How do you choose the best (and cheapest) cell phones? That decision boils down to phone style, phone performance and phone carrier service. Let's start with some tips on phone style.

Phone Style And Features
To an extent phone style is determined by an individual's personality. There are some phones that are rich in features, and others that are functional and modest looking. The two main styles to choose from are the flip phones (that are good for carrying in pockets) and the candy bar model phone which stands ready and is arguably easier to use because of the design. Other designs include slider and swivel phones. The most important factor to consider here is comfort, since you will be carrying your phone around for many hours nonstop. Is the design comfortable? Are the buttons easy to press and the size of text adequate for your vision?

Features on cell phones can be endless, but the more you have the more you will spend initially and perhaps on an ongoing basis. Will you be using your phone for web surfing, sending email or other business tasks? If so, then a higher-end model may be a good idea. However, if you want to keep things cheap and simple, eliminate the luxury features you won't regularly use. Some phones offer MP3s as well as built in digital cameras, so the line between needing and wanting is certainly getting being blotted out by all of these expensive new features.

The Cheapest Price
Cheap cell phones generally have a few features and have a fixed monthly plan with one of the top cheap cell phone service carriers, whether Cingular Wireless, Sprint Nextel, T-Mobile or Verizon Wireless. There are also smaller companies increasing in their business like Alltel, MetroPCS, Amp'd Mobile, and U.S. Cellular.

Finding cheap cell phone plans involves carefully analyzing the carrier service plan and considering how much you will actually be using your phone. Usage time is what determines the price of a cell phone's carrier service and so the more minutes you need every month, the more it will cost. Most plans revolve around “anytime minutes” which are limited minutes in which calls are made in peak hour periods, while off peak hours (nights and weekends) are unlimited. Read plans carefully as there might also be roaming charges and long distance rates unless you specify a certain plan.

One way to save is through buying cheap prepaid cell phones, which allow you to pay for a certain amount of time up front, as well as family plans, which let you share monthly airtime with your family members. You can also search for used or cheap unlocked cell phones for a discount at websites such as CellularIsIt.com. For more information visit major service provider websites for specific information about their rates and terms.