A Plethora of choices

Much like the most compelling science fiction of years past, in today’s society, we truly live in the future. Nowadays, the best smartphones are comparable to having an artificial intelligence for a personal assistant. The mobile phones that we carry in our pockets or purses have more processing power than the top of the line desktop computers of even a few years ago. We are seldom out of range of a wi-fi or cellular signal and, as such, our mobile devices have evolved to take full advantage of these services. All that remains is to decide which of the many options available on the market is the best smartphone for you.

The best smartphone is largely a matter of personal preference. So many competing companies and models are out there that it has become reminiscent of the general public’s opinions of car manufacturers in the 50s and 60s. Everyone has their own opinion, but more importantly, everyone has their own individual needs that their phone must meet. Various models and features, not to mention cell carriers, should all be carefully considered when selecting your next smartphone. This may sound like a complicated choice, but it is only a matter of making yourself aware of the options and becoming a savvy shopper. Here are a few suggestions on things to consider:

Who is your cell provider? This is the logical place to start for most people as they will most likely already have an existing contract with a particular company. It makes good sense to select from the models supported by a specific carrier. This isn’t completely necessary, as you may be looking at changing your carrier, and nearly every phone ever produced can be made to work with any provider. It would add an extra step to the process. If you are pleased with the variety offered by your chosen company, then it would be a needless one.

How much are you willing to spend? Certainly, some impressive devices are on the market today, but they can cost a substantial sum if you do not shop around for them. Many cellular carriers will offer a price break or even give you the phone free if you agree to contract with them for a specific length of time. If perhaps you don’t need every bell and whistle that can be had, you can save even more by purchasing a phone that will adequately meet your needs.

Apps are one of the greatest features offered on most of the best smartphones. These cheap and easy to manage little mini-programs are the backbone of the smartphone market. They allow any given smartphone to be endlessly customized to meet any requirement you might have. Apps like barcode scanners, games, calendars and organizers are only the beginning. Many of the different manufacturers will have their own app markets and stores that will provide you with a place to shop for hundreds of thousands of individual apps. Many of them are even free to download and use. Can you say “there’s an app for that”?

How powerful does your smartphone need to be? It wouldn’t seem to be that much of a consideration because more is better. This isn’t always true. A more powerful processor will cost more to purchase, will drain the battery faster, and may require a specific type of data plan that will cost more on a monthly basis. On the opposite side of this argument, however, is the fact that you don’t want to get locked into a contract on a phone that won’t do what you may require it to do in six months. This is one area that you will need to carefully consider before you go hunting for the best smartphone for you.

Do you have a preferred manufacturer you like? Every company out there has a specific reputation attached to their products. Some are reputed for building rugged and durable products, some for having the latest technology, some for the most stable operating systems, etc. Have you had good or bad experiences with a particular name brand in the past?

What will you use your phone for? This is where you need to start asking yourself some serious questions about your lifestyle and individual requirements. If you just want a phone to use as a phone, then its antenna and connectivity should be your primary concern. If you travel to unfamiliar places often, then global positioning capabilities will be a must. If you are a music lover, then a large memory for music files will be of benefit to you. Taking a large number of pictures will also require an expanded memory capacity and a higher resolution camera. Any number of apps will also utilize some or all of these different features, and more, to make your phone the best smartphone it can be.

What types of environments you spend your time in can have a profound impact on the electronics you carry with you. Conditions like temperature, humidity, impact, and proximity to a cellular tower or substation can seriously affect what phone you need. Many manufacturers will have models that excel in any or all of these environments, but only if you do your homework.

If you will be using your mobile device for texting or emailing, then the style of keyboard it has will have a significant impact on how you use your device. There are pros and cons to thumb boards and qwerty keyboards. The obvious disadvantage to a thumb board is that it will be comprised of mechanical buttons; moving parts have a tendency to wear out. The biggest inconvenience of a qwerty keyboard is that it is on-screen and has no physical definition between the individual keys. So, the likelihood of mistakes goes up.

All of these factors must be considered when choosing a phone to assure that it will be the best smartphone for you. With careful consideration and a bit of research you will be able to make an informed and cost-effective decision that will serve all of your smartphone needs. Have fun shopping for your personal best smartphone!