Features to Consider
When shopping for a phone, you can do some simple hands-on tests in the store to make sure the phone has everything you need.
Call quality: What good is a phone if it can't make calls? Some of the most simple, bare-bones "feature" phones offer the best call quality--and on the flip side, some fancy smartphones have dismal calling. When evaluating phones, be sure to make a few test calls. In PCWorld's hands-on tests, we generally make a few calls in a quiet room and a few calls in a noisy environment. You might not be able to replicate such tests indoors, but try your best. Take note of static, tinny voices, or any other interference. Ask the person on the other end of the line if they can hear a disruptive amount of background noise.
Design: Your choices range from flip-open clamshell-style phones to candy bar-style phones to slider-style phones with full-QWERTY keyboards. Whichever type of phone you select, check its ergonomics. Is it comfortable to hold against your ear, and can you hear callers without constant adjustment? Can you use the phone with one hand? Consider hands-free use: Can you comfortably hold the phone to your ear by scrunching your neck and shoulder?
Display: If you intend to send and receive text messages, surf the Web, or use the phone's organizer, make sure the screen is up to snuff. Is it big enough for you to take full advantage of the phone's features? If you're going to surf the Web or edit office documents on your phone, a screen that measures less than 2.7 inches diagonally will feel very cramped.
The screen's contrast and backlight are also important. The phones we've seen show marked differences in viewing quality. If your phone allows you to adjust such settings, you can make text and graphics easily viewable--even in bright places.
Consider the screen's resolution, too. The higher the resolution, the better the screen will look--an important factor if you plan to use your phone to watch videos or view photos.
4G support and availability: Although a lot of buzz surrounds the next generation of wireless networks, 4G has seen very little movement until this year. The two main technologies are WiMax and Long Term Evolution. 4G's faster download speeds significantly improve streaming video and allow features such as videoconferencing and network gaming.
AT&T and Verizon currently don't have any devices that support their soon-to-be-launched LTE networks--but 2011 is sure to bring a barrage of LTE devices from both carriers. If a 4G phone is something you've been desperately waiting for, you might want to hold off on buying a 3G phone and signing a new contract with either of these networks.
T-Mobile is currently rolling out its HSPA+ network, which is essentially a more advanced version of 3G protocols. Currently, only two T-Mobile phones support the HSPA+ network: the G2 and the MyTouch 4G.
Cameras: If you intend to take a lot of photos with your phone, you'll definitely want to pay attention to the camera specs. For mid- to high-level smartphones, 5 megapixels is now pretty much the standard. Some phones ship with 8- or 12-megapixel cameras, but a higher megapixel count doesn't necessarily mean a better camera. Verify that the phone you're interested in has a flash--dual-LED or Xenon flashes work the best--or else you won't be able to take any pictures indoors or at night without their looking like blurry messes. Try to take a few pictures in the store to get a good idea of the camera's photo quality.
Most cell phone cameras also have video-capture capabilities; some high-end phones can even capture high-definition 720p video. If video is your thing, make sure that the OS provides an easy way to upload your videos to Facebook or YouTube.
In Video: How to Buy a Cellphone