Should You Buy A New Phone This Year?

It’s that time of year again: when new phones and mobile devices start flooding the marketplace just in time for the winter holiday season. With COVID-19 restrictions in place, 2020 has been a year where mobile device usage has dramatically increased and many people are ready to buy a new phone.

There have been quite a few new phones released already this year with a few more still to come. If you’re thinking of buying a new phone this fall or winter, make sure to keep reading!

Ready for an upgrade? If you have a newer smartphone model, we’ll pay you for your trade-in and you can choose from our selection of certified phones, like the iPhone 8 256g or the iPhone X 256g. We have the most recent iPhone models as well as a variety of popular Samsung models to choose from with prices ranging from $275-$700.

Also, remember, you can recycle your old devices for free at The Lab in Warsaw, Indiana. When it is time to buy a new phone, let us recycle your old one for you!

Quick Tip

As new phones get closer to their release dates, slightly older models usually fall in price. If you’re looking for a deal on a new phone, keep that in mind during your holiday shopping!

Recommendations From The Lab: Smartphones

One of the things we look for in a phone is one that are easily repairable. This ensures that the phone you purchase will generally last long, allowing you to make simple repairs rather than costly replacements. 

Here are a few of our more affordable mid-range favorites for 2020:

• iPhone SE ($399)
• Google Pixel 4a ($349)
• Samsung Galaxy A51 ($399)

The iPhone SE is the easiest to repair, while the Google Pixel 4a and Samsung Galaxy A51 take more time to disassemble and will likely result in a more costly repair.

Google Pixel 5

As a new phone option, the Pixel 5 is a great choice for Android users. This phone has some of the best software Google makes. At $699 it can be a slightly more affordable option for you to choose this holiday season over Samsung and Apple devices.

The design is simple and clean, water-resistant, and has a cutout in the back for easy wireless charging. It is a smaller phone than you might be used to, a little smaller than the iPhone 12. However, it is a high price tag for what the phone actually provides. If you like the Pixel, a better choice might be the Pixel 4a.

Galaxy Note 20 Ultra

At a higher price point, the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra starts at $1,299. This is the best-looking, best-built phone Samsung has ever made. It includes a variety of features you’d expect from a top-of-the-line, high-quality phone. 

It has a high-quality vibration motor, wireless charging, reverse wireless charger, water resistance, a 6.9 quad HD display screen, incredible camera options, and more.

iPhone 12 Pro

Not sure if the newest iPhone is worth the money for your upgrade? At $999 It has one of the best cameras we’ve ever seen in a smartphone, everything Apple has to offer in 2020, and has that matte finish so many people love.

The question you need to ask is if the improvements in the camera, screen size, RAM, and potential battery life make it worth purchasing? It is $300 more than the iPhone 12, so it does warrant some consideration.

Almost everything that’s better in the iPhone 12 Pro is going to be even more improved in the iPhone Pro Max. That phone will release later this month, so if you’re really excited about the features of the Pro over the iPhone 12, we’d recommend holding off and just purchasing the 12 Pro Max when it releases on November 13 for $1,099.

If you’re looking for a more detailed review of the iPhone 12 Pro Max, click here.

Bring Your Phone Into The Lab

Not sure if your device should be repaired or if you’re ready to buy a new phone in Warsaw? Give us a call or stop in and see us! We’re open until 5pm Monday-Friday and until 2pm on Saturday in the heart of downtown Warsaw across from Mad Anthony’s.

We love walk-ins and our certified repair technicians are always here to help, so bring in your phone, tablet, computer, or other electronic device today!