If you’re thinking about getting a shiny new smartphone, or perhaps upgrade an existing handset, then there are rich pickings out there for people who are prepared to do a little bit of research before they part with their hard-earned money. If you consider the following five points beforehand, you’ll also find that getting the right model for your needs doesn’t need to be a difficult as you might think:

One)

Check out the different networks that are available where you live, and also where you plan on going with your new smartphone. After all, getting a smartphone contract invariably means signing up for a couple of years or so and it’s important to make sure that your new carrier will fit the bill. Ask around, check with family, friends and work colleagues about which network they find best and see if they’ll let you try their handset to see how the connectivity performs.

Two)

Think about the sort of smartphone that you want. You may well have eyes on something like the new iPhone 4S but does it do everything you want it to? More to the point, can you afford it? Remember that there are plenty of rock solid alternatives that run other operating systems such as Android phones and also the latest Windows OS. If you don’t require a top of the range phone then you’ll have many more options at your disposal.

Three)

What kind of support you can expect from your new carrier is also a crucial aspect in signing up for a new contract. There’s little point in going for a deal that seems like a really fantastic package if, soon after signing on the dotted line, you find that there is little or no support for you if things go wrong. Check if they offer support 24/7, if there are any costs involved and it may be worth asking how easy it is to contact billing and administration departments if you get issues on that front too.

Four)

What kind of phone you get as part of your contract deal could be the difference between an enjoyable experience and a terrible one. Many phones that come free with contract deals might not have quite the same specification as you want, or conversely, the carrier may offer you a phone that has more of a technical specification that you really need. If you decide what you need the handset for and then factor in the sort of specification you want then it’s much easier to get the right phone in the first place.

Five)

Do some research on the sort of smartphone deals that people are signing up for. If you go for a carrier that has a well proven track record then you should be fine, while avoid any that you’re not really familiar with or who have black marks against their reputation. Fellow consumers will have posted plenty of reviews and general comments on the internet, so that should be your first port of call in order to start doing research for that new contract that you’re on the lookout for.

Rob Clymo writes about all thing mobile related for Broadband Genie, the place to find the best broadband and phone packages