Chances are you’ll still want a way to keep in touch with loved ones back home when you’re on your big vacation. With so many phone options on the market, it can be hard to keep up with different capabilities, prices, and what would simply be best for you and your needs while you’re in another country. Here’s everything you need to know about buying the best phone for travel purposes.
How Much Are You Willing to Pay?
This should be one of the first things you think about when it comes to deciding on what phone you’ll choose for travel. Once you’ve decided your price range, you’ll have a better grasp of the other characteristics you’ll need.
While some phones can be as pricey as $1,000, there are multiple unlocked versions that you can snag for as low as $300. If the price of the phone is the most important aspect of your decision, remember that going outside the typical popular brand doesn’t mean you’ll have a lower quality phone.
What Are You Looking for in a Phone for Travel?
Maybe you just need a phone for texting and phone calls, or maybe you want the full package so you can be as connected as you are at home. Let’s go over some popular phone features and what you may use them for while traveling.
Camera Capabilities
This is probably the next thing people think about when it comes to what kind of capabilities they’d like to have on their phone. If you’re most excited to fill your camera roll with memories on your trip, you should absolutely choose one with a decent smartphone camera. Here’s an important tip: You can go ahead and leave megapixels off your must-have list. Just make sure it has a low aperture and keeps images steady, and you’re good to go.
Applications
If you’d like to stay connected during your trip, go with a smartphone. Having a smartphone overseas can be helpful if you’re looking for the best restaurants around town, directions to the nearest landmark, or keeping up with social media and email.
Texting and Calling
It’s the standard for any phone and can be your foundation for how many more features you’d like to have. Specific phone plans and how they work internationally are covered below.
What Phone Plan Options Do You Have?
With all of the different international phone plans available, you’re probably wondering which one is not only the most compatible with where you’re heading but what’s the least expensive. T-Mobile is hailed as one of the best, with affordable international calling plans and compatibility in more countries compared to other plans.
Another perk? Users can use T-Mobile’s Gogo in-flight Wi-Fi for long travel days when they need a little bit of a break. Carrier compatibility is incredibly important when traveling internationally, and can be the make or break to being frustrated with your new purchase or absolutely loving it.
Other Things to Consider
Make sure 32GB is on your list. If you decide to go the smartphone route, you’ll thank yourself later when you can take tons of photos and videos without having to worry if your phone will run out of storage. No one wants to delete special memories! Keep an eye out for phones that hold long charges. The last thing you want to do is shell out a lot of money for a phone that barely lasts seven hours without a charger hooked up to it. Consider the size of your phone screen before purchasing as well. If you don’t mind the larger ones, go for it! If you’re planning on being very active during your trip, lugging around a big screen may not be ideal for what you need. It truly all depends on your specific situation and travel itinerary.
Remember, the perfect phone for traveling does not necessarily mean you have to stick with popular brand names. Figure out your needs, assess your prime price point, and explore every option before making the big decision.