First time buying cell phone...

[Dog Moon]

Okay, so I guess I have two questions:

1. What phone company would you recommend? This will be my sole phone [when I move into an apartment with a friend, we're not getting a phone for the apartment] and I make a few calls, but not LOTS.

2. Anything I need to look out for? Hidden traps or something I may not be aware of since this is my first time...

 

[Rodrigo Istalindir]

Ask other people in the apartment complex and find out which one gets the best reception in that area. The best phone and greatest plans are pointless if you can't get a signal where you plan on using it 90% of the time. It amuses the hell out of me when I see people in my building standing outside in the parking lot in the freezing cold trying to talk on their cell phones.

 

[Dog Moon]

Ask other people in the apartment complex and find out which one gets the best reception in that area. The best phone and greatest plans are pointless if you can't get a signal where you plan on using it 90% of the time. It amuses the hell out of me when I see people in my building standing outside in the parking lot in the freezing cold trying to talk on their cell phones.

Well, I haven't actually moved anywhere yet. Probably not gonna happen for a couple of months, but I would still like a cell phone before that time.

 

[TogaMario]

Plenty to watch out for Usually the company will stick you with a 2-year contract and "give" you a phone for $50-$200. Just make sure that whatever plan you get (minutes and all) is exactly what you want/need. If you need to change it later, it's highly likely that they will make you renew the contract and you're stuck with it for 2 more years.

 

[Ferghis]

It's a good idea to outline what features you're interested in before you look at the actual products. Here's some options you may want to consider:

• Capable of wireless earpiece (bluetooth)?
• Capable of taking pictures (some public buildings don't allow phones with cameras in them in the building)?
• Capable of surfing the mini-internet available for phones (this will also cost you extra money every month)?
• Capable of sending text messages (another monthly expense)?
• If the latter, are you interested in the phone helping you type the messages by suggesting words as you type (called T9)?
• Capable of sending picture messages (another monthly expense)?
• Capable of playing mp3s?
• Capable of downloading mp3s (this is usually a pretty lame system, and it's expensive, but some people buy it, so there must be some appeal - sometimes another monthly billed item)?
• Capable of retrieving email?
• Type of phone (clamshell, open keyboard, qwerty keyboard)?

I would think about these and put a dollar amount next to each item. Then go to the store and check out which phone is their base model, and ask about the features you're interested most in. If you want actual suggestions for phone models, try
http://www.letstalk.com/

I agree that the quality of service you get at home is the most important consideration in choosing a provider. Can you take a couple of friends (with different services) to the place (or near it, the nearer the better, these things can vary dramatically), and see how their reception is?

 

[Rackhir]

I've been very pleased with the Motorolla Razr phone I have. The battery will go something like a week between charges with normal usage (I don't do a lot of talking on the phone) and seems to get excellent reception.

 

[bento]

As someone mentioned earlier, most people buy the service first, then the phone. Contracts, coverage area, peak hours, etc., can really make your head swim once you start considering all the options.

If you haven't done this before, and you're not a big-time talker, I'd suggest looking into a prepaid service by one of the majors, or Virgin. I have personally used Virgin for several years now because I don't use the phone that often. Mostly to check in with the wife on the way home from work. I also find a text more when I want to communicate but not urgently. The pluses for a prepaid is you pay as you go, and no long-term contract. The provider (Virgin) uses the Sprint network, or it used to, so coverage is very large.

I paid $20 at Circuit City for my newest phone that has a color screen with web access. I can download about any ringtone available, and the monthly cost has been around $30 every six weeks or so.

 

[Thanee]

If it is anything like here, then you might get a contract with a home zone option, where you can call really cheap, while you are within some distance of your appartement. Might be worth it, if you don't get a regular phone line.

Bye
Thanee

 

[3catcircus]

If you willing and able to afford it, I'd recommend T-Mobile and their SDA phone.

1. T-Mobile is GSM (as is Cingular), so if you go overseas, your (given the right phone) likely able to use it anywhere except S. Korea and Japan.

2. I've never had any problems with T-Mobile customer service, unlike Verizon where there tends to be a long line out the door waiting to see a technician. Don't know about Cingular.

3. The SDA is bluetooth and WiFi capable, has a camera (still and video), and can be used as a PDA/calendar since it runs Windows Mobile and can be synched with your computer. It'll play mp3's, other audio, video, etc.

4. Since it is WiFi capable, as long as you don't need always-on connectivity (or if you are running a WiFi network at home), you don't even need to use T-Mobile's internet and email services to check your email. I've got mine setup to access my home network so I can check email from my living room Lazy-boy chair. Out and about, as long as there is an open hotspot, I can check it there too. Likewise, I can surf the net as well.

YMMV, but until someone comes out with a phone that I can use *anywwhere* in the world (quad-band GSM, S. Korean WCDMA and Japan PCS), I'll stick with T-Mobile. In fact I dumped Verizon mid-contract for T-Mobile because Verizon had rotten customer service.

There are plenty of other options as well - Boost, Amp'ed and any of a number of other pre-pay or pay-as-you-use services as well.

 

[JDragon]

Being in the business I'm a bit biased, but I can throw a few things in.

As mentioned above figure out what you want a phone for first, then look at the phones.

Also as mentioned, check who's got service in your area first, then check out their websites for information.

Also most companies have a short test/return time. (my company is 15 days) Use this to test it out, go where ever you may want to use it, see how it does. Regarding coverage in buildings/homes - there are two factors here - how close towers are and the make up of the building. Cell phone companies do not guarentee service once you are in a building. (I get crap from my wife on a daily basis almost, since ours are bad in the house. :-( )

Make sure you like the phone, cause unless you want to spend $$$ you will have it for at least a year.

Also since its you first one, pay the money for insurance that covers loss, because it really sucks to pay for service when you don't have a phone to use with it. (i've seen it happen) You can always cancel the insurance down the road after you are used to keeping up with it and taking care of it.

When you go to the store know what you want and be prepared to hear a sales pitch, some of the sales people at stores are as bad a car salesmen.

Also, depending on your credit you may have to put a deposit down, that you will not get back for a year or could lose if you don't make your payments or are late all the time.

Let me know if you have other ?'s and I'll help best I can.

BTW - I work for verizon wireless doing tech support for advanced data devices (Blackberry's, Treo's Etc)

JD