Why You Might Want to Think Twice About Getting that Smartphone
(photo credit: JD Hancock)
Smartphones have become so prevalent in our society that we don’t even question getting them anymore. We obsess over whether to get an iPhone or an Android, sure. We spend sleepless nights wondering whether we should upgrade to the hot new product or keep the fully functioning one we already have. We buy unlimited data plans and buy the newest mobile apps. But we never question whether we should have a smartphone in the first place.
Of course, for most people, even stopping to think about that question would have no impact on their smartphone-infused world. They use their smartphone on the go, at the office, in the kitchen – of course they need it.
But for others out there, even if they comprise a shrinking minority of the mobile market, that smartphone they own does more harm than good. If you think you may be one of these people, ask yourself the following questions:
Do I Need the Features?
This is certainly a prime question to ask yourself. Think about it: do you find that you use streaming data only because you pay for it, or do you pay for it because you actually need and desire the kind of web access a smartphone provides? Do you live and die by your apps and other advanced features, or do you just use them out of convenience? Ultimately, you want to gauge how attached you are to the perks of a smartphone. Those of us who use phones mainly to text and make calls are good candidates for a downgrade. If the marriage has gone cold, it may be high time to recognize and admit that fact.
Would I Like to be More Cost Conscious?
There’s no question about it: if you own a smartphone, you aren’t taking the most cost-effective approach to your communication technology. With no data plan requirement, lower initial purchase fees, and the option to take advantage of cheap prepaid rates, traditional mobile phones offer plenty of cost benefits over their high-tech brethren. If money is tight, and you’re looking for places to cut back, a glance into your pocket may be a good place to start.
Does the Smartphone Sap My Time?
We like technology when it makes our lives easier or more enjoyable. Smartphones can have both of those effects, but it doesn’t happen for every smartphone owner. On a day to day basis, maybe you spend time on your smartphone that could be better spent relaxing or working out. On a year to year basis, perhaps you exert considerable time and effort dealing with broken phones and upgrading to new ones. With a traditional device you can, in a way, get out of this rat race. These kinds of phones are usually more durable and also more innocuous – a good combination for many of us.
While all kinds of phones have their own benefits and should be judged on their merits and on your individual needs, buying or keeping a smartphone need not be an expectation in today’s world. Ask yourself whether you really need a smartphone. You just might be a member of a shrinking demographic.
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