Best Cell Phone Reviews

Cell Phone Brands and Types

If it's time for you to get your first cell phone or make an upgrade, you have a dizzying array of choices available. But if you have a good handle on your own preferences and read customer reviews, you should be able to narrow your search to a few possibilities in your price range. All cell phones should perform their basic function - making and receiving calls - easily, so your choice may depend on the features and styles you prefer. If you just need a basic phone with no frills, don't let a salesperson pressure you into paying more for an expensive model with features you don't even plan to use. But if you want a phone with a camera, MP3 player, internet connection, and more, there are many phones packed features available.

Cell phone brands include: Motorola, Nokia, Sony Ericsson, LG, Samsung, and more. Most brands come in a variety of styles, including the "candy bar" style, flip phones, and sliders. Flip phones can be useful if you usually store your phone in a pocket, as the closed design will prevent accidental dialing.

Considerations for Cell Phone Selection

Cell phones have many features you should consider before making your final decision and these include:

• Screen Display Size – The screen should be large enough to show information clearly and legibly. If the camera feature is important to you, the display size will be an important factor in your decision.

• Weight – If you mainly use your phone in emergencies or for quick calls, weight may not be much of an issue. But if you talk on the phone a lot, even a cell phone can be cumbersome.

• Address Book – What is the capacity of the address book? Will it hold all of your numbers?

• Speed Dial – How many speed dial options are available?

• Battery – Battery life is essential for any cell phone user: how long can your phone last in standby, and how long when in use?

• Hands Free – With states passing laws regarding driving and talking on your cell phone, you might want to look into what kind of hands-free operation is available. Many new phones incorporate Bluetooth or can be integrated with in an car sync system.

• Internet – You can connect to the internet and check your email on many new types of phones, but keep in mind that you will have to pay for a data package.

Multimedia Features

Cell phones are fast becoming all-in-one devices for media on the go. Here are a few multimedia features you should consider when selecting a cell phone:

• MP3 Players – eliminate of the need for separate cell phone and MP3 players.

• MPEG 4 Video – playback feature for pictures and videos taken with the cell phone or sent to you.

• FM Radio – for those who want everything in their cell phone.

• Digital TV – is becoming available for those who want to watch TV on the cell phone.

• Video Players – for video playback and received videos.

• Ringtones – MP3, MIDI, and others.

Best Cell Phone for Use

Based on customer review, the best cell phones to purchase in camera, text messaging, and MP3 categories are:

• Built in Camera – Sony Ericsson Z610i

• Text Messaging – Nokia E90 Communicator

• MP3 Player – Motorola Razr2 V9 AT&T

Buying a Cell Phone

Once you have narrowed your cell phone choices, check out the following ease-of-use features:

• Keyboard – Are the buttons tactile and easy to use? Can you text comfortably?

• Connections – How fast is the connection speed for music downloading, Bluetooth, & charging?

• Hands Free – Is it Bluetooth or car sync capable?

• Screen – Is the screen big & bright enough for your purposes? Is it clear and legible?

• Sound – If music is important to you, what is the MP3 quality?

• Camera – Is the camera easy to use, and how many megapixels does it offer?

After you decide on a style and the features that are important to you, compare user reviews of the models that fit your specifications for an idea of how they perform in real life!