I’m Jeffrey Van Camp and I perform many of the cell phone reviews here at Digital Trends. I've been in the mobile industry for many years now, but things have never been more exciting in the phone space than they are now. The success of the iPhone has completely changed how phones look and operate, from their design to their components. Instead of carrying around a phone, we're really carrying small computers with us everywhere. These are no longer just for talking. They do everything. As such, it's more important than ever to make the right choice and get the phone that fits your needs, or gets out of your way the most. 

Cell phone buying tips

How to pick a smartphone

 So you need a smartphone, and you need it now. Maybe it's your first phone, maybe your contract is up for renewal, or maybe you just dropped the last one in the toilet. Well, fear not. There are a lot of good options out there and we've got a quick guide (very quick) that should help you out. 

Step 1: Figure out what your needs are

Do you need a phone with a large screen, small screen, a physical keyboard? Maybe you absolutely need BB messenger, Exchange support, or a phone with an awesome camera. Figure out what matters most to you and write it down. Your decisions here will affect everything that is to come.

Step 2: Choose an operating system

There are four main smartphone choices today: Android, BlackBerry, iOS, and Windows Phone. Here’s a quick rundown on each: 

Android: Developed by Google, this is an open-source operating system that is on the majority of new phones today that aren't made by RIM (BB) or Apple. Android has a robust apps and content market called Google Play and comes with a huge suite of services from Google including Gmail, Google Calendar, Google Maps, free turn-by-turn navigation (our favorite), YouTube, Google+, Chrome Browser, Google Wallet, and Google Talk. If you like Google services, Android is probably the best option for you. Visually, it's very similar to iOS, but adds customizable homepages and widgets you can put on your screen to show things like the weather. The main issue with Android is that since it's open source, manufacturers like Sony, LG, Samsung, HTC, and Motorola freely modify the look and design of it to suit their needs, sometimes to the detriment of you, the buyer.

BlackBerry: If you're hooked on BlackBerry Messenger or love physical keyboards and small screens, BlackBerry may be for you. The OS is made by Canadian company Research in Motion and helped kick off the smartphone revolution years ago, but has had difficulty keeping up lately. Most BB devices have slower hardware and lack some of the core amenities that Android and iOS offer.

iPhone: The iPhone is the only phone that runs iOS and Apple plans to keep it that way. The iPhone kicked off the app revolution and in its fifth year, it is still the standard upon which all other phones are measured. If you own other Apple devices or enjoy services like iTunes, the iPhone may be a good option for you. It doesn't allow as much geeky tinkering as Android does, but it has a clean, simple design and an app/game catalog that is the best of any mobile platform. Momentum is shifting to Android, but the iPhone still gets the majority of innovative new games and apps.

Windows Phone: After the failure of Windows Mobile, Microsoft started from scratch and built Windows Phone, which is based almost entirely on the Zune MP3 player interface. The OS is still in a distant fourth place, but from a design and usability standpoint, it is right up there with the iPhone. Windows Phone employs a new type of interface. Instead of relying on a grid of shortcuts and a notification tray, Windows Phone uses Live Tiles, which are half shortcut, half widget. So everything on your homepage is alive and can display information. If you want a smartphone that just works, Windows Phone may be it.

Step 3: Features you'll want in your phone

When you get down to choosing your phone, there is no shortage of choices, but you can't trust store employees to steer you in the right direction. Here are a few features that you will want in your next phone. Use these to beat the sales folk at their own game.

Screen: If you can find a Super AMOLED screen, those look particularly vibrant with Android and Windows Phone. Other than that, pay attention to the resolution (you want at least 800x480 pixels for a great experience). If you can, find a phone with a 720p (1280 x 720 pixels) resolution. That's top of the line.

Dual-core processor: We recommend a phone with at least a dual-core processor, as it will have a longer shelf life than a phone with a single-core CPU. Single-core phones are cheaper, and some OS's like Windows Phone and BlackBerry don't offer dual-core devices, but if you have the option, go with dual-core or even quad-core. You're not buying a phone; you're buying a tiny PC. The more horsepower you give it now, the longer it will last.

4G LTE: If you are on a carrier that supports 4G LTE, make sure you get a phone that supports the feature (and gets good battery life, unlike the HTC Thunderbolt). AT&T and Verizon currently support LTE, with Sprint and T-Mobile set to launch networks in the next year or two. You may not feel that LTE is important now, but remember that you won't be getting a phone for another two years. By then, everyone will be on super-fast networks and you will be stuck in the dust with a crappy 3G connection. 4G is worth the jump.

Upgrades: If you're buying an Android phone, you want one with Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) or a clear date when an upgrade will arrive; If you're on Windows Phone, make sure it has Windows Phone 7.5; If you're buying a BlackBerry, make sure it's a BB7 device; and if you're buying an iPhone, make sure it's a 4S, or at least a 4.

Camera: Take a few test shots with your phone. Compare them with the iPhone 4S. If the phone you're choosing just can't measure up, keep looking, because even the iPhone's camera ain't that great. You won't always have a DSLR with you when something cool happens, but you will have your phone. At least have one capable of taking a good picture. Currently, HTC, Samsung, Nokia, and Apple are leading in cameras. 

Battery life: Ask about this or look it up. The difference between a phone with great battery life (the Droid Razr Maxx) and a phone with poor battery life (Droid Bionic) is night and day. Battery life only gets worse with time and if your phone cannot hold a charge all day when you buy it, it's going to be much worse in a year.

Size: Make sure you can hold it. A small screen is annoying, but if you buy a 5.3-inch Galaxy Note because it's cool now, make sure you're not going to tire of having a massive phone in the next two years. 

MicroSD: Having a microSD slot is not required, but it is nice if you like to listen to a lot of music, podcasts, or want fill your phone up with other items. A phone with at least 8GB of internal storage is also recommended. Space is good to have. 

Step 4: Enjoy!