This article is designed to help you select a great Smartphone. It’s organized around the 9 basic questions that we get asked most often. If you follow the links within each Q & A section, you’ll find a wealth of detailed information about each topic.
Which wireless network is the right one for me?
Find out which wireless network offers the best technology and cell coverage in the locations where you’re most likely to find yourself. For international travelers, we’ve also included advice to insure that the Smartphone you select is compatible with the foreign networks you’re likely to encounter in your travels.
How much should I expect to pay for my Smartphone and my wireless service?
It’s always a good idea to know how much things will cost before you start shopping so we’ve created a chart that shows the relative price of Smartphones, service plans and bundles (i.e. hardware and service plan sold together). We’ve also included links to several on-line tools that will help you find just the right service plan to suit your lifestyle and your budget. Learn More…
What do I need to know about the technology that’s built into a Smartphone?
To help you sort through the technical complexities of buying a new Smartphone, we’ve included a set of basic descriptions for every major component that you’re likely to find in a modern Smartphone. We’ve also included a set of detailed product specs so you can refine your selection to insure that the phone you ultimately select fits your needs as well as your budget. Learn more…
Which Smartphones are easiest to use?
A Smartphone’s physical characteristics and user interface are extremely important selection criteria. The fact is, your satisfaction is largely based on how well your selection fits in your hand and how intuitive it is to operate. With that in mind, we’ve created a chart that compares Smartphone sizes, shapes, weights and form factors. We’ve also provided descriptions of all the major Smartphone operating systems and their user interfaces so you’ll know how they work before you take them for a test drive.
Where can I get a good deal?
The best way to find a great deal is to comparison shop – so in this section, we’ve included links to phone manufacturers, wireless service providers, on-line e-tailers and traditional retailers. We’ve even included links to vendors who specialize in used equipment. To insure that you can choose from as many vendors as possible, we’ve been careful to include both large and small companies from all over the U.S. Learn more…
Can I buy a Smartphone that matches my lifestyle?
We’ve created a set of user profiles that capture many of the more popular ways that Smartphones get used. Each profile includes a set of hardware recommendations that are designed to insure that the phone you ultimately select is a good match for the way you intend to use it. All you have to do is find the profile that best describes who you are. Happy hunting…
What should I do with my old phone?
Learn how you can donate, sell, recycle or trash your old phone and wipe it clean of any personal data before you part with it. If it’s broken, we’ve got links to companies that can do the repairs and make it work like new. If you’re not quite ready to get rid of your old friend, we’ll teach you how to store it properly so it can be reused in case of an emergency. Learn more…
How can I gather information as I shop?
If you like taking notes as you comparison shop, you’ll probably find our downloadable, fill-in-the-blank Smartphone worksheet very useful. It allows you to compare Smartphone features and service plans from different vendors, side by side. We encourage you to print out as many as you need!
Are there additional on-line resources that can help me make a more informed choice?
To help you shop smart, we’ve put together a list of websites that provide unbiased product reviews, quality assessments and reliability data, as well as customer satisfaction survey results, and up-to-date pricing information. We’ve also included links to sites where you can find out about a vendor’s reputation and the way they conduct their business. Learn more…
A note to our readers about our commitment to quality:
We’ve tried hard to insure that all the information found in this article is accurate, timely and free of typos or grammatical errors. If you discover any error, inconsistency, or out-of-date information as you’re reading, please let us know so we can make whatever corrections are necessary. You can report problems here…