Whether you’re looking to purchase one for yourself or as a gift to a loved one, shopping for a phone can be a pretty confusing time. After all, not only are there multiple different manufacturers, phone lines, and specific models within each line, there are different providers that each offer to throw something in with the phone, as well. Here, we’re going to look at how you can make sure that you don’t stray from the right path, by highlighting some of the mistakes that are all too easy to make. With the tips below, you can make sure that you get the kind of phone you’re after.
Know what you want to use your phone for before you buy it
Smartphones can do a whole lot of things. They can take photos and videos. They can browse the internet. They can play games. They can help you manage a whole workstation in your palm. Of course, they can also make calls. Which of these functions really matters most to you? As https://www.gadget-cover.com/blog/what-are-the-most-popular-reasons-why-people-use-their-smartphones-every-day shows, there are many different reasons to use your smartphone each day, but you should think about which matters most for you. You might not need a phone that has superb gaming performance if you’re not likely to play games very often. Try to think about how you use your phone (or want to use it) right now, rather than getting caught up in hypotheticals.
Budget, but be willing to spend
Of course, you want to make sure that you’re sticking to your budget so that you don’t buy something that’s more expensive than you need. This fits with the point above, don’t spend more for a phone that does more than you need. However, you should also be wary of spending too little on a phone, as well. If you skimp on the price, you can’t expect great quality. Sites like https://www.wired.com/story/best-cheap-phones/ have good recommendations for those who do need to stick to a lower budget, giving a solid idea of what you can expect at different price points.
Going for the latest model straightaway
If you love a particular line of phones, then the new model can undoubtedly be a very attractive ask. However, when you look at the differences in prices between current models and their previous forms, it becomes very clear, very quickly that it’s always more economically sensible to wait for a generation before getting a phone. What’s more, if you actually look at a comparison between the, for instance, the Samsung S21 and the S22, the improvements in their performance are very rarely worth it. New generations tend to often be more of an interaction than a revolution, so it’s rarely worth investing in the very latest from any manufacturer.
Get a good idea of the difference between specific models
You might have seen a phone that you want, only to find that when you look closer, there are multiple models of the phone on offer. Usually, there tends to be a “standard” model, as well as a more “premium” version. The premium version will, naturally, cost more, but also tends to come with significant upgrades. You should look at guides like https://setapp.com/lifestyle/compared-iphone-14-models to see where these upgrades are actually made. As this example shows, usually, the designs tend to be the same. Most often, the differences tend to be in areas such as screen size, display quality, and camera quality. The actual performance of the phone itself doesn’t usually change much from models, so you need to think about your priorities.
Think about what the camera means to you
One of the most hyped features of any new phone, and one that can add significantly to its cost of it, is the camera. It is true that smartphone cameras are getting more and more advanced and impressive in the fidelity, quality, and versatility of the images that they can produce. However, you have to think back to how the phone is likely to be used. If you don’t take a lot of snaps and don’t honestly see that changing in the new few years, then you shouldn’t let the camera weigh too heavily on your decision. However, on the other hand, if you take a lot of snaps, then be sure to pay attention to the kind of images you can expect from the camera on your future smartphone.
Always keep storage space in mind
One of the most frustrating issues to have to deal with as a phone user is when your storage is at capacity. It might not be the aspect of a phone that first comes to mind for a lot of people, but how much storage your phone has can play a big role in how useful it is. It dictates how many apps you can install, how many photos or images you can save, and much more. You can usually add extra storage to your phone with an SD card, but that’s not always the case as shown by https://www.xfinity.com/support/articles/does-iphone-support-microsd-card-external-storage. For that reason, you should make sure that your phone offers you the storage that you need, even if it means you have to spend more to get it.
Don’t forget to trade in your old phone
As well as the extra costs you can avoid by making sure that you’re not suckered into buying things like extended warranties, there are also ways to reduce the costs of a new phone with your current one. As with many unwanted items, you can make a little money by selling your phone, often to the same company that sold it to you in the first place. They may offer more credit than cash, too, so trading it in for a new phone can be much more economically sensible than just selling it.
Navigating the phone market can be tough, but the tips above should help you find your way a little more easily. Good luck out there.
