| As with most things in life, nothing is truly free and that | | | | there are still benefits to forking out some extra cash |
| includes cell phones. Instead of a free cell phone, why | | | | for the cause.Buying a cell phone may not be as |
| not just buy one? Unless a family member hands you | | | | drastic an option as you might think, and to be honest, |
| an activated cell phone and announces it as a gift, you | | | | you are more likely to have a better quality phone for |
| will more than likely learn that no cell phone is free. You | | | | it in the long run. The reason many higher end phones |
| always see the advertisements for free cell phones | | | | aren't free is they actually do have higher quality |
| being offered on the Internet and on commercials | | | | standards in the manufacturing process that allow for |
| however there is no such thing. Okay, so maybe the | | | | more reliable voice and Internet communications. The |
| phone is free however there is a catch as is usual | | | | best part is, if you are going to be getting a new phone |
| with most things. This catch is called a contract. | | | | and going into a new 2 year contract, you can get a |
| Service contracts are the life blood of any cellular | | | | great discount on a higher end phone in place of a |
| carrier and as long as they can entice you into that | | | | free phone. Trust me, the carriers don't mind giving a |
| contract they will continue to offer newer and more | | | | heavy discount to get you into the contract with their |
| cool "free phones". Now, I'm not saying carriers are evil | | | | calling services. Remember, it is the contract they |
| or deceptive, but you must become more conscious | | | | make their real money from.So depending on what |
| of your consumer behavior.Depending on your needs | | | | you plan to use your phone for, it may make sense to |
| and uses of a cell phone not all free phones are | | | | spend some extra cash to get the phone you really |
| created equal. You may want to ask yourself exactly | | | | need and want. Most importantly though is what carrier |
| what you want from a cell phone before leaping into a | | | | you choose. What good is a cell phone without the |
| free cell phone contract. Ask yourself if you are going | | | | right area coverage? Consult with friends, family, and |
| to want to text message a lot, check email, surf the | | | | colleges in your area and ask them what carrier they |
| web, take pictures, or how big of a calling list you are | | | | prefer or wish they used for their area. The answer |
| going to have on your cell phone.Each cell phone will | | | | may not always be what you would have expected, |
| have it's strengths and weaknesses which may include | | | | so ask. Never ask a carrier sales person themselves |
| ear piece sound quality, speaker phone quality, mega | | | | due to the fact that they are after your money. You |
| pixel quality (for both viewing and taking pictures) as | | | | might not get an honest reply.There are many different |
| well as other features you may want to utilize in a cell | | | | types of phones out there, and who knows maybe a |
| phone. It may make more sense to buy a phone | | | | free phone is what will work best for you, however a |
| instead, but don't be swayed by the possibility of | | | | little bit of research can go a long way. Do a bit of |
| actually paying for a phone based on retail pricing, | | | | digging and get the most for your money aka contract. |