Technology today is developing faster than ever. It seems as though every day we hear about a new gadget that is better than the last gadget. This means we have an unprecedented level of choice when it comes to the gadgets we own. While this might seem like a completely good thing, it does have its drawbacks. With cell phones, and in particular smartphones, it has even more drawbacks.
With so many options, and so many options available in the near future, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. Should you buy a smartphone now, or should you wait until the next big release? Here’s quick guide that can help in the decision making process.
When to buy now
There are a few reasons why you might want to ignore the rumors and just buy a device now.
1. You have a device in mind that fits your needs. Sometimes the choice is simple. There are plenty of devices on the market, and you might have your eye keenly set on one. In that case, there’s no need for hesitation. This is particularly useful for BlackBerry devices, since they’re not released frequently. For example, the AT&T BlackBerry Torch came out in August. Chances are we won’t see another one of those for a long time (we might never see another one). If that’s the device you want, just get it. There’s no sense waiting.
2. The device tops all others on the market. If you’re looking for a smartphone now and the Samsung Galaxy Nexus is available, there’s no need to wait for another device to come along. It is by far the most powerful device on the market, so you’re not likely to find anything better in the near future. Best to buy it now and get the most time out of it.
3. You’re on a budget. It’s impossible to know when smartphones will get discounted. Some start at $300 and are at $150 in a month or so. Others stay at $200 for a year or more. Since we can’t anticipate these price changes, budget-conscious users should probably just consider current pricing.
4. Work calls. Some jobs require employees to get smartphones. The company might foot the bill, but it’s up to the employee to get the phone. There’s really no choice here. You have to get a phone, and you have to get it when the company says. There is no waiting.
5. Your current smartphone is broken. This one needs little explanation. If you absolutely need a smartphone, waiting isn’t much of an option. Just consider what’s on the market and make the best choice for you. Don’t even look at rumors or anything. They’ll only make you want to wait for the next great device, even though you don’t have time to wait for it.
When to wait
There are some instances where it’s best to suck it up and deal with your current smartphone. There are many releases on the horizon, and chances are that a new, better device will come out soon.
1. Your current smartphone works fine. If you want a new phone but don’t necessarily need one, you should wait until the right device comes out. That means doing research on popular tech blogs and figuring out what’s on the horizon. For example, iPhone 3GS users might want to skip the iPhone 4S, since it’s not a revolutionary upgrade. It might be better to just wait for the iPhone 5, since that could bring revolutionary upgrades.
2. You don’t have a smartphone yet. First-time buyers can afford to be picky. After all, they’ve lived this long without a smartphone. What’s another month going to hurt? Again, conduct research and figure out what’s rumored to come out in the next few months. The wait will be worth it.
3. The device you want has been out for 9 months. Most smartphone models get an upgrade every year. That is, Motorola releases a new Droid pretty much every year. Once a device has been out for nine months, the upgrade figures to be coming soon. There’s little sense in buying the old model, unless the old model is already discounted. But chances are that won’t happen until the new one comes out.
4. You know a new device is coming. If you read tech blogs regularly you probably know what will soon be available. If you see a device you want and know it will be available soon, just wait. There’s no sense in buying another device. You’ll just regret it when the new smartphone does come out.
This post was written by
Joe Pawlikowski – who has written 1 posts on Tech Genial.
Joe Pawlikowski is the editor of Prepaid Reviews, a site that provides news, reviews, and information about prepaid wireless services. He waited a month before upgrading to his AT&T BlackBerry Torch.
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This sounds like common sense to me more than anything else.. /:
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