The importance of technology and the way it changed our daily lives for the better cannot be understated. Just take your smartphone, for example. It’s not only an effective tool for communication, but also a great medium for learning and entertainment.
The good thing is that technology is now more accessible than ever. In addition, because of the lightning-fast pace of development, newer and more powerful models are being released one after the other. Therefore, you can enjoy better specs on your gadgets even when you’re on a budget.
That said, the speed at which gadgets improve can also be a bit of a stumbling block. When the time comes that you have to replace your existing gadget, you might find yourself a little overwhelmed by your options. To help you choose the best gadget, whether it’s a smartphone or a laptop you’re looking for, here are a few tips:
Check Your Budget
One of the biggest things that can affect your choice of a gadget is how much you can afford. As previously mentioned, tech has become more affordable over the years. Nevertheless, if you want something truly high-performance, you still need to invest quite a considerable amount.
Fortunately, there are plenty of financing options that can help you afford more high-end gadgets (if you need them). For example, you can avail of quick cash loans online to supplement your budget if you’re short by a couple thousand bucks. You should also take a look at low-interest plans offered by some retailers or brands.
Of course, keep in mind that these financing options should still fall within your budget. If you can only allocate Php 30,000 for a new gadget, then don’t go over that amount. Otherwise, you won’t be able to make the monthly repayments and your credit score will take a bad hit.
Look for Online Deals
Some brands and retailers conduct exclusive online promotions to entice buyers. For example, they may release a new smartphone sooner in a digital marketplace than in a physical store. You may also enjoy offers that come with bigger discounts and more freebies if you purchase online. There are also monthly sales, themed sales, and holiday promotions that you can take advantage of when buying gadgets.
As such, it’s a good idea to subscribe to newsletters and other updates from your favorite tech brands and online stores. You should also keep your eyes peeled for vouchers and other discount codes or coupons that you can use for even bigger savings.
You’ll also be pleased to know that while these online-only offers are most common for smartphones, you can also avail them for a variety of gadgets and electronics. These include smart TVs, laptops, and small home appliances. You just have to be patient with your search and, of course, be wise in choosing a retailer.
Can You Sell or Trade In?
If you want to save money when replacing your gadgets, one option you have is to sell your old device. Depending on the brand and model, as well as the condition of the gadget, you may get around half of the original price. You can haggle for a higher amount based on certain conditions, such as if the warranty is still valid or if you have freebies included (e.g., protective cases).
For smartphones, in particular, there’s also an option to trade them in. What’s great about this is that you don’t have to go through the process of selling, which can be tedious at times.
As a final note, before you sell or trade in gadgets like smartphones, laptops, and tablets, make sure that you perform a factory reset and delete all data.
Check the Specs and Features
When buying gadgets like smartphones and computers, you need to be clear about what you need. It’s nice to have the most powerful model available, but you’ll just be wasting money if you aren’t able to maximize its features.
That said, some of the most important things you need to know are the processing speed, storage capacity, display quality, and battery life. For smartphones, you may also want to take a look at the camera’s picture- and video-taking capabilities.
The same principle can be applied to buying any other type of electronic gadget or appliance. Evaluate your needs first, and then look for a product that meets or exceeds them without going over your budget.
Consider Buying an Older Model
Last but certainly not least, there’s merit in buying an older model of a gadget. As mentioned earlier, tech develops at an impressive speed nowadays. When you take a look at smartphones, for example, you’ll see new models being released every few months. This means that an “old” model isn’t really that far behind in terms of specifications.
This means that buying an older model of a gadget is an excellent way to save money. That said, make sure that you also take into account things like the length of software support and security updates.
Happy gadget shopping!
