Tips For Buying The Mobile Phone That’s Right For You

About two decades ago, buying a mobile phone was not such a daunting task (this is assuming of course that you have enough cash to burn). Selecting one is easy because you don’t have a lot of options to choose from in the first place. There were only a few mobile phone distributors back then, and even less mobile networks to consider.

However, in the last two decades, mobile phones have evolved so much and so quickly that choosing the right one literally means going through more than 10 brands (including local and international names), more than a hundred models, and even more configurations. If you’re shopping in the Philippines, mobile phone distributors can be found in Ayala Center, SM stores, supermarkets, and now even in small kiosks. Talk about a huge haystack, right?

Fortunately, there are ways to narrow down the search. Below are some tips for buying the mobile phone that’s right for you.

• Set a budget

One of the quickest ways to trim down the number of units you have to search through is to set a budget. Even if you have enough money, this will quickly slash off plenty of models that are not within the range you’re considering.

For example, flagship models (those with the latest and best configurations) usually fall between the P30,000 to P40,000 ($900 - $1000 USD) bracket. Midrange phones, on the other hand, fall within the P10,000 – P20,000 range, while the budget phones (those loaded only with basic productivity functions) can be anywhere below P10,000 to as low as P2,000.

• Function or Intended Usage

Another consideration that can significantly narrow down your choices is the phone’s general function or intended use. How do you intend to use it? Will it serve as just an ordinary communication device, an entertainment gadget, or a productivity tool (like a laptop replacement)?

Answering these questions will help you select the features of the phone that you can make full use of. They should help you determine how fast your mobile phone needs to be, how big your screen size is, how good your phone cameras are, how much connectivity options your phone has, or even how tough the unit is.

• Warranty and After Sales Services

No matter how much care you put into handling your mobile phone, it is bound to meet with an accident or two (drops or software malfunctions). This is where warranties and after sales services come in.

It would be best to include this in your consideration for buying the right phone for you. In most cases though, trustworthy brands would provide the best options.