When planning for a new mobile phone, shopping online is your best option. The first step is window shopping or should I say site hopping. Internet offers the convenience of browsing from several websites, you can choose from the official brand websites to mobile phone retailers sites. You can also use the popular search engines like Google, Yahoo and MSN to do a research on the available cellphone units. Some websites also offers review on each unit, this could help you in deciding the best phone for your budget and specifications.

The main convenience of online shopping is that you can read about the product details and view it’s images until you’re satisfied and without any salesperson standing behind your back. You can view different mobile phone brands and units without feeling ashamed of being too picky or annoying. This is important since mobile phones can cost a lot so you need to do an extensive comparison of the available phones. Look into each feature, price and even reviews or testimonials by people who owns the same phone.

Below are some of OzFree’s important tips when buying mobile phones online:

1. Determine the kind of phone that you are looking for. What are the basic mobile phone features that you need? How much talk time will the battery last? Does it support a SMS feature? What are the dimensions of the phone? Do you want a slide up, slide down, flip up, big or small cellphone? Which brand do you trust Nokia, Sony Erickson, Motorola or other big and small companies. There are a lot of choices so you should decide on what are the most important basic feature you consider that would support your purpose, either being a tech junkie, for business or personal use.

2. Back in the old days a phone is used for calling but these days it has evolved vastly. It can come with different functions like a camera or video capabilities, Bluetooth technology, 3G, phone memory, recorder, radio, mp3 player, even TV and all that you can imagine. Don’t be shocked if one day it can also cook dinner for you because mobile companies are pushing the envelope to further make cellphones a necessity in every person’s life.

3. After sorting your “must have” features, research for mobile phones that have these features that you like. You may be confused for this step because of the wide selection of phones that contains your “must have” features but some of your option might lack few feature but you might like the design or the overall appeal.

4. Decide your payment method, either paying in cash, credit car or contract. Your decision can be based on many factors, if you have a cash in hand you can pay outright but you can also choose to pay a monthly bill to cover the price. Basically, choose the method that won’t leave you broke.

5. The deciding factor could be your budget for the mobile phone. Your lucky enough if you can afford not to set a range for your phone’s price but most of the people need to set a specific limit to keep up with their budget. Aside from the phone’s price, consider if the website shoulders the delivery cost or will add an additional payment.

6. It pays to be resourceful when shopping online because several web sites offer great deals and discounts. You can buy mobile phones for a cheaper price since there are no dealer fee added. Some promotional tactics offered by websites are free coupons for their raffle, T-shirt or pen.

Online shopping have made buying a mobile phone easier, faster and more convenient. When you are planning to buy one for yourself, determine what you want then research for the available models and services that suits you, your budget and lifestyle.

Mobile phones have become a fashion statement. They come in different brands and catchy models for all kinds of users. The mobile phone sector has made a significant impact on the field of communication with new technologies and better connectivity.

What kind of mobile phone are you looking for?

There are many fancy models flooding the market, but you should choose a model depending on your mobile phone requirements. A mobile phone should offer exemplary service for the money you pay. These days mobile phones use sophisticated operating systems which perform most of the applications of a laptop. A businessmen or an itinerant person can go for smartphones with a good web browser, e-mail facility and other in-built applications. If you are looking for entertainment options, then choose a phone with an MP3 player, FM radio or camera. There are also some basic models for buyers who do not want to pay for sophisticated mobiles.

How are mobile phones classified?

Mobile phones are classified based on their design and service provider.

Design:

There are many designs and models available. Candybar models are the most common design. They are narrow and easily fit into a protective case. Flip phones are compact phones that open up to reveal a keypad and screen. The design prevents accidental dialing. Slider phones have a keypad that lies underneath the screen, giving it a small and chic look. There are some models with swivel keypads or screens that allow for two-handed operation when used horizontally. There are also tons of mobile phone accessories to jazz up your phones appearance.

Network:

There are two mobile phone networks, Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) and Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA). Each of these technologies follows different ways of transmitting voice and data.

GSM is the most widely used worldwide mobile phone network. There are many GSM phones on the market from manufacturers of quality brands. Phones with tri-band or quad-band GSM can operate on multiple frequencies and can be used abroad.

A CDMA network enabled phone is just meant for a particular network provider. There is a small range of handset models which cannot be used with other providers. This network provides a greater coverage area but has some pitfalls, such as limited call plans.

In Australia, there are three GSM phone companies with their own networks, Optus, Telstra and Vodafone. Telstra also has a CDMA network.

What features does a good mobile phone have?

Mobile phones have an expansive array of features. Some meet your basic needs while others are much more advanced and give you wider options.

Ergonomics:

Every phone comes with its unique design and look. Most mobile handsets, with the exception of 3G models, are compact. Manufacturers are trying to add more features to mobiles while retaining their small size with the help of flip phones, rotating screens and sliding keyboards. If you are a beginner, you would be better off with an easy to use intuitive interface. You can opt for more rugged phones if you will be using your mobile extensively.

Multimedia and Gaming Options:

Traveling can be fun with features such as an FM radio and MP3 player on your mobile. Consider mobile phones with memory card slots, as storage capacity becomes especially important for multimedia phones. Models that have an FM tuner will play music without the need to fill the phone with files or worry about storage capacity. Other mobile phones support streaming video and video conferencing. A Java-enabled phone can be used for downloading games as well as web browsing.

Cameras and Video Recorders:

Mobile phones can be used as a digital camera or a video recorder. You can take a picture anytime or shoot a video with most recent models. Some handsets have a very low resolution, but many newer phones have scaled up to 2 megapixels for improved picture quality.

Web Browsers:

Phones with a web browser allow you to send and receive mail through Gmail, Yahoo and Hotmail. You can also receive ISP mail through POP3 programs like BigPond and OptusNet, to name a few. Some phones feature Wireless Access Protocol (WAP) browsers for wireless Internet access. Few higher-end consumer models are capable of providing full HTML browsers.

Connectivity:

Bluetooth technology allows you to exchange or sync files with other mobiles or devices, such as PDAs.

Infrared enabled phones can also be used for synchronizing with a computer or transferring files to a device. However, the device you are sending or receiving files with must be in your line of sight.

Speakerphone and Conference Calling:

A speakerphone is a great choice for multitask. This hands-free option lets you talk while you drive. It is also useful for making a call while in a group. A large number of mobile phones support conference calling for business users or caller groups.

Memory:

While the standard internal memory of a mobile range between 10 MB and 96 MB, a gaming or MP3 phone may have up to 500 MB of internal memory and come with a separate memory card slot. To get the best use out of your new mobile phone, go for expandable memory slots. They let you store a large number of files on the multimedia phone.

Battery:

Generally, the charge carrying capacity of a battery depends upon the features and usage of the phone. Standby times vary between 10 days and 14 days while talk times range between two hours to eight hours, approximately. The most commonly used battery type is lithium ion, as it has a low self-discharge rate and a high storage capacity.

Other Applications:

Every mobile phone has a phone book that lets you store your contacts. Some models include a voice dialing feature that lets you make calls without using the keypad. Almost all standard handsets offer organizer applications such as a calendar, alarm clock, stopwatch and calculator.

What accessories are available for mobile phones?

There are many mobile phone accessories available for your mobile. You can personalize your phone with changeable faceplates and mobile phone cases. The two most sought after accessories for a mobile are Bluetooth headsets and car chargers.

Headsets:

If you are the kind of person who needs to use a mobile phone all day long, a bluetooth headset would be a sensible option. You can conveniently have a hands free conversation using Bluetooth technology.

Car Kits:

Plug your mobile phones into car kits to utilize the cars battery power, speakers and aerial. You can enjoy music from your phone in the car with these kits. The aerial and speakers provide enhanced sound quality.

In today’s world, cell phones are more of a need than a want. Information is flowing faster than ever in earth’s history. So how do you pick the right phone and the right plan that fits your needs?

Family Plans – this is a very good plan for large families who are trying to jump to the cell phone bandwagon. The family can share a pool of minutes and this will be efficient rather than letting those minutes go to waste.

Downside is that it could be bad if you have one family member who tends to eat up the plan minutes.

So the best solution for this kind of situation is a pre-paid plan. The idea is you buy a specific amount of time first and then you consume it as you use your phone more and more. This is good because you can control your spending. This is more preferable rather than seeing a huge cell phone bill at the end of the month.

If you are planning to use the phone by your own. Then you should ask yourself how are you planning to use the phone? If your just using it for emergencies or not that often. Then pre-paid plan would be sufficient. If you’re planning to use your cell phone often, then its better to use cheapest plan available. The reason is that you’re buying cell phone minutes in bulk which means that you’re getting it cheaper. Just monitor your time consumption to avoid future headaches.

Also you would also like to compare the plans and their options. Do you need roaming, text messaging and other perks that might companies offer you. Shop to get around to get the best deal. Just use your common sense. Don’t apply for plans that have additional cost on their options and your not planning to use them or practically have no use for you. Your just throwing money down the drain.

By following those simple advice you may get some ideas on how to pick the right cell phone plan for you.