Basic tips to select the right smartphone for you

Besttechie · April 17, 2018

Buying anything technologically complex can be a difficult and time-consuming experience. Whether purchasing for yourself or for others, the constantly evolving marketplace in terms of both hardware and software can leave many of us a little behind when it comes to our understanding of what is on offer.

In this article, we’ll help go over the key components you need to know when choosing a device which fits your needs, and which will help you get the most out of your money.

Know What You Need

This is going to be a lot easier when buying for yourself and can be a little tricky when buying a device as a surprise gift for another. What you need to understand is what the different models can do, and what your choice will actually be used for. There is not much point in buying an expensive device which can do a great many things you’ll never require, so making an informed decision is both necessary and cost-effective.

The key questions you should be asking here are:

What is the primary use of this device?

If it’s a cell phone first and foremost, you need to make sure that all the relevant components are included, and that the size itself is well suited for you and your hands. This can be especially important when purchasing both smartphones and tablets for users with impaired vision.

What else might it be used for?

If you are likely to use the device for more technical applications, then you need to be sure the device itself has the processing power to meet these tasks. A partially useful device is a colossal pain, so this is something we wish to avoid. Be sure to look into benchmarks and other types of performance reports for each smartphone you’re considering to get an idea of just how fast they really are.

What level of technical understanding do you have?

Not all operating systems and devices are created equal. If the user is new to the digital world then simplicity could be a huge concern. No point in buying something complicated that you can’t figure out. Right now there are two main mobile operating systems out there for smartphones: iOS and Android. If you want an Apple product, you will get iOS which is viewed by many as very intuitive and easy-to-use for customers. That being said, there are versions of Android (sometimes referred to as stock Android) that don’t come with the unnecessary bells and whistles [sometimes] included by manufacturers, however, often times stock Android phones are a little more expensive. All in all, it’s something to keep in mind.

Do we have any special concerns which need to be taken into consideration?

Is the device likely to get wet? How about dropped? Does it need satellite capabilities? The wrong choice here can render a device broken or unusable within a very short time frame, so it is best to first take into account any of the possible concerns you may have (Ask yourself: am I a klutz? Only you can answer that honestly). In addition to this question, another good question to ask is what accessories (if any) exist to help me minimize my chances of breaking my brand new smartphone? One company that has designed super protective cases for those of us who are clumsy is Otterbox.

Once you have a bit of an idea here, the only thing left is narrowing down the models which meet your criteria. Fortunately, there are many websites like Best Online Reviews and even our very own (BestTechie) which have reviews written by professionals who take into account things which we can often miss.

Following your choice, you need to find a dealer from who you can make your purchase. Just as reviews, there are many aggregator websites out there like PriceGrabber which can help point out which stores or online marketplaces have the best deals.

Getting Ready For Next Time

While the devices made today are quite powerful and long lasting, they are not designed to be used forever (this is large part due to lithium ion batteries and their limitations among other reasons). While you are using your device, keep in mind what you like and what you don’t, what you want that your device can’t do, and what your device can do that you never need. This can help inform your next purchase, saving you again when it comes to lower cost and reduced overhead.

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