities better than other standalone players. The small number of phones that lack those convenient features are rather cumbersome to use.
Memory card Many mobile phones have slots that accept memory cards to expand storage capacity by as much as 32GB. The removable cards can also serve as an easy way to shuttle files between your phone and other devices--provided that the phone's maker didn't bury the card slot behind the battery cover. Card formats include Secure Digital Card SD, miniSD, and MicroSD.
Preset and custom text messages Besides providing a quiet means of communication, text messages have been known to get through even when networks are overloaded. Most phones come with preset messages, such as "running late" or "call home." And most allow you to program customized messages for an emergency or frequent use, for example: "I've dropped Billy at soccer."
Programmable shortcuts These let you assign functions to the phone's controls (touch screen, jog dial, etc.) so that you can quickly access contacts, text messaging, and other frequently used features.
QWERTY keyboard Keyboards make composing and editing text and e-mail messages much easier than a keypad does. Some phones have keyboards that try to save space by having some letters, numbers, and symbols share a key. Those "condensed" keyboards, though still more convenient than a keypad, are not quite as easy to handle as full QWERTY keyboards.
Speakerphone A built-in speakerphone, which allows hands-free use in a car or elsewhere. (But avoid using any cell phones, even hands free, while driving.)
Standard headset connector The standard connector on the handset, also known as a 2.5-mm or 3.5-mm connector, is compatible with most aftermarket wired headsets. Some phones with a proprietary connector might include an adapter to a standard connector.
Touch screen Many smart phones have a touch-sensitive display that responds to light contact with a stylus, finger, or both. It provides an alternate, and sometimes more direct, method of entering data and activating phone features and controls.
Voice command This feature allows you to dial numbers from your phone book by speaking the name, without the usual training. You can also dial numbers by pronouncing the digits.
Wi-Fi Cell phone data networks--even those designated "3G broadband"--are much slower than the broadband Internet connections many people have at home. But a rising number of phones have a built-in Wi-Fi radio that gives them faster Internet and e-mail access through home networks and Wi-Fi hotspots. On some phones, the Wi-Fi is just for Web browsing; on others, you can use the connection to swap files with a PC or make calls using Voice Over Internet Protocol.
Guide to cell phone carriers
Which cell-phone service provider is the best? It depends on where you live. You should have an idea of your local cell-phone service provider. For information on which wireless service provider performed best in your area, check it out by asking your friends, reading related reports or searching the web about their service.
In general, however, here's what you should know about each wireless service provider: Alltel | AT&T | Sprint | T-Mobile | Verizon
Verizon, A standout choice for most people.
Widely available, among the leaders in satisfaction and connectivity in every rated city, and the standout in customer support. Its prepaid service is as highly rated as its traditional plans. It also offers VCast Mobile TV, a live-TV service offering cable and broadcast channels. The first to prorate termination fees, Verizon uses code division multiple access (CDMA) technology and offers high-speed wireless data network for faster Web browsing and downloading. Alltel and Verizon plan to merge.
Alltel, A fine alternative where available.
Though Alltel service is available to only 26 percent of the U.S. population (vs. 87 percent for Verizon), this provider typically matched Verizon for overall satisfaction and connectivity. It's also among the least expensive carriers for Web access. Its My Circle plan allows unlimited free calls to as many as 20 designated phone numbers, including wireless and landline on any network. Uses CDMA technology and offers high-speed wireless data network for faster Web browsing and downloading. Alltel and Verizon plan to merge.
T-Mobile, Worth considering, especially if you frequently travel overseas.
Overall satisfaction is similar to that with Verizon in most cities, though it doesn't match Verizon in connectivity or customer service. Home to the T-Mobile G1 (the "Google phone"). T-Mobile is among the least expensive carriers for Web access and for text and multimedia messages. Its myFaves plan allows unlimited free calls to five designated phone numbers on any network. Uses Global System for Mobile (GSM) technology, so most of its phones can be used outside the U.S. It also offers a high-speed wireless data network for faster Web browsing and downloading, though coverage is spotty compared with Verizon's and Sprint's. T-Mobile offers a service called HotSpot@Home, which allows certain Wi-Fi-equipped phones to switch to Internet calling (see T-Mobile Wi-Fi phones).
AT&T, The only choice for iPhone fans.
This carrier might be an option if it's competitive in the Ratings for your city or if its exclusive phones or plan features appeal to you. It's home to the iPhone and offers rollover minutes, allowing you to carry over unused minutes for almost a year. Uses GSM technology, so most of its phones can also be used outside the U.S. It offers a high-speed wireless data network for faster Web browsing and downloading, though coverage is spotty compared with Verizon's and Sprint's. Some of its phones support AT&T Mobile TV, a live-TV service with cable and broadcast channels.
Sprint, Might be an option for heavy data users.
Though inferior overall, this carrier offers unlimited free calling that starts at 7 p.m. weekdays, earlier than other carriers. Sprint customers buy more high-speed data services than any other carrier's subscribers. Sprint might be an option if it's competitive in the Ratings for your city or if its exclusive phones, such as the Samsung Instinct, or plan features appeal to you. The company, which uses CDMA technology, merged with Nextel in 2005. It maintains the Nextel network separately to offer walkie-talkie ("push to talk") capability between compatible Sprint Nextel phones. Our survey results exclude customers who receive Nextel service from Sprint because their phones operate on the different iDEN technology.
Cell phone shopping tips
The providers
The major national cellular service providers are Alltel, AT&T, Sprint Nextel, T-Mobile, and Verizon Wireless. There are also many local or regional providers.
The phones
You can find cell phones in many outlets, including cellular service providers' stores, independent wireless retailers, electronics stores, and Web sites. But the cell phone is only part of what you need. You also have to sign up for service with a wireless provider and choose a calling plan.
The leading cell-phone brands include LG Electronics, Motorola, Nokia, Samsung, and Sanyo. Prices range from free with a two-year contract (including rebates) to $200 or more for an unlocked phone without carrier commitment. Some Chinese manufacturer of Mobile Phones can supply cell phones with very competitive prices and good quality.
Have a look of the Mobile Phone / Cell Phone of Roxssun Digital, a Chinese manufacturer of Wireless Communication Products.
Major smart-phone makers include Apple, BlackBerry, LG Electronics, Motorola, Nokia, Palm, and Samsung. Most are sold by the major carriers: Alltel, AT&T, Sprint Nextel, T-Mobile, and Verizon Wireless. Some carriers sell their own brand of smart phones manufactured by Casio, HTC, and other phone makers. Phone prices with a two-year contract, including rebates, range from about $100 to $300. Smart phones purchased without a contract cost significantly more, starting at $400.
How to choose
Consider shape and size
Phones that fold, slide, or swivel are typically more compact when closed. Phones shaped like candy bars can be used without first being opened. The best choice depends largely on personal preference, so visit a store and hold the phone if possible. Make sure you can comfortably use most keys with one hand. Make a test call and access menu items. We've found that flat or virtual keypads make dialing more difficult without looking. Other call clunkers include keys that are small, oddly shaped, or arranged in unusual patterns, especially if you're trying to dial a number in dim light.
Check the display
Most color screens are fine in dim and normal light, but some are harder to see in daylight or under bright light. Try the mobile phones outside or under bright light. In our tests, phones that displayed incoming and outgoing numbers in large black type against a white background were the easiest to read under most conditions. Also make sure indicators such as battery life and signal strength are clearly visible.
Consider a keyboard
A phone's shape and size are largely determined by its keyboard and display. Some cell phones have a QWERTY keyboard that slides out from behind the phone and tucks away when not in use. Others open like an eyeglass case to reveal a keyboard, or leave the keyboard in plain sight. Still other models have a virtual keyboard on their touch-sensitive displays. Overall, we found pecking out messages on their mirror-smooth, buttonless surfaces to be a challenge.
If you plan to do a lot of typing, look instead for a keyboard with keys that are raised, clearly labeled, well spaced, and well sized. Make sure that the keys provide solid tactile feedback. The keyboard should be easy to read under different lighting conditions. Overall, we've found that a full QWERTY keyboard, similar to a computer keyboard, is best for composing and editing text and e-mail messages. Some keyboards cram multiple letters, numbers, and symbols on a single key to save space. But those "condensed" keyboards, though still more convenient than keypads, are not as easy to handle as full keyboards.
Smart-phone buyers:
Consider the operating system
Smart phones run on various operating systems, each with its own character. The operating system affects a phone's capabilities, ease of use, and other conveniences.
* Android. Currently found on T-Mobile’s G1 phone, Android is a modified version of the Linux operating system used on a small but growing number of computers, set-top boxes, and other devices. Its claim to fame is that its "open" architecture will encourage a broad community of software developers to create applications that run on the phone. But you can't edit Office documents on the G1.
* BlackBerry. One of the simplest operating systems for e-mail. E-mail setup and account management is among the easiest—especially on T-Mobile. Push capability automatically sends e-mails to the phone so that you don't have to check it manually. Most models have easy trackball navigation, but lack touch-screen support. And, on many models, you can't create and edit Office documents such as Word and Excel. Some models have a more powerful operating system, Office document editing, and even a touch screen.
* Danger. Used on the Sidekick, this relatively simple interface makes text and instant messaging a snap. But some other tasks, including dialing, are not always intuitive. Lacks automatic notification of new e-mail messages, including push e-mail. Also, you can't create and edit Office documents, such as Word and Excel.
* OS X. A mobile version of the OS X found on Macintosh computers designed to work with finger-driven touch screens. It's what makes many of the iPhone's innovative features possible, including a full-featured version of the Safari Web browser, with rich HTML, e-mail, searching, and map functions. Alas, this multimedia powerhouse doesn't allow users to edit or create Office documents.
* Palm. This user-friendly touch-screen interface features programmable shortcuts and hard buttons for messaging, phone, and other applications. Supports full-featured e-mail and office programs. Among the best operating systems for basic PDA functions—contacts, calendar, and task lists-but can only run one Office—type application at a time.
* Symbian or Series 60. Found primarily on Nokia phones, the basic version is difficult to use, especially when setting up and using e-mail. Also, you can't create and edit Office documents, such as Word and Excel. The more powerful version is a little better at those tasks, and lets you edit Office documents, though its folder-based interface makes navigation a challenge.
* Windows Mobile. Its interface is similar to Windows, which makes navigation intuitive to PC users. It synchronizes easily with Microsoft Outlook on a PC, and you can buy software for syncing with Macs. Easy to switch between applications and run multiple programs. But running several applications might slow performance. Closing applications is also complicated. The more powerful version supports a touch screen for easier navigation and full-featured e-mail and Office programs. The basic version only allows you to view documents such as Word and Excel, and lacks touch-screen support.
Consider the data plan
Using the extra, network-dependent capabilities of a smart phone requires a regular (voice/text) phone plan and a data plan for Web surfing and sending and receiving e-mail. Depending on the carrier, prices for the two combined start at $45 to $80 a month with a two-year contract. But you can easily spend more than $200 a month as you add minutes, text messages, and other services.
Variations from the standard plans can potentially save new subscribers a lot of money. Consider family and/or sharing plans if you can rope in your family and friends, and prepaid plans for those who don't want to commit to a monthly fee. And as far as those advertised rates, any user can attest that your monthly phone bill will be higher; extra fees include cost of activation, government and federal tax, number portability cost, and plans that charge extra for sending text messages, Internet browsing, multimedia and picture messaging, and calling 411.
Look for useful features
Today's cell phones come equipped with many useful calling and multimedia features, including a media player, a camera, and Web browsing, as well as child-location and call-management services. Some features, such as programmable shortcuts, Bluetooth, speakerphone, and voice command help, make the phones easier to use. Check for special prices and promotions
Rebates and special offers can be substantial, but they change frequently. To get the best deal, check the carrier's offerings online and in its retail stores, and then see what independent dealers offer at their Web sites and in their outlets. If at all possible, buy a new phone when you're switching carriers or signing a new service commitment with your existing carrier. You almost always get a better deal—either a deeply discounted price or even a free phone—when you're signing a contract.
Don't buy phone insurance
All major cell carriers offer insurance policies that cover lost, stolen, or damaged phones. Those policies typically cost about $4 to $5 a month and carry a $35 to $100 deductible. We don't think insurance is worthwhile for most consumers. The cost of the premium over a year, for example, would be $50 or $60. Tack on the deductible, and you've paid as much as you would have to buy a new phone. In addition, some insurance plans require you to fill out a police report, and damaged phones are often replaced with a refurbished phone that might not even be the same model. Want to Import Mobile Phone / Cell Phone from China? Contact mobile phone manufacturer and supplier Roxssun Digital Tech. Co., Ltd. to get the best price.
Roxssun Digital Tech. Co., Ltd. is a Chinese manufacturer, supplier and exporter of portable digital products and wireless communication products. Product category covers MP3 Player, MP4 Player, MP5 Player, MP3 Watch, MP4 Watch, Video Camera Watch, Mobile Phone, Mobile Phone Watch, Portable DVD Player and Car DVD Player, USB Flash Disk and USB Flash Pen, PC Web Camera, Mini Speaker, Car GPS Navigation System, Mini Digital Spy Recorder and other stylish products involved with creation. For more products and information, please visit Roxssun Digital's website www.roxssun.com.
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