As the COVID-19 pandemic swept through different countries around the world, it also changed the way people live, work, and shop. With many working from home, the need for better laptops and other devices grew, as the need for new smartphones declined. However, with vaccines now available in most countries and talk about returning to the office becoming more and more frequent, shopping habits might change once more. But while many employees need to return to the office with the best phone available, prices may also change within the smartphone industry. Some might decide to buy secondhand smartphones, while others will probably get high-end handsets.
When it comes to buying a new phone, it seems there is no one-size-fits-all solution. Smartphones are an important part of people’s lives, as they become more and more reliant on technology. With remote and hybrid work now more important than ever, and a new way of doing business developing by way of apps, social media, and the cloud, smartphones are also essential for work. A good phone will provide its user with a more personal touch to do business by integrating real-time two-way communication with customers and peers. That is precisely why getting a new smartphone is not only an important decision, but also a personal one.
Why Choosing the Right Phone Might Become Harder
Buying the right smartphone is by no means an easy task, and it is bound to become even harder during a global pandemic. Demand for silicon chips has already increased during the crisis, as people started buying more laptops, along with more games consoles and TVs for entertainment purposes during long lockdowns. In time, this demand led to a global shortage of semiconductors that would ultimately reshape different industries across the world. With shortages changing shopping habits from appliances to automobiles, and some manufacturers saying the situation might stretch into 2023, choosing the right phone may also become problematic.
So far, mobile phones have been spared from the problems that affected many other industries, at least partially because manufacturers like Apple and Samsung have stocked critical components. However, with the crisis now becoming worse, and the pandemic still affecting people’s lives, the semiconductor shortage may start spreading to the smartphone industry. According to Syed Alam, Accenture’s global semiconductor lead, as the automotive industry and many others are starting to reclaim the capacity lost during the pandemic, a fierce competition for semiconductor supply is beginning. This competition might, in turn, influence phone prices.
What to Choose as Smartphone Prices Rise
The lack of silicon chips on the market has already led to an increase in the price of these components. As a consequence, phone manufacturers are left with the choice of either absorbing the loss themselves or pass it on to their customers. As semiconductor manufacturing companies have increased their prices by up to 20%, according to Verdict, smartphones are expected to become more and more expensive. Manufacturers like Xiaomi have already increased the prices of new models, while Apple and Samsung may choose to do so in the near future.
However, when it comes to upgrading the current handset, a brand-new phone is not the only option available. In fact, buying used or refurbished models may currently be the best option available for some people, especially considering the much lower prices and the environmental impact. That being said, pre-owned phones also come with multiple disadvantages that might discourage people to buy them, especially if the new handset will serve as a work phone. According to The Guardian, one of the most important issues when buying used phones is the fact that smartphones have a limited software support periods.
While high-end handsets and new phones, in general, might cost more by the end of 2021, pre-owned phones also come with some issues. They may work well as second handsets or as first phones for the children who are now returning to schools. However, when it comes to buying a new personal smartphone that will also serve as a work phone, a brand new mid-range smartphone might also be a good option to examine, considering the need for durability. While there is no general-purpose solution to choosing the right phone in 2021, the good news is that the multiple solutions available are sure to satisfy the various needs of people everywhere.
