There’s no doubt about it - when it comes to buying a new mobile phone in Australia in 2009, it’s definitely a case of information overload.

Aside from the sheer number of handsets available on the market, everyone you talk to has their own opinion on which is the best mobile phone. And then there is the news coverage, reviews and ads to wade through…

So how do you best go about buying a new mobile phone?

3G mobile phones

3G (3rd Generation) is a term that is commonly used in connection to today’s mobile phones. 3G networks are basically those that are capable of speech and data services simultaneously, with faster network rates. On a 3G-capable mobile phone you can make voice calls, video calls, access the Internet, email and more.

In Australia there are two main 3G networks: GSM EDGE (the 3G standard of the traditional GSM digital mobile network) and Telstra’s Next G. Next G uses WCDMA technology rather than GSM, which offers faster data speeds but has some range issues.

Most new mobile phones are 3G-compatible, aside from the very, very basic handsets.

Pre-paid v post-paid

Most of us get a new mobile phone on a plan, rather than buying it outright. This means choosing between a pre-paid and post-paid plan.

If you’re looking to get the latest and greatest mobile phone, you won’t get this bundled on a pre-paid plan. At best, a pre-paid plan will offer a basic, entry-level handset. However if you have your own phone and want to keep on eye on expenditure, this is the plan for you. You can top up your phone and when the credit runs out, it runs out - you won’t get hit with any unexpected overuse charges. Pre-paid mobile phone plans can also be great for kids as parents know exactly how much credit is going onto the phone.

Post-paid contracts are ideal if you want to get one of the more expensive handsets bundled in with your expenditure. These plans also offer the convenience of a single monthly bill and often have decent extras thrown in, such as free SMS or talk minutes on weekends. For example, if you’re eyeing off the Apple iPhone 3G S (pictured here) or the latest Nokia phone but don’t want to buy it outright, you will need to go on a post-paid contract.

Accessing 3G services

As mentioned above, most new mobile phones are 3G-compatible, but to access these services, you will need some sort of data included in your plan. These days the carriers are offering this bundled in as part of a cap. For example, you can get the new Apple iPhone 3G S on Vodafone and Optus on a plan with a certain amount of included downloads plus standard talk and text. It pays to monitor your usage closely as if you go over your limit it can get pricey.

Which mobile phone?

Once you’ve worked out which plan suits you, the carrier will then be able to tell you which mobile phones are available on that plan. When it comes to choosing between them, there are two main factors to take into consideration: looks (yes, this is important for most people) and features.

While looks are entirely a matter of personal taste, mobile phone features need to be considered carefully. Think about how you plan to use the phone. For example, if you plan on taking a lot of photos, Sony Ericsson phones are a great option - keep an eye out for the upcoming Sony Ericsson Satio.

If you want to use your phone as a music player, then once again, Sony Ericsson Walkman phones are for you, as is the Apple iPhone, which doubles as an iPod.

Other features you might wish to consider include screen size and brightness (for watching videos or viewing photos), speakerphone, FM radio, Wi-Fi support, voice dialling and more.

Buy a cheap mobile phone on sale

By Caroline Warnes