What Phone Should You Buy For A Student
Technology has changed the way we live, work and learn. For today’s students, having access to reliable devices and secure internet connectivity is essential. The rise of EdTech highlights just how important technology is when it comes to learning. From downloading homework assignments to participating in virtual tutorials, students need a device with a suitable range of features in order to complete their education.
Whether in year 7, 10, 12, or at uni, students need to be sure they have the best tools at their disposal to thrive.
The best smartphone features for students
1. Screen Size
When using a smartphone for study, it’s important for the screen to be as large as possible. Students may be watching live lectures, reading PDF documents or taking part in group discussions, so choosing a phone with a large screen will make it far easier to complete work and play an active role in class.
For Apple fans that want to go large when it comes to screen sizes, the iPhone 11 Pro Max will be your smartphone of choice. With the biggest screen available on an iPhone, students will have no problem viewing content with its 6.5” diagonal display. However, the iPhone 11 Pro Max is Apple’s latest phone, which means it can be a pricier option. Due to this, it might be best for uni students, rather than people in primary education.
For Android users, Samsung Galaxy S20+ (6.7”), Samsung Galaxy Note 20 5G (6.7” and S Pen) and Google Pixel 4 XL (6.3”) are good choices for larger screens.
However, if you want a budget-friendly option that’s great for students, the 6.4” screen of the Samsung Galaxy S10+ and the 6.5” screen of iPhone XS Max make them great options.
2. Internet Connectivity
Any functional smartphone you buy should have internet connectivity built-in as standard. When you’re using your smartphone to access learning platforms and live classes, however, internet speeds and reliability really do count.
While 4G technology will certainly suffice for the majority of students, some may benefit from newer 5G connectivity. If you’re taking part in back-to-back live group chats or seminars, for example, the super-fast speeds of 5G will make a difference to your day.
For smartphones that incorporate the latest technology to deliver fast and reliable internet connectivity, check out the Samsung Galaxy S20+ 5G, or the Galaxy Note 10+ 5G.
3. Processing Speed
When it comes to choosing a smartphone, it isn’t just internet speeds that matter. To know how mobile phones are useful to students, it’s important to understand how the average student uses them. Typically, they will use a variety of apps and features at the same time, which calls for a device capable of processing multiple commands and updating various apps simultaneously.
A slow processing speed will, for example, limit a student’s ability to access content from a range of sources and may lead to lagging and delays when it comes to viewing or creating live content. However, you don’t need to buy the latest smartphone to secure impressive processing speeds.
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The Apple A12 Bionic chipset and CPU Hexa-core (2x2.5 GHz Vortex + 4x1.6 GHz Tempest) of the iPhone XR will enable students to run multiple apps at once and switch from one feature to another with ease. Similarly, the Exynos 990 chipset ensures great speeds and functionality with the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 5G.
4. Storage Space
Every time a new smartphone is released, they seem to get smaller and thinner. Despite this, newer models pack an impressive punch when it comes to storage space. The amount of storage space required will depend on the age of the student and how much they need.
For primary or even secondary-aged students, the majority of their work may be stored on a learning platform and available via cloud computing. This means they won’t need as much local storage on their phone. However, uni students typically have a larger amount of data to store, so selecting a phone with a decent amount of storage may be advantageous.
When it comes to smartphone memory, there is a big difference between Apple and Android phones. While the iPhone XR is available with either 64, 128 or 256 GB of storage, the iPhone XS Max and iPhone 11 Pro Max are available with 64, 256 or 512 GB of storage. However, you won’t be able to increase the amount of storage space on an iPhone post-purchase, as they don’t feature a card slot.
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In contrast, virtually all Samsung smartphones feature a MicroSD card which allows you to increase the phone’s storage capacity. The Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra 5G is available with either 128, 256, or 512 GB of storage, for example, but you can increase this by a further 1TB when you use a MicroSD card. What’s more – all phones from the Galaxy Note range come equipped with a stylus, which means easy note-taking or handwriting practice!
Choosing the Best Phone for a Student
Finding the right student phone is crucial in today’s climate. Technology is now part and parcel of classroom life, so students will be using devices from kindergarten right through to college and university. People often ask, why should students have phones in schools, but it really is essential if students want to make the most of the available learning opportunities. Furthermore, having a reliable smartphone enables students to access their work and materials at any time, whether they’re at home or school.
The COVID-19 pandemic has transformed the way students learn. With many educational institutions still delivering online classes, it’s vital that students have the devices they need to take part in remote learning.
Fortunately, you don’t have to blow your budget to benefit from access to a reliable, secure and functional smartphone. At OzMobiles, we sell new, ex-demo and refurbished phones, which means you can access the latest models at reduced prices. Furthermore, our phones are factory unlocked, Australian stock and come with a 12-month warranty.
