HOW TO BUY A CELL FONE???

Are you looking for a phone that takes quality pictures? How about an easy way to send messages or e-mail? Do you need speedy access to the Web? Are you looking for a handset that can double as an MP3 player? While some models aim to be all things to all people, choosing a phone that meets your needs requires some legwork. Your choice of phone almost always depends on your choice of telecom provider. There are two different technologies that are used—GSM and CDMA.
You will first need to figure out which service provider offers the best coverage and the most appropriate service plans in your area. Then, you can select a handset. Unlike many other countries, your phone should work with any service provider —as long as you have the right SIM (subscriber identity module) card installed. You will have to make the choice between two technologies, CDMA and GSM, before buying a phone. While Tata Indicom and Reliance Infocom offer CDMA services across the nation, there are many different GSM service providers —depending on the region. However, the choice of brands and models in CDMA phones is much lesser than GSM phones, and so are the features. Also, CDMA phones can only be bought from the service provider-- unlike GSM phones.
If you are looking for a feature rich phone then you may want to look at only at GSM, but if you are looking at budget phone then you could get a better deal from a CDMA service provider. And in many cases the CDMA tarrif packages are cheaper, especially if you make a lot of long distance calls.
Band support: The more radio bands a phone supports, the more frequencies it can handle. Quad-band phones, as their name suggests, operate across four frequency bands. Theoretically, they provide better coverage than triple-, dual-, or singleband phones. These so-called world phones are compatible with four GSM frequencies— 850 MHz (prevalent in the United States), 900 MHz (prevalent in Europe), 1800 MHz (prevalent in Asia), and 1900 MHz (also available in the U.S.). As a result, they function around the globe. But, dual band phones are the most common.
Design: You can choose between flip-open, clamshell style phones and, non-flip, candybar- style phones. Flip phones can be more difficult to use with one hand because the cover may be heavier than the base, and a few low-end models lack a separate caller ID screen on the cover.
Fortunately, many new phones sport dual screens—a small, external LCD on the cover plus an internal display. If you buy a non-flip phone, make sure it has a keypad lock that prevents inadvertent dialing—a helpful feature when you put the phone in a pocket or bag. Whether you get a clamshell or candybar-style phone, check its ergonomics. Is it comfortable against your ear, and can you hear callers without constant adjustment? Can you use the phone with one hand? How about hands-free use: Can you comfortably hold the phone to your ear by scrunching your neck and shoulder? Also, look for placement of the headset jack; a jack located on top of the phone is often more convenient than one located on the side.
Size and weight: Part of what makes a phone easy to use is its portability. A typical non-flip phone weighs about 115g and is about the size of a big candy bar. Anything above that is considered large. An exception is a PDA phone, which more closely resembles a PDA on steroids than a cell phone.
Battery life: Most new phones allow at least three hours of talk time and two to six days on standby. Some phones can last up to 14 days on standby. Keep in mind that usage affects battery life, so does the signal strength of your cellular service. A phone that constantly searches for signals will run itself down quickly. Depending on the phone, recharging the battery should take about an hour or longer. When you buy a phone, consider optional accessories such as a higher capacity battery and a portable charging adapter for use in a car.
Screen: If you intend to send and receive text messages, surf the Web, or use the phone’s organizer, make sure the screen is up to snuff. Six lines of text are sufficient for most folks; anything less will make your eyes—and your thumb— sore from scrolling. Some handsets let you adjust the font size to fit more text on the screen, but the more digits you pack in, the tinier they get. Consider a PDA phone if you plan to go online or send lots of messages; many models come with a large LCD. The LCD’s contrast and backlight strengths are also important and phones often exhibit marked differences in viewing quality. If your phone allows you to adjust such settings, you can make text and graphics easily viewable— even in bright places. These days most phones offer color screens, which are easy on the eyes.
Keypad: If you can’t figure out how to use certain functions on a phone within a few minutes (with or without consulting the manual), try another. The keypad layout and menu system should be intuitive. The buttons should be responsive and easy to press. Check out the navigation buttons on the keypad. A joystick-style knob on some phones can make navigating menus quick. Most handsets come with up/down and left/right arrow keys. Buttons that protrude slightly are much easier to use than flat or recessed keys. Many PDA phones and a few cell phones come with a small QWERTY keyboard. The tiny keys may not suit everyone, but for those who need them, they’re easier to use than a software- based keyboard on a touch-sensitive screen.
Voice communications and organizer: Mobile phones bombard you with call-management features—voice-activated calling, voice recording, phone books, call histories, speed dialing, and so on. Enabling some of the features (such as caller ID, call waiting, and three-way calling) depends on your service plan. Most phones also provide security features that can restrict incoming and outgoing calls, lock the keypad, and protect or mass-delete phone book entries. Some handsets also provide a speakerphone. If you want to talk on the phone hands-free (a must if you use the phone while driving), look for a model that comes with a headset or an earphone. If you don’t want to mess with cords, consider a phone that supports Bluetooth; it allows you to pair it with a wireless Bluetooth headset.
Wireless data: Nearly all new cell phones are capable of doing tasks such as sending and receiving e-mail, downloading custom ring tones and simple games, or connecting to the Internet (usually through a mini browser that’s designed to work best with text-only versions of popular sites like Google, and Yahoo). Such features, however, are heavily dependent on your provider. Note that you may only be able to send text messages or pictures to others who use the same network.
E-mail and instant messaging have changed the way many people use their phones. If your job requires you to be constantly connected, a PDA phone with a full keyboard and e-mail and IM software is must. Going online while you’re waiting for the elevator is a cool idea, but most phones connect at slow speeds: only up to 115 kbps on a GPRS network and up to 384 kbps on EDGE; 3G networks, such as EvDO, will provide faster connections at up to 2 Mbps.
Most of today’s cell phones let you surf the Web--though in many cases access is rudimentary at best, and the data transfer speeds make dial-up seem fast. With camera phones now more common than noncamera models, you’d think manufacturers would stick better cameras in their handsets. Alas, poor picture quality plagues many phones—but the situation is improving. The popularity of iPods has helped trigger a flood of music phones, and nearly all the models can play music. But a few of them are better equipped to do so than the others.
Whether you want a phone to let you stay connected to e-mail and the Web, snap impromptu photos, or enjoy a little music on the go, options abound. Armed with a solid idea about what you want your phone to do well, you’re more likely to end up with a model that makes you happy. Your perfect phone is out there—you make the call. Here are the recommendations for cell phones that fit the needs of most users.
Get at least 3 to4 hours of talk time: Make sure one battery charge on your phone covers at least that.
Pick up a headset or earphone: Inexpensive hands-free ear-bud headsets let you safely converse while driving, working, or just walking. Some phones even allow you to set voice commands to dial frequently called numbers, so you rarely need to touch the keys.
Check the service: Unfortunately, though the penetration rate of mobile phones in India is very high, the quality of service is really not consistent. You may want to check the service in your area before you choose a service provider.
Storage: Most phones have enough storage capacity for apps and data, and some even have expandable memory.