Finally, it covers trusted places to purchase phones, from carrier stores offering deals to manufacturer websites with customization options to online marketplaces like Amazon that supply discounted unlocked devices. Defining your must-have features plus understanding carriers, pricing, and top models will help you find an excellent phone matching both specifications and budget.
With the dizzying array of cell phone options available today, it can be challenging to determine which device best suits your lifestyle and budget. However, by carefully assessing your priorities and understanding where to find deals, you can likely find an excellent cell phone that checks all of your boxes. This guide examines top purchase considerations, breakdowns by price tier, and the pros and cons of buying unlocked vs carrier-subsidized phones.
Key Purchase Considerations
Operating system - The three main options include iOS for Apple iPhones, Android for phones like Samsung Galaxy and Google Pixel, and Windows for Microsoft Lumia devices. Evaluate which ecosystem best meets your app, compatibility, and customization preferences.
Screen size - Standard options range from 5 to 7 inches measured diagonally, with phablets offering even larger screens. A smaller phone may be more pocketable while a larger screen facilitates messaging, videos and games.
Battery life - Compare expected hours of usage between charges across models you’re considering. Frequent travelers typically prioritize long-lasting batteries.
Camera quality - Modern cell phone cameras range from 12MP to over 100MP. Higher resolution doesn’t directly indicate better image quality, so examine lens quality, aperture specs, and special features like optical zoom when evaluating photography capabilities.
Storage capacity - Many current cell phones start at 128GB storage and some offer up to 1TB. Calculate your expected usage needs based on apps, photos, videos, and music library size. Expandable storage via SD card can provide more flexibility.
Durability rating - If you’re prone to drops or liquid spills, consider a phone with IP68 water/dust-resistance rating or MIL-STD 810 durability compliance for surviving shock, vibration and extreme temperatures. Ruggedized phones offer maximum protection.
Price Tiers and Top Models
Budget ($100-$300) - Companies like TCL, Motorola and OnePlus offer excellent budget options with baseline features plus a few standout functions like superior battery life, crisp displays or special gaming-optimized processors. Top picks include the TCL 30XV 5G, Moto G Stylus and OnePlus Nord N20 5G.
Mid-range ($300-$700) - You’ll find very capable phones with enhanced features from Apple, Google, Samsung and more in this range. Notable options include the iPhone 11, Galaxy A53 5G, Google Pixel 6A and Motorola Edge (2022).
Premium ($700+) - Cutting-edge technology resides in the premium tier, including the latest iPhones, Galaxy S series, Google Pixel Pro devices and specialty folding/slider phones. Expect top-of-the-line displays, cameras, build materials and processors. The iPhone 14 Pro Max, Galaxy S22 Ultra and Google Pixel 7 Pro represent prime premium selections.
Unlocked vs Carrier-Subsidized Phones
Unlocked phones let you freely switch between compatible carriers or use local SIM cards while traveling internationally. Since they don’t lock you into a long service contract, unlocked phones typically require paying full retail pricing upfront or financing the total amount through the manufacturer. Unlocked phones afford flexibility in carrier choice over time.
Carrier-subsidized phones enable reduced upfront costs in exchange for a 12-24 month carrier service contract. Early contract termination usually incurs fees. Subsidized pricing gets paid back through higher monthly service charges over the contract duration. If you know you’ll stick with one carrier long-term, subsidies can reduce total cost of ownership for a new device.
Where to Buy
Once you decide which phone best aligns with your priorities, here are top purchase channels to consider:
Carrier retail stores - Carriers like Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile offer both subsidized and full-retail pricing options with incentives like gift cards or accessories bundles to encourage purchases through official stores and websites.
Big box electronics stores - National chains like Best Buy enable convenient hands-on testing of devices from all brands with competitive pricing and regular sales promotions. Their extensive inventory bridges all major price points.
Manufacturer websites - Companies like Apple, Samsung and Google offer direct online ordering with opportunities for custom configuration plus solid customer service and tech support safety nets.
Online marketplaces - Major marketplaces like Amazon serve as reliable sources for discounted unlocked phones across the full spectrum from budget to premium devices. Refurbished/used phones can offer even deeper price cuts with typical return protections to offset heightened risk.
The cell phone marketplace provides something for virtually every usage case, style preference and budget. By clearly defining your priorities, understanding pros and cons of purchase options and buying from reputable sellers, you’ll likely find a great phone that ticks your essential boxes while meeting spending comfort. Let the search begin!