Mobile Phone Buying Guide

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Choosing a mobile phone can be more difficult than you first think. There are a lot of options to consider -- from size, shape, functions and coverage, to whether to prepay or take on a fixed term contract. Then there are the plans that come with a phone--just when you thought you had this all sorted out. This buying guide will help you sift through the mobile phone jargon and options, and equip you with information to make your shopping experience less arduous.

Increased competition among mobile phone companies has created a plethora of plans, some of which are so complex it's difficult to compare rates between the companies.  Phonechoice.com.au has a bill calculator that might help with choosing a plan that best suits you. Keep in mind too, that mobile phones that come with plans might not have the features you're after. For a wide range of features, from gaming to integrated MP3 players, you will need to purchase a phone in addition to the service plan. Don't forget that with each of the extra features you want, the more the phone will cost. Mobile phones  can run for as little as $10 (with a plan) or more than $600. Plus, along with the initial purchase fee, make sure you know what is included in your plan before purchasing as email and internet connections can cost extra.

If you're not sure how long you'll want your mobile phone, try a prepaid phone,  which allows you to pay for only what you need and use. This could be a good choice for teenagers or for keeping as an extra phone in the car in case of an emergency.

Phone Styles

With so many phones out there to choose from, you should first determine what style will work best for your lifestyle. Are you looking flip phone,  a candy bar phone  or something more fashionable? The basic phone styles are explained below. If you want something that doubles as a PDA, check out the Smartphones guide.

Flip Phones  (a.k.a. Clamshell)

  • Stays closed so it prevent the buttons from getting pushed by accident.
  • Opens up to have a greater distance between earpiece and microphone.
  • Some models have external caller ID features, but many do not.
  • Can be a bit larger or thicker than single-piece phones.
  • Large colour screens are the norm.
  • Most phones with cameras are flip-phones.

Candy Bar Phone 

  • Can be smaller and slimmer than flip phones.
  • Buttons can be pushed by accident, even when locked.
  • Screens are usually not as big and the buttons tend to be small to fit on the tiny unit.
  • Always have caller ID on the "outside."
  • Displays can get scratched easily, especially if you tend to carry your phone in your pocket.
  • There is also a greater chance of cracking the screen.

Slider-Style Phone 

  • The compact phone slider cover keeps the buttons from getting pushed accidentally.
  • The phone is slightly thick, but stout.
  • Slider expands to talk, but sometimes doesn't offer enough space from earpiece to microphone.
  • The slider isn't always the smoothest to open, which can sometimes be a hassle if you want to take a call.
  • Caller ID shows up on the full colour screen.

Popular Mobile Phone Brands

Shopping Tips

Whichever style you choose, you'll want to keep some of these basic points in mind when shopping. Be sure, when you have the chance, to compare real phones side-by-side in store. There is a big difference between a floor model and a functioning model. Even better, at some locations you can make a local call and check the sound quality.

  • Size, Weight, and Handling
    • Big or small, the test of a perfect phone is how it fits in your hand and how it feels.
      • Heavy or light? Bulky or so slim you think you'll break it?
      • Can you open it and manipulate the keys with one hand?
    • Does the phone feel like it's well constructed? Trendy, slim phones look hot, but if a phone isn't built to last, chances are it'll hit the rubbish before this season's jeans go out of style. That's not a good thing when you've just signed a two-year contract.
    • Check the screen size. Is it big and easy to read? Compare the screens of two models and see which has a clearer picture. You might be surprised at what you see. When in doubt, choose a backlit screen for better viewing in low-light situations.
  • Battery
    • How long does it take to charge?
    • How much talk time do you get and how much is just standby time?
    • Does the phone have an optional rapid battery charge?

Cell Phone Features

Now that you've decided what kind of body you want your phone to have, it's time to start looking for features. Most phones come with a few of the basic features, like caller ID, call waiting, voice mail, a clock, an alarm and a phone book. Here are a few other features that you'll want to consider, from the basic to the high-end. Whichever features speak to you, remember the bottom line: Only pay for those features that you have an immediate use for or that you expect you'll need in the near future.
  • Games: Fun, but not necessary. You will pay more to have them on your phone if you download them via the Internet because you'll get charged for downloads.
  • Ringtones: Ringtones can give your phone more personality and distinguish them from other phones. Check to see if you can select the ringtone or download one (at an additional cost).
  • Multimedia Options: MP3,  FM radio  and photo/video capabilities  are widely available. Camera phones  have already gone in and somewhat out of style. Video phones  that capture stills and streaming video are the new "camera phone," but the quality is still mediocre. Remember, sending videos and photos costs money. FM radio might be a selling point for some, but you may also want to check out Satellite Radio  instead.

Getting Productive

  • Voice Dial/Speed Dial: If you are constantly making calls or have a lot of people you frequently call, voice dial is a great time saver. Check out the Jabra BT  160 for around $80.
  • Text Messaging: Can be useful for sending information on the go, such as a time or place to meet, and it won't disturb the person you're sending it to as much as a phone call.
  • Speakerphone/Conferencing: Speakerphones act as a hands-free medium and are useful if you need to concentrate on driving or doing other things with your hands while talking on the phone.
  • Email/Internet Access, aka, WAP or microbrowser: This doubles as a fun factor and a productivity factor. You can use the microbrowser for downloading games, ringtones, and even applications, or you can use it for checking the news, stocks or email.
  • Sound Recorder: Instead of carrying around an extra device for voice recording, have it integrated in your phone. It can be useful for making voice memos or to do lists. Keep in mind that the quality is usually pretty basic.
  • Connectivity: Bluetooth  and Infrared  (IR port) are the two most important connectivity features on a phone besides a Web browser. Use the Bluetooth to create instant communication between peripherals and your phone, and link up your PDA via an IR port.

MP3 Player Phones

For years, Bill Gates and other industry insiders have speculated that cell phones will eventually overtake MP3 Players as the music playing devices of choice. Though continuous innovation in the Portable Media Device market has extended traditional devices' reign, the new age of music playing phones has begun. Although current models do not rival the capabilities of PMPers, that standard is rapidly changing.

Phones with Other Features

Mobile Phone Coverage in Australia

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CDMA providers

  • Email Onboard
    • The Motorola MPx220  is a traditional clamshell phone that also has significant PDA capabilities, but without the usual Qwerty keyboard. The Motorola MPx220 is based on Windows Mobile OS and functions like a smartphone.  If you want to receive up-to-date e-mail alerts, but primarily want to use a pocket-sized flip phone for regular calls, then the MPx220 may be right for you.
  • Voice Activation
    • The Samsung MM-A900  combines many state-of-the-art voice features into one phone. It has a speech-to-text input for text messaging, voice-activated dialling and an audible status reports on the phone's battery life and signal strength.
  • Video
    • The Nokia N93  not only boasts a 3.2 megapixel camera with Carl Zeiss lens for stills, but it also has video recording capabilities for up to an hour of video that is stored on a 50 MB of internal memory and an expandable SD memory card. It also has an integrated music player for MP3 and other music file formats. Slightly large and a bit bulky, but with Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, an infrared port and email support, this is ideal for business people on the go with a need for capturing live feeds.

Top 10 Picks

Below are the top 10 mobile phones, rated by CNet.com.au.

iPhone 3G 

Nokia E71 

BlackBerry Bold 9000 

Samsung INNOV8 

LG Renoir KC910 

Samsung i450 

Sony Ericsson W890i 

Telstra EasyTouch Discovery 

Related Guides

PDAs

GPS Devices

Smartphones

Cordless Phones

External Links

  • iMobile.com.au : Australia's On-line Mobile Phone Magazine.
  • PhoneChoice.com.au : Independent, unbiased advice on choosing a mobile phone. Includes a bill calculator.