Cell Phone Advice For Those Considering A Purchase

A cell phone can be your best friend or your worst enemy. You can use it to stay connected on the go, away from home. On the other hand, you might find yourself getting smacked with huge data bills and headaches from trying to figure out the technology. Be at peace with your cell phone by using the following tips.

If you want to give your preteen a cell phone, make sure you get them a plan that fits your budget and their needs. If they like to text a lot, you should consider plans that have unlimited texting. If you don't, you may end up with a huge bill.

Try not to accept updates that are over the air or apps that will take a lot of memory from your phone. This will decrease its performance in the long run and reduce the processing power that it has. Make sure that you only add what you need on your phone to conserve memory.

If your cell phone battery dies rather quickly, you may want to look toward your apps. When an app is running, it uses some of your battery. If you are not using an app, be sure to close it. This way, you do not have to worry about a dead battery.

Consider purchasing a used phone if you are looking to upgrade before your contract allows you to. This is often less expensive than buying new, and you will not be locked in to a specific contract period. Just make sure your provider supports the phone you want to buy, and that you can easily add it to your plan.

Your phone runs slower as it ages. As a result, you may have trouble updating your applications or even your operating system. There are some times where you will hav to choose. Keep the old and familiar or take a chance with a new upgraded phone.

If you have a smartphone, be aware that it will probably need to be replaced within a few years. Like a computer, cell phones are consistently using up memory and require newer operating systems. Eventually, your smart phone will become outdated and there will be no memory, meaning your phone will not properly function.

Do not invest in a smartphone unless you are certain of your needs. Though smartphones can be pricy, you get what you pay for. The problem with this is that most people just use their phone to make basic phone calls. A smartphone will cost more upfront and have higher monthly fees. So, it might not prove your wisest course of action if you only use phones to talk.

If you have a newer model phone, you probably do not need to waste your money on a fancy case for it. Today's cell phones are made from durable materials that can handle being bumped and dropped. You really only need the case for an attractive appearance, not to keep your phone safe.

Scroll through your cell phone directory and see which numbers you dial the most often or are the most important. Write or type out this short list, and keep it in your wallet or purse. Losing your cell phone can be bad enough, but losing all your phone numbers with it is even worse. This is especially true if you just left it at a friend's house and could find it in one phone call.

It might seem like common sense, but turning your phone off when you're not using it is a great way to save battery power and to extend battery life. If you're not expecting to answers calls while you're asleep, turn the phone off. And turn your phone off if you're in an area with no reception, because searching for service will drain battery life quickly.

Check your phone's coverage map before you do any traveling. You're probably aware of where exactly your signal is strongest near home. It could be anywhere you go regularly. It is not uncommon for their to be no coverage in certain areas.

Purchase a protective case for cell phone. Otherwise, dropping your phone may be an extremely costly accident. Look to Otterbox for a high quality case. In particular, take a look at something called "The Defender."

The weaker the signal, the more quickly your battery will drain. Your cell phone has to work harder to receive a weaker signal, which means that your battery will die more quickly. To save battery life, turn your phone off when you are in areas where reception is poor and the signal is weak.

Do not use your phone while you are driving. In many states, it is now illegal. More importantly, it is not safe. If you spend a great deal of time in your vehicle, set up a hands free system so you can accept or send calls without having to take your eyes off of the road.

Clear your cache on a regular basis. Most people do not consider how important this is. Not only will it help free up storage space on your phone, it will also go faster. The more you use your phone, the more frequently you need to do this. It also minimizes others tracking you.

Restart your smart phone every few days to keep it operating at peak performance. Smart phones are basically handheld computers, and they need to be rebooted frequently to clear the memory. If you leave your smart phone on all the times, it will slow down and its performance will begin to degrade.

It is possible to negotiate a lower price for your cell phone. While it does not always happen, surveys indicate that a reasonable number of individuals attempting to get a better deal (more than 25 percent) were successful. Some saved more than a hundred dollars! Therefore, it is worth a try.

As you probably already know from personal experience, a cell phone can be a boon or a bane to your existence. The conveniences are unparalleled, but the costs can be both financial and stressful. Make sure that your cell phone works for you instead of the other way around by using the tips and wisdom you garnered here.