Are you knowledgeable about the cell phone you own? The vast majority of people do not. Lots of tips and advice can be had that will boost the performance of your phone, and it can be tough to learn everything. The following tips will get you started.

Rushing out to buy a cell phone every time a new model comes out is a mistake. Sometimes it is not worth it. Newly released cell phones often have only minor changes and updates. Wait a couple of weeks and check out what other people think about their purchase before you make a choice to purchase one. Most likely, you won’t need to.

A smartphone will tend to slow down the longer it is used. Downloaded updates can help the phones stay new longer. That said, the updates tend to get bigger and more powerful. In a few years, your phone may become totally obsolete.

You probably use your cell phone often. Make sure you take a few minutes to reset it every so often. This keeps your phone working well. You can free up memory and get optimal performance by restarting your device regularly. A few resets a week should give you a boost in performance.

Cell Phone

Extended warranties aren’t always a good choice. These just cost you more money. If a cell phone is going to fail, it typically happens in the first year which is normally covered by the basic warranty. As well, annual cell phone buyers will see absolutely no benefit to extending the warranty.

Cell phones run slower with time. That is why updating is harder as time goes by. A time will come when you will need to make a decision. You can keep the status quo, and refuse any new updates, or upgrade your phone to a newer version.

Comparison shop at neighborhood stores before buying your new cell phone. Putting just a few hours one afternoon can mean learning a lot about different models, plans and features. You have a better chance of getting you really like.

Do you need a smartphone? Smartphones are expensive, but they offer a lot for the money. The only issue is that there are lots of folks who could do with far less. Smartphones not only cost more up front, but require a higher fee each month. So, it might not prove your wisest course of action if you only use phones to talk.

You may have a favorite cell phone brand, but you should also explore other brands. Keep your mind open to trying out new kinds of screen layouts and interfaces. Looking at other phones can show you a whole world of functionality.

If all you do with your phone is make calls, don’t invest in a smartphone. Many people have smartphones, but it’s because they use the Internet. They are usually more expensive than standard phones, so try saving money if you juts plan to talk on it.

Phone Battery

Try to avoid having your phone battery completely drain before recharging it. A cell phone battery is meant to be recharged every so often. The don’t charge as well if you let the battery drain completely before recharging it. Therefore, be vigilant.

Most smartphones lack an optical zoom feature. To get a true close-up, you must be near your subject. Alternatively, you can purchase a lens that works with your smart phone for zooming in on pictures.

Screen Protector

Always protect your cell phone properly. They are quite costly little devices. A screen protector can prevent the scratching of your screen. Along with a screen protector, also get a hard case that can protect your phone in case you drop it and to keep it safe from daily wear.

If you have a cell phone and you are planning for a vacation, check a coverage map before leaving town. You’re most likely aware of the coverage area you have where you live. It might even be everywhere you go on a regular basis. However, you might find out that you won’t get coverage in the area you’re going to.

If you’re somewhere with a low or spotty signal, put your phone in flight mode. The more it works to locate a signal, the higher the battery usage. Turn off the search until you have a good signal.

Although you can take cell phones with you anywhere you go, don’t use one when you’re driving. Using a headset is not safe either; it prohibits you from concentrating. There has been a lot of research done that shows these things are dangerous to do.

With newer phones, extra protection may not be needed for your screen. Phones often have the protection built in to the screen to help prevent smudges and scratching. With an additional screen protector, the clarity of the display can be decreased. In addition, the screen protectors sometimes become scratched or develop air bubbles.

If you barely text, drop the texting plan from your cell phone asap. Texting plans waste money if you don’t actually use them. You could get a texting app, or if you have an iPhone, iMessaging to other Apple users costs nothing.

Use Wi-Fi to reduce the data that you use. This lets you keep your data use to a minimum. Find a website that can let you know where you can find local hotspots. If you can, make such places routine stops during your day. Many restaurants offer this freely for patrons.

Keeping up with cell phones isn’t easy. Thankfully, what you’ve learned here is a great start. Technology can be a blessing, but only if you know what to do with it.