Choosing a new phone can be confusing, there are plenty of options and lots of considerations to make. To help you choose the best new device for you, these ten pointers can help.
1 . Determine your budget
When you’re buying a new mobile phone the first thing you’ll need to do is determine your budget. The new iPhone 13 Pro costs £949 to purchase, customers can sign up for a contract of around £39.54 per month. If you’d prefer a less expensive monthly option Vodafone offers a refurbished iPhone 8 for approx £22 per month. Perhaps you’re not keen on the iPhone brand? Samsung Galaxy phones are a popular choice, these start at £10.25 per month, or £369 with a trade-in. Buying a second-hand phone will always be less expensive than a new model, but you’ll need to check the condition and the warranty. Setting an approximate budget from the beginning will make your decision much easier.
- Recycling your old phone
Some companies will offer a discount on a new phone if you trade in your old model. First, you’ll need to provide info about your old phone, and using this they’ll determine the value. The provider will use the value to give you a discount on your new phone. Lastly, you put your old phone into the packaging provided and send it off.
There are plenty of new phone deals which allow you to recycle your old one. Companies like Smarty give you plenty of options, you can get a cash discount, convert your old model into free data, or even donate the money to a charity.
If your mobile phone provider doesn’t offer recycling options you should be able to recycle your phone online. Plenty of phone recycling stores offer cash back for various phone models.
- Consider the features
Storage and speed:
When you’re choosing a new phone you’ll need to think about speed and storage. A phone with 3GB RAM is considered just fine, but if you’re looking for improved performance you’re better off with 4GB or more.
Display quality:
A large and high-resolution display is preferable. The higher-end phones tend to have impressive displays, for example, the Galaxy A42 5G phones offer an Infinity display of 6.6inches.
Camera quality:
Not all phones are built the same, some have far better camera quality than others. As you can imagine you’ll pay more for a better camera. If you’re into photography, you’ll probably want the best camera you can find. To save money, there’s always the option of a second-hand phone.
When you’re making a decision it’s also worth considering what you’ll be using your phone for. If it’s mainly going to be a work phone you might want extra features and enhanced security. If you’re using it as a personal phone, you’ll probably have different requirements.
- Choose an operating system
The choice between iOS vs Android is a matter of preference, and most users will choose the operating system that they are more familiar with. If you choose Android you’ll benefit from several customization options and plenty of inbuilt Google apps. iOS offers improved security, and popular features like fingerprint scanning, Siri, FaceTime, and iCloud. Users who already use iPads or Macbooks tend to choose an iOS operating system.
- Which mobile phone carrier
Choosing a mobile phone carrier is another important decision, you might already have a favorite, or be looking to make the switch. Tech Advisor states that the best mobile phone carriers include O2, Three, Vodafone, EE, Smarty, and Giffgaff. Phone carriers tend to change their deals and options frequently, so it’s best to do your research before you commit.
- Security protection
When you’re buying a new mobile phone you’ll need to consider security. Some phones are more secure than others, but you can add security protection to just about any mobile. According to Tech Radar, phones with the best security features include
Bittium Tough Mobile 2C and Sirin Solarin.
- Upgrade options
You might love your new phone now, but the likelihood is you’re going to want an upgrade at some point in the future. When you enter a new contract it’s worth reading about the different upgrade options. Find out if you can upgrade your phone with the same provider. Ask how much you stand to pay if you want to upgrade early. Get as much information as possible, to help you make an informed decision.
- Phone gadgets
Once you’ve chosen the best mobile phone you might like to have a browse of a few phone gadgets. According to Gadget.com, these are some of the best phone gadgets of 2021:
Adonit Snap 2 Stylus: This gadget combines a camera shutter with a fine point stylus. Using this tool you can write, draw and doodle on your iPhone, with maximum precision.
Gazepad Pro: The Gazepad Pro is a charging mouse pad, with the help of this product you’ll never need to worry about lack of desk space again.
- Check out reviews
Not sure which type of phone to buy? It can be incredibly helpful to look at phone reviews. Reading reviews will give you a great idea of the features, performance, battery life, along with any issues. New phones can be expensive, so you’ll want to be sure you’re making the right choice. If you’re looking for peace of mind, reading a few reviews will help you.
- Take your time
Rushing your purchasing decision could mean that you make the wrong choice. When you’re choosing a new device it’s much better to take your time. If you’re unsure about which phone to choose you could always ask your friends for recommendations. You might even create a pros and cons list if this helps.
With plenty of options to choose from, buying a new phone can be confusing. Using these ten tips you’ll soon choose the right mobile phone for you.