You Make the Call!

There are several things to think about when you’re choosing a new cell phone.

First, what’s your budget? If you think the coolest phones are out of your price range, keep in mind that you can get a discount on most of them if you (or your parents) sign up for a contract with a carrier. The longer the contract, the bigger the discount — for example, you can get several models for free if you opt for a two- or three-year plan.

Some cell phone users would rather have the freedom to cancel or switch their service without a penalty, but a lot of people prefer to save money upfront on the phone.

Also, like most tech products, cell phones are getting cheaper all the time — if you wait a few months, the price of your favorite phone may come down.

You can also buy an unlocked GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) phone from other dealers including Internet retailers, but this is likely to be more expensive because service carriers subsidize their phones. Wherever you buy your phone, inquire about the return policy and warranty. You should also examine phones in person to see if you like the way they look and how the controls feel.

Think about what features are important to you. You can get phones with a camera, media player, speakerphone, Bluetooth wireless technology, full keyboards, FM radio, photo storage…the list goes on and on! The more bells and whistles, the higher the price. Sometimes, it makes sense to spend a little more. For example, if you need a phone and an MP3 player, you might want to pick a model that does both.

If you still have some room in your budget, get some bling for your ring! You can customize your phone with trendy ringtones, wallpaper, cases, faceplates, stickers and even Swarovski crystals, courtesy of NYC Peach (www.nycpeach.com).