With smart phones becoming a very crucial and important part of daily lives, one finds it really hard to go anywhere without one. The amount of convenience that such as small device can provide is hard to match. With a typical smart phone, a person is able to make and receive calls and messages, check and send email, browse the internet, listen to music, watch videos and even have a guided map service.

Of course, when travelling to distant locations, being without the smart phone is something that most people would not want to do. But preparing your Samsung Wave 2 or SE XPERIA X8 for a journey is also as important as preparing one’s own things, here is a quick list of things to do before taking your phone out for a trip.

First off, make backups of your data. Phones often carry several GB of important or personal data. From videos recorded to important documents, these files should first be backed up to a computer. There is no telling what may happen to the phone during a trip and data loss is something worth worrying about.

On the light side, move your content to the computer so that the phone will have space for new images and videos that you can take on the trip.

Research the locations’ power standards. Some places use a standard voltage, some have higher. As a rule, never stick your phone into a wall outlet unless you are certain that the voltage will match. Failing to do so could potentially damage your phone.

Also, it is important to check with your carrier. Some networks will charge exorbitant roaming fees. This is a great reason to consider getting a global SIM card if you find one available. It would also be good to inform your friends and family that you will be gone (and that they should not contact your phone) –the last thing any traveler needs is to find a large phone bill upon coming back.

The average mobile phone will last a person for about two years. After this time, the device is often replaced by a better handset for a wide variety of reasons. Some users simply prefer to own a new phone. Other handsets would have been exposed to wear and tear and in some cases, been damaged to a point that a replacement would be better. There is also the occasional case of the device being lost or stolen.

But what about having multiple handsets? While not everyone can keep up with the cost of maintaining two SIM cards, there are those who simply need to have separate number from the one they normally use. Often, some mobile phone users would have to segregate their work and personal contacts, but other variations also exist.

There is no set rule or limitation on how many mobile phones a single individual should own, but there is a limit to how much each individual can handle. Simply put, if a mobile phone is not being used for duration of a full two weeks, then chances are, you can probably afford to do without the secondary SIM card.

Having a secondary handset is also common. Most smart phones compromise size for extra features, and it is not rare for some people to transfer their SIM card from a big expensive handset to a more simple candy bar device when they go for a night out or for errands. This will help keep their iPhone 4 or HTC Desire safe (which is useful if you know you will be coming back home intoxicated).

Another good reason to have a spare mobile phone is for emergencies. Most families have emergency kits at home; these are usually packed with first aid kits, food rations, two way radios and other similar items. These days, it is also recommended to have a spare mobile phone as well (and an extra battery as well). While it would need to be charged regularly, having an extra mobile phone on hand could prove to be helpful in dire emergencies.