Cells phones have truly become ubiquitous. When an item reaches this level of saturation, the level of competition goes through the roof and profit margins go through the floor. All this adds up to good news for shoppers looking to score a great deal! Finding that great value can be a hassle and that is where we come in. Our Buyer’s Guide will help to make you a savvier consumer and help you navigate the through the wide array of cell phones available today. Becoming a savvy shopper means not only knowing your budget but also asking yourself the right questions about how you intend to use your printer. Here are some questions to keep in mind as you work through our interactive buyers guide:

• What is your budget (be as specific as possible).
• Is this phone for business or personal use? Or both?
• Would you like a camera to be included?
• Are going to be using this phone in locations other that the United States?
• Are you looking for a phone with Bluetooth Connectivity?
• Would you like your phone to include a MP3 player?
• Do you need access to email and internet from your phone?
• Have you considered what phone style you like most?

With some of these questions in mind, our interactive buyers guide will now take you step by step through the some of the most important aspects of choosing a cell phone most suitable for your needs.

Network support

The type of network that your phone runs on can have some deep implications. In the United States, wireless carriers operate over tow different networks: CDMA and GSM. While each transmits both voice and data streams, they do so in ways that makes them incompatible with one another. This being the case, you can’t use a CDMA phone on GSM or vice versa.

Cell phone providers in the US will support either one or the other type of network not both. Below is a list of major providers by type of network they support,

• GSM: AT&T, T-Mobile
• CDMA: Sprint, Verizon

Each type of network has its pros and cons. As a general rule, CDMA has better coverage in the United States and better voice quality. GSM has wider coverage however and if you plan to use your phone overseas, it is your only choice. GSM phones use SIM cards, which makes switching or upgrading phones very simple.

Wireless Connectivity

Do you plan to search the web with your phone? If so you will need a 3G or Wi-Fi Connection. Do you plan to use a wireless headset or wirelessly synch files to your computer? Then you will want a phone with a Bluetooth connection.

Battery Talk Time

With phones packing more features and functions all the time, battery talk time can become an issue. In general we suggest choosing a phone with at least a two hour battery talk time.

Phone Style

Cell phones are available in a variety of styles. Each style has its own unique attributes and is often a matter of personal preference. Flip phones can prevent accidental dialing, whereas bar phones are generally sturdier. Slider phones are becoming more and more popular these days and can offer the best of both worlds.

Summary

With price points continually coming down and feature sets continually going up, it is a great time to purchase a Cell Phone. With all of the above considerations in hand you should now be better equipped to make a more informed choice when choosing a Cell Phone that best suits your needs.