Choosing a ringtone for your phone can be a daunting task for the cell phone novice, particularly when it seems that there are simply so many different types of tone available today. There are an ever growing number of companies devoted to bringing ringtones to your phone, and like any other business fighting for a share of the corporate pie, they want to make a good living at what they are doing. But of course as a consumer, you want to get the best deal you possibly can, and with payment rates varying among the different types of tones, it is wise to do a little homework before you buy.

The most basic type of ringtone available today is the monophonic variety, comprised of a sound that emits one note at a time, resulting in a tune that is usually short and very simple. The earliest type of ringtone to be developed, monophonic tones can now sound a little primitive and outdated to the more expert ringtone ear, but monophonic tones do have the advantage of being cheaper to purchase than the alternatives.

The next step up from monophonic ringtones is the polyphonic tone. The word polyphonic means that multiple notes may be sounded simultaneously in this tune, creating a sound that has more depth and can more closely be compared to the sort of music you might hear on the radio. These types of tones are better suited to newer cell phones, as these include the technology to play polyphonic tunes to greater effect. More cutting edge cell phones are able to play tunes comprised of one hundred and twenty-eight individual notes sounded from a variety of instruments. Polyphonic ringtones are usually more expensive than their monophonic counterparts.

The latest development in tone technology is the abilty to use actual pieces of pre-recorded music as your cell phone’s ringtone. These tunes, called music ringtones, can alert you to an incoming call with your favorite song exactly as you would listen to it directly from the CD. Unlike the approximation of a particular tune that a polyphonic ringtone represents, a real music tone allows you capture your favorite song exactly, without compromising on the quality of the music.

Before purchasing any type of ringtone, it is important to make sure that your cell phone handset is compatible with the tone you prefer. Most newer phones support polyphonic tones these days, but always check if you are in doubt. Any good ringtone retailer will clearly identify the handsets with which any give ringtones are suitable for, but ask for verification if you are unsure. After all, it’s your hard earned money, so you want to get the right ringtone at the right price.