We all see those fancy high end cell phones and think, “Man I need one of those!”.  As geeks we tend to want the latest and the greatest, but will you really use all the features?  Would a simpler phone be more suited to your needs?  I have a simple LG CU400 which has served me well for a long time.  I used to have a high end Blackberry device and I found that I really did not use the internet, email or other features on the phone very much at all.  It really did not warrant the extra money I was spending for the special features so I down graded.

Look at what you will use the phone for before jumping in and spending a ton of money on something just for bragging rights.  Sure, that iPhone is really sweet and you get all the ooos and ahhhs from your friends and family, but do you really want to pay a minimum $70/month for the look?

I have listed some things to think about before getting a cell phone:

1.  Voice:  This is the primary reason most people get a cell phone.  Look for one that has a decent speaker and easy access to volume controls.  The buttons should be comfortable for you to make calls even without looking at the keypad.

2.  Data:  For us geeks, data is an important part of cell phone use, but do you really use it that much?  I rarely exceed 1MB of data usage in a month.  I use my home internet connection for 99% of my data.  If you do use your cell phone for Data, then look for one that suits you best.  The Blackberries are for power email users, while the iPhone and Treos are for the “surfers” out there.  Don’t let the hype about the newest phone make your decision.  If you do not think getting the unlimited data plan is worth the money, then a data phone may not be the best choice for you.

3.  Size:  This is an important factor when considering a cell phone.  Get one too big and it will be cumbersome to carry around, too small and you risk loosing it too easily.  Look for one that is comfortable in your hand and in your pocket.  Consider getting a carrying case designed for your phone model and stay away from the “Universal” cases as much as possible.

4.  Insurance:  This is a big part of getting a cell phone, especially if you get a high end device.  ATT now offers insurance for all device with the exception of the iPhone.  There are differences in deductibles depending on the price of the device, but you can now get insurance on them all for $4.99/month.  This will protect you in case your phone gets wet, damaged or lost.  Basically, insurance covers everything the warranty does not.

5.  Price:  Obviously this is a biggie.  With a 2 year contract you get a significant discount on phone prices, some of which are even free, but look at the retail price and, if you can afford it, pay the full price to avoid a contract.  This will protect you from receiving any early termination fees should you decide to cancel the service.  One tip about contracts.  If there is a significant change in the contract while yours is active, you can get out of it without having to pay early termination fees.  Let’s say that the price of text messaging goes up.  Within about 30 days, if you call and say you would like out of your contract citing the change, you will be released without penalty.

There are many more things to consider when getting a cell phone and I cannot note them all here.  Just keep in mind what you will use the phone for, not what you would like to use it for.  Just because a phone has cool features doesn’t mean you will use them.  Keep in mind the 30 day return policy (for AT&T) and make sure the device is what you want before that time is up.  If not, return it and get a different one.

Consider things like coverage where you will primarily be using your phone.  If you will be moving before the 2 year contract is up make sure the new address is within a coverage area.  Take your time when choosing a device and a contract and use the built in trial periods.