by Stephen Abrahms

Created on: September 21, 2009   Last Updated: September 22, 2009

Do I need a top of the line phone? Will a lower budget do? What if I am not good with technology, will I be able to use it?

The cell phone market offers such a variety of phones these days, that picking the right one seems to be a very tedious task. Even Verizon's phone choices are expansive. "You need this feature!" the salesman will tell you, but he/she is never to be trusted. Buying the right cell phone is somewhat like buying a new car, it depends on the type of driver. I will categorize each type of cell phone user, and recommend a feature and phone for every type.

Average Person

If all you want to do is make phone calls on the go. No texting. No web browsing. Just calls.

Features you will want:

-Pick a phone that flips open, because a candy bar style phone might turn on by itself in your back pocket.

-Avoid cheap touchscreen phones. It might look fancy, but any phone below $100 with a full touchscreen will not work well.

Phones I recommend:

LG VX8360

LG VX5500

Motorola Rapture

Heavy Texter

If your one of those people (probably a teen) who texts a load, then you're just like me. Texting is the easiest, fastest way to communicate and I highly recommend it, even with it's steep prices. My mom battled me about the use of texting for years! Now, my family has it and she is a texting fiend!

Features I recommend:

-Full Keyboard is necessary. It is nearly impossible to text on a keypad.

-Don't pick a touchscreen phone with a virtual keypad. These are very annoying to use, because they are often unresponsive.

-Slider, swivel, clamshell, it doesn't make a difference, you choose on personal preference.

Phones I recommend:

Lg Env3

Samsung Alias 2

If your on a budget like I was, I would choose the Motorola Rival.

I want it all person

If your one of those "Heck, if I'm going to pay for a cell phone, why not get everything included in my plan?". Well, I can think of a lot of reasons why not, including over $100 you're paying each month, but that is off topic. The real question is "What cell phone will text, surf the web, email, and much more in a "easy to do" way?"

-Get a touchscreen phone. This will make flicking through web pages a lot easier.

-Physical Keyboard. As I said above, virtual keyboards are unresponsive.

Phones I recommend:

LG EnvTouch

Samsung Rogue

LG Versa

Do not, I repeat, do not pick this phone:

Evil= Blackberry Storm

Well, I hope this will point you towards the right cell phone. Just follow this guide, and hopefully you will not be in line at the return aisle any time soon. If you want additional information, I would go to http://www.phonearena.com/htmls/home.php. And remember, it is not just a cell phone, it is a friend in the digital age.

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