If your looking to buy a cell phone my advice for you is to buy it right out, never go on any contract even if you get a discount on the phone save your money and buy the phone out that way you know its yours and if something happens your not stuck.  When looking for a phone dont just go to one provider go to every service provider and look for the phone YOU want.  Dont go by rates and plans find the phone you want and than wurry about the rates and plans your looking for, because i guarantee you that every service provider will have almost the exact rates and plans, they jsut might be worded differently so do your research.  Once you pick a phone your interested in pick it up ask to see the real version of the phone not a dummy phone and play with it feel it in your hand ask yourself does it feel cheap? will this phone break if i accidentally drop it? and look at it see how good it looks is the screen not big enough or the colours dont look good? if your happy than you have found the phone you want! now before buying that phone look what service providers carry that phone a lot of companys ship the same model of phone to several service providers and this can help you find the right plan for you. doing so you might be able to get a better deal or price on the phone you want.  Once all said and done the one thing that matters the most is that your happy and you found a phone that your proud of and your proud to show it off to your friends and family, and that will make you feel good while you talk in style.