Used Smartphones

Modern day's culture has shifted to a "get it now" attitude where people demand having as much information as possible at their fingertips...all of the time. Cell phone manufacturers have responded to this demand admirably. Today's smartphones, such as models available from Blackberry and Palm, are essentially mini-PCs that can also make phone calls. Web browsing, email, report reviews, instant messaging, and a variety other features that were promised in futuristic movies of the past are all available to consumers 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with today's cell phones.

The major downside to this great technology is, of course, the costs associated with acquiring it. Sometimes you'll find a great deal through one of the cellular carriers, but often this price is only offered to customers that sign a new contract. This is great if you happen to be at the end of your old contract and don't have a problem with the potential high costs associated with ending your contract early, but more often that not the average consumer is not able to take advantage of the great deals offered. Generally, to upgrade to a new smartphone, you have to pay full retail price for it.

Some people may not have a problem paying full retail price, but I'm of the opinion that it's not worth it if better deals can be found elsewhere. Thankfully, the used cell phone market is full of better prices that don't come with the strings of contract extensions and cancellation fees attached. In fact, you can often find the same phone in the used market that you'll find at a store or kiosk operated by your provider for a much cheaper price. The majority of these phones come unlocked (meaning they'll work on number of networks) and are completely refurbished (cleaned, set to original factory settings, and clear of any of the previous owners settings and information).

There isn't a "official" definition for what makes a phone a "smartphone," but generally this term is used to refer to any phone that uses an open operating system with the ability to add applications in the same way that you can add new software to your Windows operated PC. If you're new to smartphones and haven't decided which phone is right for you, I've outlined a few of the important features commonly available on smartphones.

Email - Any smartphone available today will offer some sort of email functionality whereby you can send and receive emails just like you can on your PC. Blackberry was the first company to offer phones with secure access to company email and you should have no trouble finding a used blackberry with that capability.

Personal Organizer - Smartphones should also offer a personal organizer feature as a part of their basic package. These organizers allow you to keep track of appointments via a calendar and organize your contacts with an address book. Some also offer features such as to-do lists, "notebooks" to jot ideas and reminders down, and possibly maps.

Ability to add new applications - Smartphones are different from "regular" cell phones in that their operating systems are "open." This means that the manufacturer and other software developers have the ability to write software that can be installed and run on the phone. This is especially beneficial for business professionals who need the ability to view reports on the go, review documents created in programs such as Microsoft Word, or read through PDF documents away from their computer.

"Regular" functions - Of course, all smart phones will do the type of things that people expect cell phones to do. Make calls, send text messages, play music, take pictures, and so on.

In summary, a used smartphone is an alternative that you should consider for your next cell phone purchase. You can find different models of the used palm treo and used blackberry for great prices with a bit of searching. Do yourself a favor and save some money while getting the same phone your friend paid full retail for. And remember to laugh at them.

In today's tough economy it is essential that we save money on everything possible. One way to save money is by purchasing used cell phones, rather than a new one. A factory refurbished phone is restored back to new as far as the settings and memory, but has been used before, which means that it may have signs of wear like scratches or marks. These phones are often much less expensive than new ones, which will allow you to save money for more important things, like gas, food, and utilities.

For example, let's say you need a new phone and have your eyes on a Blackberry 8830. If you're a customer with Verizon, you can buy the phone new for $519.00, assuming you are not eligible for a contract-renewal discount. On the other hand, you can purchase a used Verizon Blackberry 8830 for around $185. For those of you that aren't math experts, that works out to a savings of $334. Not bad, eh? In fact, based on my monthly bills of late, the savings from the used phone could pay my cell phone bill for the next 6 months.

These phones also offer a "green" benefit, which is another growing area of concern and focus in consumer buying behavior. Purchasing a used/refurbished phone is essentially recycling. Cell phones have been know to leak toxic chemicals into soil and waterways when they are sent to landfills. Purchasing a used cell phone keeps that phone from the landfill and helps preserve our planet. Encourage others to purchase used and refurbished phones to increase the environmental impact.

The best part about purchasing a refurbished phone is that they are often the latest models. This can give you a phone that is at the height of technology at a price that you can afford. No matter what model that you have been wishing for, you are sure to find it in a refurbished model to keep yourself on budget. Look at the new Treos and then look for the one you want from a reputable dealer that offers refurbished cell phones to find the exact one that you are desiring. The selection of refurbished Treos is just as varied as the new ones, which is great for you, as the consumer.

So, if getting the phone that you want for a fraction of the price seems like a good deal to you, start looking for refurbished cell phones next time you buy a phone. Numerous third party vendors are out there that will have a much bigger selection than you'll find at your cell phone provider's store, and most offer a warranty to give you peace of mind. The advantage of purchasing a phone from one of these third parties is that you won't be required to sign a new contract with your current provider, meaning if you want to switch plans or providers down the road, you'll be able to avoid paying the early contract cancellation fee that you agreed to.