Choose the Right Smartphone - 13 Tips for Buying a Phone
Whether you are the savvy shopper who likes to compare each detail, or an impulse buyer trying to slow down and make the right pick, this ultimate smartphone buying guide is here to help.
These tips are helpful for not just Tracfone users, but anyone buying a new smartphone. Also check out the List of Latest Tracfone Smartphones for newest options.
If you are shopping for a new phone, use this checklist to find the phone that will fit your needs.
13 Factors to Consider Before Buying a Smartphone
- Operating System: Consider whether you prefer iOS (Apple) or Android. This choice often comes down to personal preference and the ecosystem you're already invested in. Major manufacturers such as Samsung, Motorola, and Google, all use Android OS.
- Budget: Your budget will play a significant role in your choice. High-end flagship phones tend to have the latest features but can be expensive, while mid-range or budget phones offer good value for money, but might be lacking in some ways. Tracfone offers a variety of phones, ranging in price from $20 to $450. Take a look at the Best Smartphones from Tracfone and the Top Budget Phones under $100.
- Camera Quality: If photography is important to you, consider a phone with a high-quality camera setup. Features like multiple lenses and high megapixel counts might seem to indicate good quality, but look closely at low-light performance, and sample images for a better idea. In some cases a lower resolution camera outperforms many others. Some of the best phones from Tracfone that offer good cameras include the Google Pixel 6a and Samsung Galaxy A54 5G.
- Performance: For smooth multitasking and gaming, prioritize a phone with a powerful processors and sufficient RAM (at least 6GB is recommended for gaming). In general, the more expensive the phone, the better the processor, but this isn't always true and some budget devices still pack a punch.
- Battery Life: If you use your phone extensively throughout the day, or are looking for a backup to last on standby for multiple days, look for a large battery. Many phones now come with 5,000 mAh batteries but how the phone manages power consumption can also make a big difference between lasting part of the day, or multiple days on a single charge. Charging speed is also a consideration, with some budget phones only offering speeds of 10W-15W which will require several hours (or overnight) to recharge a large battery.
- Size and Form Factor: Choose a phone size and form factor that's comfortable for you. Some prefer larger screens, while others prefer smaller, more compact phones. The Google Pixel 6a, for example, is over half an inch shorter, and an ounce lighter, than the Moto G Stylus 2022.
- Brand Preference: Do you have brand loyalty based on previous positive experiences, or are you looking for something new? Consider whether you have a preference for a particular brand. Samsung, for example, includes their One UI software additions on all of their phones, which includes a handful of features, shortcuts, and apps. Some users prefer it, others don't like the clutter.
- Connectivity: Ensure that the phone supports the networks and connectivity options you need, such as 5G, Wi-Fi 6, and NFC. Budget phones have a tendency to exclude certain connectivity features like NFC (for contactless payments from your phone) to keep the price low. Learn more about 5G network access with Tracfone.
- Software Updates: Look for a phone with a good track record of receiving timely software updates and security patches. Samsung currently offers a better update policy compared to Motorola, which means if you plan to keep your phone for several years, a Samsung device will continue to get security patches and updates longer than a Motorola phone. But, if you like to get a new phone every year or so, you might not need to worry about it.
- Ecosystem Integration: Consider how well the phone integrates with your other devices and services, such as smart home devices or cloud storage. This mostly effects Apple products, as the majority of Android devices are compatible with each other.
- Device Release Date: It is generally best to buy phones that were released within the last few years so that the manufacturer is still providing security and software updates. Tracfone offers a number of phones, some of which were released several years ago, and these are generally best to avoid because they likely won't get updates and security fixes.
- Reviews and User Feedback: Research the phone you're interested in through reviews and user feedback to get an idea of real-world performance and any potential issues. It is also generally best to stick with a phone from a major manufacturer, like Apple, Motorola, Google, Samsung and others. They typically have a good track record of quality phones, something some companies don't have, such as Alcatel.
- Locked or Unlocked: Tracfone offers a number of locked devices at subsidized prices, but users can also bring their own unlocked phone to use with Tracfone service. Buying an unlocked phone means you have a wider variety of smartphone options, and you can easily swap the SIM card. Read our Guide to Locked vs Unlocked smartphones on Tracfone for the full comparison.
Tracfone offers a number of different smartphones and flip phones to use on their prepaid service. Using the information above will help you choose not only the right phone for you, but also your friends and family. Plus, avoid spending extra time or money on the wrong phone - we all know how annoying that can be.
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