Cell Phone Buying Guide:  Analog, Digital, Dual Mode

In this cell phone buying guide article, we discuss analog, digital and dual mode options and functions.  Through this article, you will be provided some basic information about these modes and functions.  Armed with these materials, you will be able to make a better decision on what sort of cell phone unit and cell phone service is right for you.

Two Types of Cell Phone Signals

There are two types of signals that cell phone carriers provide for their customers: analog and digital. While digital is cheaper, saves on battery life, and is the wave of the future, it isn’t available in all areas and the phones can be more expensive. Analog, which is more prevalent, will go the way of the black-and-white computer monitor someday, although the sound is sometimes better and the phones themselves are cheaper. Some phones offer dual mode, however, enabling you to have digital service where it’s available, then automatically switching you to analog in places where digital service isn’t installed.

Understanding the Availability of Service

To decide which service you want, you should answer some questions. First, do you even live in an area where digital service is available? If you don’t know, find that out first. It may mean you have no decision to make. Second, think about the features you will need on your cell phone service.

A Cell Phone for Emergencies

If you need your phone just for emergencies and live in a rural area, you could be a perfect candidate for analog service. But if you need to talk a lot on your cell phone or need special features, you may have to shop for digital service. And, if you intend to travel, a dual mode cell phone is a must—the phone will be equipped to switch between digital and analog depending on which is available, and you can set it to switch automatically if a digital signal is lost or found.

Digital Cell Phone Features

Although digital cell phones have the least number of service cells at this time, if you need certain features, it’s what you will need to get. If you need caller ID, email, voice mail, camera phones, internet access, and other advanced tools, you must have digital service.

Types of Digital Cell Phone Options

If you have decided you must have digital, you still have two choices left. Digital cellular and digital PCS (personal communication service) use different frequency bands. The carrier you choose will usually use one of several standard access technologies, and this will determine your range of cell phone choices. So it pays to speak with your carrier before you buy a phone—the one you choose may not work with the service you want. There are phones that will access two of the digital bands and the analog. This is called the tri-mode phone, and many models are available.

If you’re not certain which is right for you, find a carrier that will allow you to have a trial period, where if you’re not satisfied with the mode you have chosen, you can switch at little or no charge.