Mobile phones

Mobile phones are now considered a necessity as opposed to an item of luxury ten years ago. They were big and heavy, expensive and not a pretty sight for the eyes. This of course has all changed in recent years and mobile phones are now relatively cheap, lightweight and are very modern and stylish.

There are thousands of mobile phones available on the market each with so many different features on them such as mp3, Bluetooth, infrared, video player, camera, games and the internet so choosing the right phone can be very tricky. It does not help that mobile phones are constantly being updated and new applications are available each week.

Of course it will depend on your preference and what you intend to use most that will easily help you choose the right mobile. If you travel on public transport a lot and want to be able to play games or listen to music then you should find a phone which has a big memory and battery life. If you use your phones as an organiser then you should look for a reliable mobile which has an excellent diary application.

After choosing your handset you then need to choose how you make phone calls and send texts whether it is by contract or pay as you go; both of which have their pros and cons.

Pay as you go (PAYG)

The cons of having a pay as you go mobile phone are that you firstly need to buy the handset outright which could be expensive. Secondly, you need to top up your phone every time you run out of credit; this means a trip to the nearest shop or ATM. Thirdly, the tariffs are higher than contract with regards to minutes and texts. PAYG phones are impractical to many as if you need to call someone in an emergency you will always need credit.

The pros of having a pay as you go mobile phone is that you only pay for what you use and you are also not tied down to a fixed contract, many people like the idea that they can stop using their mobile whenever they want.

Contract

The cons of having a contract phone are that you are tied to a contract for a fixed period; this is usually for twelve or eighteen months. If you find yourself going over your allowance every month then you can expect to pay hefty bills.

The pros of having a contract phones are that you can be sure that as long as you pay your bills you can always use your phone; this is vital in the event of an emergency. Also, you usually gain the handset free of charge as you are supplying your custom for a set period of months. Your minutes and texts premiums are normally cheaper due to you buying in bulk which will result in getting more for your money.