Here is a list of features that should be considered when looking for a cell phone:

• Service plan
• Mode
• Battery type
• Display
• Included functions
• Special features
• Size
• Price

Service Plan

Before you set your sights on a particular make or model of cell phone, you should decide on the service plan that interests you. Otherwise, you could find that the phone you want is not supported by the plan you need.

Mode

Are you looking for analog or digital? Do you prefer PCS or cellular? TDMA or CDMA? If you have read How Cell Phones Work, then you know what each of these terms means. Look for dual mode/dual band phones if you travel a lot.

Battery type

Cell phones use two main battery technologies:

• NiMH (nickel-metal hydride) - high capacity battery that provides extra power for extended use
• Li-ion (lithium ion) - has a lot of power in a lightweight package but usually costs more than NiMH batteries

Note both the talk time and standby time when comparing phones. Also, check to see how long the battery takes to recharge and whether a rapid charger is available. Most cell-phone batteries are removable, but some of the smaller models have a built-in battery instead.

Display

All cell phones have LCD displays, but the specific features of the display can vary:

• Size - A large, multi-line display is typically more expensive, but it's necessary if you plan to use the phone for wireless Internet.
• Color vs. monochrome - Most cell phones have monochrome displays (16 grays), but a there are a growing number that have color. Cell phones with color screens need more memory and tend to be more expensive.
• Reflective or backlit - Almost all cell phones have backlit screens, which are good for low-light conditions.

Included Functions

Most premium phones offer all of these features, while more economical phones may only have a few:

• Phone directory
• Clock
• Calculator
• Games
• Personalized/custom sounds
• Appointment reminder/calendar
• Incoming-number storage
• Automatic redial
• Last-number recall
• Mute/hold button
• One-touch dialing/speed dialing
• Voice-activated functions
• Vibrate mode
• Lock/alarm
• Call forwarding
• Multi-party calls
• Hands-free headset/speakerphone
• External volume/ringer control
• Rapid charger/built-in charger
• Car adapter

Special Features

Some cell phones have special features such as:

• Text messaging
• Wireless Internet
• Modem function
• PC synchronization
• PDA
• MP3 player
• GPS receiver

When looking at phones with a headset or speakerphone connection, check to see if the plug is proprietary. If it is, then check the cost and availability of the headset or speakerphone. Also, all phones come with a charger, but not all of them come with a rapid charger.

Size

Think about how you plan to use the phone. Will it mostly be a car phone? Or do you plan to carry it in a pocket all day long? This will help you determine if that cheaper phone with the same features that weighs 10 ounces is a better deal than the one that only weighs 5 ounces but costs twenty percent more.

Price

If you are like most of us, price is always a consideration. Weigh the options carefully and make sure that you don't pay for features that you probably will never use. If you are not interested in wireless Internet, then you may not want to pay the extra bucks for a WAP-enabled phone.