Sorting through the plethora of choices at all price ranges in selecting your next smart phone can be a bit overwhelming. How can you narrow down your choices? Here are few tips.
First consider whether you must have an Apple phone or can live with or even prefer an Android phone. (And realize there is a learning curve if you switch.) Then examine your price tolerance and needs – though very inexpensive options are out there, phones that will perform and last start as low as $200 if you will use an Android. Remember, you do tend to get more quality with more investment – factor in how long you hang onto your phone. Remember, when you can no longer update the operating system, its time to move on!
Next, determine what features are the most important to you and what getting those features really cost. You tend to get multiple upgrades as you move up the spending scale. Here are some of the key variables:
Camera: Quality of Camera and pictures is often a criterion. Phones can have 3 or more cameras that include wide angle and telephoto lenses with low light photography and more zooming capabilities.
- Camera: Quality of Camera and pictures is often a criterion. Phones can have 3 or more cameras that include wide angle and telephoto lenses with low light photography and more zooming capabilities.
- Storage: A key decision is how much storage you need. If your current phone is running out of storage check what the phone’s capacity is – and then double it! 32 GB is minimum these days, but you can get 256 GB easily, and even 512 GB!
- Screen Size: Size is measured across the diagonal of the screen. You can buy small Androids at 2.4 inches though generally the sizes generally range from 5 inches to about 6.5 inches. Larger means better viewing and more real estate but small means it fits better into hands and pockets and purses…
- Screen Display: Display type and resolution determines visibility and picture quality. Check out the new “OLED” screens for richer color (and more money).
- RAM: Check to see how much RAM (temporary memory) you get for your money – the more you have, the more pictures, videos, apps and social media you can handle! Look for 4 GB if you can swing it, the better ones have 6 GB, and there are phones with 8 GB.
- Battery Life: How long with the battery last?
- 5G Cellular Connectivity: Importantly, if your provider will give you 5G (offering faster, more capable Internet) in your geographic area, or if you rely on your phone when traveling to urban areas, then you want a 5G capable phone – just now emerging. You can’t connect to this network without the phone being able to do so.
- Security: Do you want face recognition, now a part of many models or other features? What security features are there?
- Durability: How shock resistant or waterproof is it?
Some models of phones can be purchased online (unlocked) and then activated by your carrier. Others must be purchased through your cellular signal provider (like Verizon, T-Mobile or AT&T or the many resellers out there). You can purchase these online and have it shipped. Your carrier will divide it into payments, though most will take all or partial payment at the time of purchase.
The biggest players in the US are Samsung and Apple, which make fine phones but there are also good offerings of Google Pixel phones and OnePlus phones as well as Motorola, Lenova and other brands. The most current Apple models are the newly released iPhone 13, iPhone SE (smaller), iPhone 12 line, and iPhone 11 line. Samsung has a recently released phone the folds called a Fold3 and Flip3, as well as the Galaxy S21, Galaxy Z, Galaxy Note and Galax S series. The Jitterbug Smart 3 has been created to provide stripped down features for seniors if you are willing to change your provider to Lively. (Note Flip Phones have been available but are moving off the market because they generally require an older connectivity network called 3G which cellular providers are phasing out.)
Once you have your new phone working, learn how to use all the great new features you now have! Come to my class on Smart Phones!
