Buying a mobile phone can be as simple as going for a handset with a design that catches your eye or one with a laundry list of features. Aside from individual brand preferences, each manufacturer also has a series of devices catered for different audiences. To make your next shopping trip easier, we take a look at how phone-makers classify their mobile phones, from entertainment-centric devices to smartphones. We also identify which device may be right for you.
Start right here.
If you've decided to go with a smartphone, you might also want to check out our Getting Started guides. We've already compiled a handy guide about the BlackBerry and Symbian S60 operating systems and we'll be covering the Apple OS X, Google Android and Windows Mobile software over the next few months. So keep a lookout for those.
Quick tips when buying a mobile phone
1.Make sure the IMEI number of your phone tallies with the IMEI sticker on the warranty card. IMEI numbers are unique to the device and no two phones have the same number. They are also commonly used to identify stolen devices.
2.Also check to see if the bundled accessories and warranty card are in order and the former working properly. Ask for an official receipt before you leave the store.
3.Try typing on the keypad or the QWERTY keyboard if the handset comes with one. A handset can have many features, but if you find it hard to even punch a few messages, chances are you won't get a good experience out of it.
4.Power up the phone to look for dead pixels on the LCD screen. A quick and easy way is to take a picture of a black background or cover the entire camera lens with your thumb. Request for a new unit if you spot colored or white pixels on the image.
5.Keep in mind that if you send emails and surf the Web frequently on the phone, you'll need to consider a data plan to accommodate the data usage.
