How to Buy a Cell Phone

Here's what you need to know to get the cell phone and service plan that are right for you.

Introduction

Few tools of modern technology have become as prevalent as the cell phone, which allows you to be in touch (almost) all the time, (almost) anywhere. And you can do more than just talk--modern phones let you send and receive e-mail and text messages, and even surf the Web. Sifting through the sea of service plans and handsets can be difficult, but we'll walk you through what you need to know to get the phone and service plan that are right for you.

The Big Picture Find out how to decide which phone is right for you, and learn about network coverage. more

The Specs Explained We take an in-depth look at the low-end and high-end features of wireless phones and service plans. more

Cell Phone Shopping Tips Before you start shopping, read our recommendations to get the best deal on a cell phone and service plan. more

The Big Picture

Cell phones are more than just convenient communication tools: They allow you to check e-mail, sync with the calendar and contacts on your PC, dial a number by the sound of your voice, read breaking news on the Internet, take photos, play games, send text messages, view and edit documents, listen to music, and more. But choosing a phone--and the service plan to go with it--requires some legwork.

Your choice of phone may depend on your choice of wireless service provider. If you're shopping for a carrier, you first need to figure out which carrier offers the best coverage and monthly service plan in your area. Then you'll have to select a phone from the assortment that your chosen service provider offers. With the exception of a few handsets, most phones work only on one provider's system because carriers have mutually exclusive networks, and many carriers lock their phones so you can't take the same phone to another provider.

The third generation of mobile communications technology, commonly called 3G, is becoming more widely available. It's supposed to boost data-transfer performance to 2 megabits per second from the more common data-transfer rate of 19.2 kilobits per second, and is particularly handy if you use a phone to wirelessly access data such as e-mail, text messages, and the Web.

The availability of 3G service remains a mixed bag. Sprint and Verizon Wireless use the Evolution Data Optimized (EvDO) network, which offers average download speeds of 400 to 700 kbps and potential maximum download speeds of 2 mbps. AT&T and T-Mobile support a 3G network called HSDPA (High Speed Downlink Packet Access), which is available only on select handsets. (AT&T's HSDPA is also available for use with PC Cards.) HSDPA promises average download data rates of 400 to 700 kbps with bursts to more than 1 mbps. While more phones are offering support for HSDPA, most AT&T and T-Mobile phones still support EDGE (Enhanced Data rates for Global Evolution), which promises data transmission speeds of 384 kbps, and GPRS (General Packet Radio Service), with an average speed of 40 kbps but the capability to go up to 115 kbps.