Holiday Gift Guide 2015
Nov 25, 2015, 3:30 PM by Eric M. Zeman
The holiday season is upon us once again, and it is time to think about our closest friends and family members. Picking the right phone can be a chore, but Phone Scoop's annual Holiday Gift Guide is here to lend a helping hand. We curated a fine list of phones for every type of device and every budget. If you need a recommendation or two, look no further.
Intro
That special time of the year, when we turn our thoughts to family, friends, and giving, has finally arrived. Shoppers will flood stores and web sites alike over the days and weeks ahead looking for the perfect gift for that special someone. Phones, which allow us to remain connected to one another throughout the year, are always a welcome gift.
The last 12 months have served up plenty of change in the mobile industry. New companies have fully taken the place of old ones, while some brands still cling to the hope of revival. Technology may not have evolved at the most rapid pace over the last year, but carriers have made significant alterations to their business models. These changes gave us pause and forced us to reflect on why people buy the phones they do, and how people go about buying them.
For example, carriers hardly offer simple feature phones. Most include just one or two in their selection. Messaging phones — those with physical keyboards — are all but dead. Virtually all handsets are now smartphones, and range from small to large, and from cheap to eye-poppingly expensive. Thankfully, you can find capable devices at every price point.
Choice of operating systems has dropped to two — Android and iOS — for all intents and purposes. Microsoft still pushes Windows Phone, but the selection of hardware is severely limited. The vast bulk of our recommendations reflect this change in the market.
Most high-end phones include excellent cameras. Flagships and phablets alike have come a long, long way in improving the photo and video experience — so much so that we've eliminated a category reserved for cameras.
This year we've broken down our device categories somewhat differently. We are still dividing them in larger postpaid and prepaid groupings, but have eliminated some of the irrelevant categories and added new ones at the same time. Perhaps the most important new category is that of unlocked devices. Many phone makers, lacking carrier distribution deals, are selling their devices online, unlocked directly to consumers. More than a handful of these are excellent phones that deserve attention.
The Phone Scoop Holiday Gift Guide 2015 takes a practical approach in suggesting phones we've spent time with and know to be decent. We didn't shoehorn recommendations into the individual categories just to fill up space. We also looked at user reviews, pricing, and general popularity across each carrier's device lineup to make sure the phones are current and available. We hope you find the Guide helpful in finding the right phone for everyone on your shopping list.
Surely there will be good deals in stores and online during Black Friday, but don't fret if you can't get any shopping done the first weekend of the season. In years past, carriers have shown a propensity to vary their sales and promotions on a weekly basis. Keep your eyes and ears open, as the best sales may be yet to come.
It goes without saying that you shouldn't stick your old phone into a drawer. You'd do well to take it to your carrier to recycle it or trade it in. Phones retain more value than you might think, so swapping it might save you some cold, hard cash on that shiny new precious.
Big 4
Age
Kids don't make phone calls, they play games.
Handing a kid an expensive smartphone still seems a silly idea to some, but it's quickly becoming the norm. I can't tell you how many 10 year olds I see walking around with iPhones. While parents give their kids phones for safety and security reasons, that's not why kids use their phones. Instead, kids look at phones as entertainment platforms for games, messaging, videos/pictures, and music/movies. This year, I still suggest parents stick to the cheapest iPhone available on the carrier of their choice (mostly for app availability). That means either the iPhone 5c or 5s, which are surprisingly affordable. In instances where cheap iPhones aren't available, I selected in inexpensive, small Android handset. The Big Four offer ways for parents to track and manage their kids via the smartphone, so parents can still find the peace of mind they need while giving Bill or Jill a fun gadget.
Jitterbug offers well-rounded service for seniors and their families. We buy phones for our aged loved ones for much the same reason we buy phones for kids: security and peace of mind. Today's devices are easy to use, thanks to large buttons and big fonts. They also offer value-added services, such as medication reminders and emergency alerts, as well as the ability to track the owner's whereabouts. Jitterbug has updated its lineup this year and has a simple flip phone and basic smartphone on offer.Flagships
The best all-around smartphones for everyone.
Every phone maker has a flagship handset. Flagships are meant to represent the top-of-the-line in terms of specs, build, materials, design, and overall package. These devices are typically the most expensive available from carriers and offer the fastest processors, respectable battery life, and advanced functions, such as fingerprint readers. Flagships are your best bet if you're seeking a good camera, as phone makers pack advanced tech into their imaging tools. These phones don't have the largest screens available (average of 5 inches), but they are big enough for the majority of people. Flagship handsets are always a great choice, if you can afford them.
Top Phablets
Take a flagship handset and give it a bigger screen and you have a high-end phablet.
Most often, phablets are larger versions of flagship handsets. That means they have the best processors, cameras, screens, RAM, storage, and sensors. Some phablets go a step or two further, however, and add unique features not available to smaller phones, such as split-screen multitasking or stylus support. Phablets are also able to accommodate larger batteries, and therefore can deliver better battery life than their smaller siblings. These top-of-the-world phones are the most expensive out there, but they also offer the best of everything.
Cheap Phablets
More affordable big-screened phones.
People often like to buy the biggest phone they can afford. Sadly, high-end phablets often cost more than $700. The good news is phone makers understand that big doesn't have to mean expensive. These more affordable phablets still have large displays and batteries, but dial back specs like the processor and camera to help lower the cost. These surprisingly inexpensive phones can almost pass for high-end handsets.
<$250
Mid-range handsets for the cost-conscious.
Some people desire a solid piece of hardware that looks good, performs well, and delivers strong value. This grouping of phones costs less than $250, and some are less than $200. They may be inexpensive, but don't call them cheap. These phones are legit offerings that include better specs than entry-level handsets and better performance to boot.
<$500
Sub-flagships that can be mistaken for the best.
This year the gap between $250 mid-range phones and $650+ flagships has been filled with what we're calling sub-flagships in the $500 range. Sub-flagships offer high-quality designs, materials, and build, but might dial specs back from the bleeding edge. These handsets are an excellent balance between price and performance.
Rugged
Phones that handle punishment and pleasure in equal measure.
A great many people live their lives outdoors more than in. This group of people needs a different class of hardware to meet the challenges presented by an active lifestyle. Delicate, glass-bound handsets don't fare well when dropped into creeks or sand. Rugged phones offer some protection from water, dirt, and drops, and often include outdoor-friendly features such as flashlights and activity trackers. The trade-off? Rugged phones are often thicker, heavier, and more industrial looking than flagships. For those who live outside the boundaries, a rugged handset may be best.
Budget
Kids
Kids don't make phone calls, they play games.
Handing a kid an expensive smartphone still seems a silly idea to some, but it's quickly becoming the norm. I can't tell you how many 10 year olds I see walking around with iPhones. While parents give their kids phones for safety and security reasons, that's not what kids do with their phones. Instead, kids look at phones as entertainment platforms for games, messaging, videos/pictures, and music/movies. This year, I still suggest parents stick to the cheapest iPhone available on the carrier of their choice. That means either the iPhone 5c or 5s, which are surprisingly affordable. In instances where cheap iPhones aren't available, I selected in inexpensive, small Android handset. Prepaid carriers don't always offer ways for parents to track and manage their kids via the smartphone. If that's your aim, you may have to go with the one of the Big Four.
Alcatel OneTouch GoPlay
Top Phablets
Take a flagship handset and give it a bigger screen and you have a high-end phablet.
This year's most impressive handsets are also the biggest. Most often, phablets are larger versions of flagship handsets and that's certainly the case with this selection. Some of the screens nearing 6 inches and include quad HD resolution. These top-of-the-world phones are the most expensive out there, but they also offer the best of everything.
Cheap Phablets
More affordable big-screen phones.
People often like to buy the biggest phone they can afford. Sadly, high-end phablets often cost more than $700. The good news is phone makers understand that big doesn't have to mean expensive. These more affordable phablets still have large displays and batteries, but dial back specs like the processor and camera to help lower the cost. These surprisingly inexpensive phones can almost pass for high-end handsets.
<$100
Entry-level smartphones that offer the basics and not much more.
Flagships and phablets aren't for everyone. Some people only want or need a simple smartphone that they intend to use for calls and messaging, perhaps, more so than advanced media features. This collection of phones still includes the core tools available to all smartphones, but are packaged in affordable hardware.
<$250
Mid-range handsets for the cost-conscious.
Some people desire a solid piece of hardware that looks good, performs well, and delivers strong value. This grouping of phones costs less than $250, and some are less than $200. They may be inexpensive, but don't call them cheap. These phones are legit offerings that include better specs than entry-level handsets and better performance to boot.
<$500
Sub-flagships that can be mistaken for the best.
This year the gap between $250 mid-range phones and $650+ flagships has been filled with what we're calling sub-flagships in the $500 range. Sub-flagships offer high-quality designs, materials, and build, but might dial specs back from the bleeding edge. These handsets are an excellent balance between price and performance. In the prepaid category, this means you're probably looking at last year's flagships that have been discounted down to attractive price points but the unlocked option is particularly attractive.
About the author, Eric M. Zeman:Eric has been covering the mobile telecommunications industry for 17 years at various print and online publications. He studied at Rutgers Newark and University of Kentucky, and has a degree in writing. He likes playing guitar, attending concerts, listening to music, and driving sports cars.
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Comments
I will probably regret this
