How to choose a cell phone for women

If recent market statistics are anything to go by, the female demographic is rapidly embracing the mobile phone as a girl's best friend. In response, manufacturers are launching more feminine phones into the market, most with an eye on style and design. Some phone makers are even creating lifestyle applications for more female-focused offerings. From personalized ringtones to mobile games, here's what is out there if you belong to this category. For the guys, these guidelines might help you make the right purchase decision for your significant other.

Your lifestyle requirements

Know your phone:
There's no dearth of form factors to pick from, from flip phones to clamshells, to candy bars, swivel and slider phones. It's usually a matter of preference when it comes to design, although one 2006 study on women and technology found that 78 percent of women prefer a new top-of-the-line cell phone with all the latest features and a sleek new design as part of their fashion statement. Phone design currently seems to trend toward candy bars with large screens, some equipped with touch technology. Though if you prefer clamshells, it's all good as the latest designs generally have dual screens.

Does the design suit you?:
Whatever the latest design, though, do check out the ergonomics. Is the phone comfortable in your hand and against your ear? Is it a good size for you? Women tend to put tons of things, such as tissues, keys, pens, small mirrors, into their handbags in some need to be prepared for the unexpected. Hence, the preference for slim, compact phones that don't weigh too much.

Beyond the design, try out the phone for its button placements to see if they provide sufficient tactile feedback. Also check if the keys are easy to text on, particularly for women with long nails. With thinner, newer designs now offering keypads flush with the phone, chiclet-sized keys, sometimes even buttonless touchscreens, it's even more important to try these out at the stores before buying as there is learning curve to scale.

Finally, pick a color and shape you won't mind holding in your hand. Some models offer a variety of personalization options as well, from screensavers to ringtones, to changeable faceplates. Or if you're a gal with a sporty lifestyle, check out the rugged offerings.

Features to consider:
Mobile phones aren't just phones anymore. They can do a myriad things, from playing MP3 files to counting calories, from taking pictures to browsing the Web. In fact, some phone manufacturers have also been offering mobiles with "female applications" ranging from a shopping list function to perfume-matching system. So if you thought picking a phone design was difficult, deciding on the features can be far more challenging. The current offerings are so extensive, they can be daunting to those who aren't sure what they want vs. what they really need. As a rule of thumb, if all you require is a handset for texting and calling, then go for a basic, frills-free mobile.

If, however, you're looking for a phone that complements your busy social calendar, consider those with entertainment options such as a good autofocus camera with Xenon flash for those candid group shots. Other useful features would be GPS for navigating if you are on the road a lot, or quad-band and 3G support if you travel overseas frequently to the US and Japan, respectively. A 2007 study conducted by Kelton Research showed that single mobile females (SFs) are using their cell phones as much more than a communication device, with their mobiles playing an important role in relationships and dating, organizing their lives and fashion.

Does it perform?

Once you've decided on your phone design of choice and the features you need, the next thing to consider is performance. Since you usually can't try out the phone in shops, do your homework. Check out editorial reviews. Get feedback from friends using a similar model. Or borrow the phone for a while to test it out, particularly for sound quality which can be very subjective. Other things to check out are:

• What is the rated battery talktime and standby time?
• What is the image quality of the camera snaps?
• Is the music playback clear and full-sounding?
• Is the user interface intuitive and easy to use?
• How responsive are the keys for texting?
• Is the speakerphone loud and clear?
• How clear is the display under bright sunlight?

Your budget

Picking the right phone has as much to do with personality as it does with needs. Ultimately, for the woman, it's a personal lifestyle choice that may override any budgetary limitations you might have set out with before hitting the shops. So make sure you try out the handset and get the right one that you'll enjoy carrying around, using and feel good being seen using it.