Ryan Whitwam / Android Authority
Whether you can’t wait to let go of your current Android phone or can’t imagine living without it, there will come a time when you’ll have to upgrade. I reluctantly faced this fact earlier this year when my beloved six-year-old phone finally showed signs of fatigue. More recently, my mom had to deal with the same problem.
She’s been using the same budget Android 10 phone for nearly four years now, a device that still works but no longer runs the apps she needs. So, naturally, it was time for a newer device with swifter hardware and fresher software.
As I’m the resident family tech support officer, I was the go-to for recommendations. Below, I detail what I suggested my mom buy, how I arrived at that decision, and what she ultimately chose.
How do you help a non-techie choose a new smartphone? 428 votes I don't give it much thought; I just pick whatever looks good on paper. 5 % I first ask what they can afford, see what's available at that price point, and go from there. 48 % I pick the cheapest device and call it a day. 4 % I first focus on their biggest non-negotiable feature and go from there. 22 % I suggest a device from a brand I use or used before. 17 % I suggest talking to a salesperson. 2 % I have another method (elaborate in the comments). 3 %
How I helped my mom choose a new smartphone
Joe Maring / Android Authority
As much as I’d want to suggest all friends and family purchase foldable phones or bleeding-edge flagships, this just isn’t sensible or possible. Most people cannot afford to spend thousands of dollars on a new phone, and not everyone utilizes the full range of available features. For most people, a cheap, humble budget Android phone covers 99% of their daily digital needs.
My mom falls into this category, and I’m sure that many of you do, too. She really liked a few things about her old phone, which I wanted to replicate as much as possible with her new device. It packed dual-SIM capabilities, featured a massive display, had a reliable camera, and a decent battery. She hasn’t tossed it into the obsolete tech drawer, either. She continues to use it, but primarily for WhatsApp and general communication purposes.
For most people, a cheap, humble budget Android phone covers 99% of their daily digital needs.
... continue reading