Key questions to ask to get the right phone
Buying a new phone is a lot like ordering a pizza: you think it’s relatively simple until you realize the vast number of choices you must make.
Today’s cellphones—and especially those feature-rich smartphones—can perform many functions beyond just making calls, so deciding which one is for you can be overwhelming. There are multiple shapes and sizes, varying data plans and carrier compatibility concerns.
To make matters more confusing, we’ve never had so many carriers to choose from. Along with the majors (Bell, Rogers and Telus), there are the Big Three’s so-called flanker brands as well as three newcomers: WIND Mobile, Mobilicity and Public Mobile.
Before you give up and keep that flip-phone you’ve had since 2001 (the one with the cracked screen and sticky buttons), here are six questions to make sure you get the right phone for your needs and budget:
• What will I use it for?
Everyone’s priorities are different, so you should buy a phone that addresses your needs. What will you be using your mobile phone for, exactly?
Some might only want an emergency phone to keep in the glove compartment, so don’t require one with all the bells and whistles.
Others might want a phone for emailing and texting, so a comfortable keyboard is a must.
Love surfing the web? A bigger screen is for you. Using it as a real estate agent or insurance adjustor? Be sure to find one with a good camera. Are you a music lover who wants to do away with carrying an iPod? An iPhone, which also synchronizes with your iTunes library, might be best.
The better you can assess what you want to do with your phone, the less likely you’ll experience “buyer’s remorse” for choosing a phone not ideal for your needs.
Do I really need a smartphone?
While smartphones are one of the trendiest consumer electronics products of 2010, they might not be for you. Or yet, anyway.
By definition, a smartphone has an operating system that supports third-party software, such as those downloadable applications (“apps”) that customize the phone.
Smartphones also typically have bigger screens (usually touch) and/or a QWERTY keyboard laid out like a computer keyboard.
And yes, as its name suggests, a smartphone is “smarter” in that it lets you perform a number of tasks: read email; surf the web; access music, photos and videos; play games; snap pictures and shoot video; and navigate the roads via GPS technology.
Keep in mind that a smartphone usually requires a monthly data plan to perform many of those advanced functions.
• What style is best for me?
Because you’re going to be holding this phone quite a bit – for talking, texting or other things – it’s key that you like the way it feels (and looks).
One-piece “candy bar”-style phones don’t open up to reveal a keypad or keyboard, compared to “flip” phones that are clamshell-shaped, a design that’s found more in regular phones than smartphones. Some users like how you can answer or finish the call by simply opening or closing the phone, respectively.
Some phones have a physical QWERTY keyboard—like most BlackBerry smartphones—that are ideal for those who do a lot of typing, be it email, texting or instant messaging (real-time text chats). Touchscreen phones, such as the iPhone, might be less comfortable for those who do a lot of typing as there is no physical keyboard. But they’re better for managing your media, playing games and surfing the web.
Finally, some phones aim to give you the best of both worlds by offering a large screen and a QWERTY keyboard that glides out of the bottom or side of the phone. These are referred to as “slider” phones, but they tend to be a bit thicker as a result.
• Do I like my carrier?
If you like your existing cell carrier, pick a phone it offers – so you don’t get your hopes up about a model that’s not supported. Visit your carrier’s website to see what phones it carries—or better yet, drop into one of its retail locations (or an electronics store) so you can get your hands on it.
If you want a better deal on your existing cellphone plan, call your carrier and tell them you’re thinking of leaving. Because there are new players in the Canadian cellphone space, all the big players are in “customer retention” mode and are usually willing to do what it takes to keep you – within reason.
Remember, if you have other services with the same company – such as landline, high-speed Internet or TV service – you can often get a “bundle” discount on your wireless plan.
If you’ve decided to switch carriers, or if you’re getting your first cellphone, be sure their service works well in your area by talking to neighbours about reception strength. This usually isn’t an issue in major urban areas.
• Where am I using it?
If you’re a world traveler you’ll need to make sure a phone supports international roaming – and yes, always be sure to confirm rates before you get a surprise on your wireless bill.
Perhaps you’re in an industry such as construction, forestry or mining, and need a more rugged phone to withstand the elements?
If it’s something you’ll use a lot while walking around town, you might want it small enough for a shirt pocket, lanyard or clutch purse – a consideration that might not be as important with, say, a phone used in the car.
• What’s my budget?
We’ve saved one of the biggest questions for last: how much?
As you likely know, the cost of the phone itself is usually not an issue – if you commit to a 1-, 2- or 3-year contract with your carrier. The longer you commit, the cheaper the hardware will be. A smartphone, for example, could cost you $150 if you lock in for three years, but might be $700 without a contract.
On that note, those with commitment phobia might opt for a carrier that doesn’t require you to lock into a multiyear plan. Typically, the new entrants and “flanker” brands such as Virgin Mobile and Koodo offer no-contract deals.
Then there are the monthly data costs on top of your voice plan, which is very likely with smartphones. These are the devices that use the carrier’s data network to transmit information, such as email messages, streaming video and music downloads.
So, how do you choose a data plan? If you’re a casual email reader and download the odd song here and there, less data is fine (say, 500MB). “Power users” who rely on these advanced services might opt for a more robust (and thus pricier) plan of a couple of Gigabytes or more.(The Star)
Today’s cellphones—and especially those feature-rich smartphones—can perform many functions beyond just making calls, so deciding which one is for you can be overwhelming. There are multiple shapes and sizes, varying data plans and carrier compatibility concerns.
To make matters more confusing, we’ve never had so many carriers to choose from. Along with the majors (Bell, Rogers and Telus), there are the Big Three’s so-called flanker brands as well as three newcomers: WIND Mobile, Mobilicity and Public Mobile.
Before you give up and keep that flip-phone you’ve had since 2001 (the one with the cracked screen and sticky buttons), here are six questions to make sure you get the right phone for your needs and budget:
• What will I use it for?
Everyone’s priorities are different, so you should buy a phone that addresses your needs. What will you be using your mobile phone for, exactly?
Some might only want an emergency phone to keep in the glove compartment, so don’t require one with all the bells and whistles.
Others might want a phone for emailing and texting, so a comfortable keyboard is a must.
Love surfing the web? A bigger screen is for you. Using it as a real estate agent or insurance adjustor? Be sure to find one with a good camera. Are you a music lover who wants to do away with carrying an iPod? An iPhone, which also synchronizes with your iTunes library, might be best.
The better you can assess what you want to do with your phone, the less likely you’ll experience “buyer’s remorse” for choosing a phone not ideal for your needs.
Do I really need a smartphone?
While smartphones are one of the trendiest consumer electronics products of 2010, they might not be for you. Or yet, anyway.
By definition, a smartphone has an operating system that supports third-party software, such as those downloadable applications (“apps”) that customize the phone.
Smartphones also typically have bigger screens (usually touch) and/or a QWERTY keyboard laid out like a computer keyboard.
And yes, as its name suggests, a smartphone is “smarter” in that it lets you perform a number of tasks: read email; surf the web; access music, photos and videos; play games; snap pictures and shoot video; and navigate the roads via GPS technology.
Keep in mind that a smartphone usually requires a monthly data plan to perform many of those advanced functions.
• What style is best for me?
Because you’re going to be holding this phone quite a bit – for talking, texting or other things – it’s key that you like the way it feels (and looks).
One-piece “candy bar”-style phones don’t open up to reveal a keypad or keyboard, compared to “flip” phones that are clamshell-shaped, a design that’s found more in regular phones than smartphones. Some users like how you can answer or finish the call by simply opening or closing the phone, respectively.
Some phones have a physical QWERTY keyboard—like most BlackBerry smartphones—that are ideal for those who do a lot of typing, be it email, texting or instant messaging (real-time text chats). Touchscreen phones, such as the iPhone, might be less comfortable for those who do a lot of typing as there is no physical keyboard. But they’re better for managing your media, playing games and surfing the web.
Finally, some phones aim to give you the best of both worlds by offering a large screen and a QWERTY keyboard that glides out of the bottom or side of the phone. These are referred to as “slider” phones, but they tend to be a bit thicker as a result.
• Do I like my carrier?
If you like your existing cell carrier, pick a phone it offers – so you don’t get your hopes up about a model that’s not supported. Visit your carrier’s website to see what phones it carries—or better yet, drop into one of its retail locations (or an electronics store) so you can get your hands on it.
If you want a better deal on your existing cellphone plan, call your carrier and tell them you’re thinking of leaving. Because there are new players in the Canadian cellphone space, all the big players are in “customer retention” mode and are usually willing to do what it takes to keep you – within reason.
Remember, if you have other services with the same company – such as landline, high-speed Internet or TV service – you can often get a “bundle” discount on your wireless plan.
If you’ve decided to switch carriers, or if you’re getting your first cellphone, be sure their service works well in your area by talking to neighbours about reception strength. This usually isn’t an issue in major urban areas.
• Where am I using it?
If you’re a world traveler you’ll need to make sure a phone supports international roaming – and yes, always be sure to confirm rates before you get a surprise on your wireless bill.
Perhaps you’re in an industry such as construction, forestry or mining, and need a more rugged phone to withstand the elements?
If it’s something you’ll use a lot while walking around town, you might want it small enough for a shirt pocket, lanyard or clutch purse – a consideration that might not be as important with, say, a phone used in the car.
• What’s my budget?
We’ve saved one of the biggest questions for last: how much?
As you likely know, the cost of the phone itself is usually not an issue – if you commit to a 1-, 2- or 3-year contract with your carrier. The longer you commit, the cheaper the hardware will be. A smartphone, for example, could cost you $150 if you lock in for three years, but might be $700 without a contract.
On that note, those with commitment phobia might opt for a carrier that doesn’t require you to lock into a multiyear plan. Typically, the new entrants and “flanker” brands such as Virgin Mobile and Koodo offer no-contract deals.
Then there are the monthly data costs on top of your voice plan, which is very likely with smartphones. These are the devices that use the carrier’s data network to transmit information, such as email messages, streaming video and music downloads.
So, how do you choose a data plan? If you’re a casual email reader and download the odd song here and there, less data is fine (say, 500MB). “Power users” who rely on these advanced services might opt for a more robust (and thus pricier) plan of a couple of Gigabytes or more.(The Star)
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