Many people become very frustrated when it comes to replacing their cell phone with all the models on offer; it can be very difficult keeping up with all the latest functions that you 'can't possibly do without'. So you won't get caught in a 'decision trap', become educated before you make your next phone purchase; however, a little knowledge can make all the difference.

Battery life is always an issue and even though they last longer (and are smaller), they have much more to do, so always leaving your phone until it is almost drained of power can cause problems. Leaving the recharging to last minute like this, over an extended period means the battery will need to be replaced earlier than it needs to be, and these cell phone batteries are quite expensive.

There are several ways to prolong the life of your cell phone battery; Keep your back light off unless you know for sure you'll need it and whilst this might be annoying at first it will save battery life. Some areas of the country always have poor signal strength and coverage but it will still try to find a signal; however this uses up a great deal of your cell phone battery power so if you find yourself in an area like this, just turn it off until you find a better reception. When ever you use your cell phone; talking, playing games, listening to music, taking picture with the flash or surfing the Internet, it will drain the battery faster so limit these activities otherwise you may not be able to make that urgent call you need.

Remember, when downloading Web features, games, ring tones, wallpaper, and screen savers, be sure there are no recurring fees because some companies may not state it upfront but often these features have recurring monthly fees. Many children have run up huge debts with this facility without knowing so parents should ensure they have control over this feature.

When buying a cell phone with a one or two year contract or pay-per use agreement, be sure to read the fine print and consider how many minutes you plan to use each month. The process for each contract will differ greatly but arranging a pay-per use contract for a regular phone user is probably not the best option to have financially speaking. Consider the features you want, as long-term plans often have more features for less money or even as a bonus, at no charge; so ask if all your features, such as caller ID, will work when roaming.

Some plans do not include roaming charges which is something to consider if you travel a great deal as it could dramatically increase the cost. Some companies will replace your phone if it breaks or is lost or stolen so consider the insurance warranty before buying because they are typically carried around everywhere; which means they can easily get broken or damaged and a warranty will give you peace of mind.

If you decide to buy your cell phone on the Internet, make sure it is not an old or outgoing model unless you do not mind of course; otherwise you may find it doesn't have all the features you want included.

Also, check out some of the other uses for a cell phone at the family defense link below. Disguised as an ordinary cell phone, this little gadget can be a real life saver.