Here's a useful guide to some of the features you may find on your chosen handset, as shown in the item description:

2G HANDSET - Just another way of describing your mobile phone - almost all handsets are 2g in the UK, the alternative being the 3G HANDSET - see below.

3G HANDSET - 3G handsets are generally known as videocalling handsets. Most of these feature a second camera on the front to enable you to make a video call to other 3G handset owners anywhere in the world. These are becoming more popular, largely down to the fact that they also provide fast (broadband speed) internet access. Calls can also be made as normal to any 2G mobile phone.

BLUETOOTH - Bluetooth connectivity allows you to connect without wires to another Bluetooth device, such as a headset or earpiece - very useful whilst on the move for example (and illegal to use a mobile phone without a headset whilst driving in the UK and many other countries).

Stereo (A2DP) Bluetooth offers stereo sound when used with a stereo Bluetooth (cordless) headset or stereo Bluetooth speakers

CAMERA - Enables you to take digital pictures which you can view on the phone, download to your computer or send to your friends. Almost all cameras have a built-in zoom facility. The higher the megapixel, the better the picture. However don't get too carried away with very high megapixel cameras, as you will require a very steady hand the higher you go and even a 1.3 megapixel camera will produce excellent 4" x 6" prints

FLIGHT MODE - It is illegal to use a mobile phone on most aircraft as the signals may interfere with the operation of the aircraft. FLIGHT MODE allows you to turn off the mobile phone function while still allowing you access to your favourite features such as your CAMERA or MP3 PLAYER

FM RADIO - Listen to your favourite radio station in FM stereo. All phones with an FM radio include a FREE stereo headset. FM radios with RDS will show the station name too.

HANDSFREE SPEAKERPHONE - Exactly as the name suggests, this feature allows you to conduct your call via the built-in speaker, without the need to hold the phone to your ear.

INTERNET - Access the world wide web via your mobile phone using the built in web browser. EDGE internet access allows for faster loading of web pages whilst 3G HANDSETS allow you to access the internet at broadband speeds.

MEMORY CARD - A removable "card" which Increases the storage capacity of your phone. Very useful for storing additional mp3 music files, photos and video clips. Most phones now use the popular MicroSD format, and memory cards are available to buy on this website.

MEMORY CARD SLOT - This enables you to expand the memory of your phone by inserting a memory card. See above for details.

MMS PICTURE MESSAGING - MMS messaging allows you to send and receive picture messages, sound files (such as ringtones), and even short video clips to other MMS enabled handsets rather than just a few words of text.

MP3 PLAYER - Also known as a music player, this device built into your phone will store, organise and play your music tracks. These tracks are often stored on a MEMORY CARD

PHOTO CALLER ID - This allows you to assign a photo or picture to your built-in phone book, or contacts list. The photo then shows on the screen when that caller rings you. Usually found on phones with MMS PICTURE MESSAGING

QUADBAND - Quadband phones will work just about anywhere in the world! Quadband phones work on the 850, 900, 1800 and 1900 wavebands.

SCREEN - All the information on your phone is viewed on the screen, from incoming calls to your photos. the bigger the screen, the easier it is to read and a 262,000 colour screen for example will give you crystal clear photos and text.

SIM CARD - A small electronic 'chip' which contains your mobile number and network settings. An unlocked phone will usually accept any sim card anywhere in the world (with the exception of most 3 network sim cards) and you can swap sim cards to switch between networks, maybe to use one which has a cheaper tariff when abroad. Up to 250 of your mobile contacts can also usually be saved on your sim card, allowing you to transfer them from one phone to another.

SMS MESSAGING - More commonly known as "Text messaging", this feature allows you to type and send short text messages to other mobile phones.

All our phones feature SMS text messaging.  Also see MMS PICTURE MESSAGING

TRIBAND - Triband phones work on the GSM 900, 1800 and 1900 wavebands and will work anywhere in Europe, Australia, Canada and most of the U.S.A and the rest of the world. Unlocked phones can be used with a sim card from a network in any country using these wavebands. Also see QUADBAND

UNLOCKED - An unlocked phone can be used on ANY network anywhere, with a Pay As You Go or Contract sim card. However please be aware that you will need a 3G handset for use with the 3 mobile phone network.

Buyers in the U.S. will need to check that their network uses the GSM 1900 waveband, as the phones we sell will NOT work on the GSM 850 waveband unless they are unlocked quadband phones. All quadband and 3G phones will work in the U.S.

USB CONNECTIVITY - Allows users to connect to their computer to transfer files such as MP3 music tracks or photos using a USB cable.

VIDEO RECORDING - As the name suggests, records 'moving' video pictures, usually with sound. This feature is now included on most handsets equipped with a camera

VOICE RECORDER - Like a dictation machine, allows you to record voice memos to save and play back later. Memo can also be sent to other phones via MMS MESSAGING on many handsets.