How to Buy a Wireless Phone

Wireless Phone Shopping Tips

• Introduction
• The Big Picture
• The Specs Explained
• Wireless Phone Shopping Tips

Photograph: Rick Rizner Think you're ready to go wireless? Here are PC World's recommendations for wireless phones and service plans that fit the needs of most users.

Service Plans

Skip the wireless Web (for now): Slow wireless network speeds make Web surfing laborious. Wait until 3G networks are available nationwide and from multiple carriers, and upgrade to a plan and phone that supports its use then.

Voice mail is a must: Make sure voice mail is included in the cost of the service plan. You won't always have your phone on, and you certainly don't want to miss important calls.

Go regional: Unless you travel extensively around the country, a regional calling plan offers the best mix of minutes, features, and cost. While local plans may have more minutes included, most don't offer free long distance.

Get at least 150 anytime minutes: Unless you plan to use your phone only for emergencies, you'll quickly go through the minutes offered in a low-cost, low-minute plan--and get stuck paying exorbitant rates of up to 45 cents a minute for additional calls.

Phones

Get at least 3- to 4-hour talk-time battery life: Don't get stuck without a charge; a battery that lets you chat away for three or four hours can save many headaches later.

Go dual mode: These phones, which work on both digital and analog networks, provide greater coverage area, even though sound quality may suffer on analog networks.

Pick up a headset or earphone: Inexpensive hands-free ear-bud headsets let you safely converse while driving, working, or just walking. Some phones even allow you to set voice commands to dial frequently called numbers, so you rarely need to touch the keys.

Ask about E911: By 2006, all new wireless phones should contain a feature allowing emergency services to track a phone to its exact location. This so-called Enhanced 911 feature isn't common now, but you should look for it if you intend to use the phone for emergencies.