Cell Phone Smarts

If you are looking to purchase a new smart phone, but are not looking forward to shopping for one, there are a few tips you should know to make the search a little less painful. Jody Rohlena, Senior Editor for ShopSmart magazine shares her suggestions on how to shop for the best cell phone to fit your needs.

First, decide what you want before you hit the stores. Pick a conventional cell for talking, texting, photos and music. Get a smart phone to add e-mail, Web surfing and apps.

You should try the phone in the store. Make sure you can read a phone's display in bright light and try out the keyboard if you e-mail or text a lot. Real keyboards trump virtual ones, and bigger is better.

Do sign a contract to save big. But be sure you can stick it out because when you break a contract it can cost you up to $350 or more.

When you get home make sure you still like the phone. Most retailers will let you return a phone and exit a contract without penalty for a short initial period of time. Also, make sure you get good reception where you'll use the phone most.

Skip insurance and extended warranties. It's very unlikely you'll need either. Keep your old phone. If you lose or break the new one you can reactivate the old phone and use it until you qualify for a freebie.

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Jody Rohlena & Erika Wortham