Ring up a hit when buying smartphone

Before spending hundreds of dollars on a smarthphone, consider what your needs actually are. Tips from the experts should make experience less confusing

Buying a cellphone for the first time can be a bewildering shopping experience, especially with so many brands and models to choose from.

To simplify things, the Star reached out to two experts: Alex Sebastian, cofounder at Orchard, an e-commerce company that specializes in reselling high-quality used smartphones, and Stephen Weyman, founder of the money saving sites HowToSaveMoney.ca and creditcardGenius. Here are their top tips on how to buy a cellphone for the first time: Think about what you actually need It can be tempting to buy the latest and greatest phone out there (some of which can set you back more than $1,000), so think about your cellphone needs.

“For someone who is getting their first phone, going straight to, say, an iPhone X is probably overkill,” says Sebastian, noting an apt analogy would be a driver who only needs a Honda Civic purchasing the flashier Ferrari.

“Most people who are getting their first phone at this stage in the smartphone revolution are looking for core smartphone functionality: email, text, camera, web browser, storage for thousands of songs/photos, some of the best-known apps, and of course, phone calls. Despite being released 4 1⁄ years ago, a phone 2 like the iPhone 5S can do all of those things.”

Another thing to keep in mind is the steep learning curve for first-time users as they get used to the various apps and programs. Unless owning the best device around is No.1 one on your priority list, consider purchasing a slightly older model to save money and still have a great phone. Think about the brand The Android versus Apple debate shows no sign of ending. If saving money is important to you, Weyman suggests giving the typically cheaper Android a try.

“Avoid the Apple ‘tax’ if you can bear the social shaming: their phones and accompanying plans often cost more when a cheaper Android device will often do just as good a job.”

Sebastian agrees buying an Android can save you money — but first-time users may find it a bit more complicated.

“You can get a new Android phone that has all of the basic functionality for maybe $300, or even less in some cases,” Sebastian says. “The only drawback here is that new users generally find the Android software a bit hard to use than the software on an iPhone.”

Still confused about which brand to get? Check out the review sites GSM Arena and Phone Arena for information on what users and professionals think. Consider second-hand Another great option for first-time phone buyers is to go with a used phone. This may be your best bet if you’re buying for a teenager, as this demographic can be prone to breaking or losing phones.

“Despite rumours to the contrary, phones are built to last way more than a couple of years,” Sebastian says. “But thanks to the two-year carrier contract cycle, most people upgrade after just two years. Buying a phone that has been well-cared-for gets you the quality and ease of use of a top manufacturer for as much as 75 or 80 per cent of the price of new phones.”

If you decide to go this route, make sure you’re buying from a reputable site. There are several sites selling refurbished smartphones, including Orchard — co-founded by Sebastian. His company tests your phone and assigns it a fair market price, as well as regulating the marketplace for both buyers and sellers. Other things to keep in mind

Consider buying outright: Make you sure you do some math when deciding to buy your phone outright or lock into a two-year contract. It might be a bit painful to pay everything up front, but in most cases you’ll save money. Plus there’s no contract commitment.

Shop around: Don’t ignore discount providers and brands — they may still be owned by the big mobile companies, but the plans and prices are often better. Weyman’s top picks include Public Mobile and Freedom Mobile

Timing is everything: If you’re not in a rush try waiting until just before Christmas or back to school time when both phones and plans tend to cost less.