Maybe you’ve finally exhausted the limits of your old flip phone, and it’s time to get something to replace it. Or maybe last year’s latest and greatest smart phone model isn’t as exciting as it once was, so you want to get the newest and shiniest model. Either way, you know it’s time to get a new phone… but what kind of phone do you need?
The good news is, there are plenty of smart phones to choose from—but that may also be the bad news. With so many different options, sizes, and capabilities, choosing the right cell phone can be an intimidating process. You could just go with the newest phone from a brand you’re familiar with, but will that really suit your needs? Do you want a cell phone that has an amazing camera? Is it more important to you to have a phone that has a long battery life or a big screen?
To help you answer these questions, ask yourself what you need your phone for most. Here are some options to consider based on what type of phone user you might be.
Smart phones for runners
You’ll want a smart phone that can connect with your fitness tracker, whether it’s via an app or on your smartwatch. It’s likely you’ll also be listening to music or podcasts while you run, so you’ll want to make sure your phone can either connect to your wireless headphones, or that they have a proper headphone jack if you prefer to go wired. You’ll also want to make sure your phone is the right size to comfortably fit in your pocket, hand, or fitness armband.
Smart phones for early tech adopters
This one’s easy—if you’ve always been ahead of the curve, you’ll want the latest and greatest, with an exceptional display, a super responsive touchscreen, a powerful processor, a top-of-the-line camera, and a battery that just won’t quit. You can always check with your carrier’s online store to see what their newest cell phone models are, or go hardcore and scour the internet for tech forums and rumor sites that scope out when the next best thing is about to drop.
Phones for gamers and streaming fans
Your main concern is probably going to be the size of your smart phone’s screen. A larger screen means a bigger picture for streaming and gaming—just make sure the size isn’t going to impact your ability to carry it safely. You should also consider your new smart phone’s other display features. Resolution is important, and so is color quality, brightness, and viewing angles. You may also want to consider getting a phone that supports HDR for a better TV and movie-watching experience.
Phones for music fans
Storage is likely to be a major area of focus, especially if your preference is to download your music onto your phone. Whether you’re listening to downloaded tunes or streaming from another source, your headphone options are also going to be key. Can your new phone connect to wireless headphones? How about connecting to a wireless speaker when you want to share your tunes with a crowd? Do they have a headphone jack if you prefer a wired connection?
Shop for headphones on att.com.
Phones for photographers and videographers
Whether you’re a pro or a hobbyist, photographers and videographers will probably be most intrigued by the camera options on their new smart phone. Many phones offer multiple cameras these days, some for the front, some for the back, and some for capturing different angles. You’ll want to pay close attention to things like aperture, optical zoom, camera speed, and overall image quality.
You might also want to read closely about any special photography features from each of your options. These might include things like a special portrait mode or a specific setting for low-light photography.
If you’re shooting video, look for something with decent resolution and a good frame rate, with some type of optical stabilization, so you don’t get motion sickness from watching your handiwork.
Phones for talkative types
Sure, everyone texts these days… but some people like an old-school chat, and they like to do it a lot. If that’s you, a strong battery is going to be your savior. Ideally, you’ll want to look for a phone that lasts at least 10 hours and charges fast. Look for a battery with at least 3,000 mAh, and ideally fast charging capabilities so you can get back to gabbing—fast.
Finally, it’s time to choose your new phone—and enjoy it!
This article is AT&T sponsored content written by Carly Milne, a TechBuzz contributor. The statements in this article are her own and don’t necessarily represent the positions, strategies, or opinions of AT&T.
