You're Breaking up! (Buyers Guide: Mobile Phones)

Member Name: pthurst

Product:	Buyers Guide: Mobile Phones
Date:	07/03/02 (920 review reads)
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UPDATED----------------

Well what can I say? This OP (one of my first) was initially a review of MY mobile phone before I actually realised that it was posted incorrectly.

The more I thought about this, the more I decided that it would be good for me to change my op so that it properly fits with the topic so if you are ready? Off we go!

Introduction
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Mobile phones are hot business, over the last few years, sales has skyrocketed and as technology continues to improve, the market is being flooded with more and more choice.

With all this in mind, I am to provide a BASIC OP about what?s what with mobiles. I will be briefly looking at 2 issues namely the best unit for you and the best scheme for you.

How to pick a mobile phone
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You may think that one phone is the same as another but actually you?d be wrong. There are many people who could have either saved money or increased their lifestyle/workrate by picking the right mobile. So what?s the best way to go? Well glad you asked?. Here?s some of the key points to consider?.

1. Size- Without any hidden meaning here, size IS important! One of the main reasons why is battery life. As mobiles get smaller and smaller, so do the batteries and sometimes this can mean reduced standby/talktime. If you are attracted to the smallest phone on the market, make sure the battery life suits your needs?. I?m speaking from experience here? Mine does not?.
2. Model ? To be honest Nokia leads the way here but that doesn?t mean that the other makers don?t deserve 100% of your attention. Many people I know have automatically plumped for nokias when another model may have suited them better. I have found that Sony are a dark horse when it comes to mobiles? Theyre very good indeed, certainly well worth a nosey.
3. Computer connectivity- Often overlooked at time of purchase, you should think hard about getting a phon
e which connects with either your PDA (handheld computer) or your laptop. Even if you don?t intend to connect them together straight away it is still worth consideration. Also worth a thought is in which manner does the phone connect? Bluetooths the newest, Infra Red is the most common and trusty old cables the old fashioned way. If you need computer connectivity, make sure you iron out all the compatibility issues BEFORE you buy the handset.
4. Wap or not?- WAP (wireless application protocol) is kind of a mobile version of the internet. It?s quite handy but can be buggy and slow? Hailed as a rival to the real www it looks like it will die a death when G3 phones are released. Lots of phones support it but lots of people don?t use it and could of saved a packet if they?d bought a cheaper, non-wap phone.
5. Single, Dual or Tri-band- Now don?t get too worried! All this means is some phones will (or will not) work abroad? If you are a frequent traveller, bear this in mind.

Well that forms the basis of part one. In part two, I want to briefly look at Tariff v payt (pay as you talk)

Could I have the Bill please?
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Whichever option you choose, mobiles can be expensive. The prices vary greatly and you will need to do your homework to make sure you invest your money wisely.

Gone are the days when every mobile phone user was contracted to a network. Most now choose payt even though the call rates are usually higher. Basically I would sum up the schemes like this (you need to check properly before purchase though)

Payt
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dearer calls on and off peak
marginally dearer text messages
limited options for data calls (ie for your computer connectivity)
very expensive handsets
no yearly contract
limited insurance options

Contract
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monthly line rental fee (about £15+)
minimum 1 year contract
Cheaper calls
Cheaper txt messages

Sometimes free calls or txt messages
Better insurance options
Virtually free handsets
More call options (data calls for computers etc)
New phone every year (on some networks)
Itemised billing

There are lots more differences between the two but I want to keep my OP at a reasonable length.

Conclusion
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My final advice to anybody who is looking for a mobile (do they exist anymore?) is to shop around and remember that most shops/salespeople are on commission, so I?d recommend doing your own research via the websites of the manufacturers and providers.

There are some great phones out there and the telecoms industry is all set for the next big thing? G3?. Watch this space.

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