If you are one of the many parents looking for a suitable smartphone for your kids this Christmas, this guide is for you. Buying a new smartphone can be a minefield, so here’s what you need to know to make it across safely.
Set Your Budget
You can spend as much or as little on a smartphone as you want; you don’t have to pay hundreds or even thousands of pounds to get a decent smartphone today. The market for mid-range and budget smartphones has exploded over the last decade. Younger children don’t need all the bells and whistles of a flagship smartphone, but older children might appreciate these features more. However, if you just want to get your kids a phone to use for emergency communications, you can find one for £100 or less.
Once you have decided how much you want to spend, it’s easy to find smartphones within your price range.
Choose An OS
Two smartphone operating systems account for the vast majority of smartphones today; Android and iOS. iOS is Apple’s operating system and is restricted to Apple devices. But Android is an open-source mobile operating system and is therefore available on a wide range of handsets.
As for which operating system is better, that comes down to personal preference. Android is a more open operating system that gives you more room for customisation and more control over what you do with it. However, while Apple is a more locked-down experience, many people find it much easier and more reliable.
Size Matters
Shortly after mobile phones became commonplace, there was a real drive to make them smaller and smaller. But this trend has reversed. Since the introduction of capacitive touch screens, smartphones have gradually grown bigger and bigger. This preference for increasingly large phones has made purchasing difficult for some people.
Many women have found that so-called phablet phones are all but unusable for them. If you are buying for a teenage girl, make sure that you take hand size into account. For many women, flagship phones are simply too big, and they are better served a smaller, albeit an often less powerful model.
Features
Everyone has different priorities when it comes to the features they want in their smartphone. Sure, you can splash out on a flagship model with every possible feature included. However, you can save money without compromising the user experience by choosing a phone with the features you want.
For example, if your child is a keen photographer, they will doubtless appreciate a phone that has a decent camera array and a good display. The cámara tcl 10l suits these buyers perfectly.
Instead of trying to find a phone that has as many features as possible, look for one that has as many features you actually want.
Buying a smartphone for a teenager can be a dicey proposition for parents who don’t know the landscape. Every kid would love to have a top of the line Android or iOS handset, but they come with hefty price tags. Fortunately, you don’t need to dip into your life savings to find a decent smartphone.