Cell Phone Features

Speakerphone, external display and camera phone ... all features that most manufacturers offer, but some are more useful than others (depending on your individual needs, of course). Before you buy your next phone, here are some basic features to consider:

Size:

Ask yourself how much the size and weight of your phone matters. Some people like it small enough to fit in their pocket, while others prefer the benefit of bigger buttons and a larger screen.

Style:

Below are examples of the five main phone styles, each with it's own unique benefits:

1. candy bar

2. slider

3. swivel

4. flip

5. Smartphones (Video)

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Display Screen Size:

Large screens that display a lot of colors and are high in resolution are nice, but the phone may be bigger and you may sacrifice battery life to accommodate these features. In general, people who use the Internet, PDA functions, or camera/video capabilities on their phones prefer bigger and better screens. If you're just making calls on your phone, a larger screen may not be necessary.

Second External Display:

Many flip phones come with a second outer display, which can be used to check the Caller ID of incoming calls. This feature enables you to screen calls without ever opening the phone.

Camera/Video Phones:

Many cell phones today take pictures and record videos. Camera phones are not quite up-to-par with digital cameras, but they're getting better. If you are considering a phone with camera/phone functionality, first decide whether or not you will actually use this feature. If you are interested in this feature, find a phone that offers the quality of photos and videos that you need.

Battery Life:

The battery life of cell phones differs greatly between models, but there are two main things you should consider:

1. Talk time: Talk time is the amount of time you can talk on your phone continuously before the battery needs recharging.

2. Standby time: Standby time is the amount of time your phone can stay with the power on (without receiving calls) before the battery runs out.

Compare several phones to get a feeling of what kind of battery life you can expect from a cell phone.

See also: Cell Phones with Great Battery Life

Speakerphone:

A speakerphone comes in handy when waiting on hold, working on a computer or for just general multi-tasking. For business users, a full-duplex speakerphone may be necessary. This feature allows both parties to speak clearly at the same time.

Voice Activated Dialing:

This feature lets you dial a telephone number just by saying the name of the person you're calling. For example, if you want to dial Suzy, all you have to do is say a command such as "Dial Suzy" or "Call Suzy" depending on your phone model. This is quite a handy feature for drivers and those whose hands are always full. Most phones offer Voice Activated Dialing so check your device's manual to learn how to activate this feature and learn more about its particular voice commands.

Ringtones:

There are three types of ringtones to consider when looking at phones:

1. Monotones, which are generally single toned instrumental music

2. Polyphonic tones, which are similar except they can play various music tones at once.

3. Mp3's or true tones, which are generally the popular songs that people are listening to.

Shop for ringtones and listen to the different types of tones available.

Internet:

Most phones are listed as Internet capable, but carriers offer various qualities of browsers and network speeds. Before making a purchase, ask the prospective carrier about their download speeds, browser capabilities of phones and additional charges for using the Internet. You may be able to pay per kilobyte of data usage as you surf the Internet on your phone or buy a data plan that fits your usage needs.

Bluetooth:

A lot of newer phones today are Bluetooth enabled, which means they can connect with other devices like PDAs and PCs wirelessly. The most popular way to use Bluetooth is through a wireless headset, which is great for those always on the go. Since there are different levels of Bluetooth functionality, make sure you find out what your phone and carrier supports.

Games and Accessories:

Another way to choose a phone is by the kind of games that come pre-loaded on the phone or can be downloaded. The type of accessories (cases, car chargers, headsets, etc.) the phone has available on the market may also play a factor in your decision.

Shop for: carrying cases, chargers, face plates, hands free kits, headsets, and other accessories.

Text Messaging ("SMS" or "SMSing"):

Also referred to as "texting" or "text," these short (160 or fewer character) messages are sent from cell phones, PDAs and pagers. Most wireless carriers offer this service and charge a fee for users to send and receive text messages.


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