Trouble deciding between digital and analog?
Aug 17 '00
Before deciding whether to buy a digital or analog cell phone and plan, make
sure that the area you live in has a digital signal. There are even some
poplulated areas in the country where you can't even get a digital signal.
If this is the case, then there is no reason to get a digital phone. You
might want to either get an analog phone and upgrade to digital when it is
available.
If you are in a digital area and are still having trouble deciding, you will
want to ask yourself two questions:
1. How often will I be using my cell phone?
2. Will I be using it in confined areas (such as buses, subways,
etc.)?
If you do plan on using your phone often and/or in confined areas, it is definitely advantageous to get a digital phone. The signal is much more clear and your chances of getting suddenly disconnected (at least in a large city) are rare. You can get a good digital plan from Sprint for $50/month for 500 minutes and I think AT&T has a comparable plan.
If you just want a phone to have in your car or when you go out "in case of emergencies," then an analog phone will probably be your best best. You can get a cheap plan for around $15/month. The clarity isn't as good as digital, but if you are in a bind, it is good enough to call for help or remind your hubby to pick up some milk on his way home from work.
One of the biggest advantages of a digital phone is the battery life. With an analog phone, the battery probably only lasts 8-10 hours and most and probably about 1 hour talk time. A good digital phone can have up to 48 hours of battery life and 3-5 hours of talk time.
I personally prefer digital over analog and would recommend Sprint's service. Digital phones are more expensive to buy (around $100), but are well worth the price. With my sprint phone, I get caller ID, call waiting, return calling, voice mail, phone book storage, and several other perks. You can get some of these features with an analog phone as well.
Many cell phone companies will offer you a free analog phone for signing up for a one year contract, but these phones are usually not the best quality. You can buy a decent analog phone for about $25.
In the end, you have to pick which phone is best suited for your personal needs and I'm sure that you won't regret it. Having a cell phone is a major convenience.
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