Buyer's guide - Mobile phones

Home > Buyer's guide

There's more to the mobile than meets the eye…

"If you want to buy a mobile phone, but aren't sure where to start among the wide range of models available, then read on.... This guide has been created to help you find a mobile phone to suit you and your needs. There are more and more technologies and features around, and phones come in all sorts of shapes and sizes - so we've put together this guide to break down what you need to look for to find your dream mobile phone!"

Different mobiles for different needs

(Back to top)
Mobile phones incorporate loads of different features and technologies. Some are there as extras, others will be decisive as to whether you buy a particular model or not. Everything depends on what you need.
Compact numérique

Basic packages

These days, all mobile phones come with a basic package that's common to all manufacturers. Most mobile phones are equipped with a voicemail service, a phone book, an alarm clock, a time display and several ringtones, not to mention a calculator, a choice of games and a text messaging feature. If you’re looking for a mobile phone simply to make and receive calls, you can take your pick from any of the phones on the market. You can narrow down your choice by determining how much you're willing to spend and what kind of design you're after. Entry-level mobile phones are among the most basic on the market, although some do include a low-definition camera feature.

See all mobile phones
Bridge

Entertainment that fits into a mobile

Digital cameras and music players now come as standard on mobile phones. It’s not hard to find a mobile with a camera sensor, but they don't all provide the same quality of pictures. Some have low-definition sensors, known as VGA, while some have sensors going all the way up to 5 megapixels. The number of mobile phones that now also serve as MP3 players is growing. Some allow you to store and play just a few files, while others are like portable music systems, complete with one-function keys, equalisers and playlists.

Reflex

Internet in your pocket

Until recently, the “mobile internet” concept was virtually unknown, but now it's really caught on. WAP, which was designed to suit the reduced shape and size of mobile phones, has been replaced by the internet, so surfing the web, checking your e-mails and downloading files on a mobile phone is possible. You can even stream live TV! In order to take advantage of these services, it’s important to select a mobile equipped with the right features. You'll need to check the phone has a built-in modem, and ensure it's compatible with high-speed networks hosted by Edge/3G/HSDPA(3G+) operators. A large screen would also be handy for maximum comfort in case of intensive use.

The ideal mobile phone: it's a question of taste

Once you’ve established what to look out for, all that remains is to decide what form your future phone should have. Mobile phones typically come in three forms: candy bar, clamshell, or slider. When it comes to size, models have been slimmed down and have become more lightweight. In fact, today's mobile phones rarely weigh more than 150g.

Accessories and other essentials

(Back to top)
Although mobile phones are already making life easier, productive and more fun, you can still add accessoriesto increase their features.
Carte mémoire

Protecting your mobile phone in style

Essential for protecting against knocks and splashes, a case is a must-have accessory for every mobile phone. There are models are available for all kinds of mobile phones. Cases are made of a wide variety of materials, including leather, fabric and even acrylic! Some give your mobile phone a quirky finish, while others are more traditional – there’s something for everyone! Sometimes it’s necessary to use an earpiece or a hands-free kit to comply with legislation: in some countries, it’s illegal to use a mobile phone while behind the wheel. Hands-free kits and Bluetooth earpieces are easy to use and practical, and prevent you from breaking the law.

See all mobile phone accessories
Mobilité

Memory cards to give your mobile a boost

To extend your mobile phone’s storage capacity, you can get an additional memory card . The mobile phone you choose must therefore be equipped with a compatible memory card slot. Once you’ve found a memory card that goes with your mobile, just pop it into the designated space to get more than 2 GB of space. Memory cardsare a quick and easy way to transfer files, photos, videos and music to a computer. The most common formats are microSD and MemoryStick micro. To see what’s stored on a memory card, you'll need a memory card reader. See all memory cards

Print your photos

Can your mobile take photos? Why not print them?! If you want to print your photos, photo printersare ideal. Photo printers are compact, portable, and often compatible with Bluetooth. They’re nearly always equipped with a memory card reader, allowing you to print professional-quality photos from the comfort of your own home. Some mobile phones incorporate PictBridge technology, which means you’ll be able to print photos straight from your mobile by hooking it up to your printer using a cable.

See all photo printers

Alternatives to mobile phones

If a mobile phone doesn’t fit the bill, then maybe you should consider a smartphone or PDA. As well as having all the telephone features described above, smartphones and PDAs have the added bonus of applications for professionals. Cordless telephones are great as home phones. Some can even receive text messages! See all PDAs

Top Ventes

Nokia N97
10 782 EEK
7 751 EEK -28%
Laos
Nokia 2700 Classic - Jet Black
1 392 EEK
1 250 EEK -10%
Laos
Samsung SGH-F480 Tocco - pink
4 992 EEK
3 609 EEK -27%
Laos
LG Arena KM900
7 304,75 EEK
4 800 EEK -34%
Laos
Samsung i8910 Omnia HD
8 591 EEK
7 399 EEK -13%
Laos
Nokia 2760 black
1 392 EEK
900 EEK -35%
Laos
See more

Focus on…

(Back to top)

3G+

3G+ or HSDPA is the generic term used to refer to the 3rd generation of mobile telephone networks. Manufacturers are now using 3G and 3G+ instead of GSM and GPRS. The arrival of 3G networking is often compared to the launch of ADSL for the internet. However, 3G+ is slightly more advanced than ADSL. Speeds are faster, and the possibilities are more extensive. Downloading a track takes just a few seconds, and surfing the internet is easy. You can even enjoy making video calls and seeing your friends' faces while you’re talking to them. 3G+ means greater user comfort and even more options.

Talk about mobile!

(Back to top)
Decide what you're going to be using your mobile for, then work through the technical information to find the right one to suit your needs. Connectivity, frequencies, networks, battery times… there are so many factors to consider when choosing a mobile!

Coverage with all networks

Mobile phone operators are continuously improving the quality of their networks, giving users the best possible comfort. GSM, GPRS, EDGE, 3G and HSDPA (3G+) are the networks used by mobile phones. An important parameter in every network is its data transfer rate. Transfer rates on GSM networks are enough to make and receive phone calls, but if you want to transfer data files to other mobile phones, you should select a high-speed mobile compatible with Edge, 3G and/or HSDPA.

Guaranteed network coverage, both home and away

Mobile phones are designed to go everywhere you do. Your mobile phone may work in your country of residence, but this doesn’t necessary mean that you’ll be able to use it abroad. Before travelling, it's a good idea to find out on which frequencies your mobile phone operates. In most of Europe, you can still use dual-band mobile phonesto make and receive calls. However, if you’re travelling further afield, you should choose a tri-band phone. If you intend to travel to North America, you will need a quad-band mobile. Another important factor in any mobile phone is battery life. The longer the battery time, the longer you’ll be able to use the phone. A minimum talk-time of 5 hours is recommended.

Staying connected with Bluetooth

Most mobile phones incorporate wireless Bluetooth technology, which uses waves to transfer data such as photos and ringtones. Wireless earpieces are based on this technology. Mobile phones with music players built in often have Bluetooth stereo (A2DP) technology, which allows you to connect a pair of headphones to your mobile without using a cable. USB connectivity is needed to hook your mobile phone up to your computer in order to synchronise information with your Outlook daily planner, transfer photos and music and more! Thanks to the modem integrated into some mobile phones, you’re able to send e-mails while you’re away from your desk. Other mobile phones have a lot more to offer than just a modem – these days, mobile phones can even have a WiFi chip!

Conclusion

(Back to top)

Mobile phones include loads of different digital technologies. They can be used to replace yourMP3 player, your camera, and even your camcorder! You can improve the way you use your mobile phone by adding different accessories. To get complete satisfaction from your mobile, remember all the points we’ve mentioned above. The ideal mobile phone for you is the one that has all your needs covered.

Follow the guide!

Pixmania.com has a series of buying guides to help you find what you're looking for!


Klapita telefon

Nokia 5630 Xpress Music - black/red Nokia 5630 Xpress Music - black/red

The latest addition to Nokia's line-up is the 5630 XpressMusic, which...

View all products See accessories

Klapita telefon

LG KP 500 - silver LG KP 500 - silver

You'll have a hard time finding fault with the KP 500 from LG!...

View all products See accessories

Klapita telefon

LG Viewty KU990i - pink LG Viewty KU990i - pink

With its large, 3-inch touch screen and 5-megapixel photo/video sensor, the...

View all products See accessories

Klapita telefon

Nokia  2700 Classic - Jet Black + Medium-sized Phone Pouch Nokia 2700 Classic - Jet Black + Medium-sized Phone Pouch

The 2700 Classic from Nokia is ideal for people on the lookout for an...

View all products See accessories
Looking for great deals on gift ideas? There’s no need to wait until the 2010 January sales with our Christmas gift ideas.