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Pay As You Go or Contract Mobile Phones

Contract Mobile Phones

You get a mobile phone either for free or for a subsidised price by entering into a contract with a mobile network operator. The contract will be valid for a certain time period and you'll be charged a fixed amount every month. You will also receive some free minutes of talk (within or across networks), free text messages, as well as free data download (for internet capable phones) for the fixed amount you pay per month. If your talk minutes/texts exceed the limits, you'll be charged accordingly.

Pay As You Go Mobile Phones (PAYG)

You buy a mobile phone for its complete price (no subsidy). Then you can opt for any network operator and top-up for making calls or texting. Once this top-up amount is used up, you can top-up for more.

So which is best Contract or PAYG

Contract or Pay as you go

Contract	PAYG
With a contract you are tied to a particular network provider for the entire duration of the contract. If you wish to terminate your contract in between, you might have to pay up for the remainder period.	You are not tied up with any network provider. Hence you can change to any provider at any time.
The mobile phone usually comes for free or for a reduced price.	You have to pay for the entire handset, which might work out to be very expensive if it is one of the latest smartphones on the market.
Contracts involve attractive freebies like free talk minutes, data and text messages. However, there is a limit.	You don't get as many freebies as with a contract.
The talktime and texts are usually cheaper than PAYG.	Talktime and texts can be charged more than for contract.
Usually, users do not receive any warning or alert messages when they reach their talk, data and text limits. They might only get a shock when they receive their monthly bill.	Since you use only what you pay for, there will arise no situation where you get a shock seeing your bill.
There's never a time where you run out of credit. Hence you can use your mobile phone at all times.	If you run out of credit, you can never make calls or send text messages unless you top-up again. You can however receive calls and messages.
Credit checks are done by the network operator before signing the contract to check if you'll be able to pay your monthly bills. If your credit report is poor you might not be allowed to sign the contract by some mobile network operators.	Credit checks are not performed.
If you are not a very heavy user, you might be paying for more than what you use.	You use what you pay for.

Go in for a Contract mobile phone deal if:-

• You want the latest, feature-rich, expensive smartphone on the market.

• You are a heavy user, who would make the most of all the free talk time, text and data allowances. Although you'll need to watch out for the extra usage.

• You need to be connected with people at all times for official or personal reasons and cannot afford to run out of credit.

Go in for Pay As You Go deal if:-

• You are not a very heavy user.

• You want a simple, inexpensive mobile phone just for calls and text messages only.

• You want a mobile phone just for emergencies.

• You have a restricted budget for your mobile phone usage.

Google Nexus One Vs Apple iPhone 3GS

Google have made all heads turn with the release of their first smartphone - the Google Nexus One Mobile Phone. Even before its release, this mobile handset had stirred much interest over the internet. And now, it seems to have soothed the itch of many Apple iPhone critics, who were craving to see an iPhone killer. However, one cannot just steal away credit from the Apple iPhone 3GS. After all, this was the first one to set a whole new platform for mobile phones, bringing about a drastic change in the human-smartphone relationship.

Nonetheless, a comparison between the 2 coveted handhelds is drawn here:-

Both handhelds offers similar networking capabilities, with support for WiFi, Bluetooth, 3G and GPS.

Processor - The Google Nexus One uses a Qualcomm Snapdragon 1GHz processor with a 512MB RAM, while the Apple iPhone 3GS uses an ARM CortexA8 600MHz processor with a 256MB RAM. Clearly, Google's smartphone offers faster processing.

Screen - The Google Nexus One has a 3.7", 480 x 800 pixels, AMOLED capacitive touch display. The Apple iPhone 3GS has a smaller 3.5" capacitive touch LCD with a lower resolution of 480 x 320 pixels. However, the iPhone 3GS offers multi-touch capability and is supposed to be more intuitive than the Nexus One.

OS - The Google phone is an Android 2.1 handset and is capable of multi-tasking. The Apple phone is based on the iPhone OS 3.1 and cannot multi-task.

Memory - The iPhone 3GS has an in-house memory of 16/32GB, but no memory expansion with microSD cards. On the other hand the Nexus One offers microSD memory expansion up to 32GB.

Camera - The camera built into the Android phone is a 5MP one with zoom and flash. This camera can capture 720 x 480 videos. While that housed in the iPhone is a 3MP one, without flash. The maximum resolution for video shooting is 640 x 480. However, the touch-to-zoom feature of the iPhone is nifty and allows variable levels of zooming.

Voice Features - There are 2 microphones integrated into the Nexus One, which is said to cut out background noise during calls. The Apple iPhone has just 1 microphone. Another useful feature offered by Google's handset is voice dictation for emails, which the iPhone lacks.

Apps - The iPhone has the advantage of accessing above 100,000 apps from the App Store, while the Android MarketPlace is still a budding application store, with about 16000 odd apps.

Battery - The Google Nexus One has a removable battery, which can be replaced by the users themselves. Talktime promised is about 10 hours for 2G and 7 hours for 3G. The Apple iPhone, on the other hand has an irremovable battery which can be replaced by taking it to an Apple Store only. The talktime offered is about 12 hours on 2G and 5 hours on 3G.

Retailing - There's a major difference in the retailing of both handhelds too. The iPhone 3GS is now available with contracts from various mobile phone networks with an effective cost of about £500. The Google Nexus One is directly available from Google, SIM-free for a cost of about £331, and then you have to get yourself a pay-monthly SIM.

Watch this YouTube comparison video.

Does a Blackberry-like Form Factor Make a Blackberry Mobile Phone?

RIM have made mobile phones with touchscreens and with regular numeric keypads as well. But, when you think Blackberry, you picture a candybar phone with a QWERTY keyboard. There are other vendors who have released handsets which look quite similar to the Blackberrys. A peek into all their specs might give a better insight as to whether they stand a chance against the RIM Blackberry smartphones.

The Samsung B7330 Omnia Pro smartphone is our first contender. This is a Windows Mobile 6.5 handset which sports a square 2.6" screen with a resolution of 320 x 320 pixels. Now it goes without saying that a mobile phone with a QWERTY keyboard is meant for the socially active people. Plus there's 3G and WiFi too. This empowers this handheld better for social networking, browsing the internet, accessing emails and more. With Bluetooth, microUSB and microSD memory expansion, you can achieve data sharing as well. The built-in GPS receiver helps in exploring places around. A multimedia player, an FM radio, a headphone socket and a 3MP camera are the other goodies packed inside. The price of this smartphone is about £280.

Nokia E72 Smartphone is next in line. Most of the features of this mobile phone are similar to that offered by the Samsung B7330 Omnia Pro. However, there are a few differences. It runs on the Symbian OS. A 2.4" 320 x 240 pixels display is featured. The usual advanced set of networking features - WiFi and 3G ability are offered. GPS is supported too. Networking with other devices can be done via Bluetooth and microUSB connectivity. MicroSD cards are supported as well for memory expansion and data sharing. The camera housed in this cell phone has a higher resolution of 5MP. A multimedia player, an FM radio and a 3.5mm headphone jack are all present in this handheld too. Mobile phone deals cost about £320.

LG GW300 Mobile Phone is also a Blackberry styled mobile handset but is not a smartphone. However, this device aims at keeping features simple while also making the price tag more humbler. It has a 2.4", 320 x 240 pixels screen. GPRS and EDGE are supported, but not 3G. You can still do your internet surfing and email checking, but with lower speeds. WiFi and GPS are not supported either. Bluetooth, microSD card slot, a media player, FM radio, a 3.5mm headphone socket and a 2MP camera are present in this gadget. The cost of this phone is about £80.

The HTC Snap Smartphone is truly an elegant looking device which sports the Blackberry form factor. It is more of a professional's phone. This one too, has a 2.4" screen with a resolution of 320 x 240 pixels. A high-end gadget, the HTC Snap offers all the top-notch features like the Nokia E72 and the Samsung B7330 Omnia Pro. There's WiFi, 3G, Bluetooth, GPS, microUSB connectivity, microSD memory extension and a multimedia player. There's no FM radio however. The camera that's built in is a 2MP one. The HTC Snap is a Windows 6.1 based device, which is driven by a Qualcomm 528MHz processor. Another feature that this gadget has is the HTC Inner Circle, which allows prioritising contacts and quick access of the important ones. Price-wise, it amounts to about £275.

The INQ Chat 3G is a socio-centric mobile phone which is designed in the likeness of the Blackberry. It gives quick access to most of the popular social networks. As its name suggests it is a 3G enabled cell phone. This device is not a smartphone, but it comes with most of the essentials like Bluetooth, microUSB connection, microSD card slot, GPS, a 3MP camera and a multimedia player. WiFi is not supported though. But this mobile phone is sure to meet the needs of youngsters. This gadget has been priced at £99 approximately.

Coming finally to the latest Blackberry phone - the Blackberry Bold 9700. Apart from the high-end features like WiFi, 3G ability, this Blackberry OS 5 based smartphone lets you have up to 10 email quick access accounts. It also supports UMA (Unlicensed Mobile Access) for seamless wireless network access. A 3MP camera, microSD memory boosting, GPS, Bluetooth and a media player are also present in this mobile phone. This smartphone is the most expensive in comparison to the others mentioned here, with a price tag of about £360.

Wristwatch Mobile Phones

From the early periods of human civilization people were conscious of the importance of time. They depended on shadows cast by the sun during daytime and the positions of stars in the nights to determine time. Such practices continued till the discovery of clocks and watches. Mechanical watches were in use for many centuries. Gradually they were phased out by quartz watches. Watches based on various techniques were introduced periodically and the process of innovations continues. The growth and development of science and technology gave birth to many consumer oriented products for multifarious purposes. Newer products are being developed progressively by integrating multiple devices and facilities into single entity adding convenience to the utilities. Wristwatch phone is yet another consumer oriented innovative product which is capable of fulfilling many requirements through a single device. Along with timekeeping the user is offered the facilities of telephone and internet browsing. This is not an unusual experience for the consumer who has today the facility to browse internet through a television.

Now, Hyundai brings out their wristwatch phone MB-910 which supports Tri-band GPRS network access, 1.5 inch TFT touch screen display, Bluetooth connectivity and WAP based browsing. With a Bluetooth headset the user is also offered hands-free calling. The 132 x 176 pixels touch screen display supports video playback. It facilitates email, SMS and MMS. This light weight device of 58 grams offers three hours of talk time and 70 hours of standby time. It measures 58 x 44 x 16mm. Hyundai has thus fulfilled the aspiration of the modern consumer who expects more innovative products and services from the evolving technology.

Another well known manufacturer in the consumer electronic segment, LG has also introduced a similar wristwatch phone in the market. The product LG GD910 is probably the first wrist watch phone that was introduced for public consumption. Based on 3G technology, this innovative product features video telephony service GSM network capability. The company claims that all the features of a modern mobile phone are available in this wristwatch phone. 1.43 inch colour touch screen display, Flash interface 7.2 Mbps 3G HSDPA capability to enable high-speed data transmission are a few of the special features that are incorporated in this Bluetooth supported LG product.

The two identical products from the leading manufacturers have enlivened the spirit of competition in the market. In such a scenario it is quite natural that the consumers compare the merits and demerits of the products in their endeavour to identify the most advantageous one. While Hyundai is claiming that their product is considerably cheaper than its LG counterpart, the LG point out that their product in fact incorporates 3 features namely watch, cell phone and radio apart from being the smallest 3G phone. It features MP3 player and has 2GB memory. It is the best value for money.

While prudent consumers will seek less expensive product, those who refuse to compromise with superior qualities will not hesitate to opt for the expensive one.

Apple iPhone 3G Versus LG Arena KM900 Versus Nokia 5800 XpressMusic

Apple iPhone 3G Smartphone was a trend setter, a revolution creator, the first in its calibre. It was an ideal merge of the classy look, performance and design. LG Arena KM900 Mobile Phone has a similar look and feel. Though not a smartphone, it offers many of the features that a smartphone does. Moreover it is multimedia-centric phone. Similarly Nokia 5800 XpressMusic Mobile phone is also music oriented. Apart from offering entertainment tools, it is a smartphone as well, featuring an OS. A set of attributes have been compared in the tables below.

Display:-

Apple iPhone	Nokia 5800 XpressMusic	LG Arena KM900
3.5” widescreen multi-touch display. 480 x 320 pixels.	3.2” widescreen touchscreen. 640 x 360 pixels.	3” widescreen touchscreen. 480 x 800 pixels.

Operating System:-

Apple iPhone	Nokia 5800 XpressMusic	LG Arena KM900
iPhone OS 2.0.	Symbian OS version 9.4.	-

Memory:-

Apple iPhone	Nokia 5800 XpressMusic	LG Arena KM900
8GB/16GB flash memory.	81MB internal memory with 16GB capacity microSD card slot.	2GB flash memory with 32GB capacity microSD card slot.

Networking:-

Apple iPhone	Nokia 5800 XpressMusic	LG Arena KM900
WiFi, 3G, Bluetooth, dock connector to USB cable.	WiFi, 3G, Bluetooth, USB connectivity.	WiFi, 3G, Bluetooth, USB connectivity.

GPS:-

Apple iPhone	Nokia 5800 XpressMusic	LG Arena KM900
Integrated A-GPS.	Integrated GPS.	Integrated A-GPS.

Camera:-

Apple iPhone	Nokia 5800 XpressMusic	LG Arena KM900
2MP camera with geo-tagging.	3.2MP camera with Carl Zeiss optics.	5MP camera with geo-tagging.

Music:-

Apple iPhone	Nokia 5800 XpressMusic	LG Arena KM900
Multimedia player, earphone socket.	Multimedia player, FM radio, AV connector.	Dolby Mobile Audio, Multimedia player, FM radio, headphone socket.

Price:-

Apple iPhone	Nokia 5800 XpressMusic	LG Arena KM900
Typically £159.	Typically £230.	Typically £350.

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