Mobile Phone Buyer’s Guide
Mobile phones, also known as cellular phones, are portable handsets that send and receive radio signals via cellular networks. In order to make and receive telephone calls, the mobile phone must be registered and active on mobile network. Mobile phones continuously send and receive signals with the nearest cellular tower, or base station to check for incoming, or outgoing messages and calls.
This expert guide aims to explain the important features to take into consideration when reviewing mobile phones, as well as provide guidance on the types of mobile phones available within the various budget ranges.
Available types of mobile phones
Selecting the right mobile phone can be a very confusing task as there is a diverse range of mobile phones on the market. Traditionally all mobile phones could do was send and receive text messages and phone calls, but nowadays many offer internet access, email, games, cameras and many other features.
Some recently released phones even intend to work as a GPS, MP3-player and digital camera on top of being just a phone. These phones are however very expensive, often more expensive than cheaper laptops.
Important specifications and technical terms
The following specifications are important to consider during your review of mobile phones.
- Battery life
Different models and makes offer a range of active and passive battery lives, it can be anywhere between 30 hours to 100 hours between charges. This is an important feature to consider, especially if you intend using the mobile phone a lot. For high usage, check that the specified Talk Time is sufficient. The standby time relates to how long the mobile phone will remained charged when it is not in use.
- GSM or 3G
Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) is the international operating standard for mobile phones. Most providers operate on either a 900MHz; 1800MHz or a 1900MHz frequency. Mobile phones that can operate on two of these frequencies are called dual band mobile phones. A tri-band mobile phone can operate on all three frequencies and therefore can be used practically everywhere in the world, including the United States.
A quad band mobile phone can operate on the standard three frequencies plus an additional frequency like 850MHz which is used by a few providers in the US; Canada and Latin America, therefore offering full worldwide coverage.
- SIM card
In order to use the phone it needs to have a SIM card. Once inserted into the mobile phone, the Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card is used by the mobile phone network to identify the phone as an active subscriber; either as a pay-as-you-go phone or a contract subscriber depending on the tariff you selected.
- Text messaging
There are two types of test message formats available, Short Message Service (SMS) and Multimedia Message Service (MMS). The maximum size message you can send using SMS is 160 characters, while MMS allows you to send much longer messages as well as multimedia objects such as photographs; audio and even video.
- Bluetooth and infrared
A Bluetooth or infrared mobile phone can connect to external devices such as PCs and PDAs wirelessly making the transfer of files much easier. The advantage Bluetooth has over infrared is that it can be used with wireless headsets; has a better coverage range of up to 10m and it doesn’t need line of sight connection like infrared.
- Expandable memory
As many mobile phones allow you to store large numbers of text messages – both SMS and MMS; photographs; music and even emails, a lot of manufacturers are now producing mobile phones that can accept additional memory capacity.
A mobile phone that is Wireless Access Protocol (WAP) enabled can access the internet via a General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) or 3G connection. Although not all sites can be accessed using WAP, several now offer optimized site versions that are compatible with being viewed on small devices like mobile phones.
Entry level budget
It is possible to get a mobile phone free from a service provider however you need to subscribe to their tariffs for up to 18 months to get this deal. If you don’t want to be stuck in a long term contract and do not need many fancy features it is possible to by a relatively inexpensive phone for under $50.
In this segment we are looking at really simple, inexpensive mobile phones which are stripped of all fancy features. You can still expect the most basic functions such as a LCD color display, SMS and MMS text messaging facilities but do not expect any MP3, expandable memory slot or camera. A positive side effect of the sparse specifications of these phones is the extra time you can cram out of the battery. Less features means longer battery time.
Inexpensive phones will always lack one or two features and many will still have a short battery life, or memory capacity. These phones are great for the casual user and for those not interested in the latest technology but rather just want a phone to make and receive calls and text messages.
If you are looking for a phone with a better battery life; additional features or a better resolution camera then expect to pay up to $100.
In this segment you will find some phones with extra features such as a super slim design, video and photo capture and sometimes even MP3 player functions. You will still not se touch screens in the medium budget segment but phones in this segment often offer a good value for the price.
If you are looking for a mobile phone with exceptionally good battery life and that comes with all the latest features then you can expect to pay in excess of $300.
The Apple iPhone 3G is an exceptionally advanced mobile phone. Priced at around $700, this phone offers all the standard features of other mobile phones and it has one of the best web browsers around. It uses incredibly fast 3G wireless technology and even offers GPS.
With an array of features on offer, selecting the right mobile phone can be tricky. You should start by thinking about what you are going to use your phone for. Do you want a replacement for your MP3 player, digital camera and GPS? Or do you just need a rugged and easy to use phone to call and send SMS?
Once you have decided on what you want, you should head over to testseek.com to compare models in your price interval.
Disclaimer: This guide was written in late 2008 and the specific product recommendations may be outdated. However the basic discussions in this buyer's guide may still be of great value.
Written by; TestSeek staff