On Buying a New Phone | A Practical Man’s Guide

I’ve been planning on buying a new mobile phone. My trusty Nokia 6600 is still doing fine, but I believe it’s about time that I put it in the backseat after almost 5 years of everyday finger battery. Not to mention the times when it fell inside toilet bowl, munched on by a dog, thrown away in the trash bin and the countless of times it fell on the floor. So yeah, despite the fact that it’s still fully functional (with a new case and all) it’s about time I retire my old trusty phone and treat myself to a new one. 

Then here comes the dilemma.  With the literally hundreds of high-tech phones thingamajig pik-pak-boom out there, what model should I buy? There’s the glorified iPhone which can not only provide me the apps and connectivity I need, but also would grab a few glances from jealous onlookers. There’s the Nokia N series and E series for the multitude of phone features and very easy to use.  Then there’s also the Sony Ericsson and the Samsung mobile phones for superior multimedia features and chic designs.

So what would really be the best phone out there? Here are some guide questions I drafted in my head to help me (and some of you guys who are considering of buying a new mobile phone yourselves) find the best phone that would last another 5 years just like my old one.

1. Is it durable? I use my mobile phone a lot. I use it for work, for personal calls, texting, taking pictures, taking notes, etc. My new phone should be able to handle the stress I level down on my old 6600 like a veteran soldier in the middle of the Somalian urban jungle. 

Motorola something. I forgot what it’s called but it sure looks awesome to me. 

2. Does it look good? Of course we should always go for quality over looks. But hey, since you’re buying a new phone, why not get a phone that looks good. It pays to have a good looking phone. It makes good first impressions and it makes you feel good while using it. 

3. Does it have the features you need for your everyday life? Our mobile phones are heavily integrated in our lifestyle. Hence, your phone’s features should more or less be attuned to your current lifestyle.

If you’re a businessman and connectivity is very important, better get a phone that has WiFi and HSDPA abilities. If you’re a music lover, it is recommended that you get those phones with superior audio components.

Fond of taking pictures? Get a good camera phone. There are a lot that already offers 5 MP cameras already with flash and zoom.

If you’re someone who prefers a  a little of everything, get a jack- of-all-trades phone. 

4. Do you think the price is right? With the economic crisis we have in our hands, it is practical that we stick to a phone that would justify the amount of cash we’ll be handing to the cashier. Some phones are very pricey just because they some brand attached to it. (ex. the Prada phone) It’s niche phone. It is the way it is precisely because it’s supposed to be owned only by those who can afford it. No offense to the guys in Prada, but I just find it impractical to purchase your phone especially when it’s also conservative in terms of features and capabilities. But yeah, if you have the cash, and you’re the target market of this phone, nobody’s stopping you from buying luxury phones.

5. Do you know where to buy? If you’re here in Metro Manila, an automatic answer would be the Greenhills Shopping Center. It’s the center of everything that is mobile electronics in the country. But word of caution from an observant shopper: Beware of fake items and class A units. Most of the guys in kiosks and stands would sell you your dream phone for a very cheap price. But it is also a fact that these guys also sell reconditionned units, class A units, fake units and units with fake or class B parts. Even if they tell you that your purchase has x months warranty, the generic scratch paper like receipt will make you doubt if the agreement stands. Also, these guys relocate their shops. The next time to go there to have your defective phone inspected, these guys are gone already. 

Better go for trusted mobile phone dealers  you see in malls and appliance centers. There may be a little premium on the price tag compared to the ones in kiosks, but these guys can be trusted, have certified business permits and you know where to look for them should you encounter any problem with your phone. And these guys won’t scam you. They wouldn’t put their business names on the line for a simple mobile phone purchase.  And the warranty? Guaranteed.  

Hopefully with these things in mind, I will be able to buy myself the ultimate mobile phone. Something durable, full featured, chic and priced right. I’ll blog about it when I’m finally able to get myself a new one. In the meantime, you can try and guess the unit I’m gonna end up with come next month. Good luck!