It can be difficult choosing a new smartphone, especially with so many companies trying to sell you products that essentially look and sound like the same thing. The cost of getting a smartphone can be extortionate, so ensure you make an informed decision.
Make Sure You Actually Need a Smartphone
This may sound stupid, but a lot of people buy into trends and technology just because they are interesting and new. Think about how you currently use your phone, and what your phone is lacking for your personal needs and requirements.
If you only use your phone to call and send the occasional text, then you probably don’t need a smartphone. Smartphones can be incredibly expensive, especially with the coverage plans that come along with it, providing you with calls, texts and/or internet. If you aren’t interested in having access to your email or social media whilst on the go then a smartphone probably isn’t for you either.
If you like to check social networks frequently, update your emails and want everything rolled into one neat package, then you should consider investing in a smartphone.
Find the Right Carrier
When you buy a phone, it isn’t as simple as just buying a phone. You also need to go through the hassle of finding a network provider. Each network provider will offer different deals on the same phone, this can make choosing one difficult as you try and compare them all. Before choosing a network provider, don’t just base it on price. Check the company’s reputation, and how good the signal will be in your area – as not all providers have the same range and some may be better in other locations than others.
Set a Reasonable Budget
When deciding on how much to spend on a smartphone there are a few things you need to take into consideration. Some phone operators allow you to buy the phone upfront, and then use the pay-as-you-go method to pay for calls and texts. Some will be on a contract with an upfront cost for the device. And some will just be the price of the contract – with the cost of the phone factored in of course. Decide what your needs are when it comes to your smartphone, and compare products that are similar to those needs to give you an idea of what you might be paying.
Find the Right Operating System
This pretty much comes down to the two main competitors on the market, Android vs. iOS. iOS is the operating system used by Apple, and Android is the operating system used by…well just about everyone else (Google, Samsung, HTC etc.) iOS is far more user-friendly, but Android lets you do more with your device.
