A phone is one of the significant purchases you can make. Considering you will be using the phone every day for the next 2 years or so, it’s important that you choose the right one. With thousands of different phones to choose from, identifying the best one for your specific needs can be particularly daunting. A little knowledge of what you expect from the phones and your particular needs, however, makes the selecting process much more manageable. Outlined below is a guideline and a few tips to help you buy a new mobile phone. 

1.  Do Your Research 

The first step to buying the right phone is by figuring out the type/kind of phone you’d wish to own. Take time to research online about your ideal phone, what the market has to offer, and even see what your friends have.  Borrowing your friend’s phone to see what features it has can also help you make an informed decision on the purchase. Some of the things to research for include: 

1. The price: How much are you willing to spend on your next phone. Are you looking for something expensive or just a cheap but cheerful phone? Thankfully, the market has both budget and expensive phones to choose from. Find out the top models for the year when setting a budget.  

2.  Shape, size, and design:  What size and model are you comfortable with for everyday use.  You also want to consider how you will be using the phone before deciding on a smaller screen or a large one. Chunky compact phones and phablets tend to be too big for one-handed operation, though they are ideal if you tend to watch videos, play games, and browse the web a lot. Smaller screens are however much cheaper than the bigger ones. 

3. The Operating System (OS): Most of the phones on the market today come in either Android or iOS operating systems. Each of these has its benefits and disadvantages, one of the reasons you need to dig deeper to make an informed decision. iOS, for example, offers excellent connectivity and syncs seamlessly with Mac, iPads, and iPods. Android OS, on the other hand, is highly customizable and offers a wide variety of features and themes. 

4. Specs: This is one of the most important things/features to consider when shopping for a new phone. The phone needs to have a capable enough processor and RAM to support all the modern apps out there. Be sure to go for a phone with enough juice to support your favorite games, videos, and support apps without hanging. It wouldn’t, however, make any sense going for the top flagships if you won’t use any of the top specs. 

5. Storage: Internal storage is what will hold your messages, apps, files, and photos.  Some phones do support SD card memory expansion while others don’t. Only go for a phone with lots of storage. 

6. Display: Some of the best phones out there come with crispy clear and HD-quality displays. The quad-HD display, however, means the phone will cost more than the budgets out there. Consider phones with the best display (for your budget) if looking to read small text, play games, or watch videos online. 

7. The camera: While almost every smartphone may be equipped with a camera, these do vary a lot. You, therefore, need to choose a phone with the perfect camera if looking to take tons of pictures. Some phones use DSLR as well as front-facing cameras for video calls and selfies. 

8. Additional features: What other features do you need?  A heart rate monitor, NFC, 4G capability, removable battery, etc.? Check to see if your preferred or go-to phone has these features. Some of these features, such as NFC allow things like Apple Pay while 4G supports fast internet. 

2. Make A Shortlist of Your Preferred Phones

With all the features outlined above in mind, go ahead and make a shortlist of phones, you’d be happy to own. Compare these phones, features, performance, and durability before narrowing down to two or three best. Switching from Android to iPhone and vice versa is relatively easy today, hence it shouldn’t be a concern at this point. Check out the Samsung Note 10 at www.smartphonechecker.co.uk.

3. Choose A Price Plan  

Make a decision on how you wish to pay for the phone. You can choose to pay monthly, pay-as-you-go, or sim only. The last two options mean you have to purchase the handset to be able to use it. Take all these into consideration before making the final decision. 

a. Pay Monthly:  This option means you will get the phone and SIM   in one contract. The contract makes owning a flagship phone more affordable since the cost is spread over a period of time, say two years. The only downside here is that you are tied down to the contract for two years. 

b. SIM-only: With this option, you will be required to buy the phone outright then sign up for a SIM plan. One of the advantages of buying the phone outright is that you can switch between providers and also a much cheaper option to own a phone in the long run. You also have the opportunity to research and compare SIM-only options and deals before making any commitment. 

c. Pay-as-you-go:  This option allows you to buy the phone and get the pay-as-you-go SIM outright. While other contract options will enable you to get a set bundle of texts, minutes, and data to use per month, this option gives you the freedom to only pay for the texts, calls, and data you use. It is considered the most flexible option you will get today. Pay-as-you-go is the best option to go for if you are a heavy mobile user. 

Buying a new phone means you will use it more often, which also translates to more data. That said, it makes sense to go for a plan that allows higher data allowance or unlimited data. 

4. Compare Networks 

Most mobile networks are designed for light users for a lower price, while others are designed for heavy users and especially those looking for a good deal on unlimited data plans.  Some of the networks are designed for optimal 4G coverage with others yet to embrace the technology. Each of these networks will have a few perks, such as entertainment subscriptions or priority tickets. 

As much as the perks are enticing, it would be advisable to make your decision around price and coverage. You don’t want to commit to a network with pathetic coverage or one that is too expensive for your budget.  Consider the networks you have been using, and those available within/around your area before going for new ones. Making the switch can go both ways, better be prepared.

These are just but some of the factors to consider when shopping for a new phone. Don’t settle on a phone before understanding the features, capabilities, and other perks it has to offer. Be sure to consider your habits (around phones), such as usage before making the final decision.  Talking to the salesperson, or someone with a proper understanding of phones can also help you make a more informed decision on the purchase.