May Monthly Bulletin
President’s Message
Is it Time for a New Smartphone?
Now is a great time to shop for a new smartphone. It’s mid-year for most manufacturers and they’re past the onslaught of buyers wanting the latest and greatest when new phones first release, and they’re also dealing with slumping sales caused by other potential buyers who plan on waiting until new models come out in the fall.
The easy part is your decision to purchase a new smartphone. Now you have to decide on which OS, which manufacturer, which carrier…and the list of questions goes on.
Smartphones have become an integral part of our lives and few of us can function without one. A smartphone is just another computer…but one we can carry in our pocket or purse that also lets us call people. These devices are no longer simply phones – we do everything with them and in some instances, they can completely replace a desktop computer.
With the top three carriers continually fighting for the most subscribers, the best coverage, or the best 5G signal, you’ll always find one of them willing to make a better deal, but it’s still in your best interests to shop around and find that best deal. You’ll inevitably find the best prices not in the actual price of the phone, but with the wireless carrier you choose. Due to price fixing, carriers are often not allowed to discount the price of phones, but they can give you a deep discount in terms of monthly credits on your bill. This is nothing shady…it’s a great way for them to secure new customers and you to get a discounted, or even free phone. Here’s how it works.
Let’s say you want to purchase a new iPhone 13 and the retail price from Apple is $799. To entice you to switch carriers (something you might be planning to do anyway), some carriers will give you this phone FREE. The only catch is they’ll divide the cost of the phone by 24 ($33.29), then take $33.29 off your bill each month for 24 months. You’re getting the phone free, but you have to stay with the new carrier for two years to receive all the credits. This is NOT a contract…you can leave anytime. But if you do, you’ll owe the balance of the $799 based on when you leave and how much you’ve paid on it. This is a great way to get a new phone free if you’re planning to move to a new carrier, anyway.
Also, at this point on the cellular timeline, don’t even consider a phone that isn’t 5G capable. All the carriers with towers in Tellico Village have either fully transitioned to 5G or will be finishing it soon. In fact, a 6G standard is already in the works.
We’re very fortunate here in Tellico Village, in that all the major wireless carriers work equally well (or poorly) depending on your perspective. They each have their dead spots, it’s unavoidable as the signal from the tower radiates straight out from the tower and we have hills and valleys which can hinder that signal. Also, the antenna inside your phone is a very small target which may or may not do as well as another phone – even from the same manufacturer, in a fringe service area. Some due diligence and research will quickly educate you on which carrier and or phone works best in your part of Tellico Village or the places you often frequent. Select your wireless carrier and phone accordingly.
Above all, remember that your smartphone is an extension of your digital life and keeps you connected to family and friends with calls and texts. I recommend purchasing one of the top brands for performance, durability and longevity. Some of the best names in smartphones this year are the Samsung Galaxy Series, iPhone 13 Series, and the new Google Pixel 6 series. All phones will work…but the flagship phones are always your best choice and usually only cost a little more.
Larry McJunkin, President