Find the Best Mobile Phone for You

Introduction

If you're ready to choose your new mobile phone but feel a little bamboozled by the confusing array of options then this guide is for you.

Mobile phones are increasingly complicated devices. Making calls and sending texts are now seen as a basic function and other features are seen to be more important. Several distinct mobile phone categories are emerging. Manufacturers are promoting the camera, music, internet browsing and even Sat Nav capabilities of their phones.

However, many of us are more interested in the basics; a long battery life, an easy to use menu system, big buttons and a clear screen.

This guide aims to help you understand the main options and terminology you're likely to come across, whilst giving you some practical advice that will help you to decide which type of phone you want.

How do you rate your current mobile phone?

One of the first things to consider is how you use the mobile phone you already own. You should also have a think about what you like and dislike about your phone. Reviewing your current mobile phone will help you to think through this. Simply select your phone in the Quick Finder on our Home page and click on the Add a Review button.

Try to identify the best and worst things about your current mobile phone as this will help inform your next choice. Consider things such as:

• Is your phone easy to use? E.g. simple, intuitive menus and easy to press buttons

• Does the phone's camera work well enough for you? E.g. good quality photos, easy to transfer them onto your PC

• Is the music player or FM radio on your phone good quality and easy to use?

• Is your mobile phone always reliable?

• Does the battery last long enough?

• Is the call quality good on your mobile?

• Is it a good size and did you like the style? E.g. would you prefer a flip phone/clamshell phone or a slider phone next time?

This exercise should help you to focus on what's important to you in a mobile phone.

What type of mobile phone should I get?

Most new mobile phones fit in one or more of a handful of categories. Below is our advice about which category of mobile phone may suit you, and what you should consider when choosing your phone.

Camera phones

The majority of phones on the market feature a camera, ranging from very low resolution VGA cameras up to 5 megapixel camera phones that sport auto-focus, image stabilisers and even optical zoom.

If you want to use your mobile phone as a replacement for your standalone digital camera you'll need to choose a camera phone with at least 3.2 megapixels and auto focus. The best include 5 megapixels and plenty of memory for storing your photos.

If you just want to take occasional photos to capture the moment then a standard camera phone with 2 megapixels will probably suffice. You should try to get one with autofocus though.

See our Camera Phone Top Tips Guide for a more detailed look into camera phones.

View top rated high-spec camera phones

Music phones

Most mobile phones feature a basic music player but several manufacturers are now producing phones that try to rival an iPod. SonyEricsson's Walkman range is one example.

If you want to use your mobile phone as an iPod replacement then you should make sure that it has plenty of memory, at least 1GB. It will need long battery life, 400 hours standby as an absolute minimum and headphones must be included in the box.

If you're only likely to use the music player on rare occasions then you probably don't need a dedicated music phone, although you'll probably need to buy a memory card and headphones before you can listen to music.

See our Music Phone Top Tips Guide for a more detailed look into music phones.

View top rated music phones

Smart phones and Email

Mobile phones that combine a wide variety of features and an operating system that allow you to install extra software applications are often called smart phones. They usually synchronise well with your PC, have very good email clients, reasonable web browsers, and often have a QWERTY keyboard or touchscreen to make them easier to use.

A smartphone may be for you if you want a business phone that keeps you organised and in touch. They're also attractive because they do lots of things well and often combine higher spec cameras, large amounts of memory and large displays. The downside is that they're often quite bulky and the battery life can be poor.

Nokia's N Series is the best known smart phone range but the Apple iPhone is a new type of smart phone that has won many admirers. The Blackberry is another good example of a smart phone, albeit one that is more traditionally associated with sending and receiving emails.

If you're interested in smart phones then make sure it's compatible with your PC or Mac operating system. If you want to send lots of emails you may want to pick a smart phone with a QWERTY keypad. A big display is crucial for web browsing.

View top rated smart phones

Stylish or Fashion mobile phones

Never have mobile phones been more of a fashion accessory. We've recently seen the launch of mobile phones by fashion brands such as Prada, Ted Baker and now Armani. In 2004 Motorola's iconic RAZR effectively launched the fashion parade and every year the bar is raised.

Personal taste will dictate what you think is a stylish mobile phone but it's important to remember the practicalities too. If you're keeping that phone for 18 months you won't want to sacrifice too much functionality or usability. Make sure the phone's ergonomics and menu system are ok so that you don't get frustrated every time you try to type a text. A battery life of 400 hours is important and good call quality too. You can check this out by checking our impartial mobile phone user reviews or by asking your friends. 

View top rated stylish phones

Easy to use mobile phones

The operators and phone manufacturers are waking up to the need for mobile phones that are more simple and easy to use. These phones tend to include only the basic features, so you can focus on making calls, and sending texts without too many complications.

Basic, inexpensive mobile phones are often marketed as easy to use, but just because a mobile phone is cheap in price doesn't mean it will deliver on this promise. If you want to buy a phone that's easy to use then make sure it has big, well-spaced buttons that are easy to press. The display or screen must be big enough to easily read texts - often a manufacturer cost cutting compromise in cheaper phones.

The mobile phone's user interface or menu system needs to be intuitive and simple too. SonyEricsson and Nokia are often considered to have the most intuitive menu system and text message writing software but you should ask for recommendations and perhaps even try out your friends phones.

View top rated easy to use mobile phones

All-rounder mobile phones

If you don't want a mobile phone that's as specialised as a camera phone or music phone but you would like a device that has a good mixture of features you need what we call an all-rounder. 

As you can probably guess, this is a phone that does a little bit of everything. It'll have a decent camera, a music player and plenty of organisational features. You may have to upgrade the memory and buy some headphones to get the most out of it. There is overlap with other mobile phone categories and many good all-rounders may also fall into the camera, music or smart phone categories.

View top rated all-rounder phones

How can GadgetStylist.com help you?

This website is designed to help you find the best mobile phone for your needs. Our members share impartial mobile phone reviews and ratings for the phones they own giving you lots of valuable feedback to help inform your decision. We also add impartial mobile phone reviews from experts.

Our mobile Phone Wizard can help you find and compare mobile phones that match your needs. Once you find the mobile phone you like we provide links to all the major operators and retailers that sell that phone. We also highlight some of the latest special offers and promotions.