Mobile phones today come with a bewildering array of features. Some of them are important and need to be carefully considered, while others are hardly used by the majority of the users. The following list of features gives a brief overview of some of the popular features you should consider while buying a mobile phone.
Display
While most phones have a color screen, look for a phone with a TFT (thin film transistor) or Active Matrix screen which provides a wider viewing angle compared to the traditional passive LCD technology. Also TFT screens are a must if you plan to play games on your phone or use it to take / view video clips. Some of the upcoming technologies to watch out for are Samsung’s UFB (Ultra fine & Bright) seen in the Samsung X430 & X100 models and the OLED (Organic light emitting Diode) also pioneered by Samsung in their E700 model. The other parameters to consider when evaluating the display of a mobile phone are size, resolution and no. of colors.
Sound / Ring tones
While polyphonic ring tones have become standard, look out for phones that can play MP3 songs as ring tones.
Camera
Use a camera phone to take spontaneous pictures or even video clips. Camera phones have gained in popularity significantly over the past few years. While earlier camera phones used to typically offer 640x480 resolutions today’s models routinely offer 1 Mega Pixel / 1.3 Mega Pixel cameras. The higher end phones have started offering 2 Mega Pixel cameras
Connectivity
A GPRS / EDGE enabled handset will allow you to browse the internet (on your phone itself or on a laptop by doubling up as a modem). A Bluetooth / Infra-Red capability will come in handy if you want to connect your phone to your laptop or to exchange files with other handsets.
Network Band
GSM phones worldwide work in 3 bands – 900, 1800 & 1900 (these numbers refer to frequency ranges in MHz). If you plan to take & use your mobile abroad, make sure you get a tri-band phone (one which can operate in all the three bands). Some phones have also started offering the WCDMA (the future of the GSM network) 2100 band.
Multimedia Features
An FM radio & MP3 player can be a useful feature especially if you are doing a lot of local traveling. Some handsets require the hands free kit to be attached (to function as an antenna) for the radio to work. Some of the higher end handsets can display streaming video.
Expandable Memory Slot
Memory is an important part of a handset if you plan to use it as a multimedia or business device. Memory cards (Multi-media cards, RS-MMC Cards, Memory Stick / MS Pro) come in denominations of 128 MB, 256 MB, 512 MB and 1 GB.
Java Enabled
Java enabled phones are able to run a number of games and applications.
Speakerphone
Consider buying a handset with a speaker phone which can come in handy while driving or while making a call while in a group.
Last but not the Least
Some old but evergreen favorites an efficient Organizer / Alarm application, Predictive Text Messaging (using the T9 system), and good battery life.
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