Getting a new smartphone is not an easy decision to make. You have to consider a lot of things before diving in, like your budget and purpose. Phone manufacturers also love throwing a lot of jargon and features that you may not get to use at all. It is best if you arm yourself with the technical knowledge so you can weed out the fluff and have the things that matter most remain. Hopefully, you get to settle on a model that you are happy with and one that will last you for years before needing a phone repair.

You will still need to exercise your judgment long after you have purchased your smartphone. Here are some that are sure to wrack your brains out.

Case or No Case?

One of the things that will attract you to a smartphone is its design. Companies spend a good amount of time and money hiring top-notch people who can draw up the most beautiful look for the device. If you were to pick one that you fancy, it would be something that you want to show off instead of keeping it in your pocket.

The materials could very well dictate how classy the phone is. Plastic bodies are mostly reserved for the value-oriented models, while the more premium ones could be using ceramic, glass, or aluminum. But these come with a few problems. It is really tough to find a balance between aesthetics and functionality, as these materials could vary in terms of how slippery they can be. This is where cases come in. These provide shock protection and grip, so you should not expect your expensive phone to slip out of your hands.

Locked or Unlocked?

Most phones are usually sold as either locked or unlocked. To explain the difference between the two, you need to know what is an unlocked phone. In simple terms an unlocked phone is a cell phone which can operate on any mobile phone carrier network , whereas a locked phone can only use a specific mobile phone carrier. That is why a lot of people prefer to buy an unlocked phone despite it being significantly more expensive than a locked phone.

So the question now is, should you get a case or not? If you mostly stay indoors you do not have to, as you should have tables or flat surfaces where you can just lay your phone flat and idle. If you are always out on the field or find yourself constantly pulling your device in and out of your pocket, consider getting a case.

Sync Data or Not?

Privacy is the concern of many people, and even more so now where a lot of websites would ask you for personal information to sign up for their services. It is a necessary step so you can take advantage of the ecosystem. It is quite convenient when your phone’s contact list is brought over to your desktop computer without much hassle. You also do not have to worry about losing your family pictures when you lose your phone, as these can be automatically uploaded to the cloud. That is what you can experience when you sync your profile or account information across your devices. It provides continuity that would not be possible without the internet.

So should you sync your personal data or not? If you do not have anything to hide or do not mind the risks associated with this, you should have no problem with this. If you have doubts, you can skip it altogether or start to clean your phone with any information you do not want to share. Mind you, the strictest security measures are being implemented to prevent breaches or hacks. But when there is always that possibility of something falling through the cracks, those who have malicious intent would flock to platforms with the most users.

Should You Get a Power Bank?

Don’t you hate it when you are out on the streets with 5% of your battery left, and you are still hours away from home? That juice will definitely not last for a few more hours, so you really would need to find a charging station. But until then, this would be something that you have to worry about and be preoccupied with.

Power banks are basically batteries enclosed in a shell, and you can use them to recharge your phone. It is an extra piece that you have to carry around though, so it may defeat the purpose of your smartphone’s portability. Should you get one? If you are talking about your daily usage, it depends on how long you spend outdoors or being away from a power outlet. You can get by with just bringing your charger if you can plug to a wall outlet through much of your day. Many phones could last the whole 24 hours before needing to be charged again, so you may not even need to bring one.

If you are on a trip, having a power bank is a must. You may spend many hours on the road or up in the sky, which means it could take a while before you could get access to an electrical socket. So instead of dropping out, extend your phone’s life with the power bank.

Life is full of choices, and you need to make them every day. Otherwise, you will be at a standstill, unable to move on to better things. The same goes for your smartphones. They are investments that are meant to be used, so you need to choose the right options so you can utilize them properly.

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