Confused? Let Us Find Your Best Cell Phone

Choosing the best cell phone or smartphone is a complex process, because there are so many different factors to consider. But you don't have to do it by yourself.

Simply answer the following questions about size, battery life, price, Internet access and other features. This will return a personalized list of the cell phones or smartphones that best match your requirements. You'll also be able to narrow your results. It's easier and much more fun than wondering randomly. 

Question #1: What cell phone size do you prefer?

A) Small.

B) Average.

C) I prefer big phones.

D) I don't care.

Question #2 Do you want a touchscreen? (Touch screens are found mostly on smartphones, such as the iPhone or the Samsung Instinct. They let you click on menu items with your fingers or a stylus, or even type text using an on-screen keyboard. Because they don't need a physical keyboard, cell phones with touch screens usually have a large display).

A) Not important.

B) Somewhat important.

C) Quite important.

D) Very important.

Question #3 Do you need WiFi? (Cell phones with WiFi allow you to connect to the Internet for free, wherever you find a free wireless connection. WARNING: WiFi is still an unusual cell-phone feature, so choosing "very important" will restrict your options).

A) Not important.

B) Somewhat important.

C) Quite important.

D) Very important.

Question #4 Would you like your phone to support USB charging? (With USB charging, your cell phone battery recharges using your computer's energy when you hook it up to transfer files or updates the phone book).

A) Not important.

B) Somewhat important.

C) Quite important.

D) Very important.

Question #5 Do you prefer clamshell, bar or slider cell phones? (Clamshell cell phones (or flip phones) are convenient for their protected keypad and small size. Slider phones, with a top part that slides up to reveal a keypad, offer the same benefits, but fit a keypad in a smaller amount of space. Cell phones without a flip cover or slide-out keypad are called bar phones. They are usually thinner, but you may need to lock their keypad to make sure that the keys do not get pressed accidentally).

A) I don't care.

B) I prefer bar-shaped phones.

C) I prefer clamshell/flip cover phones.

D) I prefer slider phones.

Question #6 Do you need lots of storage for pictures and music? (Some phones have lots of built-in memory or even a hard drive. Phones with less built-in memory may have a memory expansion slot. However, the most basic phones have only a little user memory, which limits the number of pictures, music or other files you can keep in your cell phone).

A) Not important.

B) Somewhat important.

C) Quite important.

D) Very important.

Question #7 Would you like a full QWERTY keyboard for doing lots of email and text messaging? (Many smartphones (such as most BlackBerrys and the iPhone) include full QWERTY keyboards, either below the main display, as a slide-out keyboard, or on the touch screen. (QWERTY refers to the order in which the keys are laid out on an English-language computer.) Having a QWERTY keyboard is convenient if you send a lot of email or text messages or you use your cell phone as a personal digital assistant (PDA) to take notes, create to-do lists or manage your appointments. However, phones with QWERTY keyboards tend to be more expensive).

A) Not important.

B) Somewhat important.

C) Quite important.

D) Very important.

Question #8 How do you feel about Bluetooth technology? (Bluetooth is a short-range radio technology that lets you wirelessly connect your cell phone to other devices, such as a hands-free headset or your home computer. However, note that some carriers restrict Bluetooth compatibility and force you to pay for their own data-transfer system, for example to transfer pictures to your computer).

A) Not important.

B) Somewhat important.

C) Quite important.

D) Very important.

Question #9 Do you want a phone with high-speed Internet access? (3G cell phones, or cell phones with a high-speed Internet connection, facilitate the transmission of videos and let you browse content-rich websites. High-speed Internet makes more sense in a larger cell phone with a large display).

A) Not important.

B) Somewhat important.

C) Quite important.

D) Very important. 

Question #10 What is your budget for this cell phone? (Your recommendations will be based on the phones' unsubsidized prices. If you sign a contract with a carrier, you may be able to pay a much lower price for the phone you choose).

A) Under $130.

B) $130 to $300.

C) I will pay more than $300 if it's worth it.

  

Question #11Do you want a built-in camera? (Most cell phones include built-in digital cameras. However, transferring pictures wirelessly will result in additional charges unless you subscribe to an unlimited data plan. If you are employed by a company that forbids camera cell phones, select the "no camera" option).

A) Nah, I don't need this feature.

B) I specifically want a phone with no camera.

C) I don't mind if the phone has a camera, but it's not a big deal.

D) I absolutely want a good camera with my phone.

Question # 12 Do you care about the quality of the display? (Cell phone displays do not all have the same resolution and color quality. Depending on your answer to this question, we might favor phones with a higher display resolution and a wider color range).

A) Not important.

B) Somewhat important.

C) Quite important.

D) Very important.

Question #13 Do you need a cell phone that is also a personal digital assistant (PDA)? (PDA phones include a computer-like operating system such as Symbian, Windows Mobile or Palm OS. These are usually more expensive and bulkier than regular phones but offer a larger display and, generally, support a wider selection of downloadable software. PDA phones are not as numerous as regular phones, so choosing "very important" will limit your final selection).

A) Not important.

B) Somewhat important.

C) Quite important.

D) Very important.

Question #14 Will you travel overseas with your cell phone? (Most North American phones don't work overseas, except for special "global" or "world" cell phones designed for worldwide compatibility. Global roaming fees are usually quite high -- for instance, using your phone in Paris can easily cost more than $2 per minute. Still, global roaming may be important if you travel a lot and would like the option of using your phone).

A) Not important.

B) Somewhat important.

C) Quite important.

D) Very important.

Question #15 Will you need to use your phone as a wireless modem to connect your laptop to the Internet? (Some phones can also be used as wireless modems to connect to the Internet with a laptop computer. This requires either a Bluetooth connection or a data cable and may require a special data service plan).

A) Not important.

B) Somewhat important.

C) Quite important.

D) Very important.

Question #16 Would you like to be able to watch streaming TV? (Some carriers offer streaming TV on some of their handsets. This is different from the usual downloadable video clips, which use your phone's wireless Web connection. Streaming TV has its own communication protocol, and the quality is generally better than that of downloadable video clips. It features actual TV stations, not just chosen content. Not surprisingly, additional fees apply).

A) Not important.

B) Somewhat important.

C) Quite important.

D) Very important.

Question #17 How much battery life do you need? (You might want a longer battery life if you talk a lot while away from home or just don't want to bother recharging your phone regularly).

A) Not much. I don't go out a lot.

B) Above average. I'm very mobile and I talk a lot.

C) I need a long-lasting battery. My cell phone is my life.

Question #18 Would you like to use your cell phone as a walkie-talkie (push-to-talk feature)? (With push-to-talk (PTT), you can talk to someone instantly at the push of a button. Remember that the people you want to reach to must have a PTT phone too).

A) Not important.

B) Somewhat important.

C) Quite important.

D) Very important.

Question #19 Will you need to connect your cell phone to your computer using a USB cable? (Hooking up your cell phone to your computer can be useful if you want to transfer pictures, update and edit your cell phone's phonebook, upload music, or use your cell phone as a memory key. If you request this feature, this cell phone chooser will look for phones with "USB mass storage" and / or an included USB cable. Check the full specifications for more details about included accessories).

A) Not important.

B) Somewhat important.

C) Quite important.

D) Very important.

Question #20 Are you worried about cell phone radiation and its possible health risks? (Despite an impressive number of studies, there is no final answer about whether the radiation generated by cell phones is a health risk. Although some studies indicate that there is no risk at all, others claim that using a cell phone increases your risk of developing certain types of cancer. Whatever the case, you can minimize your exposure by opting for a cell phone with a lower level of radiation, as measured by the SAR (specific absorption rate) level, a figure between 0 and 1.60. 1.60 is the maximum acceptable level of radiation, according to the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Be cautious while answering this question, since opting for a phone with a very low SAR level will reduce your selection and may cost you other features that you requested. Besides, there are other ways to reduce your cell phone radiation risk, such as using a Bluetooth headset, using your phone's speakerphone as often as possible, or simply using your cell phone very infrequently).

A) Any legal SAR level is fine. I don't believe cell phones are that risky).

B) I would much prefer a phone with a SAR level below 1.00.

C) I absolutely insist upon a phone with a SAR level below 1.00.