Part1
Picking an Operating
System
1
·
iPhone (aka iOS) is known for its ease of use, security,
and clean integration with other Apple products.
iPhone (aka iOS) is known for its ease of use, security,
and clean integration with other Apple products.
·
Windows Phones are less common, but emphasize integration
with Microsoft products and offer high end camera software on certain models.
Windows Phones are less common, but emphasize integration
with Microsoft products and offer high end camera software on certain models.
·
If you can, try demoing a device at a store. That will
give you a good sense of the interface and feel of each operating system.
If you can, try demoing a device at a store. That will
give you a good sense of the interface and feel of each operating system.
2
Determine yourprice range. iOS phones (iPhones) are typically more expensive than their Android
counterparts. Among phone manufacturers, Apple and Samsung are typically among
the most expensive (with models ranging from $400-$700 retail), while HTC, LG,
and Motorola tend to produce lower cost options (some low end smartphones can
be acquired for under $100).
counterparts. Among phone manufacturers, Apple and Samsung are typically among
the most expensive (with models ranging from $400-$700 retail), while HTC, LG,
and Motorola tend to produce lower cost options (some low end smartphones can
be acquired for under $100).
·
Phones are subsidized when purchased along with a phone
carrier contract or sometime even “free” upon signing. This usually
commits you to a 2-year billing plan for the carrier and includes penalties for
early cancellation.
Phones are subsidized when purchased along with a phone
carrier contract or sometime even “free” upon signing. This usually
commits you to a 2-year billing plan for the carrier and includes penalties for
early cancellation.
·
Some carriers also charge a monthly ‘device fee’ to makeup for little or no upfront cost on your smartphone.
Some carriers also charge a monthly ‘device fee’ to makeup for little or no upfront cost on your smartphone.
3
Consider thedevices and software you already own. If you already own a tablet or
computer, you will experience the best level of integration with its services
and software by getting a phone with matching developer support (for example,
Apple computers and iPads are often cross-compatible with iPhone apps).
Nevertheless, note that any phone can connect to, and function with, almost any
computer operating system.
computer, you will experience the best level of integration with its services
and software by getting a phone with matching developer support (for example,
Apple computers and iPads are often cross-compatible with iPhone apps).
Nevertheless, note that any phone can connect to, and function with, almost any
computer operating system.
·
If you are a heavy MS Office or Google user, you will
have the best integration and support using an Android phone (although notethat both Microsoft and Google produce their most popular apps for thecompeting operating system as well).
If you are a heavy MS Office or Google user, you will
have the best integration and support using an Android phone (although notethat both Microsoft and Google produce their most popular apps for thecompeting operating system as well).
4
Determine whichfeatures suit your needs. Each operating system has some proprietary
features, while basic features like email, web browsing, and maps will be
available on all systems.
features, while basic features like email, web browsing, and maps will be
available on all systems.
·
iOS/iPhone has exclusive features like Siri, fingerprint
scanning, FaceTime chat, and iCloud support.
iOS/iPhone has exclusive features like Siri, fingerprint
scanning, FaceTime chat, and iCloud support.
·
Android has Google Now, homescreen widgets for
customization, and allows third party app installation (meaning you can
download programs from the internet and install them outside of the Play Store
ecosystem). Most Android phones today also have fingerprint sensors, cloud
storage for pictures, and support the use of Google Drive for documents and
cloud storage.
Android has Google Now, homescreen widgets for
customization, and allows third party app installation (meaning you can
download programs from the internet and install them outside of the Play Store
ecosystem). Most Android phones today also have fingerprint sensors, cloud
storage for pictures, and support the use of Google Drive for documents and
cloud storage.
5
Consider which
apps you want to use. Many popular applications (e.g. Google Maps, MS
Office, and Apple Music) are offered across all operating systems, however there
are some apps (e.g. iMessage, Facetime, and Google Now) that are exclusive to
their respective platform. Check the app store associated with each option to
make sure the apps you want are accessible (Apple, Google Play, Windows).
apps you want to use. Many popular applications (e.g. Google Maps, MS
Office, and Apple Music) are offered across all operating systems, however there
are some apps (e.g. iMessage, Facetime, and Google Now) that are exclusive to
their respective platform. Check the app store associated with each option to
make sure the apps you want are accessible (Apple, Google Play, Windows).
·
In general, if a popular app is not offered on a
competitor’s operating system, there is a strong chance that an alternate app
exists which is functionally quite similar.
In general, if a popular app is not offered on a
competitor’s operating system, there is a strong chance that an alternate app
exists which is functionally quite similar.
·
iOS and Android historically have much broader app
support than Windows.
iOS and Android historically have much broader app
support than Windows.
·
Your app purchases are linked with your store account.
You will be able to transfer your purchases to any future phones as long as
they use the same operating system.
Your app purchases are linked with your store account.
You will be able to transfer your purchases to any future phones as long as
they use the same operating system.
6
Choose anoperating system. For most people, the deciding factor will be
personal preference. Those looking for a simple interface and a secure system
will tend to like iOS-backed iPhones, while those looking for more custom
options and lower cost in general will likely prefer Android or Windows phones.
personal preference. Those looking for a simple interface and a secure system
will tend to like iOS-backed iPhones, while those looking for more custom
options and lower cost in general will likely prefer Android or Windows phones.
Part2
Choosing a Smartphone
Model
1
Pick a carrier. Most
carriers will offer a range of phone options across operating systems (no OS is
specific to a carrier). Major carriers often subsidize phones or offer
different payment plans and contract combinations to reduce the up-front cost
of smartphones.
carriers will offer a range of phone options across operating systems (no OS is
specific to a carrier). Major carriers often subsidize phones or offer
different payment plans and contract combinations to reduce the up-front cost
of smartphones.
·
Some carriers, like T-Mobile, allow you to forego a
contract while paying off the phone as part of your monthly costs. Cancelling
your service early will force you to pay the remainder of the phone’s costs at
once.
Some carriers, like T-Mobile, allow you to forego a
contract while paying off the phone as part of your monthly costs. Cancelling
your service early will force you to pay the remainder of the phone’s costs at
once.
·
Unlocked phones are phones purchased outside of a carrier
and thus not linked with a phone service contract. They are more expensive but
allow you much more flexibility if you ever need to switch phone carriers.
Unlocked phones are phones purchased outside of a carrier
and thus not linked with a phone service contract. They are more expensive but
allow you much more flexibility if you ever need to switch phone carriers.
·
If buying an unlocked phone, make sure to doublecheck
that the model is compatible with your specific carrier’s network. Most
carriers have a webpage where you can check compatibility with your phone
model’s ID information, (for instance Verizon, or AT&T).
If buying an unlocked phone, make sure to doublecheck
that the model is compatible with your specific carrier’s network. Most
carriers have a webpage where you can check compatibility with your phone
model’s ID information, (for instance Verizon, or AT&T).
2
Pick a phone
service and data plan that works for you. Phone service carriers will
usually offer a wide range of prepaid monthly plan options for phone minutes,
texts, and data over the cellular network.
service and data plan that works for you. Phone service carriers will
usually offer a wide range of prepaid monthly plan options for phone minutes,
texts, and data over the cellular network.
·
You may be able to cut monthly costs by not purchasing a
data plan at all, but this means you won’t be able to access the internet from
your phone if not on wifi.
You may be able to cut monthly costs by not purchasing a
data plan at all, but this means you won’t be able to access the internet from
your phone if not on wifi.
3
Pick a screen
size. Screen
size is measured corner to corner diagonally. Ultimately, screen size is a
matter of preference. Smaller screen phones may fit better in your pocket and
are often cheaper. Larger displays may be preferable if you plan to watch a lot
of videos.
size. Screen
size is measured corner to corner diagonally. Ultimately, screen size is a
matter of preference. Smaller screen phones may fit better in your pocket and
are often cheaper. Larger displays may be preferable if you plan to watch a lot
of videos.
·
iPhone offers the “SE” series for compact phones and the
“Plus” series for an extra large screen.
iPhone offers the “SE” series for compact phones and the
“Plus” series for an extra large screen.
·
Android phones come in a wide range of sizes: there are
smaller budget models such as Moto G or Galaxy S Mini, higher end models like
the Galaxy S or the HTC One series, and oversized models like Galaxy Note or
Nexus 6P.
Android phones come in a wide range of sizes: there are
smaller budget models such as Moto G or Galaxy S Mini, higher end models like
the Galaxy S or the HTC One series, and oversized models like Galaxy Note or
Nexus 6P.
4
Decide how newyou want your phone model to be. Newer phones are typically faster and
more powerful than their respective older versions but will come at a higher
cost. In particular, older model phones will have a more difficult time running
modern applications.
more powerful than their respective older versions but will come at a higher
cost. In particular, older model phones will have a more difficult time running
modern applications.
·
For the budget-conscious, a good compromise is to wait
for a new model of your desired smartphone to become available and to then take
advantage of a drop in price of the other models. When a new phone model
premieres interest in older models will immediately go down and the price will
often change to reflect that.
For the budget-conscious, a good compromise is to wait
for a new model of your desired smartphone to become available and to then take
advantage of a drop in price of the other models. When a new phone model
premieres interest in older models will immediately go down and the price will
often change to reflect that.
5
Check thestorage space. A phone’s storage (usually listed in gigabytes or GB) is a measure
of how many files (photos, videos, apps) it can store at any one time. Storage
space strongly affects the price of the smartphone so consider how much you’re
likely to need before settling on a phone model.
of how many files (photos, videos, apps) it can store at any one time. Storage
space strongly affects the price of the smartphone so consider how much you’re
likely to need before settling on a phone model.
·
For example, storage space is the only difference between
a 16GB iPhone 6 and 32GB iPhone 6,
For example, storage space is the only difference between
a 16GB iPhone 6 and 32GB iPhone 6,
·
16GB is estimated to hold about 10,000 pictures or 4000songs — but keep in mind that your phone storage must also accommodate allyour downloaded apps.
16GB is estimated to hold about 10,000 pictures or 4000songs — but keep in mind that your phone storage must also accommodate allyour downloaded apps.
·
Some Android phones (but not all) support storage
expansion with the purchase of a microSD card. iPhones do not support storage
expansion after purchase.
Some Android phones (but not all) support storage
expansion with the purchase of a microSD card. iPhones do not support storage
expansion after purchase.
6
Consider camera
quality. Although
smartphones are known for taking high-quality photos in general, actual picture
quality will vary quite a bit between brands and models. The best way to
measure camera quality in a phone is to search for sample pictures online taken
with that smartphone model or to demo the camera yourself.
quality. Although
smartphones are known for taking high-quality photos in general, actual picture
quality will vary quite a bit between brands and models. The best way to
measure camera quality in a phone is to search for sample pictures online taken
with that smartphone model or to demo the camera yourself.
·
While manufacturers often advertise a camera’s megapixel
count, features like ISO, low-light performance, brightness, and noisereduction are equally if not more important to consider.
While manufacturers often advertise a camera’s megapixel
count, features like ISO, low-light performance, brightness, and noisereduction are equally if not more important to consider.
·
Most modern smartphones come equipped with front and
rear-facing cameras and flash, and will support third party add-ons (such as
lens attachments).
Most modern smartphones come equipped with front and
rear-facing cameras and flash, and will support third party add-ons (such as
lens attachments).
·
iPhones are well known for their high quality camera
hardware/software.
iPhones are well known for their high quality camera
hardware/software.
·
The Lumia 1020 Windows Phone is designed specifically for
heavy camera use.
The Lumia 1020 Windows Phone is designed specifically for
heavy camera use.
7
Consider phonebattery life. Battery technology is improving steadily so newer phones tend to
have longer battery life, however your usage habits are what really dictate how
long the battery lasts. Talking on the phone, gaming, and using phones outside
of wifi range will all drain a battery more quickly.
have longer battery life, however your usage habits are what really dictate how
long the battery lasts. Talking on the phone, gaming, and using phones outside
of wifi range will all drain a battery more quickly.
·
Average smartphone battery life can range anywhere from
8-18 hours.
Average smartphone battery life can range anywhere from
8-18 hours.
·
Most flagship Android models will not support replaceable
batteries. iPhones do not support replaceable batteries on any model.
Most flagship Android models will not support replaceable
batteries. iPhones do not support replaceable batteries on any model.
·
Some newer Android phones utilize a quick chargetechnology to help recharge their large batteries faster (e.g. Samsung Galaxy Sseries or Motorola Droid Turbo series). Manufacturers claim phones with quick
charge can achieve 50% charge in about 30 minutes.
Some newer Android phones utilize a quick chargetechnology to help recharge their large batteries faster (e.g. Samsung Galaxy Sseries or Motorola Droid Turbo series). Manufacturers claim phones with quick
charge can achieve 50% charge in about 30 minutes.