| A cell phone's size is mostly determined by its | | | | easily use most keys with one hand. Most flat or virtual |
| keyboard and display. Some cell phones have a | | | | keypads make dialing more difficult without watching. |
| QWERTY keyboard that moves out from behind the | | | | Other things to look for are keys that are small, |
| phone and hides away when not being used. Others | | | | abnormally shaped, or arranged in strange sequence, |
| open like a clam shell to reveal a keyboard, or leave | | | | especially if you're trying to dial a number in soft light. |
| the keyboard in plain sight. Other models have a visual | | | | If you do a lot of typing, find a keyboard with keys that |
| keyboard on their touch-sensitive displays. Generally, | | | | are raised, plainly labeled, well spaced, and well sized. |
| we found typing out messages on touch screen | | | | Make sure that the keys provide solid palpable |
| keyboards to be difficult. | | | | feedback. The keyboard needs be easy to read under |
| Some screens are fine in soft and normal light, but | | | | diverse lighting conditions. In general, a full QWERTY |
| some are harder to see in the day. Try out the phone | | | | keyboard, the same as a computer keyboard, is best |
| under bright light. Phones that displayed numbers with a | | | | for writing e-mail messages. A few keyboards pack |
| large black font against a white background were the | | | | numerous letters, numbers, and symbols on a single |
| best for reading in any condition. In addition, make sure | | | | key to save space. Compact keyboards, may be |
| the battery life and signal strength indicators are visible. | | | | easier to access than keypads, but they are often |
| Touch screen phones provide a different, and | | | | more difficult to use. |
| sometimes more direct, method to type in data. But | | | | Using a phone that allows you to voice/text requires a |
| they frequently require two hands to operate, and they | | | | phone plan and a data plan for Web surfing and |
| smear more frequently than the non-touch displays. | | | | receiving and sending e-mail. Prices for the two plans |
| Cell Phones that fold, slide, or swivel are normally | | | | range from $45 to $80 a month with a two-year |
| smaller when closed. Phones shaped like a Hershey | | | | contract. With out the plans, you can spend more than |
| bar can be used without first being opened. A lot | | | | $200 a month as you add minutes, text messages, |
| depends on personal fondness, so go to a store and | | | | and other services. |
| try the phone out. You want to assure that you can | | | | |