Choosing a mobile phone

With so many handsets, networks and tariffs on the market, choosing a new mobile phone could be a daunting task. The best way to simplify this process is to think about how you use your phone and which mobile phone features you need most.

Talking and texting

If you generally use your mobile phone for calls and texts only, and aren’t particularly worried about internet, cameras or maps, then you can take your pick when it comes to mobiles - your focus will only be on the kind of tariff you have.

Whether you go for the most technologically advanced mobile or the most basic phone handset, you will simply be choosing a phone from which you can call, access voicemail and send texts. What's more, even when you pick a mobile phone with only the most basic of functions, you'll still get a range of useful tools such as a diary, a calculator and an alarm clock. All the major mobile networks offer great free talk and text deals, and basic handsets are now incredibly cheap.

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Technology

Choosing a mobile phone can be like choosing a computer, personal organiser, digitial camera and MP3 player in one. The convergence of technologies in modern mobile phones means that you can have one tiny device in your pocket to carry out all of these functions.

More and more people are choosing a mobile phone on the strength of its inbuilt digital camera. Camera phones have revolutionised the way we think about photography, in terms of portability, sharing and convenience.

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Music players are another reason that people are choosing smartphones over standard mobiles. Mobiles now have enough memory and hardware capabilities for users to forget about owning a separate MP3 player.

Business

For many people, choosing a mobile phone is a practical business decision. The latest in smartphone technology means you can choose a mobile phone handset that will link up with your work email and keep you constantly connected with you colleagues.

Blackberry handsets are built with the business user in mind. They offer full QWERTY keyboards, advanced email and messaging options, and on board office applications suite for working on the go.

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Other considerations

Many manufacturers realise that users do not always fall into one category, and provide handsets and tariffs that encompass all of the above features. The next step in choosing a mobile phone is finding the perfect package from the right network provider. You may want to choose a mobile phone package where you pay monthly for your minutes, texts and data allowances, or you may want to choose a pay as you go or SIM only mobile phone package.

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