How To: Buy A Smartphone
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PC World has a tutorial on How to Buy a Smartphone on its website today. It’s a decent tutorial on different technologies and a good explanation of the various acronyms that are out there, but there is a small problem with it (as I see).
The tutorial explains the different operating systems available, the technologies behind cell phones (CDMA v GSM, if you care) and breaks down which carrier uses which technology. However, if you follow the guide you basically pick your phone in the exact wrong order.
The first thing you should do is scout carriers. For instance, Sprint doesn’t work at my in-laws. So, even though Sprint has the cheapest rates for internet and voice (and I get a large discount) it’s not really usable for me. Verizon doesn’t work off the highway at all in Missouri, so they are right out as well. That immediately eliminates two of the big four carriers before I decide what kind of phone I want. I also hate AT&T, which eliminates another of the carriers and leaves me with T-Mobile (who I have) or smaller carriers like regional carrier US Cellular and Sprint piggybacker Helio (which does have dead sexy phones, but relies on the Sprint network [see above]).
That basically leaves me with the choices in T-Mobile’s stable. Most people have no idea what unlocked phones are, so they never have to figure out what the hell GSM or CDMA means. PC World would have you learn about the differences in operating systems and technology in order to pick a carrier to fit your favorites. For most people this is wayyyy overkill. I would suggest shopping for a smartphone like this.
-Do I like my current carrier’s coverage? If yes, go to a retail location and play with the phones until I find something I like. If no, find other people with different companies to determine how the coverage is where you are going to be.
-Do I need high speed internet? If yes, make sure your carrier has it and you can afford it. T-Mobile is the only major that doesn’t have it and they will by the middle of next year. If no, skip this step.
-Do I need to check my e-mail wirelessly? If you do, check with your IT department to see what kind of handhelds they support. If not, still check if you plan to sync your phone to your computer.
That’s about it. Yes, you could in theory buy an unlocked phone and then pick a carrier or you might find a phone you are just dying for, but there are few killer phones that are not available on multiple carriers. The iPhone is an exception (but not for long, apparently) but the various flavors of Blackberry are generally available in one form or another on every carrier and there are Windows Mobile devices on every carrier. No matter what you want, you can get it from any carrier so the carrier is the primary concern.
Don’t overthink this purchase or let gadget lust get the better of you. Any of the phones currently out there will do wireless e-mail and Outlook synchronization. It’s mostly a matter of form and whether you need a full QWERTY keyboard or a touch screen. There’s no need to learn what GSM stands for and who has it. Just pick your phone and love it. Oh, and know that a better phone will come out next month, it’s just the way it works.