Step 1 - Email

A great feature that is becoming available in more and more phones. Some phones are better at email than others. Some Blackberrys for example can view pictures sent in a email. Most phones email software just reads text. So if you need to view pictures with email you’ve already narrowed your search considerably.

Step 2 - Internet

The internet for cell phones has been around for some time now. However screen size, speed, and browser capabilities have really limited it’s potential. Now with the 3G network, big screens, and more user friendly browsers the internet is starting to reach its potential. The ability to watch video online and download music are two nice improvements from the old browsers. Phones like the Samsung Delve, LG Triton, and Blackberrys are going to have better internet capabilities.

Step 3 - Text Messaging

Everybody texts these days so cell phone companies are designing phones to be more text friendly. Many of these phones have a QWERTY keyboard to replace the old T-9 or number pad. A nice improvement for texting speed. Touch screen phones give you a nice virtual QWERTY keyboard where you can actually feel the keys as you touch them. If you are looking for something a little less expensive than a touch screen phone there are a lot of nice phones that have a slide out keyboard. The Samsung Gloss, LG Tritan, and the Motorola Hint are popular slide phones.

Step 4 - Cameras

Almost any phone you get now has at least has a still camera, even the ones you get for free when you sign up for a new contract. Most cameras are between 1.3 and 2 megapixels. The LG Tritan and the Samsung Delves have a 3.2 megapixel camera. A lot of phones can also record video. Since almost every new phone has a camera, you might not even have a choice in not having one. Video cameras are also common, but will narrow your search more.