Should You Consider a Smartphone?

First of all, what is a smartphone? A smartphone is a combination of a cell phone and a PDA, or personal digital assistant. And the technology has come so far that you do not have to worry about sacrificing quality for convenience when you choose this all-in-one option. A big plus for the newest smartphone models is that they are not much larger than your typical cell phone.

A smartphone is an ideal choice for busy people who are fed up with having to carry around two separate devices. If you are an avid user of both your handheld PDA device and your cell phone, then you may want to consider combining the two and purchasing a smartphone.

Smart phones allow you to send and receive email, keep track of your schedules and electronic notes, surf the Internet, and even wirelessly sync applications with your computer. You get all the same great features that you would expect in a typical standalone PDA device.

With a smartphone, you get all the features of your typical PDA, as well as the added bonus of an integrated cell phone. For the smartphone, you have access to many of the same options that you would have with a traditional cell phone plan, such as free long distance, voicemail, and text messaging. This is what makes smartphones an appealing choice to many consumers.

Now that you understand a little about the smartphone, the next step is deciding if you could really benefit from a smartphone. There are a few things that you should consider if you are thinking about purchasing a smartphone.

Before even considering a smartphone, are you currently using a PDA to organize your business and/or personal life? If you are happier just jotting things down on paper, then a smartphone may not be a wise choice for you.

Another thing you may want to consider is if your cell phone carrier offers the type of smartphone features that would benefit you. Available models and plans vary from company to company.

Also, there are style and comfort considerations. Are you able to read the screen comfortably on the phone? And is the added bulk and size of a smartphone a decent tradeoff for the added functionality?

Once you have decided to switch to a smartphone, you should shop around for the best deal, as many models can retail for several hundred dollars. However, if you are diligent, you will find companies that offer steep discounts when you order new services.