Smart phone wars are heating up. While the lure of owning the hottest new “smartphone” is enticing, research shows 8-out-of-10 people are paying too much for their cell phones. Here's a closer look at what might truly be “the smartest phones” for you and your family.
First of all, these new phones are exciting. They truly bring the entire world right to your fingertips. You can have Internet access, email, calendar syncing, GPS, video, still cameras with flash & zoom, high definition, new 4G speeds and more. But while they are un-paralled in the bells and whistles department, what about overall value – what is all this stuff and do you really need it – or will it simply cost you an arm and leg? Let’s take a look:
Cost of ownership over 2 years
Unlimited plan total costs (unlimited voice, data, messaging)
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iPhone 4 - $3799 (Includes price of the phone) |
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Sprint EVO 4G - $2119 – this is the phone I have and at nearly 17-hundred dollars less than this one – it’s a total bargain. (Includes price of the phone) – this is my top choice for a multimedia phone when it comes to bell, whistles and overall value. |
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Boost Blackberry Curve - $1689 – this is a pre-paid phone that you pay for up front, then pay just $60 a month for nationwide unlimited talk, text, wireless web. This is a great choice for people who don’t want to be saddled to a two-year contract. This is how people in Europe do it and over the last year, it’s really caught on in America as a great way to spend only what you have to. |
So, how do you find the right phone for you?
Price isn’t the only factor -- you also need to look at how you use your phone, whether it’s for texting, emails, surfing the internet, and look at which phone best fits your wireless needs. The last thing you want to do is pay for features you don’t use.
Here are some suggestions on how figure out which smart phone is best for you and if it’s worth the cost:
- The Serial Texter:
- For those of you who can’t bear to pick up the phone to make a call, a full QWERTY keyboard – like a typewriter- is a must. I’ll show you what to worry about with a tap screen versus the key board.
- Also, If you send more than ten text messages a today (teens send an average of 100) – look at an unlimited plan.
- Virgin Mobile has plans around $30 a month for that.
- The App Addict:
- Until now, the iPhone really has no competition when it comes to applications. I’m afraid the EVO is giving it a run for its money!
- The android app market now has the same apps – with more for free than iPhone.
- If you want to play the hottest games, lose weight, teach your child how to speak French, map your run, or even find the best calamari within a 5-mile radius – this new EVO is truly unbeatable in the array of apps available. Still – the iPhone comes in a close second.
- The Chatterbox:
- If you’re the type who has their phone glued to their ear, you’ll need to at least consider a find a provider with unlimited minutes that won’t break the bank. Consider the Boost Blackberry Curve with nationwide unlimited talk, text and wireless web for $60 a month.
- Also, AT&T is doing away with their unlimited plans – so best to stick to Sprint or one of the other providers.
- To find out what’s best here – go to BillShrink.com and put in a few lines of information from your current cell phone bill. It will tell you right away if you can save money on another plan!
- The Amateur Filmmaker:
- If you love making movies on the go, again, this new EVO now trumps the previous champ –the iPhone.
- This screen is bigger – 4.3 inches and it’s HD capable
- If you can’t live without watching the latest YouTube sensation, or film your kids and send it right to the grandparents – this is the hot new phone for you.
- And don’t forget to check out the kickstand – great way to watch movies on the go.
- The Multitasker:
- If you live and breathe by your outlook inbox and emails – then the EVO or a blackberry are your best bet.
- iPhone doesn’t doesn’t allow you to open and work inside several appss at once.
- One of these others is the best tool since you can access and run multiple programs at once, making your life a little less complicated.
- The Music Lover:
- I can’t help it – I’m addicted to my iPod – so that’s mainly what I use my iPhone for – listing to music and books on tape, especially while I’m out running. You can basically get rid of your iPod and just use your iPhone to carry around your entire music library.
The above phone plans are from Sprint and AT&T, but they aren't the only ones I've researched.
Whenever you’re trying to lower your cell bill or find the best match for you - analyze the carrier and plan you’re on right now – with BillShrink.com or Validas.com. If you jump ship, will you have to pay an early termination fee?
Consumer Reports still ranks Verizon as having the best call quality and service in almost all areas of the United States. If you’re on their network, and it’s working for you – go ahead and look into their smartphones, such as the HTC Droid Incredible – but know that you’ll be paying as much as for the iPhone.
- It’s very fast, features an 8-megapixel camera and 8GB of internal memory. Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS, and 3G are all onboard.
- You can't use voice and data at the same time. The multimedia experience is adequate but still behind the competition.
The bottom line? Figure out what you absolutely must have on your phone and then how much you are willing to pay. Then research the different plans and phones that meet your needs—consumerreports.org makes this easy with personalized wireless plan recommendations. You should be able to find the smart phone that best fits your lifestyle and have a little extra money in the bank.
About Jennifer:
Jennifer Jolly is a popular mommy-blogger and TV personality with more than half a million subscribers across several outlets. Over the last two years, she has delivered more than 700 TV and radio segments on popular consumer technology trends as the "Mobile Mom" and "Frugal Mom." She was a TV reporter and anchor for 12-years. Since becoming a Consumer Lifestyle Expert, she has worked on segments for Fox & Friends, The Early Show, Today Show and CNN American Morning and many more. She is also a regular contributor to ABC’s Nationally Syndicated,View From the Bay and guest columnist for Scripps Howard News Service.
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