The Verizon Wireless LG Cosmos Cell Phone

Cell phones have gotten more and more technical over the years, and for those of us who are not so great with gizmos, it can be hard to find a reliable basic cell phone. Whether you want the most high-tech phone available, however, or you are looking for a cell phone that does not require you to spend hours upon hours learning how to use it but leaves the more technically advanced options open, the Verizon Wireless has a few options for you.

The LG Cosmos is one example of a Verizon Wireless a basic camera phone with more advanced options. With an appearance reminiscent of early-model cell phones, the LG Cosmos has a few useful, "techy" extras. At 4.41 inches long, 2.05 inches wide, and .67 inches thick, this is a small, easy to tuck in your pocket or purse, camera phone.

Verizon Wireless has offers wireless options for personal use or business use, including choices from an array of basic flip phones, high-tech gadget phones, and 3G and 4G hotspots capable of connecting multiple wireless enabled devices to the Internet at the same time. Using the LG Cosmos as an example of the Verizon Wireless service, gives you an idea of some features offered by Verizon Wireless.

• Texting: One of the Cosmos' hidden features is a slide out keyboard. Having a QWERTY keyboard is a fairly unique feature on a basic cell phone, but it is useful because it makes texting easier.
• Picture-taking: A 1.3 megapixel camera is also a useful feature on a basic cell phone. Having the camera built into the phone means you do not have to carry a separate camera in order to snap high-resolution photos.
• Bluetooth capability: The Verizon Wireless LG Cosmos also offers the option to use the phone's Bluetooth capability. Bluetooth lets your phone communicate wirelessly with a headset.
• Media center: The media center lets you download software such as other apps and ringtones.
• Speaker phone: The speaker phone allows for hands-free use when driving.
• VZ Navigator: VZ Navigator is a global positioning system that allows for voice recognition and provides maps when needed.

The main competitors for Verizon Wireless are T-Mobile, Sprint, Virgin Mobile, and ATT. All offer similar service and packages with small variations. The main differentiators are the phones and wireless devices offered by each company.

Using the Cosmos again, as a comparison of Verizon Wireless to the competition, the Verizon Wireless LG Cosmos is comparable to the T-Mobile LG GS170 and Sprint's Samsung M360 and the Virgin Mobile Arc . The main advantage the Verizon Wireless Cosmos offers in comparison to the GS170, the M360 and the Arc is the slide out QWERTY keyboard. The GS170, the M360, and the Arc are flip phones that might serve a non-texting individual more effectively, because the phone designs are simpler. ATT's cell phones lean toward the more technical end of the cell phone spectrum, making it harder to find a basic camera phone among the company's offerings. Finding a phone that suits your needs is the key when selecting a cell phone, because the primary wireless carriers, including Verizon Wireless, T-Mobile, Sprint, Virgin Mobile, and ATT, are all known for providing a combination of excellent service areas and dead zones.

Verizon Wireless provides plans for individual phone user, family plans, prepaid plans, and mobile broadband plans. Indivudual plans start around $40 per month and go up to around $90 per month, based on your individual usage needs. Family plans start around $70 per month and go up to about $300 per month, depending on the number of family members covered and the number of minutes needed. Mobile broadband access fees from Verizon Wireless are from $20 to $80 per month.

With prepaid plans you pay full price for the phone or wireless device then pay as you go for the service. Prepaid plans are offered on a daily usage basis or a monthly basis. With the lowest per minute price being 99 cents and the largest monthly plan coming in around $75.

Using the example of the Cosmos again, to provide a clear picture of the pricing available: the full retail price of the Verizon Wireless LG Cosmos is just under $190. Agreeing to a 2-year contract drops the price of the phone to $79.99. The price can be reduced even further by watching for online specials and shipping discounts. The current price for the Cosmos, as of May 2011, is free, with free shipping and activation if you buy online and agree to the 2-year contract.

The accessories included with the Cosmos at no extra cost include:

Standard Battery
Battery Door
Wall/USB Charger
Product Safety & Warranty Guide
Quick Reference Guide
Service plan pricing is determined by your expected usage. Talk only plans are available starting at $39.99 a month and going up to $69.99 a month. If you want a talk and text plan the monthly price begins at $59.99 and goes up to $89.99.

Also available; Verizon Wireless also offers plans for calling Canada, senior discount plans for customers over 65 years of age, and messaging packages starting at $34.99.

Consumer Search gives Verizon Wireless a positive review, writing, "Reviewers agree that Verizon Wireless has the best call quality and service in almost all areas of the United States." They list the pros of Verizon Wireless as: "Best call quality in most areas, fewest dropped calls, extensive nationwide 3G coverage, and fastest 4G network." They list the cons as "Most phones can't be used overseas, plans are expensive, and mixed reviews for customer service."

While not a totally positive review, PC Magazine describes Verizon Wireless as: "True to its reputation, readers rated Verizon's call coverage and quality the best. Its technical support received the highest rating and customer satisfaction with the choice of handsets matched AT&T. We might be able to attribute this, in part, to its ever expanding line of Android phones, except that Verizon has the same 7.3 rating as last year for phone choice."