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Buy an unlocked phone. This will let you take it to any carrier, and will usually have less pre-loaded crap. This is usually done by buying straight from the phone manufacturer instead of from a carrier.
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Look into buying a used or midrange phone. Flagship phones aren't miles ahead of the competition any more. A cheaper phone or a used model from a few years ago will work fine for most people.
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Look into MVNO providers like Mint or Cricket. They use the same towers as the major carriers, but with much better prices.
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Check the website of your carrier to make sure your phone is compatible.
For example, I have a $450 OnePlus 6 that has lasted 4 years and pay $25/mo with Mint. My mom has a $1500 top of the line iPhone and pays 3x as much for service from AT&T.
Reddit has communities like /r/PickAnAndroidForMe and /r/NoContract that can help with the specifics. These are general purpose tips that should apply to everyone.
April 30, 2022 at 01:10AM
