LOUISVILLE (WAVE) - The latest, greatest smartphones can be tempting, but what's hot isn't necessarily what's best for you.
Answering some questions now can avoid big bills later.
Margaliz Bello Estrada of Best Buy says know what you want, before you surround yourself with the latest tech temptations.
"What would you like your smartphone to do for you?" Bello asks. "What do I want to do online? Do I just want to check my email or do I want to stream or do I want to listen to music with it, or do I want Facebook, do I want to navigate and also do I travel? "
It's the added data costs for those things, that can catch smartphones users by surprise. Switching phones can also mean switching your monthly plan to one that allows more, or unlimited, data.
"Streaming or any kind of downloading does take a lot of data," says Bello. "And if you're not under an unlimited plan you will get charged an overcharge. Those bills can be really expensive."
Other costs you might not anticipate:
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Activation fees for your new phone;
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Early cancellation fees if you're switching carriers or certain data plans;
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Cases and other accessories to protect your new gadget.
And just because a phone is hot, new and looks cool, doesn't mean it'll get the most bang for your buck.
Tech experts say Android phones work best for users looking for versatility; the iPhone for entertainment and relative simplicity; and the Blackberry mostly for keeping up with business on the go.
So the bottom line is, do your homework to save some money, while finding the best phone for you.
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