Adamya Sharma / Android Authority
I consider myself a smart consumer, and when the time comes to upgrade to a new phone, I like to plan things out. I’m not an impulse buyer, and I try not to get caught up in all the marketing mumbo jumbo or the latest and greatest that may be overkill for me.
What I do is ask myself a series of questions that help me pick the right phone — with the right specs, at the right price, and at the right time. This makes me feel like I’m in control of the entire process instead of being swayed by emotion, which, in my opinion, is usually a recipe for disaster.
What kind of phone buyer are you? 33 votes The Planner: I research for weeks or even months before making a decision. 76 % The Impulse Buyer: If I see something shiny and new that I like, I get it. 3 % The Hybrid: I do some research, but I can be swayed by a good deal or a cool feature. 15 % The Pragmatist: I just buy whatever is the most affordable and meets my basic needs. 6 %
Do I actually need it?
Joe Maring / Android Authority
The tech lover in me would like to update to a new phone every single year — in some cases, even twice a year. However, a smart consumer never buys a new toy just because it’s shiny, but because they actually need it.
To avoid buying something I don’t need, I ask myself whether I really need a new phone or if I’m just tired of the old one. I think carefully about the pain points I have with my current device. Is it too slow for what I use it for? Is the battery life beyond terrible? Is it scratched up and no longer pleasant to use? Are there any specific features it lacks that would add real value to my life?
If the answer to any — or all — of these questions is yes, then I know that buying a new phone is worth the time and money I’ll spend on it. But if the answer is no, meaning that my phone still serves me well, it just means I’m tired of it and want something new to play with. My emotions are getting the best of me, and in cases like these, I ditch the idea of a new phone altogether.
Which features are non-negotiable?
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