Camera Cell Phones – The Coolest New Models

Camera cell phones now outnumber conventional cell phones, even though they are no longer allowed everywhere. Abuses of privacy have limited the number of places you can take the phones equipped with inconspicuous digital cameras. Despite those limitations, millions of people just have to have these gadgets. New features are being added all the time. The latest in top cell phones with a camera include video messaging, better resolution, and the convenience of flip phones that still fit in your pocket.

Finding the Best Plan for You

Even with the added technology, you can still get free camera cellular phones when you commit to a service contract. If you don’t buy prepaid cell phones and are happy with your service provider, take advantage of this deal! Unless there’s a phone you really want that isn’t offered, these deals make a lot of sense. As quickly as phone technology changes, investing in a phone isn’t very cost-effective. You often can’t resell cell phones because they become obsolete so quickly. Because new cell phones have become so inexpensive, people won’t pay very much for used phones, especially when they can get a free one for committing to a plan as well.

When your phone becomes out of date, you can buy a newer one. You’re still only paying for one phone and getting two. Some carriers even allow their existing members to modify their phones, plans, or even take advantage of free phone offers to add another 2 year commitment to your plan. Be careful that you don’t get locked in for too long. AT&T allows you to exchange your phone or cancel within 30 days, which is great. You get to test out a phone before you’re stuck with it for two years.

If you are new to cell phone service or unhappy with your provider, it’s fairly easy to compare the different services available to you. To get the best service possible, before reading all of the reviews and ratings, consider your location first.

If you live in or frequently travel through a rural area, check the coverage! You’ve no doubt seen the commercials where companies claim to have the largest calling areas. That may be true, but the largest calling area in the world won’t do you any good if it doesn’t cover parts of your area. BEFORE you sign up with a service because they offer the most advanced phone for free, check the coverage area. All major providers now offer camera cell phones.

Sacrificing Battery for Higher Quality

When you read a review of cell phone cameras, you might be surprised at how merciless the reviewers can be. That’s because people have grown accustomed to higher quality digital cameras. There are cell phones that use the same technology that digital cameras use. These phones consume way too much power when taking pictures. To keep you from eating up your whole battery with a couple of pictures, most cell phone companies use a different technology with VGA-resolution. These cell phones are less expensive with lower resolution.

The bottom line here is that your cell phone does not yet replace your digital camera for quality shots. If you go for the higher resolution, you will have no battery life or have a huge phone. You will also pay more for this improved resolution.

If you are just taking quick shots to immediately share with others, camera phones are adequate. If you are going for keepsake-type pictures, tote along your digital camera or get a mega pixel cell phone that uses digital camera technology (CCD imaging) and buy a backup battery.

Or, you can always wait. Camera cell phones are moving into mega pixel CMOS modules (the presently lower quality which uses VGA resolution). Soon your affordable, battery-friendly cell phone will be able to completely replace your digital camera.

You don’t have to go to the stores and deal with salespeople who never seem to have all the answers to try out phones. Most websites show image quality of their camera phones so you can compare.

New Technology

You’ve probably seen the commercials showing the cool new video messaging features available. T-Mobile offers this feature on selected Nokia phones (Motorola will very quickly follow). The service does cost extra, much like voicemail or caller-ID on your home phone. You can get a plan with a flat monthly fee for so many messages a month. You can also choose a pay-as-you-go plan that charges you per use. This is the most advanced of the camera technology.

What isn’t in their commercial is another neat feature. On some phones, you can assign pictures to caller-ID. You don’t have to actually use a picture you snap. You can download anything to the device. You can even have a picture of a supermodel appear when your wife calls (note to my husband: Don’t even THINK about it). Some Verizon plan phones also offer this feature.

Cingular offers some of the great Nokia phones, but so far their multimedia messaging is limited to pictures, voice, and graphics. You can send mobile greeting cards, which is pretty nifty, but not as personal as video. For their still picture messaging, they also charge either a set monthly fee or per use fees.

What’s Cool vs. What’s Important

Most “gadget-philes” admit they don’t really have a need for camera cellular phones. It’s just the coolest new thing, so people are curious. Before you sign up for an additional monthly fee for 20 multi media message uses a month, try it out. See how long it takes, how easy it is, and how much you actually use it.

When purchasing a phone, be realistic. If you get lost all the time, opt for the GPS cellular phone instead of the more expensive high-resolution wireless camera phone. If you have family across the country that are always complaining they never get to see you, invest in a camera that will enable you to send some good snapshots or even video.

Cell phones are getting more useful everyday. To see just how far cell phones have come, be sure to check out the “History of the Cellular Phone”.

About the Author

Shannon Schwartz is a successful writer offering cell phone comparisons and reviews and advice for consumers when looking to purchase the best cell phone cameras. Her many articles offer valuable information to help people save money and make smarter decisions.