How to Pick a Smartphone
When you head into a wireless store to pick out a new or your first smartphone, navigating all the options out there can be very confusing. How do you know which phone is the right one for your needs? Here are some tips to help you know how to pick a smartphone that will work great for your needs.
I received a Samsung Galaxy Note 4 in exchange for this post. All opinions are my own.聽
How to Pick a Smartphone
Operating System – The first place to start is to consider what operating system. This will vastly narrow down the options. You can choose between Android, Apple and Windows phones. They each have their own advantages and drawbacks, so carefully consider what features matter to you and what layout you like best.
Size – The next key factor to consider is the size and shape or design of the phone. Phones come in a bit variety of sizes.聽Do you want a really small phone that fits easily in your pocket or a big screen that lets you manage more at the same time. It really depends on how you’ll use the phone.
Camera – More and more we use our cell phone cameras to record our daily lives. If you depend on your smartphone camera as much as most people will, choosing a phone with a high megapixel camera will be important. Look for at least 8 megapixels, though a higher megapixel number is even better.
Battery – There are two big things to consider when it comes to the smartphone’s battery. First, is overall runtime. Since we’re constantly using our phones throughout the day, look for a phone that can last the full day on a single charge. Next, try to get a phone with quick charging capabilities. That way, when your phone does die, a short period of time to recharge will get you enough battery life to make it until you can plug in again that night.
The Extras – Do you need an extra tough phone? Look for one that is dust proof and shock resistant. Need your phone to handle multi-tasking? Look for one that can open two tasks side-by-side. Need a phone to jot down notes and reminders at school? Look for one with a smart pen. The little extras, like these, can make a big difference in customizing your smartphone experience to meet your individual needs.
Price – Of course one of your considerations will also come to factoring in the price. But just because a phone is really inexpensive, doesn’t mean it will be something that will last you long term and be dependable for all your needs. I’ve found from purchasing the lowest price ranged phones in the past that they are so quickly out dated that I need to upgrade and buy a new聽phone much sooner. Instead, look for a quality phone that will last you long-term without needing to upgrade that can fit within your budget. Most service providers are able to budget out the cost of the phone over a few years and will often even give you an incentive to do so, decreasing your overall costs for the phone.
Samsung Galaxy Note 4
I have been using Samsung’s latest Note phone – the Galaxy Note 4. When I was considering how to pick a smartphone, it was easy to see this one phone had everything I needed. It’s an amazing, very powerful smartphone that has everything you could need from a phone. It has a beautiful large display and feels like all the power of a tablet packed into a portable smartphone design.聽Some have said that the Note 4 is way too big to be comfortable at 5.7″. I have pretty small hands, and haven’t found the Note 4 to be too large or cumbersome. I was surprised how quickly I adapted to using the larger phone and love it for being able to more easily see webpages and productivity tools. The size is a big plus, in my book.
A good camera was absolutely key for me. As a blogger and a mom of 5 boys I use my smartphone camera daily! The Note 4 has an impressive 16 megapixel camera which is more than sufficient for snapping pictures on the go.聽I am always multitasking and using my Note 4 to do work on the go. Having an included S Pen lets me easily jot down notes, take screenshots, select small excel cells with precision, and more. It’s been an invaluable tool that helps keep me productive.
The Note 4 has a long battery life. Most nights, I forget to plug in my phone because the battery isn’t even depleted after a day’s use and a few hours charge in the morning will be enough聽to get my phone back to full battery life. It can run for up to 11 hours of internet use time, which is a huge battery capacity! I love that my phone isn’t constantly dead anymore after half a day’s use.
If you’re looking for a wonderful phone to help you get the most out of your on-the-go lifestyle, Samsung’s Galaxy Note 4 is a wonderful choice!
For me, it is price and the camera. Although, my samsung had an awesome camera when I bought it last May and since it has gone down hill. Can’t figure out why.
I’ve heard really good things about this phone. My husband keeps talking about getting one.
I dont have a smart phone! Wouldn’t know how to work it if I did.I think their nice for mt daughter.
Great tips! I need a phone that has a great battery life because I drain my phone battery too quickly!
Fantastic tips! I didn’t know much about the Note until now. It looks like a great phone.
Great points! I think each person has to decide what they are looking for before the splurge.
My two grown sons turned in their iPhones for Samsung Galaxies and they love them! I don’t have a smartphone by choice. 馃槈
I think about what I’m comfortable with, size, and battery life. I’m an Apple girl, so I’ve been considering the new iPhone 6 and 6 Plus. The size of the 6 Plus is a bit of a turn off for me, so it may lead me to getting the 6.
I just got a new phone last month, and really liked the Note 4. The size is really nice to read without my reading glasses on. I went with another brand, but for other reasons.
I’ve been with Verizon for quite a while. I can’t remember what phone I had, but I had a iTouch (step up from iPod) and when the iPhone came out, I just swapped those two things out for that. Been with iPhone ever since. I can’t really see me switching.
Great information. Handy to know.
I have tested quite a few phones including Samsung, but after the test runs were over the only one I wanted to stay with was the LG G series, which oddly enough some say is too large also, but like you I don’t really mind the ‘phablet’ so much, I’d rather have one thing that can multi-task than carry a million different devices around.
This is great infor. My new phone is going to be the Samsung Galaxy 3 or the 4. I haven’t decided yet. I love the camera on them. It really comes down to which I can afford. But, I love the bigger screen.
I’ve got a stash of chargers everywhere because I am constantly forgetting to charge my phone. I really need to take battery life into consideration the next time I’m in the market for a phone.
I’ve never put an enormous amount of thought into what phone I want to use. That pen feature looks great though. I really can’t stand on-screen typing. Also a 16 Megapixel sensor is twice as big as the one in my son’s relatively new camcorder…wow!
The note looks so cool! I really want a bigger screen phone!
I love the tips. I have had an iPhone since they were introduced and tried to switch to a Samsung but only kept it a week before having to return it because I was just so used to the apple operating system that I went back and got an IPhone 6. It is important to know what you like when you pick out your smartphone!
Looks like an awesome phone and I do like the size.
When I pick a phone, I look at the amount of data it can hold, as well as the quality of the picture. I have an iPhone 6 Plus and love it! This is a great list of tips!
This really great advice. I want to upgrade to the Galaxy 4 from my Galaxy 3.
I have been an iPhone girl since day 1. I have had one for so many years now that I don’t think I can use anything else.
These are great tips. It can be difficult to pick a phone. We always want the biggest and best, but with prices the way they are, perhaps we only need a phone that meets our needs.
I’ve never owned a smartphone, but I am looking to purchase one in the very near future. These are some great tips and they will help a lot when I choose one, thanks for sharing!
Great tips! We have been talking about getting our son a smartphone so this information really will help us out. I can make him go down the list as see what he thinks he really needs. Not just based on looks.
I don’t have a Smartphone, but hope to in the near future. I will keep in mind all of these tips when it comes time to pick one out. Thanks for the great tips.
I do not have any tips because I am clueless when it comes to picking out a Smartphone. I like your tips and would pick a Smartphone with android, and the Samsung Note 4 is one that I would love to have!
Very informative article! I will be searching for a new smartphone soo, and this is just what I needed to see. I know I want another Android, and Samsung is a brand I trust – I have one of their tablets and it’s reliable, easy to use, with a nice long battery life. You helped me out with this!
Dannyscotland is not the last person without a smartphone. I don’t have one because of the monthly expense. I pay around $10/month for just calls/text.
I like this phone! I currently have a Samsung Galaxy 3 but our upgrade is in about 4 months! Can’t wait to choose a new one!
Ha! I also dont have a smartpphone! I have one that makes phone calls, no text no camera just calls thats it. I always have wanted a smartphone, and would likely love it. I would love the apps and games and the fun but probably play with it too much 馃檪
For me it would be price and deciding if it was worth it.
Unfortunately, I don’t have a smartphone. I feel like the last person on the planet, besides my mom and husband, ha ha. But someday when I do, this is the one I want. I like everything I’ve read about it.