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. 

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. 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 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. 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. 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 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!

What are your tips on how to pick a smartphone?