When next replace your cell phone, to avoid confusion it might be a good idea to learn a few facts before you buy; new functions and services are being added on a regular basis; services like making conference calls are also now made available. So you won't get caught in a ‘decision trap', become educated before you make your next phone purchase; there are some important but basic facts, which every buyer should know, in this article.Sometimes we delay charging as we are too busy and this often means the phone fails but leaving recharging like this isn't a good idea. The result of this being done constantly means you may find yourself buying a new cell phone battery prematurely as your existing one is no longer holding a charge.Whilst there are a number of methods that can help extend the life of your cell phone battery, one really easy way is to lower the brightness of the screen back light. It doesn't normally have to be at full intensity for you to see what's on the screen. Some areas of the country always have poor signal strength and coverage but it will still try to find a signal; however this uses up a great deal of your cell phone battery power so if you find yourself in an area like this, just turn it off until you find a better reception. Today's cell phones have many more functions and if you spend a great deal of time surfing the Internet or listening to music, the battery deplete earlier than it should, possibly just when you need to use to speak to someone.Remember, when downloading Web features, games, ring tones, wallpaper, and screen savers, be sure there are no recurring fees because some companies may not state it upfront but often these features have recurring monthly fees. Children are usually the most likely candidates to get caught out like this so if you are buying a phone for your child try to buy a model where you can disable this function with a password.Cell phone plans are generally available where you pay only when it is used or through a contract that supplies a pre-agreed amount of minutes per month. It really does depend on the type of user you are as infrequent users benefit from the 'pay per use' plans. The price for each type of contract needs to be looked at carefully but as a general rule the more often you use the phone the more sensible a long term contract will be. Most companies supply people that have contracts with them, additional features not available with basic plans which means you could have caller id or a two number phone for example.Also with any plan, consider if long distance is included so find out the usual roaming charges, connection fees (if applicable), and if there are any other hidden fees in the plan. Don't forget to find out what insurance cover you have if your new phone is lost or damaged. An insurance warranty is something that brings pace of mind when the chance of damaging or losing something so small is so easily done.When buying cell phones online, be sure the phone is up-to-date and carries all the features you want. You can then visit a local store to purchase minutes or to sign up for a contract but just be sure you buy from a company you trust.