What Features to Look for in a Cell Phone

Today's cell phones come in a vast variety of shapes, sizes and colors, along with features to suit everyone's needs. Deciding which features are right for you can be overwhelming.

For example, are you looking for a cell phone small enough to fit in your shirt pocket or evening bag, or one that is filled with enough technology to act as a phone, pager and fax? How long do you want to be able to talk without having to recharge your phone's battery -- a few days or a few weeks?

A few features come standard on cell phones. Most are sold with voicemail, last-number redial, speed dial, name storage, call-time indicator and security features already installed. Other common features that you might want, but will pay more for, include call waiting and call forwarding.

Aside from the standard features, you will want to customize your cell phone to meet your personal needs. These extra conveniences can add functionality to your business cell phone needs.

• A dual-mode phone is ideal for the frequent traveler. With operating capability on both digital and analog networks, a dual phone can transmit and receive calls when roaming into areas where there is no digital service.
• Dual-band phones give you a wider coverage area. Dual band phones work with both 800 MHz digital cellular and 1,000 MHz digital PCS networks.
• Different ringers. Ringing alert options provide alternative settings to the standard ring, with various tones and melodies that allow you to personalize your phone and immediately identify your special ring in a room full of cell phone users.
• Flashing light or vibrating ringer. Hate it when your phone rings in a theater or restaurant or during an important business meeting? Some phones allow you to turn off the phone's audible ringer and use a vibrating battery or flashing light to alert you to a call.
• Alphanumeric memory to store names of frequently called persons. Dial in the letters of the names on the alphanumeric keypad for quick and convenient access and you'll no longer have to memorize phone numbers.
• Pager, email and fax options. Various data capabilities allow you to use your cell phone as a pager, a fax or to receive text email messages.
• Caller ID. This feature lets you identify your callers' numbers and names, allowing you to screen and prioritize calls.
• Three-way conference calling. Conference calling enables you to include all important parties in a discussion, which can ease decision-making.

After you've decided what features you'd like on your cell phone, you should think about the size of cell phone you'd like to haul around with you. Phones range in weight from four ounces to seven ounces. The most compact phones can fit into a shirt pocket -- but they will cost you more than the standard palm-sized cell phone.

The battery you choose can also affect the size of your phone. In general, there are three types of batteries to choose from that come in various charge capabilities and sizes: Once again, slim, lighter-weight batteries tend to cost more. However, slim batteries do not provide as much talk time before they need to be recharged. An extra large battery will give you substantially more talk time before needing a recharge.

Not all cell phones can use each battery type, so check your phone manual before ordering.

• The standard NiCad (nickel cadmium) battery is the least expensive type of battery available and costs $30 to $75. Nickel cadmium batteries offer the shortest talk times -- less than two and a half hours.
• The slim NiMH (nickel metal hydride) battery holds a charge 50 percent to 100 percent longer than the NiCad and costs between $60 and $100. Nickel metal hydride batteries generally offer up to three hours of talk time before they need recharging.
• The increasingly popular lithium ion battery, which costs between $90 and $175, is the latest in battery technology. A fraction of the size of the NiCad or NiMH batteries, this high-energy rechargeable battery packs the most power in a small space with no memory buildup. A lithium ion battery gives you up to five hours of talk time.

Finally, you'll have to choose the color of your cell phone. Basic black is still the standard, but steel gray, red, blue, green, yellow and purple phones are available. And, for those of you who can't choose, there are colored "jackets" that slip over your cell phone to ensure that you are always color coordinated.