Mobile phone guide – Picking the right phone

The population density of the mobile market is simply bewildering and there are a myriad choices – in the form of shape, size, colour, specialization – that might leave you simply awestruck! Even before you get yourself fully acquainted with your new handset, it might appear dated and outdone.

The best you can do is to measure your needs, expectations and budget. Mobile phones are no longer unidimensional talking devices but have evolved into highly capable multitasking gadgets. You have music phones, camera phones, smartphones and Internet tablets. Many phones combine multiple features but are more inclined to accentuate one particular feature asset. So whether a 1.3 megapixel camera would serve your purpose when it is combined with lets say a digital stereophonic audio player, is for you to determine.

The option of choosing a network is there only with SIM free phones and when you go for a contract phone, you need to find out whether the particular network has services that complement your handset's potential to the maximum. Determining your usage, both in terms of range and volume, is of utmost importance before finalizing a tariff plan.High speed connectivity, easy data transference and seamless browsing – factors that rank high these days when choosing a mobile phone. Presence of GPRS,EDGE, HSDPA and 3G functionalities are the order of the day and all leading manufacturers are developing handsets that incorporate the very best in technology.

If the primary utility of your mobile phone is to make calls, you can settle for any mid-range handset that is easy to navigate and control. For work on the move, Smartphones, Internet Tablets and Business Handhelds come handy. The yardstick for measuring the imaging prowess of a camera phone is its megapixel resolution and the presence of features like autofocus, digital zoom and image management softwares. While a 2 megapixel camera is good enough to freeze moments on the go, 10 megapixel cameras have already hit the market. Such camera phones make sense if you are substituting your stand alone digital camera for good.

Online help and guidance may also assist you in your search for the right phone.