How to Maximize Your Cellphone

Posted On 14 November 2020

Last updated on April 9th, 2024

After working for five years as a salesman in an electronics store, I learned quite a bit about cellphones and plans as well as how to get the most of our devices. There are some things that we can do to get the most out of our beloved little devices.

The most common way for a customer to get a better deal was to simply ask the salesperson or call the cellular provider and either threaten to switch to a competitor or beg for a better rate. While these are effective, there are some other things you can do to get the maximum benefit from your phone.

I have learned to question things. Asking people questions is fun, too! I like to research phones and plans online – even now that I am no longer selling cellphones.

Cellphones are expensive

Free phones do not exist! Even when a smart phone is advertised as $0 in-store, the customer is still paying for the cellphone. Sometimes the cost of the phone is included in the monthly plan; other times the cost of the phone is added to the monthly plan.

It was amazing to me that people would come into the store and say, “I’m here for my free phone!” Another crazy statement from customers, “My contract is up, the company owes me a new phone!”

Because phones and plans are expensive, and we all want cellphones because of what they allow us to do, we need to become creative.

Spend More to Save Money

The most important aspect to your monthly plan is that it includes enough of everything you need in order to use your phone the way that you want or need to use it. Overage fees are a killer! …and they are completely avoidable.

I saw customers try to save money by choosing a less expensive plan only to end up spending more (sometimes even double!) due to the overage fees. Now, don’t go crazy and get the most expensive plan you can find just so you don’t go over your limit.

You want to pay as little as possible while getting enough to cover how you are going to use your cellphone. You know that you are on the right plan if you pay the same amount every month. If your bill is different every month, you need a better plan.

Check Cellular Plans Periodically

Cellular plans are constantly changing and plans can be changed if needed. If you have a phone that is on a term or contract, there is usually a minimum plan that is required. In a previous post I wrote about learning the rules of the game. You should get to know the rules of the game with phones in order to get the best deals.

A great way to learn about phones and plans is to talk with salespeople. Ask questions and learn from them. The more you do this, the more you learn and the better you get at detecting BS from salespeople.

The Christmas holidays are a great time to get a great plan. Unfortunately, in order to get the plan you must get a cellphone on a 2-year term. Hint: plan accordingly!

If you cross the border frequently (not in 2020, though!), or you have family and friends on both sides of the border, consider a Canada/USA cell plan. Some even include unlimited roaming, such as the Telus Can-US plans!

Pre-Pay is a Valid Option

My manager at the store hated pre-paid plans! She would do her best to get anyone off of pre-paid. I did not agree with her.

Pre-paid can be A LOT more expensive than a regular monthly plan. They can also be a lot cheaper than a monthly plan. If a person pays attention and learns the rules, pre-paid can be a viable option for a cellphone.

In order to get a pre-paid plan, the phone has to be purchased outright. Most pre-paid cellular services offer 30-day plans in order for the customer to get a better deal. For a great pre-paid service, check out Public Mobile.

Don’t Buy More Cellphone(s) Than You Need

Do you need the latest cellphone? What about the phone with the cool features that you will never use? Don’t get that phone! Will a mid-tier phone work for you? The mid-tier phones have really improved over the years. In fact, this year my wife switched from the Samsung Note 8 to the Samsung A-71. She is happy with the phone and it does everything that she needs.

How often should you get a new cellphone? I don’t know. That is a question only you can answer. For me, I get a new phone when the old one is no longer working reliably and/or when the price is right. When I was working at the electronics store we could buy heavily discounted phones only when they were offered for a limited time. Currently, I am still happy with my Samsung Note 8. The best deals on phones are usually when that series of phone has a new model on the market.

Protect Your Little Buddy

To maximize the life expectancy of your cellphone, give it the protection that it needs. I always recommend a case for a phone. The tempered glass screen protectors are cheaper and easier to replace than the screen of the phone. If you get an iPhone, AppleCare is a great service. The other phone insurance companies have been less than impressive to me. I have seen them replace a phone with a “comparable” phone, which was a different model. The customer’s phone case didn’t fit on the replacement phone.

It is recommended to have a lock screen on your cellphone. Also, use a password manager so that you can use secure passwords. You can also use your phone for 2-Factor Authentication to add an additional layer of protection to your important accounts.

Get the Most Out of Your Cellphone

Since we spend as much as we do on our phones, we should try to do as much as we can with them. My phone is like a Swiss Army knife – besides calling, texting, and email, I use my phone for a flashlight, alarm clock, shopping lists, vehicle maintenance logs, loyalty cards, and even a small level. Sometimes apps are country specific and as a result duplicate apps need to be downloaded in order to take advantage of deals while we are in the other country. If you need assistance with getting foreign apps, read this post.

We can learn from others about great apps we can use on our phones. I also look up new or better apps for the phone. My cellphone is my assistant and I want to get the most benefit out of my phone. Every so often I will go through the apps on my phone and delete the ones that I no longer use. While I have lots of apps on my phone, my goal is not to fill my phone with useless apps.