Quick reference guide to purchasing a cell phone

Looking to purchase a new phone? This quick reference guide will give you helpful tips to a good cell phone purchase, and help you find the perfect phone and price plan every time whether you're doing a family cell phone plan or just a mobile phone for yourself. Remember, this is a quick reference guide and is meant to get you started; we've included some helpful links for more in-depth help.

First, consider what network you should choose; after all, some networks have some phones exclusively, like the iPhone for AT&T, the BlackBerry Storm for Verizon, the Palm Pre from Sprint, or the MyTouch from T-Mobile. What your friends have might figure into that, as most plans include mobile to mobile, and what you do for work and fun factor into your cell phone purchase more than you might think. Take the time to consider all the angles before selecting a network, because its an important decision.

Second, consider where you are to purchase the cell phone: on the web (likely to give you the cheapest price), over the phone (combination of cheap price and dealing directly with the provider) or working with a live person to get your mobile phone (third party and corporate stores).
Not all of these outlets combine the best of all worlds, so choosing can be hard: Look at the final price of the handset, what it takes to get the mail in rebate, if any, and what type of cell phone repair services are available after the sale. Consider the worst case scenario, and then ask what happens when that occurs.

Finally, consider the plan in all aspects: Most smartphones require a data plan and are meant to have internet access, so ask if you really need web access before buying these phones. Voice is important, too, but by selecting your network, you should have already taken that into consideration. Texting anymore should be unlimited, unless you plan to receive less than 25 messages per month, or want it blocked. Data might be nice to take advantage of various network aware applications, like navigation and family GPS products, or if you still need email but aren't quite ready for that smartphone financial commitment of $25 - $30 a month. Important, too, is repair - if you're signing a two year agreement, you're getting a pretty big discount upfront, but don't expect that same price if you drop or damage your phone.

By taking the time to review the total cost of ownership of your new cell phone, you're likely to experience a more satisfying experience when it comes to your cell phone provider. Most bad things happen when we expect them least, and being prepared in advance makes for a smoother experience over all. One final piece of advice before purchasing that new cell phone: Make sure your data is backed up and your contacts are all ready to move into another phone.

Best of luck, and enjoy your new cell phone!