Smartphone buying is simple enough, right? Wrong! Despite how simple of a choice it may seem, savvy shopper know a few tricks of the trade when it comes to making large tech purchases like smartphones.

Here are 5 tips that will help you find the best deals on the market, with payment plans that fit your paycheck.

1. Create a List of Every Smartphone on the Market You Like.

Much like going to the grocery store on an empty stomach, it is never a good idea to purchase a smartphone without knowing what you want to begin with. Especially when you find yourself in store with no way to compare prices from one provider over another.

Before you begin your search, take a look at all of the models available. Start simple with questions like: Android or iOS? If your choice is on the Android spectrum, take a look at everyone that’s building phones around the operating system. This includes providers like Google and Samsung, as well as Sony and other brands that don’t get as much coverage.

Once you have a list together of every phone you like, it’s time to start digging deeper…

2. Set a Realistic Budget.

Whether you’re looking for a payment plan or want to buy the phone outright, you need to know that you can afford it. As a general rule of thumb, your smartphone purchase should be equivalent to a month’s rent to be ‘cost effective’ for your financial security and future.

The theory behind this is that most individuals spend a ⅓ to ½ of their income on rent. If you find yourself in a position where you need to buy out your phone and stop a payment plan, you need to know that you can afford to do so without adding a detriment to your finances.

3. Thin Your List.

Once you have a budget in mind, it’s time to thin that list with a little realism. You know your budget and what you can afford to spend on a cell phone. With that in mind, take a look at your list. With a sheet of paper or new Excel sheet, write down the models and begin comparing prices. Don’t just look at providers, though. Sites like Fonehouse offer excellent deals on smartphones. Better yet, they also offer payment plans if an unexpected break has brought you to looking for a new smartphone.

If you’re anything like the majority of people, you’ll instantly have a few contenders fall off your list of potential cellphones based on your budget alone. After the budget has helped you thin the list, it’s time to start digging into the hardware and software of the phones. In other words, how much can you get for the money you’ve got? Look at specks online and if you can, look up videos on Youtube that highlight and explain the features of the phones.

4. Read Reviews.

With Yelp and Google Reviews, we spend a lot of time investigating a restaurant before eating there. The same should be done with any product you’re going to buy. Even if a few million people absolutely love the iPhone X, you may find that the excess of features is a little annoying. Take the time to read the good, the bad, and the in between. You’re more likely to find a review of a phone that pushes you one way or the other than a salesman.

5. Follow the Trends.

Stay up to date. Or at least try to be. For example, the iPhone X is only 10 months old- and headed towards retirement. This brand new phone from Apple that millions of users praised is already getting the backseat for Apple’s newest models: the XS and XS Max. For a savvy shopper, looking for the iPhone X on providers like Fonehouse after the launch of the new models is a great way to find an amazing deal on technology that is LESS than a year old.

Surf Google News on smartphone companies to see what’s happening. You don’t want to be one of the people who buy a new phone at the peak price, simply for it drop by a few hundred euros when the new model is released.

Conclusion.

Though smartphones may be released faster than ever before, that isn’t always a bad thing! With companies in literal competition to release the best technology before their competitors, consumers without deep pockets have a better chance of snagging a good phone at a great price. The easiest way to get the best deal on a new smartphone is to really think about what you need, what you can afford, and where you can get it at the best price.

Where do you buy smartphones? Do you have any deal finding tips for our readers? Give your expert advice in the comments. You may just help someone find a great deal.