( 
)Used Cell Phone Buying Guide
At Zendoo Electronics we understand that everyone's needs are different and choosing the right phone can be overwhelming.
In order to simplify the process, we have put together this cell phone buying guide to assist you when making your next cell phone purchase.
Below, you will find a list of the most common factors and features that you will want to consider before making your next cell phone purchase.
Carrier:
Your choice of phone depends, most importantly, on your
choice of carrier. All carriers have their own mutually incompatible
networks.
This means that a Sprint PCS phone, for example, won't be compatible with Verizon Wireless or AT&T Wireless service.
Be sure to read our item listings to be sure that the phone you want to purchase will work with your chosen carrier.
If you do not currently have a service plan with a carrier, you will first want to check the different plans and options available in your
area.
The most common carriers are:
choice of carrier. All carriers have their own mutually incompatible
networks.
This means that a Sprint PCS phone, for example, won't be compatible with Verizon Wireless or AT&T Wireless service.
Be sure to read our item listings to be sure that the phone you want to purchase will work with your chosen carrier.
If you do not currently have a service plan with a carrier, you will first want to check the different plans and options available in your
area.
The most common carriers are:
Sprint
AT&T
Verizon
T-Mobile
Alltel
Metro Pcs
AT&T
Verizon
T-Mobile
Alltel
Metro Pcs
Style:
There are several basic styles of cell phone to choose from.
Below is a list of the most popular styles as well as some of their features
and functions. Each style has advantages and the style of phone you choose
will depend on your particular needs.
Below is a list of the most popular styles as well as some of their features
and functions. Each style has advantages and the style of phone you choose
will depend on your particular needs.
Flip Phone ( aka Clam Shell):
This type of phone consists of two halves, connected by a hinge. The
phone folds closed when not in use. The top half usually contains the
speaker, and the display or battery, with the bottom half containing
the keypad and remaining components.
Most clam shell phones have a feature called Active Flip, which means
that calls can be answered and ended by simply opening and closing the
phone.
phone folds closed when not in use. The top half usually contains the
speaker, and the display or battery, with the bottom half containing
the keypad and remaining components.
Most clam shell phones have a feature called Active Flip, which means
that calls can be answered and ended by simply opening and closing the
phone.
Bar ( aka Candy Bar; Block):
This is the most basic style. The entire phone is one solid unit, with
no moving parts aside from the buttons and possibly antenna. To prevent
keys from being pressed accidentally while the phone is in a pocket,
etc., a "key guard" feature is usually provided, requiring a special
key combination to "unlock" the keys.
no moving parts aside from the buttons and possibly antenna. To prevent
keys from being pressed accidentally while the phone is in a pocket,
etc., a "key guard" feature is usually provided, requiring a special
key combination to "unlock" the keys.
Slider:
This type is usually designed similarly to a clam shell, with a large
main display and speaker in one half, and the keypad and battery in the
other half. But the two halves slide open instead of using a hinge.
Slide designs allow the display to be seen when closed, and are
generally easier to open and close one-handed.
main display and speaker in one half, and the keypad and battery in the
other half. But the two halves slide open instead of using a hinge.
Slide designs allow the display to be seen when closed, and are
generally easier to open and close one-handed.
Smart Phone (aka Personal Digital Assistant; PDA):
A Smartphone is a hand held device with organizer, internet connectivity and basic computing
functions. Most Smart phones have a large touch-screen. Many also have a stylus
and support handwriting recognition.
A typical smartphone also has faster processor and more memory than a typical
phone, and can run more complex software.
In the spectrum of mobile devices, Smartphones fall in-between a laptop
computer and a cell phone.
functions. Most Smart phones have a large touch-screen. Many also have a stylus
and support handwriting recognition.
A typical smartphone also has faster processor and more memory than a typical
phone, and can run more complex software.
In the spectrum of mobile devices, Smartphones fall in-between a laptop
computer and a cell phone.
Features:
As a general rule, you shouldn't buy anything more than you
need. If you want a handset just to make calls, stick with something
simple that doesn't offer a lot of extra features. Though basic phones
are often overshadowed by high-end handsets in carrier stores, a
variety are available directly from us and you should be able to find a
phone that will suit you needs perfectly.
need. If you want a handset just to make calls, stick with something
simple that doesn't offer a lot of extra features. Though basic phones
are often overshadowed by high-end handsets in carrier stores, a
variety are available directly from us and you should be able to find a
phone that will suit you needs perfectly.
If you're going to use your cell phone for e-mail or
organizational tasks, go with a higher-range model or even a smart
phone. Alternatively, if you'd like entertainment options on your
handset, consider a camera phone or a device with an MP3 player or
streaming video.
A full range of features is discussed in the following sectionsorganizational tasks, go with a higher-range model or even a smart
phone. Alternatively, if you'd like entertainment options on your
handset, consider a camera phone or a device with an MP3 player or
streaming video.
Accessories:
All of our items include a battery and wall charger, unless
the listing specifically states they are not included. Several of our
items do include other accessories such as a car charger, manual etc.
the listing specifically states they are not included. Several of our
items do include other accessories such as a car charger, manual etc.
Applications:
the most basic cell phones offer a wide range of
applications. Typically, you'll find a calendar, an alarm clock, a
stopwatch, and a calculator. Higher-end handsets will have many more
options, while other models will offer offbeat applications such as a
compass or a thermometer.
stopwatch, and a calculator. Higher-end handsets will have many more
options, while other models will offer offbeat applications such as a
compass or a thermometer.
Phone book / Voice Dialing:
Consider how many contacts you will need to store. Voice
dialing lets you make calls without using the keypad, which is
particularly handy when you're on a headset or if you're using the
speakerphone.
dialing lets you make calls without using the keypad, which is
particularly handy when you're on a headset or if you're using the
speakerphone.
Text Messaging:
If you'd like to send or receive text messages on your
handset, make sure it supports this feature. Text messages are text
only and are not the same as e-mails.
handset, make sure it supports this feature. Text messages are text
only and are not the same as e-mails.
Messaging and e-mail does cost extra, so consider
purchasing a data plan if you'll be using the features frequently.
You might also consider a phone with a full QWERTY keyboard
for faster typing.
purchasing a data plan if you'll be using the features frequently.
You might also consider a phone with a full QWERTY keyboard
for faster typing.
Web Browser
This allows you to access the internet and enables you to
access e-mail as well as general online content.
It also lets you to download files including games and ring tones. Many of the newer and
higher end phones are equipped with a web browser; however, they run
slowly and can not access many websites.
If you will be using your cell phone to access the internet on a regular basis, you will most likely
need a Smartphone such as an Apple iPhone, Blackberry, or T-Mobile G1.
access e-mail as well as general online content.
It also lets you to download files including games and ring tones. Many of the newer and
higher end phones are equipped with a web browser; however, they run
slowly and can not access many websites.
If you will be using your cell phone to access the internet on a regular basis, you will most likely
need a Smartphone such as an Apple iPhone, Blackberry, or T-Mobile G1.
Camera / Video recorder
Most cell phones offer some type of digital camera feature.
Some have a low-grade VGA resolution, but many camera phones now have
resolutions of a few megapixels or more, which offer much better photo
quality. Similarly, while some camera phones offer just a few extra
features, other models offer flash and editing options that resemble
those on a regular camera. However, there are models that do not offer
these features.
Some have a low-grade VGA resolution, but many camera phones now have
resolutions of a few megapixels or more, which offer much better photo
quality. Similarly, while some camera phones offer just a few extra
features, other models offer flash and editing options that resemble
those on a regular camera. However, there are models that do not offer
these features.
Push to Talk:
A walkie-talkie-like service that lets you immediately
connect with individuals or call groups, which is especially useful for
business users who need instant contact with their colleagues. Best of
all, you don't need a cell signal to use them and you won't use
standard calling minutes. Not all carriers offer this feature, however,
and it's not available on most phones
business users who need instant contact with their colleagues. Best of
all, you don't need a cell signal to use them and you won't use
standard calling minutes. Not all carriers offer this feature, however,
and it's not available on most phones
Bluetooth
This feature lets you wirelessly connect via low-frequency
radio waves with external devices, such as a headset for making calls.
(Donít forget to checkout our HUGE selection of Bluetooth
Headsets) Many phones also allow you to use Bluetooth to exchange or
sync data with other Bluetooth devices or to connect to stereo
headphones to listen to music.
radio waves with external devices, such as a headset for making calls.
(Donít forget to checkout our HUGE selection of Bluetooth
Headsets) Many phones also allow you to use Bluetooth to exchange or
sync data with other Bluetooth devices or to connect to stereo
headphones to listen to music.
Multimedia and Memory Options:
Some features to look for include a digital music player,
support for MP3 files, and an FM radio. Also, many phones now support
streaming video through 3G wireless broadband networks, live TV, and
wireless music downloads. There will be an extra fee, of course, and
you'll need 3G service in your area.
support for MP3 files, and an FM radio. Also, many phones now support
streaming video through 3G wireless broadband networks, live TV, and
wireless music downloads. There will be an extra fee, of course, and
you'll need 3G service in your area.
Personalization options:
These can include anything from a choice of display wallpaper, screen
savers, and ring tones to downloadable applications.
Handsets will also differ on their support for extra applications. For
example, almost every cell phone supports games, but not every model comes
with integrated titles. Extra applications will be available depending
on your phone model and your carrier.
savers, and ring tones to downloadable applications.
Handsets will also differ on their support for extra applications. For
example, almost every cell phone supports games, but not every model comes
with integrated titles. Extra applications will be available depending
on your phone model and your carrier.
Please keep in mind that most of the phones Zendoo-Electronics sells are USED. Be sure to read the item description to determine the condition of the phone you are interested in.
Check out our rating system to determine whether the phone is scratched or has any other minor blemishes.
Guide created: 04/14/09 (updated 11/02/09)
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