As of 2019 to 2022 the average cost of your smartphone is sitting around $750, while many others are also coming a bit closer to the $1,000 mark. With such a big investment in technology, it’s important to do your research to avoid making smartphone shopping mistakes.
Let’s take a look at some of the ways you can avoid making some costly mistakes when purchasing a new smartphone!
1) The Latest Model or Trend
First and foremost, let’s talk about the latest smartphone models and trends. Hundreds of phones and models come out every single year. Not all of them become the latest trend, but it can be hard to make a decision with so many options for smartphones.
People obsess over getting the latest trend and overspending. But many times these phones will go on sale fairly soon and are not that much different from their previous version. If you can wait a little bit, you may be able to save yourself some money.
2) Don’t Over Spend
As we just mentioned about getting the latest model, you want to make sure that you are not overspending on a smartphone. Just because it is the latest model doesn’t mean that you have to have it.
Going out and buying the most popular smartphone brands can tend to end up costing you more. If you do want the most popular regardless, just make sure you are comparing smartphone costs. You may find the same phone cheaper on one site from another.
There are so many affordable smartphone models on the market, and if you don’t need all of the features that the most expensive one has, then don’t buy it. You may be able to save money by buying a phone that is a few months old that has all of the same features.
You can also wait a bit longer for the phone to go on sale. Each phone almost always goes through an on-sale period sometime after launch.
3) Not Doing Your Research
It’s understandable that some people just want to go into a store, see what is available, and make a purchase. However, this can lead to some bad smartphone shopping decisions.
If you’re not sure about something or you’re not sure what all of the features do, research it before making your purchase. If you’re buying online, take the time to read the product description.
Many people make the mistake of not doing their research and then regretting their purchase later on.
4) Not Considering All Options
Just because you go into a store and see one type of phone, doesn’t mean that that is all that is available. Chances are if you’re looking for a specific type of smartphone, there is more than one option out there for you.
For example, if you’re looking for an Android phone, there are many different types and brands to choose from. So don’t limit yourself by thinking that the only option is the one in front of you.
Whether you’re looking for small or large smartphones, there are options for you. As we already mentioned, there are hundreds of new phones that come out each year. If you know what you want, you can find it!
5) Consider Storage Options
It’s important to keep in mind how much storage is on your smartphone. Having a phone close to capacity can slow and crash your phone. If you’re not sure how much storage you need, it’s best to overestimate and get more than you think you’ll need. That way, you won’t have to worry about running out of space later on.
Nowadays, a lot of smartphone companies are no longer offering an option to expand storage. This means that you may have to use cloud services in order to store your photos, music, and videos. This can be inconvenient for some people and may cause you to lose your data if you don’t have a reliable internet connection.
These are things you should always consider before moving forward on a smartphone, that way you don’t regret your purchase later on.
6) Ensure Carrier Compatibility
You have quite a few options and ranges of different smartphones to choose from. However, not all work with every carrier. When purchasing a smartphone, always check to see if it is carrier compatible.
Not all smartphones will work on every network and some carriers have specific models that they offer. A good way to ensure this doesn’t happen to you is to either ask ahead of time or just buy the phone directly from the carrier.
7) Always Do Some Research
Many people will just walk into the store and buy the first phone that they see or the latest phone that is out. This is not a good idea and you could be buying a phone that just doesn’t work that well or doesn’t have what you want or need.
Just because it is new, doesn’t make it right for you!
This is a two-part when we talk about research.
- Research what the phone can do and what kind of options it has. Does it have everything you want? I.E. are you looking to take really good photos or videos?
- Look at reviews for the smartphone you are considering. Looking at real user reviews will often give you the insight you need or answer some questions you may have on the phone.
This one may have seemed obvious, but more often than not, people don’t even think about it. They just think because it’s new, it’s right for them. But that is the farthest from the truth!
Smartphone Shopping Mistakes to Avoid
Smartphones are a big purchase and it’s important to avoid making any of these smartphone shopping mistakes. By considering the seven mistakes listed in this article, you’ll be able to make a smartphone purchase that you won’t regret.
Buying a smartphone doesn’t have to be difficult if you know what to look for and do your research! If you have questions about smartphones, or you know which one you want, make sure to contact us so we can help you!
