Evaluate how well a Cell Phone meets your needs and compares to competing products
If you've completed step one you've identified what you need in a cell phone and you've learned about the different features of cell phones. While you were doing your research, you probably started the process of determining which features - and thus which type of cell phone - will best meet your needs. Now you are going to continue that process, but in greater detail.
In this step you will
evaluate the cell phones available on the market to determine how well they meet your personal needs and establish, by a process of elimination, an initial short-list of contenders. Then you will compare these short-listed cell phones to find out which ones stand out from the competition.
Evaluate how well a Cell (Mobile) Phone meets your needs
Your priority at this point in your evaluation is to find the available cell phones in the market that best meet your needs. You can save a lot of time during this activity by quickly eliminating any cell phones that are unsuitable because they don't meet your key requirements. For example, if you have a limited budget for this purchase then you can ignore any cell phones that clearly exceed your price limit.
Mobile phones, or cell phones, have changed a lot since they were introduced in the1980s. Over the years, they have become much smaller and have many features including voice mail, text messaging, music, Bluetooth capabilities, and cameras. Cell phones are slowly replacing land line phone systems as they are easy to travel with, can be used in most areas, and are comparable in price to traditional monthly phone bills.
Tip: When looking for a cell phone, you should compare not only the cell phone's features, but also the phone plans that go with it.
Carefully read all the terms of the contract before signing any plans as there could be additional charges for using more than the allotted minutes, calling outside the plan's region, and other stipulations.
If you are looking for a cell phone for work, you might consider buying a cell phone/PDA combo. You will be able to connect to your email and answer messages, add dates and times to your calendar, and make phones calls when needed. Many phones have Bluetooth capabilities which allow you to connect to the internet wherever there are WiFi (Wireless Internet) services available.
When looking for a cell phone, you should consider the following: strength of signal, size of phone, storage memory, screen size, keypad layout and the number of programmable ringtones. Depending on what you will be using your phone for, certain features will be more important. Some people only use their cell phone for work and when travelling, while others use it as their primary phone.
Cell phones transmit and receive radio signals from satellites and cell phone towers. After your cell phone receives a radio signal, it is turned into an electrical signal, which is then transformed into sound.
The strength of the signal your phone receives will determine the locations where your cell phone will be the most effective. If you live in a small town or rural area, signal strength is a particular concern because there aren't as many cell phone towers to receive radio signals from. Try to find cell phones that have a radio frequency bands between 850 - 1800 or higher because these bands will be able to locate towers more easily.
Cell phones are being manufactured in smaller sizes so they can be transported easily. While many people like a smaller cell phone, some do not. When shopping for a cell phone, hold demo models up to your ear to see if the size is comfortable. Don't forget to try out the keypad - if your fingers are large or afflicted with a condition like arthritis, you may find the keys are just too small to use on some of the very tiny modern phones.
Tip: If you don't want to be burdened by multiple devices, buy a cell phone that has Bluetooth connectivity, PDA capabilities, and a built-in Mp3 player. You will only have to carry one device instead of three when traveling or commuting to work.
If you store large amounts of data on your phone, including phone numbers, email addresses, music files, and photos, then the memory size becomes important. Cell phones with 32MB or more will give you plenty of storage.
While ringtones may not seem too important, you can use different ringtones for friends, family, work, and others. Being able to distinguish between ringtones will make it easier to manage your calls.
When you were considering your requirements in a cell phone it's likely that you singled out certain factors such as size, signal range, battery time, additional features and cost as being of major significance. As with so many other products, the more features offered, the higher the price.
Buyz123 has created a checklist containing examples of major features; you can work from this checklist when evaluating how well various cell phones meet your personal needs:
Features Checklist
Cell phone Dimensions
- 4.06 in x 1.73 in x 0.67 in, weight: 3.63oz
- 3.69 in x 1.89 in x 1.01 in, weight: 4.6oz
- 3.36 in x 1.89 in x 0.90 in, weight: 3.27oz
Frequency Bands (MHz)
Memory
Display
- Color Display or LCD (Liquid Crystal Display)
- 3D Graphic support
- Display Technology: TFT (Thin Film Transistor - a type of LCD screen)
- Display Resolution: 176 x 220, 240 x 320
- External Display Resolution: 96 x 80, 96 x 96, 96 x 32
Form
- Flip-phone
- Slider phone
- PDA
Battery Standby/Talk time
- 440 hours/250 minutes
- 288 hours/300minutes
- 121 hours/180 minutes
Battery Type
- LiIon
- Li-Polymer
- Lithium Ion
Messaging, Music, and Camera
- SMS (Short Message Service)
- MMS (Multimedia Message Service)
- EMS (Enhanced Messaging Service - upgrade of SMS)
- Picture messaging
- 1.3 megapixel (camera)
- Streaming Video or TV
- Video Recorder
- Phone book message storage: 300, 500, 1000
Additional Features (will vary based on model and phone plan)
- Built-in Speakerphone
- Push-to-Talk
- Automatic Redial
- Call transfer
- Call waiting
- Headset Jack
- Picture Caller ID
- Silent or Vibrating alerts
- Ringtones
- Global positioning system (GPS)
- Games
- Calculator
- Alarm clock
- Bluetooth technology
Warranty and Support
- 1 to 3 year warranty (conditional on phone plan and contract)
- 1 year limited parts warranty (includes water damage, shell damage, SIM card replacement)
- Extended warranty (purchased separately)
- Theft insurance (purchased separately)
- User's manual
- Customer service via phone, phone carrier's web site
There are a lot of features listed here, and some of them may not be relevant to your particular requirements. So, work your way through the list and assess how each of these features impact on your cell phone needs. You can then create a personalized checklist of the features you really require in a cell phone.
Once you have finished evaluating the cell phones available for sale in the light of your personal needs and arrived at a short-list of 'possibles' you are ready to progress to the next stage. This involves comparing the cell phones one-on-one in order to find those that really stand out.
Evaluate how well a Cell Phone compares with competing Cell Phones
Comparing the items on your interim short-list, one to another, is an important part of the purchasing process - we all want to buy the best product we possibly can. So once you have established a short-list of cell phones that meet your needs it is time to evaluate how well they compare in fine detail. This way you can assemble a select list of cell phones that stand out from the crowd.
Questions to ask yourself:
Which cell phone on my short-list is the right price for me?
Which cell phone is the best value for money?
Which cell phone comes with the best features and benefits?
Which cell phone is the easiest to use?
Which cell phone seems of the highest quality?
Which cell phone best meets all of my needs?
By answering these simple questions, you are actually eliminating cell phones that aren't absolutely right for you. This is an excellent time - if you haven't done so already - to evaluate how well your short listed products measure up in the following areas: Physical Quality, Warranty Conditions and Accessories & Extras.
Physical Quality
Regardless of the method you use when purchasing the cell phone, you need to find an opportunity to examine the product to evaluate how well it is made, and to check that it is truly suitable for you and your purpose. This is the time to examine the quality of the materials, and how well the item is put together. Check the assembly - does the phone fit together snugly? It's also important to examine the item from the perspective of ease of use. How easily is the phone disassembled to change sim cards or batteries? Are the keys easy to use, and are the menus intuitive? Make sure the phone fits you physically, as some look great on paper, but unexpected problems will show up when you finally get your hands on them.
Physical Inspection Checklist:
- Materials - quality, appearance
- Assembly - all parts held together securely, good quality fittings
- Solidly constructed - stable, no loose components
- Proper fit of removable parts - easy to remove and replace, fit snugly
- Keys - visible, easy to use, accessible, clearly labelled
- Size - fits user correctly
- Appearance - well finished, appropriate color, etc
- Easy and comfortable to use
Warranty Conditions
Similar products may be available with significantly different terms and conditions, and you want to get the best deal you can. Parts and labor are often covered under separate warranties, for different time periods; sometimes there can be a significant difference in the warranty offered with one model compared to that offered with the next model up. It is particularly important to investigate any conditions that might void a warranty, such as if you use different batteries to those recommended.
Warranty Checklist:
- Duration - check the specifics
- Parts, Labour, Mechanical, Electrical
- Exactly what is covered
- Exactly what is excluded
- Conditions or actions that may void the warranty
Accessories, Extras and Consumables
When evaluating similar products, it is a good idea to include accessories in your assessment. You need to be clear about exactly what accessories are necessary to run the product to its full capacity, and whether these are included with the purchase. What other facilities are required - do you need internet access, for instance? What about a contract or service plan? It's also important to consider consumables, such as batteries - some products have higher associated costs than others.
Accessories Checklist:
- Accessories - included or extra cost
- Upgrades - will the product need upgrades, what are the costs?
- Compatibility issues - will it work with your existing products/contracts?
- Registration - what are the time frames and costs?
- Internet access - is this necessary?
- Consumables - how often and how much?
- Contracts or Service Plans - conditions, penalties, costs
- What else will you need to enjoy this product?
Once you've worked through the Evaluation step you will have a final short-list of cell phones that meet your needs and stand out from competing products on the market. It's time then to move on to the third and final step: Purchase.
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