Cell phones have ushered in a new revolution in the world of telecommunications. Apart from offering users the liberty to talk from any part of the world, top of the line cell phones employ advanced communication technologies and integrate functionalities of several gadgets in one.

Kyocera, Nokia, Samsung, Audiovox, Sanyo, Palm, LG, Sony Ericsson, and Siemens are the leading cell phone manufacturers in the world. With a vast number of cell phone brands available in the market, it’s recommended that you do research on the features and the best deals beforehand. Official websites of the manufacturer provides accurate information regarding features, apart from the range of cell phones on offer.

Mobile phone reviews from CNET (www.reviews.cnet.com), and PC Magazine (www.pcmag.com), can also aid you in making a just buying decision. Some of the important things to consider in a cell phone are its battery life (talk time and standby time), weight, address book capacity, user interface, display resolution, and the size of the control buttons. Check the cell phone at the dealer for easy maneuverability of the navigation button, as you will be accessing most of the phone’s functions through it. A Wireless Application Protocol (WAP)-enabled mobile phone lets you connect wirelessly to the Internet. Wireless technologies like infrared and Bluetooth allows you to transfer data to and from compatible devices. Mobile phones with MP3 playback, FM radio, video recorder, camera, and multimedia games are sure to keep you entertained for hours. The more the number of features a cell phone has, the costlier it is bound to be. Basic cell phones are available for about $50, whereas sleek mobiles with the latest features can cost you about $700.

Before you pick up the cell phone of your dreams, you should zero in on a wireless service provider, and select a tariff plan that suits your wallet. The cell phone that you propose to buy should be compatible with any of the two popular mobile phone standards provided by wireless carriers: Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), and Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA). If you are a frequent traveler, you should stick with GSM mobile operators like Cingular and T-Mobile. Otherwise, CDMA carriers like Sprint and Verizon will suit you just fine.