Cell Phone Buying Guide:  Design, Size and Weight

How Design, Size and Weight Make a Difference and Really Do Matter

If you think that the most important thing about your cell phone is what it will do, you may be missing out on an important aspect of choosing your phone. Design, size, and weight of your handset can make a great deal of difference, and how you will use the phone is a large determinant in the bulk of phone you will want.

The cell phone used to be a bulky, unwieldy piece of equipment that weighed down belt loops, hand bags, and pockets. But they could also be found easily, and withstood lengthy use and abuse. Still, it’s nice to have the selection in styles, weight, and size—yes, and color—that we have today.

Thinking About Size ...

When you’re thinking about size, think about how easily you may lose it. If you’re organized and don’t have problems losing things, the small flip phone may suit you. These flip covers protect the display, and open up to become the earpiece of the phone. Some may complain about the extra time it takes to open the phone to dial, but it takes a split second to snap it open—if that split second is a problem, you’re too busy! If you like a smaller phone and don’t want the flip phone, consider the candy bar phone and other styles.

Smaller phones, of course, tend to be lighter in weight. This can be problematic for people who carry their phones in large bags or briefcases with lots of items. As one is sifting through the other items, a light cell phone can slide around and remain undetected. If you need a palm computer phone or internet access, you are pretty much going to have a heavier phone, although you can get them with sliding capabilities for better storage.

Thinking About Weight ...

Light phones are also sometimes not as sturdy as heavier phones, since the casing is made of lighter, more brittle or breakable material. If you’re hard on phones, consider getting a slightly heavier model that is not a flip phone. It will likely give you more service than the small, lighter models.

Thinking About Design ...

Design is a matter of personal preference and budget. Some of the design aspects of a phone depend on the features. For instance, if you have already decided that you will break a lighter phone or lose a flip cell phone, your design choices are limited. If you need a PDA type phone, again, you’re limited by needs, even though these phones are looking nicer with each new design.

In the end, your needs will determine the size, weight, and eventual body design of your cell phone. It would be unwise to choose based on design, size, and weight, and not get what you need in a cell phone.