In today’s day and age, having a cell phone is nearly essential. So when you go to buy one, whether it’s for the first time or just to upgrade, it’s important to know what you want.
If you want a cell phone simply to make phone calls and send text messages then don’t bother with a smartphone. There are plenty of cheaper options with infinitely better battery life out there that will meet your needs. Go-phones and flip phones are perfectly fine for communication, but they do fall short in terms of added features or entertainment.
Smartphones Do It All
Most people want a phone that allows them to do more than send texts and make calls. People want a phone to be much, much more. Today, smartphones utilize more advanced processing power than NASA’s early rocket ships had. Not that these phones will take you to another planet, mind you, but they can do some incredible things.
With a smartphone, you have access to thousands of books, a calculator, a language translator, a note pad, a radio, video games, and anything you can find on the internet (just to name a few). Invest in a smartphone if you are looking for a way to watch movies or television shows on the go, on your couch, or in class. Smartphones can do all this and more anywhere you want.
Choose the Right Service Provider
With this increased data consumption comes increased costs from your service provider, so choosing which company you sign a contract with will be one of your biggest decisions. With committed payment plans being most important to service providers, you can often earn a highly reduced cost for a new phone (most smartphones are still far from free, however). The main choices that customers have are AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, and T-Mobile.
AT&T has an incredible number of different models to choose from and the company offers nationwide coverage. Verizon Wireless is known for the strength of its network services and the voice quality of phone calls. Sprint has affordable rates and the most third party apps of any provider. T-Mobile offers low-cost monthly contracts and has been praised for its customer service. Smaller, regional providers may also be an option in your area, so, as you can see, there are a lot of options. Customer reviews of products will always be more reliable than advertisements, so it’s insightful to read comments on any online listings you might see for the provider and particular phone you want.
In closing: Do your research, consider your options, and enjoy your new phone.
