Smartphone Review

The FFW sisters were offered the chance to review a couple of Verizon smartphones for a few weeks.  We both have simple cell phones, so it was quite fun to try out some of the apps and take advantage of being constantly connected.

Audrey:  HTC Thunderbolt 4G

I was issued the HTC Thunderbolt.  Only Kate went to the orientation at the store (I kept the kids).  I was able to teach myself to use it easily enough, despite not being overly tech savvy.  We were going on vacation, so I was given this phone because it had an extended life battery.  It did make the phone  bulky, but it was great to have when we were using the navigator constantly through downtown Chicago!  The navigator really drained the battery quickly.


Kate:  Samsung Charge

I proudly sported the Samsung Charge for a few weeks.  The phone was extremely stylish, and it definitely made me feel 'cool' while using it.  My favorite features were being able to listen to Pandora and tracking my runs with the MyTracks app.  The battery was spent in less than a day, so one would have to carry an extra battery if you weren't going to be near an outlet for long periods of times.  


Smartphone Pros

• Navigator on vacation.  I recommend you still carry a real map as it took us to an apartment building instead of the Shedd Aquarium.
• Games for the kids.  I bribed them (...um, I mean rewarded) to be good several days with the promise that they could play a game on mommy's phone before bed. 
• Access to the internet.  If I wanted to look something up while my husband was working on our only computer, it was quick and easy. 
• Constant access to email.  It was nice to be able to stay on top of FrugalFortWayne.com emails while the kids were in swimming lessons.
• The money saving apps.  While on vacation I downloaded The Coupon App which allows users to look at deals available at hundreds of stores.  Before we left the hotel for dinner, I signed up for California Pizza Kitchen emails and then went to the 'business center' to print off a $5 of $15 purchase coupon.

Smartphone Cons

• Price of the mandatory data plan.  One would have to be sure you were using it as more than a glorified desktop computer.
• Limited battery life.
• Distraction.  My husband often made comments over the few weeks with these devices that we added another family member due to the amount of time I spent it the phone.

Bottom Line

We both loved the convenience and instant accessibility to information that the phones afforded.  However, neither of us feel that we could justify it for an extra $30 per month on the cell bill, more like $60 because the husbands would want it, too.  The huge reason for this is that we both have small children and are still 'stuck' at home where it is just as easy to jump on the home computer.  I could definitely see it being worthwhile if you travel often or are constantly on the go.