5 Things to Think About Before Buying Your Next Phone

By Tracey Dowdy

With so many options out there, the prospect of buying a new phone can be more than a little daunting. But, if you take the time to do a little research, think through exactly what you want and sort through your options, you’ll end up with the phone you need and not just what’s trending.

Cost

Before you start shopping you’ll need to decide whether you want a smartphone or a feature phone, as there is a significant cost difference between the two. Smartphones are more expensive as they function like handheld computers, with access to the Internet and a range of built-in and third-party apps. Feature phones, which are significantly cheaper, are used primarily for making calls and sending texts. There are often added features like a camera, a basic calendar and a few games, but again, the primary function is to communicate through calls and texts.

Not only will you need to look at upfront costs when choosing a phone but also the ongoing cost of a service plan. It’s great to have access to Netflix and Facebook, but the cost of carrying a data plan can be significant, especially if you go over your plan’s limit. Keep in mind that you’re investing in a product that should last you at least two years, which is the length of a standard contract. Low cost may seem appealing upfront, but two years is a long time to be stuck with a product that wasn’t worth the investment or doesn’t offer the features you really wanted.

Operating System

Currently the two most popular operating systems are Google’s Android and Apple’s iOS. Android is by far the most commonly used, is available on dozens of devices in a multitude of designs, and is highly customizable. Apple, on the other hand, aims for quality over quantity, releasing only one or two phones a year. Apple offers a myriad of third-party apps but iOS allows very little customization of its user interface and configuration options are much more limited.

A third option is Microsoft’s Windows Phone OS. Users can integrate popular programs like Office and Outlook, which can give the phone a familiar feel even if the hardware is new to the user. If choice and customization are important to you, an Android phone is your best choice. To compare, the Apple store currently offers just four options: iPhone 5C, iPhone 5S, iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus. In contrast, the Verizon store alone offers 26 different Android models.

Physical Characteristics

You wouldn’t buy a car without test driving it and a phone is no different. Take the time to visit a store and actually hold the phone in your hand. Does it feel comfortable? Is it too heavy? Too flimsy? Are you going to carry it in a pocket or your purse? How big is the screen? Think about it: if the primary use of the device is as a phone, screen size is less important than if you wanted to use your phone to read documents, watch videos or play games.

You’ll also want to consider your lifestyle. If you work or play in an  active or outdoors environment, you’re going to want a phone that can stand up to being dropped or knocked around. You can buy good cases to protect the phone, but you’re still going to want to choose durable hardware to put in that case.

Features

Innovation in technology moves at the speed of light but just because something is touted as hot or trending doesn’t mean it’s right for you. Consider what features are important to you and choose a phone based on those guidelines. Will you be on-the-go and have limited access to a charger? Look for a phone with a long battery life. Will you use it primarily as a phone? Look for a phone that offers call quality with clear speakers and a good mic. Touch screens are popular but if a QWERTY keyboard is more familiar, you may want to skip the iPhone and look at the options Android phones have to offer.

User Friendliness

It won’t matter how many features your phone has if you never learn how to use them. If you’re not tech savvy and don’t care to be, the simpler the phone the better. You don’t want to pay for features and services you don’t want or need. On the other hand, if you’re tech savvy or at least willing to learn, look for a phone with the features you want. Have the staff at the phone store walk you through a demo of what the phone can do and how to access those features. Once you’re home, there are countless online tutorials that will help you make the most of the camera, music player and other fun features.

Choosing a phone doesn’t need to be a chore. Think about what you need, set a budget, and explore. Take your time and ask your friends or family for their opinions and whether they’re happy with their own phones. Choosing a phone is a big investment and ultimately you want to choose the phone that’s right for you.

Tracey Dowdy is a freelance writer based just outside Toronto, ON. After years working for non-profits and charities, she now freelances and researches on subjects from family and education to pop culture and trends in technology. Follow Tracey on Twitter.

Comments:

  1. I’m amazed, I must say. Seldom do I encounter a blog that’s equally
    educative and amusing, and let me tell you, you have hit
    the nail on the head. The problem is an issue that too few people are
    speaking intelligently about. Now i’m very happy I stumbled across this during my search
    for something regarding this.

  2. Thank you for the good writeup. It in fact was a amusement
    account it. Look advanced to far added agreeable from you!

    By the way, how can we communicate?

  3. Hello there! This blog post could not be written much
    better! Looking through this post reminds me of my previous roommate!

    He continually kept talking about this. I will forward this post to him.
    Pretty sure he’ll have a great read. Thanks for sharing!

  4. start earning money from home without any investment
    today
    starting passive income as a doctor in canada freelance jobs for
    students to earn money from home
    creating passive income as a doctor in canada

  5. I’m amazed, I have to admit. Seldom do I encounter a blog that’s both equally educative and amusing, and let me tell you,
    you have hit the nail on the head. The issue is something that too few men and women are speaking intelligently about.
    Now i’m very happy I came across this in my search for something relating to this.

  6. Today, I went to the beachfront with my kids. I found a sea shell and gave
    it to my 4 year old daughter and said “You can hear the ocean if you put this to your ear.” She put the shell to her ear and
    screamed. There was a hermit crab inside and it pinched her ear.
    She never wants to go back! LoL I know this is completely off topic but I had to tell someone!

  7. Howdy! Someone in my Facebook group shared this site with us
    so I came to look it over. I’m definitely loving the information. I’m book-marking and will be tweeting this to
    my followers! Terrific blog and fantastic design.

  8. Hello There. I found your blog using msn. This is a really well written article.
    I’ll be sure to bookmark it and return to read more of your useful info.
    Thanks for the post. I will certainly comeback.

  9. Hi, i read your blog from time to time and
    i own a similar one and i was just wondering if you get a lot of
    spam remarks? If so how do you reduce it, any plugin or anything you
    can suggest? I get so much lately it’s driving me crazy so any help is very much
    appreciated.

  10. I’d like to thank you for the efforts you’ve put in writing this blog.
    I really hope to check out the same high-grade blog posts
    by you later on as well. In fact, your creative writing
    abilities has motivated me to get my own site now 😉

  11. Every weekend i used to go to see this web page, because i wish for enjoyment, as this this web page conations really pleasant funny data
    too.

  12. Good day! This is kind of off topic but I need
    some help from an established blog. Is it very hard
    to set up your own blog? I’m not very techincal but I can figure things
    out pretty quick. I’m thinking about setting up my own but I’m not sure where to start.
    Do you have any tips or suggestions? Cheers

  13. Undeniably believe that which you stated. Your favorite justification appeared to be on the
    net the simplest thing to be aware of. I say to you, I certainly get annoyed while people
    consider worries that they plainly do not know about. You managed to hit the nail upon the top as well as defined out the
    whole thing without having side effect , people could take a signal.
    Will likely be back to get more. Thanks

  14. Today, I went to the beachfront with my kids. I found a
    sea shell and gave it to my 4 year old daughter and said “You can hear the ocean if you put this to your ear.” She
    put the shell to her ear and screamed. There was a hermit
    crab inside and it pinched her ear. She never wants to go back!
    LoL I know this is totally off topic but I had to tell someone!

  15. Hey there just wanted to give you a brief heads up
    and let you know a few of the images aren’t loading correctly.
    I’m not sure why but I think its a linking issue.
    I’ve tried it in two different web browsers and both show
    the same outcome.

  16. Hey there I am so happy I found your weblog,
    I really found you by mistake, while I was looking on Bing for something else, Regardless I am here now and would just like to
    say kudos for a tremendous post and a all round
    enjoyable blog (I also love the theme/design),
    I don’t have time to look over it all at the minute but I have saved it and also added in your RSS feeds,
    so when I have time I will be back to read more, Please do keep up the awesome work.

  17. I like the valuable info you provide in your articles.
    I will bookmark your blog and check again here regularly.

    I am quite certain I’ll learn plenty of new stuff right here!
    Best of luck for the next!

  18. Thanks for any other fantastic article. Where else may just anybody get that
    type of info in such an ideal means of writing?
    I’ve a presentation subsequent week, and I am on the look for such information.

  19. Today, I went to the beachfront with my kids. I found a sea shell
    and gave it to my 4 year old daughter and said “You can hear the ocean if you put this to your ear.” She placed the shell to her ear and screamed.

    There was a hermit crab inside and it pinched her ear. She
    never wants to go back! LoL I know this is
    totally off topic but I had to tell someone!

  20. Hey There. I discovered your blog using msn. This is a really smartly written article.

    I will be sure to bookmark it and come back to read extra of your useful information. Thanks for the post.

    I’ll certainly comeback.

  21. Hi! I could have sworn I’ve been to this site before but after
    reading through some of the post I realized it’s new
    to me. Anyhow, I’m definitely happy I found it and I’ll be bookmarking and checking back
    frequently!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *