Tips for getting a better price on the latest phones and technology

Cell phones are a convenient communication tool and so much more. They allow you to check e-mail, dial a number by the sound of your voice, take photos, play games, send text messages, listen to music, along with viewing and editing documents. But choosing a cell phone and service plan can be an overwhelming experience. One very important tip for getting a good price on a cell phone and service is to know what features you want and the price you are willing to pay. So you will need to do some research and comparison shopping to ensure you get a good price on the latest phones and the features they offer.

Some of the key phone features to know include:
- Wireless mode: Dual-mode phones are phones that send and receive both digital and analog signals. These phones tend to be more reliable than single-mode models. Digital service is often spotty or nonexistent in rural areas, a dual-mode phone can fall back on an analog signal to allow service, though roaming fees may apply. If you will be mainly using your phone in big cities, you can stick with a single-mode model because digital service is widespread in big city areas. A single-mode model is often cheaper than a dual-mode phone.

- Band support. The more radio bands a phone supports, the more frequencies it picks up. Quad-band phones operate across four frequency bands. They function around the globe. You can also find a tri-mode phone that works on a two digital frequency band in addition to an analog network, which is a particularly handy feature if you travel to rural areas frequently.
- Design. There are many different cell phone designs to choose from such as aflip-open style, clamshell-style, non- flip style, slider-style phone that slides open, and swivel phones that twist open. If you buy a non-flip phone, make sure it has a keypad lock, this is a helpful feature to prevent inadvertently dialing when the phone is in your pocket or hand bag. Which ever phone style you choose, make sure it is comfortable against your ear. Also keep in mind, can the phone be used with one hand? What about hands-free use? Another thing to look for is the placement of the headset jack. A jack located on top of the phone is often more convenient than one located on the side.
- Screen. An LCD's contrast and backlight strength are important features to consider. If the phone allows you to adjust such settings, you can make text and graphics easier to view, even in bright places. Most phones on the market today offer color screens, which are easy on the eyes. If you plan to go online or send a lot of messages, you may want to consider a PDA phone. Many PDA models come with a large LCD.
- Keypad. The keypad layout and menu system should be intuitive. The buttons should be responsive, and also easy to press. A joystick-style knob on some phones can make navigating menus quick. Buttons that protrude slightly are much easier to use than flat keys. 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 phone.

When choosing a service provider keep in mind the area of coverage offered. The biggest nationwide carriers are Cingular, Sprint Nextel, T-Mobile and Verizon Wireless. Almost all nationwide carriers offer a trial period of up to 30 days where you pay for only the minutes you use, this is a good way to find out about a carrier's network reliability without having to sign a contract.