Stores that sell cell-phone units have never been this busy. The selection of smartphones available this year is massive enough to confuse even the geekiest of geeks. Choosing the best phone for your needs and budget has now become a challenge. If you’re faced with this dilemma, don’t fret. Below are three crucial things you need to consider so you can wisely shop for a phone in 2018.
Operating System
If you already have a smartphone, it’s likely that the software that runs your device is either iOS (Apple) or Android (Google). These operating systems account for 90% of the smartphone ecosystem. If you’ve used either OS for years now, you may have also bought music, movies and TV shows that are compatible with your phone’s software. Often, these multimedia files would encounter errors if they’re transferred to a different platform.
As such, if you’ve been an iPhone user for quite a long time and have a massive collection of files on iTunes, it’s smarter to stay with the same OS. It’s certainly less time-consuming when you transfer your files from one phone to another.
Now, if you want to do a total switch-up, like go from using an iPhone to an Android phone or vice versa, then make sure to do extensive research about it. Beyond the features and functions of your potential new phone, find ways to make the changeover less of a hassle for you.
Price
Arguably the most important thing you need to consider when shopping for a new phone is the price. Even if you have the means to buy an expensive one, it’s still important to review the phone based on its cost. If the phone costs a lot, what makes it so? What features does it have to justify its price tag? If the phone is budget-friendly, what makes it relatively cheap? What compromise is done to enable the manufacturer to sell the phone at a low price?
More importantly, you need to figure out the main purpose of your new phone. Do you truly need the wide variety of specs that most flagships have? You can save a lot by choosing a relatively older model that can still give you everything you need from a smartphone. For example, buy a Samsung Galaxy Note 8 or 7 instead of the recently-released Note 9.
Besides, it’s quite absurd to change your phone every time a new flagship comes out every year. It’s a waste of money that you can save for your other needs.
Features and Functions
Think about what is most important to you. The phone’s camera? Battery? Design? Figure out what features you can’t live without. Have clear objectives and thoughts about how you can maximize the use of your new device. When you know for certain what you want from a phone, it’ll be easier for you to choose the best unit that fits your needs. Working out your priorities is also a big help when you need to compromise between the phone’s cost and its specs.
Keep this in mind: when you buy a phone this year or the next, research is always a must.
