Cell Phones have become such a way of life — and even extensions of our personalities — that people are often looking to replace a broken phone, or upgrade to latest and greatest phone without switching carriers.  We’ve become so used to getting our phones inexpensively or for free with new service, that it’s hard for many people to justify paying full price to upgrade to a new phone.

Options for buying a replacment or new phone?

• Carrier Direct Upgrade
  Your current cellular carrier may offer a discount on a replacement phone if you always pay your bill on time and you’ve had your current phone for more than a year.  If you are truly a good customer, you may be able to negotiate your way to an even better deal.

• Switch Existing Service
  If your contract is expired, you may want to consider switching to another carrier.  You’ll be able to "port" your current number to your new service, and since you're a new to that provider you’ll qualify for the best deals that are always reserved for new customers.  Though you might think that the carriers would offer the best deals to long term customers, but this is generally not the case.

• Online Store or Auction Site
  If you aren’t able to take advantage of the first or second scenario described above, your best option may be buying a phone from an independent online store or on eBay.  You are likely to pay less than buying direct through a carrier or dealer, but don't expect significant savings.  The phone manufacturers and carriers have done an amazing job of controlling the availability of new phones in the marketplace, so the only bargains to be had are generally on "yesterday's" phones.

Which phones will work with my wireless service?

• You first need to know which technology is being used by your carrier.  Use the chart below to find your carrier to see if they are using GSM, CDMA, TDMA, or iDen.  You can also look up the model of your existing phone using our search feature and view the Phone Details link to find the type of technology your phone is currently using.

• Read the GSM, CDMA or IDen section for "Things you need to know when buying a replacement phone" for each technology.

Things to know - Buying a replacement phone for each technology

• GSM
  Using a different phone on a GSM network is simple.  As long as you purchase an unlocked GSM phone using the same frequencies as your carrier, you can just swap out the SIM card on your existing phone and place it in the new phone.  For example, Cingular uses GSM operating on the 850 and 1900 bands.  Any unlocked GSM phone compatible with the 850 and 1900 frequencies will work with AT&T.  T-mobile uses 1900 only, so any GSM phone with 1900 will work on T-Mobile's network.

• CDMA
  Verizon, Alltel, and Sprint all use CDMA technology.  CDMA phones do not have SIM cards like GSM, so each phone has a serial number which is associated with a particular carrier.  For example, even though the LG 8300 phone is offered by Alltel and Verizon, each specific phone can only be used with either Alltel or Verizon, not both.  If you want to buy a CDMA replacement phone from an Online Store or Auction site, just be sure it'll work with your provider.  An easy way to know is to make sure the name of your carrier is listed on the box.  All LG 8300's associated with Verizon will clearly display the Verizon logo on its packaging.  To activate a CDMA phone, just call the carriers customer service department and add the new phones serial number to your account.

• iDen
  Only Nextel uses iDen, so any iDen phone you buy will work with Nextel.  To activate an iDen phone, you would call Nextel customer service to add your new phones serial number to your account.

Carrier Technology and Frequency/Band Chart

Phone Insurance and Manufacturer Warranty’s »« The best cellular deals, online or at your local dealer?

Cell phone buying guide topics

1. Cellular Overview - Understanding the Basics
2. Where to Start, Choosing a Phone or Rate Plan first
3. Carriers Basics – What each Carrier Offers
4. The best cellular deals, online or at your local dealer?
5. Buying a Replacement Phone, without switching service
6. Phone Insurance and Manufacturer Warranty’s
7. Pre-paid and No-Contract Services
8. Using your Phone Overseas
9. How Cellular Works
10. Understanding Cellular Technology and Bands
11. Analog, Digital – Does it Matter?
12. Cellular Marketing Strategies
13. Industry Economics
14. Glossary of Cellular Terms