Which Phone is Best For Me? How to Choose Your Next Phone
If you’re looking to buy a brand new phone or shop for the more affordable, refurbished phones in your area, you know choosing the right one for you can be hard. Whether you’re a brand-loyal phone shopper or open to your options, there are a lot of options when it comes to choosing a new phone.
In this post, we’ll go over some key factors to think about when choosing your next phone, how to get good deals on a new phone, and finding a reputable used phone seller if you’re in the market for a refurbished phone. We’ll also answer some common questions about buying and leasing pre-owned phones.
Things to Research and Consider When Choosing Your Next Phone
Mobile phones are more powerful than ever, which means brands are aggressively competing to offer more and more unique features to suit different digital needs. Below are some of the key factors to look into when choosing a phone.
Operating System (OS)
The operating system a phone uses is like the software on a computer. If you’ve ever switched from a PC to a Mac, you’re likely familiar with the learning curve of switching to a new OS. But don’t let that scare you! Overall, you should choose the OS that best suits your needs and preferences.
Apple iOS
Apple’s iOS is known for being one of the most user-friendly OS options for consumers. It has an impressive seamless experience between Apple devices, too. Your phone, iPad, Apple Watch, MacBook, and other Apple products can easily share and transfer information with each other to keep all of your documents and data organized across devices. While this ecosystem is excellent, its only drawback is that it sacrifices customization for user-friendliness. If you’re looking to make deep changes to the OS on your phone, Apple is not well-suited for this.
Android
Android is unique for its much more robust customization options and 3rd-party integrations. This allows you to link your phone with a lot of other software and tools that can improve your device for your needs. Android is also connected with Google, which gives these phones some added perks from Google’s myriad of free software programs for a variety of things. This can, however, be a little overwhelming for the average consumer. You may not need all of these features.
Hardware Specs
If you’re big into mobile gaming, a phone camera photographer, or need your phone to do the work of a computer on the go, hardware specs are a big thing to consider. Look into things like processor speed, RAM, storage, camera features, and screen resolution. More RAM and processor speed means your phone will be fast, seamless, and able to handle multitasking and high-demand apps. Better screen resolution, more storage, and a top-of-the-line camera mean your phone will be able to take incredible photos. Research specs and figure out what will suit your needs the best.
Battery Life
Do you frequently forget to charge your phone at night? Do you find yourself constantly annoyed by a low-battery phone? If so, you probably need a device with a better battery capacity. Customer reviews and battery specs can tell you how long a phone will hold a charge, how quickly it can charge, and how long the battery will retain its health. Alongside proper charging habits, you can get a lot of efficiency out of your battery.
When purchasing a refurbished phone, ask if the battery has been replaced or if it is at a good health percentage. This ensures you’re not buying a used device that has a worn-out battery.
Price
Set a budget before you start looking for a new phone. Once you know how much you are willing to spend, you can get a feel for what devices are in your price range. Brand-new devices and models will offer more premium and up-to-date features, but they often come with a hefty price tag or tricky financing options. Refurbished phones can offer a lot of decent options that will still last you years to come. Plus, pre-owned phones usually come in like-new condition at a much lower price with more flexible leasing and financing options.
How to Get A Good Deal on Your New Phone
Phones aren’t cheap, but there are a few ways you can save on them and find a payment option that works for your budget. Here are our tips for getting a good deal on your next phone.
1. Buy at the Right Time
The newer a device is, the higher the price tag will be. Shopping for older devices right after a new phone launch can sometimes help you find better deals. You can also find good deals on a variety of phones at different times of the year. Keep an eye out for sales around back-to-school season, Black Friday, the holidays, and end-of-year blowout sales. You’ll usually find lower prices and promotions around these times.
2. Hack the Trade-In Game
Trade-ins can help you get more for your money.
If you want a brand-new phone from your carrier, but the phone you have doesn’t have much trade-in value, you have options. Visit a local, trusted used phone shop near you and see if you can sell them your device. From there, you can purchase a used phone with a higher trade-in value at a low cost. Then, trade in the used phone you just bought, and you can get a much better discount on your brand-new phone from your carrier.
This hack isn’t always a guaranteed way to get your money’s worth, but if you do the math correctly and work with the refurbished phone shop to sort out the details, you can really strike a good deal.
3. Lease Your Phone
Sometimes a lump-sum payment isn’t always a good option, especially with how expensive a new phone can be. Leasing is a really good way to manage this. Instead of purchasing a refurbished newer-model phone all-out, you can lease the device over time and make smaller, incremental payments. The best part? You get the device right away and can pay it off while you use it.
For more information about leasing pre-owned phones, check out our leasing options.
How to Find a Reputable Used Phone Shop
Purchasing a refurbished phone is a great way to save money, but not all refurbished phone sellers are trustworthy.
When choosing where to purchase a pre-owned phone, look for sellers with positive reviews that look legitimate, clear return policies, and comprehensive warranties. You can also ask them what after-market parts they use to refurbish their phones and what kind of quality metrics they use to determine whether or not a phone is good for resale. Trusted sellers will be honest, upfront, and quick to make things right if they have any unsatisfied customers.
Buying Used Phones FAQ
1. What Does Refurbished/Pre-Owned/Used Mean?
All of these terms generally fall into the same category with a few slight differences. A refurbished phone is a phone that has been owned and used in the past that a phone repair person has completely restored to be in optimal condition, or like new. Pre-Owned phones usually fall into the refurbished category, meaning they have been used by someone in the past and repaired for resale. Used phones are also typically refurbished before sale, but some phone sales businesses will sell used phones as-is so consumers can use them for parts or purchase them at the lowest price possible.
Most phone shops will use these terms interchangeably, but be sure to ask questions so you know exactly what you are getting.
2. Is it Safe to Buy a Used or Refurbished Phone?
In general, yes, so long as you are getting it from a reputable business. Ensure that the device you are purchasing is actually repaired and refurbished. Ask what kind of parts they use to refurbish their devices, too. You can also ask the seller to show you the device, turn it on, and go over the specs of the phone. If a seller checks all the boxes and is open to sharing details, you’re in good hands.
3. Can I Buy Brand-New Devices Refurbished?
Sometimes, yes, but new devices tend to take longer to enter the used phone market. If you’re dedicated to getting a refurbished device that’s still relatively new to the market, you can sometimes find new devices at phone resale shops, too. They often come from overstock and are still brand-new, but they are still lower-priced than the brand-new models at carriers.
4. I’m Interested in Leasing. What Do I Need to Know About It Before I Get Started?
Leasing is a convenient way to get the phone you need without paying the total cost upfront. Most leasing options don’t require any credit checks and use direct deposits to determine your eligibility. They also usually require a small down payment to get started. Leasing works by letting you set up scheduled, incremental payments that allow you to pay off your phone over time while you use it. All you have to do is apply.
5. Does Leasing Affect My Credit?
Most leasing options don’t check your credit score or affect your credit overall. Our stores at WSA use Acima and PayVantage, both of which don't require credit checks or mess with your credit as you pay. Not all leasing options are created equal, so be sure to do your research on the leasing program options available to you.
Choosing the Best Phone for You: Conclusion
When you’re choosing your next phone, be sure to think about the factors above and weigh your options when it comes to when you buy, where you buy, and how you choose to pay for your device. By doing so, you can ensure you get the device you need at the best price.
If you’re looking to shop for pre-owned, refurbished, and used phones in Norman, Oklahoma City, or Midwest City, choose WSA! We carry a wide variety of Apple and Samsung phones available in our stores and in our online shop. Check out our leasing programs for flexible payment options, and be sure to visit our promotions page for exclusive deals on popular phones. Questions? Let us know on our contact page!
