Mobile Phone Buying Guide For Students

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It is not that long ago that telephone boxes around a university campus would have queues of students there in an evening all trying to get in touch with home.  This is no longer the case as there are very few students that do not have a mobile phone.  However, we all know that students have a limited budget, so how do you go about getting the most for your money and spending as little as possible?  When you go shopping for a mobile phone there are a number of points to consider. 

Visit Real World Stores

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There are plenty of student-friendly deals out there and it is just a question of shopping around.  Finding a good deal online is one of the easiest things in the world but it is also a good idea to speak to a few salespeople as they will also be able to point you in the right direction.  Getting a top of the range handset may sound like a good idea but if it does not come with a suitable deal then there is no point.

Think about Your Usage

What are you actually going to use most of?  You can get deals which offer plenty of minutes or plenty of texts.  If you do not like to spend a lot of time on the phone then it might be wise to opt for a deal with texts.  If you are planning to use the internet quite a bit it is a good idea to mention this to the sales staff as they can find you a deal which will offer plenty of time online without running up a huge bill.

What Features Do You Need?

It is also a good idea to think about the extra features which come with a phone.  You might want to consider the amount of storage on the handset if you want to take a lot of photos or use it as an MP3 player.  If either of these is a must then you should also look at the battery life on the phone.  There is no point having a handset if the battery is going to die after just a few hours usage, particularly if you want it for a music player.  

What Quality Camera?

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There are some extra features which bump up the price of a handset.  Cameras, for example, feature on most phones but they vary in quality.  If you are going to be taking a lot of photos then it may be worth paying a little extra for a good quality camera but if you are not that bothered opt for a basic camera to keep the costs low.

How Much Do You Want to Spend?

There are plenty of special offers around so do not be afraid to ask for them.  When the contract comes to the end of its life then consider switching immediately to take advantage of other special offers as they come along.   The main thing to begin with is to set a realistic budget and stick to it.  You will need to avoid being swayed by fancy extras such as design and apps that you may never actually use.     

Phil Turner thinks that some of the mobile contracts with free gifts that are currently available are amazing and would make the perfect gift for any student son or daughter going off to college.