How to Save Money When You Buy a Wireless Cell Phone / Smartphone

By Contributor Wireless and Mobile News on November 4, 2008 12:08 AM

Wireless and Mobile News' editor, Lynn Walford wrote the following article for the beta version of Google's Knol, a knol is a unit of knowledge. She offers the following advice on ways to help to keep the cost of smartphones down.

What Will Do You Need it For?

The best place to start is by figuring how often and for what uses you will need the phone for such as:

Access to corporate email accounts
Web surfing
Video/TV viewing
Photo taking
Video capture
Music playing with a Bluetooth stereo headset
Ability to sideload music/photos with a microSD card
GPS for mapping and directions
Access to Wi-Fi networks
If you are sending email or text, if these messages will be long or short. If you will be sending long messages you may want to consider a smartphone with a keyboard.
If you would like it to follow voice commands
Ability to access high-speed data network (3G) not all carriers have fast data access in all areas.

Research Online

If you already have a carrier you like you can search on the carriers' website for phones available. Most people however search for reviews of the phone on the internet. A recent study for Google by compete showed that 78% of all wireless buyers go online to research. Reviews are a good place to start but sometimes they can be so long, you loose track that's why Wireless and Mobile News' created the Review of Reviews where the top reviews of cell phones are summarized with links to original reviews. Often websites that have reviews also have ads to independent sellers of wireless phones that offer better deals to new customers with a contract. The web is also an excellent place to search for the best price once you have decided on the model of wireless phone that is best for you.

Wait Longer for Better Deals

If you don't have to have the newest phone available, earlier model phones are often less expensive. For example when the TV touchscreen phone the LG Vu first went on sale it was selling for $400 on eBay because it was the only phone with 3G access before the iPhone 3G came out. Recently we've seen the LG Vu offered for free with certain plans and a rebate, especially from Wirefly that often has ads on Wireless and Mobile News. The G1 Google phone from T-Mobile was first offered in its stores for $179.99 and then discounted at Wal-Mart to $148.88.

Order Online for Cash Back Offers

While you do your online research always check for special offers for online ordering it can reduce the price of the cell phone.

Bundle It Other Services

Sometimes when you buy Television services, High Speed Internet and landline phone services the combined package makes a fantastic deal. You can always ask your cable company, telco, or satellite TV provider for a package deal.

Pay In Advance / Pay As You Go

Taxes and added fees can add as much as 20% to a wireless bills, prepaid services already include those fees. There are even unlimited prepaid plans, which may not have the newest phones but are sufficient if you don't use your wireless phone all the time.

Unlocked Cell Phones Unlock Contracts

Wireless carriers subsidize high end phones by making you agree to two years of service which you can not leave easily. Although most carriers will allow you to cancel a plan without a month without a penalty, Early Termination Fees can keep you from changing your mind. You may pay more for unlocked phone but you can change your plan at any time. Most unlocked phones can also be placed on a prepaid plan.

Test in Store for Your Style

Although Reviewers do an excellent job of telling readers what they like, you make find the phone easy to operate. Women with long nails and people with disabilities found out that they couldn't use the iPhone without a special stylus because the screen requires the charge of a finger. You are the person who will be operating the phone.

Take Your Time

If you are not sure what kind of wireless phone you need, wait until you do know what you want. There is always a newer better, faster, cheaper phone coming on the market everyday.