topic Re: Smartphone Newbie in Electronics

Smartphone Newbie

qualityshopper — Mon, 03 Jul 2017 07:58:29 GMT

I am an ATT Go phone customer and have had nothing but "dumb" phones since cell phones came out. I'm on an old pricing plan with them where I only have to spend $25 every 90 days for minutes. Since I have a lot of minutes accumulated, I recently managed to get them to extend my July due date for an entire year. Decided to take that savings and purchase an inexpensive Samsung smartphone, but find that I have a few questions.

First, is it necessary to get a screen protector and/or a case? I have always been very careful in how I handle my phones--always in my purse inside of a little pocket made just for holding phones. Since this phone is an inexpensive one, doesn't really seem like I need extra protection, but wanted to check.

My other question is whether I need any kind of security installed on this phone like you do on your computers. I won't be using it the way most people do, meaning I won't be doing any banking, shopping, etc. My uses are simple: calling, texting, maybe a few games, and using it to access my mPerks account at Meijer's. Of course, I'm sure I'll see apps I'll want to install, but I will be a very light user. I should add that I won't be purchasing a data plan. According to ATT, I don't need to if I just want to use Wifi, as I will be at Meijer's. Using Wifi, though, is why I wonder if I need some kind of protection. Would really appreciate any advice on these matters. Thanks.

Re: Smartphone Newbie

Big Sister — Mon, 03 Jul 2017 09:38:10 GMT

I have been using a smartphone for some time now and I don't have any type of security on it or with it. I am a light user, so don't see the need.

I would recommend getting a tempered glass screen for the phone. I think I bought mine cheaply on Amazon or Ebay and I'm glad I have it.

When you get your phone then you can search for the right size screen for it.

Re: Smartphone Newbie

software — Mon, 03 Jul 2017 13:16:03 GMT

The screen on my LG Tracfone I purchased last year is Gorilla glass, so I feel I don't need screen protection. I've dropped it several times, even on a hard tile floor with no problems. On all the other phones I've had previously I always had a protector case. After all you are now the proud owner of a tiny computer. But it's not necessary.

My phone's system requires security.

Right now I'm not using a password, I'm doing the screen swipe type of security.

There's a bunch of dots on my screen and I have to swipe at least 4 of them in a certain pattern to unlock the screen.

@qualityshopper

Re: Smartphone Newbie

chickenbutt — Mon, 03 Jul 2017 17:21:45 GMT

Well, you don't HAVE to get a case. But I really felt a lot more comfortable with a case. Until my case arrived I felt like I was going to drop the thing.

I also have a Samsung (Galaxy S7) and it's so sleek and a good weight. But holding it in my hand I kept feeling like it could easily slip out. For me, a good case was definitely the way to go. Now it doesn't feel slippery like that anymore, plus if something does happen it's protected.

Having only having dumbphones for 23 years, this is also new for me so I don't know much about safety. But I don't really use it online and when I'm at home I have it using my wifi which, of course, is protected by a hardware firewall. I did get an adblocker (free), so that's better than nothing.

Re: Smartphone Newbie

Moonchilde — Mon, 03 Jul 2017 19:10:56 GMT

If you get a $25 phone, or a $50 phone, you might not care if you drop and break it. But if you get a phone of that price you'll pretty much be limited to whatever case that fits it in the AT&T store - the same way that Tracfones all come with a case because Tracfone had them made as no one else would bother. So a case would/should be cheap.

If you drop your phone "wrong" without a case on it, your screen will likely crack. Then - you use it with a shattered screen or buy a new phone. I would definitely get a screen protector, and not just for drops - screens can scratch, too.

It's all down to how much you spend on the phone and how willing you'll be to buy another one if it breaks.

Re: Smartphone Newbie

chickenbutt — Mon, 03 Jul 2017 19:20:39 GMT

Moonchilde wrote:
If you get a $25 phone, or a $50 phone, you might not care if you drop and break it. But if you get a phone of that price you'll pretty much be limited to whatever case that fits it in the AT&T store - the same way that Tracfones all come with a case because Tracfone had them made as no one else would bother. So a case would/should be cheap.

If you drop your phone "wrong" without a case on it, your screen will likely crack. Then - you use it with a shattered screen or buy a new phone. I would definitely get a screen protector, and not just for drops - screens can scratch, too.

It's all down to how much you spend on the phone and how willing you'll be to buy another one if it breaks.

Good points! I had just spend hundreds of dollars on my new phone and I couldn't wait to get it covered. But I did wait a little, as the covers they offered at my provider were greatly overpriced so, while I waited for the phone (it was shipped overnight so that was good), I ordered a case from Amazon. Like $21 for a heavy-duty case with a non-glass screen cover, which I like very much.

Re: Smartphone Newbie

Nuttmeg — Mon, 03 Jul 2017 19:24:11 GMT

I use Norton Security App on my Android Tablets. I found the app in the Google Play Store. I use basic protection with this App. This is free.

I use a paid app from Verizon with my smartphone .

The most important thing you can do is make sure you have your phone backup to your Gmail account on Goggle Account.

I use a case with a built in screen protection. You can find cases on Amazon.

Re: Smartphone Newbie

Kachina624 — Mon, 03 Jul 2017 23:18:51 GMT

I've had a parade of TracFones and two tablets, I've never had a protective film for the screen for any of them and have never gotten a single scratch. I too, am very careful with them.

Re: Smartphone Newbie

qualityshopper — Tue, 04 Jul 2017 02:30:27 GMT

Thanks everyone for answering. I've found some cases and screen protectors on Amazon that are reasonably priced, so I may go ahead and get those. This phone has a super Amoled screen. Don't know how that compares to gorilla screens, but I'm guessing they're not as good. Oh well, for how I use a phone, this cheap model suits me just fine. Again, thanks for all the advice.

Re: Smartphone Newbie

glb613 — Tue, 04 Jul 2017 10:15:09 GMT

@qualityshopper wrote:
Thanks everyone for answering. I've found some cases and screen protectors on Amazon that are reasonably priced, so I may go ahead and get those. This phone has a super Amoled screen. Don't know how that compares to gorilla screens, but I'm guessing they're not as good. Oh well, for how I use a phone, this cheap model suits me just fine. Again, thanks for all the advice.

I have an iPhone after years using a flip phone, bought a case and screen protector and I'm so glad I did. I've dropped it several times, arthritis of my hands can make it hard to hold some days, and the screen protector has been scratched. I questioned whether I needed them or not and I'm glad I did. Unlike a flip phone, smart phones don't fold up and protect the screen.

Re: Smartphone Newbie

qualityshopper — Thu, 06 Jul 2017 09:41:26 GMT

Like you, glb613, if I had an iPhone, I would definitely buy both items, but this phone is really cheap. Of course, I still want to protect it. So, am going ahead and buying a good case for it. Haven't decided yet about the screen protector, but I may end up getting that as well.

Re: Smartphone Newbie

Moonchilde — Thu, 06 Jul 2017 20:23:07 GMT

@chickenbutt wrote:
@Moonchilde wrote:
If you get a $25 phone, or a $50 phone, you might not care if you drop and break it. But if you get a phone of that price you'll pretty much be limited to whatever case that fits it in the AT&T store - the same way that Tracfones all come with a case because Tracfone had them made as no one else would bother. So a case would/should be cheap.

If you drop your phone "wrong" without a case on it, your screen will likely crack. Then - you use it with a shattered screen or buy a new phone. I would definitely get a screen protector, and not just for drops - screens can scratch, too.

It's all down to how much you spend on the phone and how willing you'll be to buy another one if it breaks.

Good points! I had just spend hundreds of dollars on my new phone and I couldn't wait to get it covered. But I did wait a little, as the covers they offered at my provider were greatly overpriced so, while I waited for the phone (it was shipped overnight so that was good), I ordered a case from Amazon. Like $21 for a heavy-duty case with a non-glass screen cover, which I like very much.

Hi @chickenbutt!

With my iPhones, I've purchased a case to leave the store with, because for that amount of $$...! Later on - usually within a few months, I've found my "perfect" case and bought another. I just think of it as part of what I spend for the new phone. I also have them put on a screen protector in the store, as I would surely screw that up ;-) I barely get by with putting on DecalGirl skins.

IF I buy an S8 in the next six months or so I'll try to have a case already. If I buy a Pixel 2, I'll have to take what I can get until they make more cases.

Re: Smartphone Newbie

chickenbutt — Thu, 06 Jul 2017 20:30:26 GMT

Heya, Moonchilde!

When I ordered it, I had no idea how slick it would be and how vulnerable I would feel, holding it! Glad I got the case from Amazon so it came the next day. I was used to a little tank of a flip phone and it wasn't slippery, plus if I dropped it I didn't have to worry about it getting hurt.

Since I ordered my phone online from my carrier, I didn't have it in hand until the next day but I figured I could wait another day for the case. Boy, one time in that period I had to leave the house and I was practically scared to death it would slip out of my hand! Whew! Nothing happened. I was always rather klutzy but now I'm getting to where I am just a total fumbler.

I do like my Samsung Galaxy S7, though. I had one little hiccup with it a week or two ago but all seems fine. One thing I read in the instructions that I feel like must matter is that it said to unplug it when it's charged up. A guy on another board was saying how he left his smartphone plugged in all the time (not used much I guess) and one day he noticed that it was getting kinda bulgy, from the battery I guess. YIKES!

Re: Smartphone Newbie

kcladyz — Sat, 08 Jul 2017 17:41:48 GMT

. Samsung is a good brand to choose from. Get plenty of memory minimum of 32gb I never used security on my cell. I do recomend a case. Afew times I thought I would never need one untill I dropped it on concrete