Sales of SmartPhones are set to soar in the run up to Christmas as consumers choose feature-packed phones.

Whilst these handsets are expensive to buy outright, they can be obtained free on a wide range of contracts. Also, because they are capable of performing many different tasks, they can actually replace a number of other devices giving the purchaser a complete business and entertainment package on their phone.

For many people mobile phones never leave their side or get switched off. This means that they are always available when needed. You can store photos, video and audio, contact details and documents all in one place and this information can be easily accessed and cross-referenced.

New models are being released all of the time and with each new release mobile handset manufacturers are outdoing each other with more features being packed in.

This does mean that in order to keep up with the latest trends you are likely to have to change handsets more frequently, although the Smartphone software can be updated in the same way as your computer and applications are being developed all of the time for the different operating systems.

Choosing the right handset is becoming more and more difficult as the choice increases. Don't rush into an impulse buy, think carefully about how you are going to use your new phone and make sure the features you need are present. Don't pay extra for a 12 megapixel cameraphone if you aren't going to be doing a serious amount of photography with it!