Released: November 26, 2006

Cellphone crib sheet

Source: Daniel Greenberg, Washington Post (Free Registration)

It’s tough to resist wrapping up a new cellphone, given the great looks and the powerful features being offered on the newest models. But before you make a purchase, there are a few things you should consider.

A mobile phone can be just as much a reflection of one’s personality as it is a tool for communication. What some see as stylish with robust features, others might consider gaudy and cluttered.

Likewise, those great prices are almost always based on a service-plan commitment of two years. And you’ll probably be expected to pay a higher price at the register and wait for some of your money to come back in the form of a rebate.

Consider these questions as you shop for a phone:

• Who will be responsible for the monthly bill: the giver or the recipient or even the recipient’s parent?
• Will the phone work with the recipient’s current cellphone service provider? (In some cases, breaking those contracts can be more expensive than the new phone itself.)

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