Apple iPhone 8GB Cell Phone
27 Stores $399 - $999
Cell Phone Buying Guide
If your cell phone contract is up, or if you’ve waited as long as you can to join the ranks of cell phone users, there’s good news: Today’s cell phones pack more features at a lower price than ever before. Need a music player, digital camera, or the Internet to go? There’s a cell phone for you. And while Apple’s pricey iPhone may be stealing the headlines, there’s a cell phone with the features you need available for less than you might realize. (see also Smart Phone Buying Guide, PDA Buying Guide).
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the five
What are the five key points I need to look at?
Choose a carrier
Many cell phones work only with a single carrier. “Unlocked” cell phones may be available from third-party retailers, but their full functions may not be supported.
Find the functions you need
A basic cell phone is perfect for making calls and sending messages. More advanced phones include music players, digital cameras, and camcorders.
Is a smart phone right for you?
If you really need a cell phone with a keyboard and full Internet access, a smart phone is worth the investment. This technology is still expensive, so unless you need it, choose a cell phone with predictive text.
Select the right plan
Always have more anytime minutes than you think you’ll need. Look into family plans for the people you call often, and consider a prepaid cell phone for younger children.
Add accessory costs
Some cell phones have everything you need in the box, while others require you to buy earbuds, car chargers, and memory cards. Add in the cost of these accessories when comparing models.
pronto pick
What product do we recommend?
Packing tons of features and an abundance of style, Motorola’s RAZR V3 X, which starts at about $200, is the hot cell phone to own. Sporting a 1.3 megapixel camera, video playback, Bluetooth® wireless for the headset, and an MP3 player, you’ll find lots of fun ways to use this cell phone. The anodized aluminum case is just 13.9 mm thick, 53 mm wide, and 98 mm long (when flipped open), making this a perfect pocket fit, and the chemically etched keypad is another sleek innovation.
experts say
PC Magazine - “ Verizon now jams with the Chocolate 8550. LG deserves heaps of applause… In fact, the new Chocolate is Verizon's best music phone yet.” Source: PC Magazine
Mobiledia - “The Nokia 7380 Mobile Phone is aimed at trend-setting men and women who enjoy being the centre of attention - and are willing to spend a little extra on the finer things in life.” Source: Mobiledia
PC Magazine - “…the T-Mobile Sidekick 3 Mobile Phone slims down the hip handheld, bumps up the camera resolution, and adds an MP3 player. Although there are no breathtaking new features, the SK3 continues the Sidekick reign as the most usable, cuddly e-mail device around—truly, wireless e-mail and IM for dummies.” Source: PC Magazine
CNET: Best Camera Phone—Nokia N80 - “A quick scan of the N80's features list shows a focus on imagery, as the phone boasts a sharp 3-megapixel camera, a second VGA camera, and image-editing apps.” Source: CNET Top 10 Cell Phones
CNET: Best Multimedia Phone—LG LX5550 (Fusic) - “Beyond making calls, the LX550 boasts solid music capabilities, including the first FM transmitter in a cell phone. The remaining feature offerings are plentiful; you'll find Bluetooth, a 1.3-megapixel camera, 3G support for streaming video, and an expandable memory slot - all in an appealing, compact design.” Source: CNET Top 10 Cell Phones
hot buzz
What's hot in the world of cellular phones?
Thanks to Apple’s stylish iPhone, Smart Phones are the hot gadget to own. Originally priced with two models at $599 and $499, Apple has eliminated the lower priced model entirely and cut price on the full featured model by $200. You can now own the iPhone for the tempting price of $399. Apple reports it will ship 4.5 million iPhones by the end of 2007.
Wallet Impact
What can I expect in my price range?
| Price | Description | Good Pick (see all Cellular Phones) |
| $ | How does free sound? Between free and $50, you can get a capable phone with a two-year service plan. If you’re bargain hunting, keep an eye out for new model introductions, as the older models can be sold for deep discounts. Good Pick: Nokia 1110i Cellular Phone |
Compare prices at 6 stores $45 - $92 |
| $$ | A flood of features awaits in the price range from $156-$300. You’ll find cell phones with cameras, MP3 capabilities, Internet access, and predictive text. While not quite as full-featured as smart phones, these cell phones will do a lot at an attractive price. Good Pick: Motorola i850 |
Compare prices at 4 stores $9 - $25 |
| $$$ | Keypads, memory, and connectivity (both to your PC and the Internet) can be found in the $265-$600 range. Cell phones at this level can be used as personal organizers and message centers for both calls and e-mail. You’ll even find cell phones with built-in cameras that take excellent pictures. Good Pick: Samsung SGH-D900 |
Compare prices at 2 stores $257 - $272 |
shop talk
What are the terms and definitions I need to know about?
Airtime
The time you spend talking on a cell phone.
Anytime Minutes
The allotment of minutes you can use each month before additional charges per minute apply. Nights and weekends are free with most plans.
Bluetooth®
A wireless technology that allows a cell phone to communicate with peripherals, such as a headset.
Carrier
A cell phone service provider.
Cell Phone
A wireless telephone that uses cellular technology. Cellular uses radio frequencies to communicate with the phone through antennas, with each antenna area known as a “cell.” As you travel from cell to cell, a cell phone switches from one antenna to the next.
Data Transfer
Communication between your cell phone and the Internet. Additional charges may apply for data transfer.
Instant Messaging
Also known as text messaging, sending a short written message to a Web site or another cell phone. Additional charges may apply for text messaging.
Local Calling Area
The region your service plan allows you to call without incurring toll charges.
Off-Peak
Periods of time when carriers offer discounted calling charges. Nights and weekends may be free, depending on your plan.
Peak
The highest-use time of the day. Most carriers charge more per minute for calls made during peak hours.
Plan
The service contract with a carrier.
Prepaid
A cell phone that comes with a certain number of available minutes. Once the minutes are used up, more must be purchased to use the phone.
Roaming
Use of a cell phone outside its designated service area. The per-minute rate can be much higher in a roaming area.
Service Plan or Service Contract
A two-year agreement with a carrier to provide cell phone service and airtime, along with data transfer and text messaging, if included. Breaking the contract early can result in penalties of $150 or more.
guide tools
Research Central
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