Buying a new smart phone

In today’s fast paced society, technology advancements are made at such an overwhelming rate that the changes are baffling and confusing consumers more then assisting them. Buy the iPhone 3g now or wait for the 4g? Why buy the 4g when you know the 5g will come out months later.

And how about the iPad? Should you have bought the first version or waited for iPad2? Best Buy’s new buyback program commercial explains this dilemma very accurately, so how does one make a decision?

Tips for upgrading your smart phone

Recently I was confronted with this issue by finally buying my first smart phone. I’d previously owned the same tiny little flip phone that I’d kept in perfect condition for the past six years! My mother always stressed how unnecessary it was to have Internet on a phone when there are computers at my every available corner, and having never been a particular Internet junky I agreed with her.

The day finally arrived, however, when the switch became necessary. Having a campus job at Suffolk University, I was given the task of being a student blogger, and soon quickly realized what a difference a smart phone would make. Students with such magical devices were snapping pictures at campus events. They’d immediately upload the pictures directly to their blog and would have other students commenting before I could even get home from the event and plug my camera into my computer.

Furthermore, I’d one particular professor who continued to change time and location of class – 10 minutes before the class! This professor’s means of warning us about the dramatic change of events was email. I wouldn’t be aware of the change until I arrived at the abandoned classroom and realized that I’d missed out on the information again. Finally, I knew the dark day had arrived.

Below is a simple list to helping those deciding when to buy, and how to avoid the quick changes in upgrades. I strongly recommend a pros versus cons list, but below are the basic tips.

1. Determine the need for the product.

• Does this sudden need for new technology come from a place of general need or a place of jealousy? Example: I’m starting a new job that demands that I maintain a constant connection to the world versus my best friend just got a cool, brand new toy that I love playing with. And now I suddenly find myself “needing” new technology.
• Wanting the product just because you deserve nice, new things is not a sin. However, just be aware you are starting down a slippery slope and pay close attention to the following steps.

2. Research your options

• I cannot stress this step enough. Research, research, research. Check various product websites, but be sure to reach outside their scope as well. Look at blogger comparisons and find information from tech websites that have no affiliation with the devises marketing team (look for disclosure information at the bottom if you are unsure if the opinion is biased or not).
• Familiarize yourself with the terms particular to that devise and what they mean, example: what does the term 3g even mean?
• See the difference between buying new or buying a refurbished devise. If you are working with a smaller budget this is an excellent option.
• Wanting a new smart phone, I first started by comparing the big names in smart phones. This meant Android, Blackberry and iPhone being the head honchos. I then looked at the various differences and similarities within the products on product websites as well as Geek Squad and within my own phone carrier options.

3. Talk to the experts.

• Go to the source. Talk to friends, talk to sellers. You’ve already done your research so don’t be afraid to ask questions. Stand your ground and argue your case as most people typically love their new piece of technology and would jump at the opportunity to argue its amazing powers. If they don’t love it, even better! You now know a problem with that devise and see if it would affect you, or if it’s the norm.
• This is your opportunity to ask about upgrades. Find out when a new version of your devise is arriving and what possible differences there will be.
• I went to my carrier’s store several times without buying simply to ask questions. (Always state you just have questions beforehand so they don’t give you an attitude about not buying). The people there are trained on every device and will be able to let you try products as well as talk to you about various concerns.

4. Try the product

• This is an essential step. I really recommend going to the store versus playing with a friend’s device because a store will never rush you to give it back, or make you feel bad for snooping around the content. Familiarize yourself with the devise and see how the model and design works. Is the phone easy to hold, easy to navigate, matches your outfit (kidding), etc.

5. Give it the week test

• Plan enough time to sit on the decision for at least a week. After thinking and gathering, one week gives you time to process the information. Also, if you find yourself thinking about the product every day, you know you really want it. Plus a rushed decision is never a very good decision.

6. Commit and be confident in your decision

• You’ve done the research and made a choice, so be happy in it! Sure new models are bound to come out, and if they do weeks after buying your own, you always have multiple options. For example, if the upgrade is to fix something that might have been wrong with the old model, most stores have a return policy and look into that before buying.
• Or let the craze of having the latest model pass you by. Sure it may be slimmer and sleeker, but in reality it probably does not offer you much more then your current device.
• Take pride in the fact that you paid less then you would for this “new and improved model” and you bought yourself something you really wanted.

Rebecca Copeland is a college senior at Suffolk University interning at Mom Central Consulting for the summer.

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Picture credit: pixomar at freedigitalphotos.net

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