What to Look for When Buying a Smartphone: A Practical Checklist

Buying a phone is easy. Buying the right one takes a few minutes of thought. Use this checklist before you spend money.

1. Is it unlocked and does it work with your carrier?

A factory-unlocked phone can be used with the carrier of your choice. Check that the exact model is sold for your country. A phone made for another region may not support every U.S. network band.

2. Which apps do you actually need?

Write down the apps you can't live without: messaging, maps, banking, work or school apps, rideshare. If you're considering a restricted or managed phone, confirm those apps work before you buy.

3. How much storage do you need?

Photos, videos and apps fill storage faster than most people expect. If you take a lot of pictures, don't buy the smallest option.

4. What's the total cost?

Add up the phone, any required membership or subscription, cellular service, a case and a screen protector.

5. Who decides what's on it?

If the phone is for a child, or you want fewer distractions yourself, decide up front what should be blocked and who can change it.

6. What support do you get?

Find out what happens when an app stops working or something breaks, and how to reach a real person.

7. Return policy

Read the return terms before you buy, including any restocking fee. Ours is on our returns page.

If you want fewer distractions

Some people want a real smartphone without the browser and social media. That's what a Grow Phone is: a Samsung Galaxy smartphone, U.S. factory-unlocked, configured around the apps you choose. For pricing, Grow Control membership and app compatibility, see the Grow Phone page. Compare the A17, A27 and A57 or see all Grow Phones.