The mobile phone has become more of a necessity than a luxury in today’s technology-dependent society. When cellphones first came out, they were bulky and hardly portable, and they were only used for calls and text messages. We’ve come a long way since then with slimmer, sleeker, and more versatile smartphones that can, aside from the usual calls and texts, also play music, sync your calendar, act as virtual assistant, take photos and videos, play games, play music, monitor your heart rate, track your location, and lets you read or edit documents. At the rate that mobile phone technology develops, we’re hard-pressed to determine when exactly should we upgrade to a newer or the latest model smartphone.
So, when would be a good time to upgrade?
▢ Your phone’s screen is busted. Let’s start with the most obvious. When your touchscreen is slow to respond or when it is broken (literally) and has become a health hazard, you need to buy a new phone.
▢ Your battery life doesn’t make it past brunch. With most mobile phone batteries lasting up to more than 24 hours, if yours needs a recharge before your first coffee break, you need to start comparing smartphone models.
▢ Your phone refuses to update its operating system. Apple comes out with a new version of their iOS often, the latest being iOS 11. Android does, too. They just name them after desserts, with Android 8.0 Oreo being the newest sweet. So, if your iPhone is stuck in iOS 7 or iOS 8 or your Android smartphone is still with KitKat or Lollipop, it’s time to upgrade.
▢ Your apps won’t work, the processing speed is barely faster than a speeding turtle, or your storage space has reached its limit. What good is a smartphone or an iPhone if none of the apps function properly or if they’re too slow to even be of any use?
▢ Your photos appear grainy and shot in low resolution. Of course, mobile phones masquerade as cameras! (Or is it the other way around?) With a new phone, you get a better camera to take better selfies and videos.
▢ You still flip your phone open to answer a call or dial using a keypad, instead of swiping and tapping (or even giving voice commands). It’s time to join the world where your phone can handle 4G or LTE connection instead of the GSM or 3G coverage. You’d find it very difficult to stay connected to anyone, especially with the soon-to-come 5G network.
If you find yourself ticking off these boxes, then you should consider upgrading your mobile phone. Whether you’re an Apple iPhone fan or prefer the Android interface, there are more advanced smartphones released practically every month. You just need to find the right one to fit your lifestyle and needs.
MetroSix.com carries a wide range of mobile phones from trusted brands like Apple, Samsung, Sony, Nokia/Microsoft, ASUS, LG, Blackberry, HTC, OnePlus, Motorola, Huawei, Cat, and Xiaomi.