Today's cell phone users are constantly bombarded with new models; more often than not, buyers just do not know which model to choose. So you won't get caught in a 'decision trap', become educated before you make your next phone purchase; some interesting buying facts are supplied in this article.

Every user will occasionally experience the race against battery life as they try to use up every ounce of power there is before recharging. Unfortunately, this can cause many problems with your cell phone battery and could shorten the life of your battery between charges to the point where you're charging more than you're talking!

Some cell phones have an automatic back light facility which only comes on when buttons are pressed which saves unnecessary power drain from your battery. If your phone does not have this function, turn the back light off when you are not using the phone or turn down the brightness if this cannot be done. The biggest drain on the cell phone battery is when it is trying to receive a signal and a full charge can fade completely overnight even though it is not being used just because it cannot find a signal so if this is the case, turn it off. The more you talk, the quicker the battery will drain; this is also true for times your cell phone is connected to the Internet, downloading games or playing music for example.

You will often find that wallpapers, ring tones and images that are downloaded automatically will have a charge even though this is not mentioned at the start so be aware. If you purchase one for your child, find out if you can block these features or find out if there's a way that you as a parent can order features, but your child cannot.

When buying a cell phone with a one or two year contract or pay-per use agreement, be sure to read the fine print and consider how many minutes you plan to use each month. Only you will know how often you make calls and how long they are on average but the pay-per use agreement is probably not going to be the most cost effective if you are someone who uses the phone a great deal. Consider the features you want, as long-term plans often have more features for less money or even as a bonus, at no charge; so ask if all your features, such as caller ID, will work when roaming.

If you travel as part of your work then ensure that roaming charges are part of the contract you decide on and be careful of those hidden costs that are only noticed after you have signed the agreement. Many contracts come with an insurance warranty for the phone because it is easy to loose or damage a phone that is carried with you everywhere. You will have the assurance that it is replaced should anything untoward happen.

Pay attention to any hidden charges like penalties for early termination of the contract as some contracts can be costly to get out of. Steer clear of a contract that does not supply the phone with an insurance warranty as you could be liable for any costs if it were stolen or inadvertently damaged.