A few months ago, I finally upgraded to a smartphone. A lot of people around me were surprised, because I’m not really a smartphone person. (And then they kindly welcomed me to the 21st century).

People my age without a smartphone are definitely in the minority. Heck, people older than me without a smartphone are in the minority. Basically anybody without a smartphone these days is probably in the minority. And up until December, I was happy to be part of that non-smartphone using minority.

I’ll admit that I don’t have a lot of tolerance smartphones. I see too many people ignoring real life being stuck in their phones all day instead. One of my biggest pet peeves is when people are walking the streets with their heads bowed over their phone, not paying any attention to their surroundings.

I’ve had someone cut me off while driving because she was too busy with her phone to notice that she wasn’t in the turning lane. And I’ve had someone walk into me from behind because he was too busy with his phone to see the person in front of him on the sidewalk. So yeah, I’m not a huge fan of those little distractions called smartphones.

I’m A Flip Phone Kind Of Girl

I absolutely loved my flip phone. Originally I had a 2G flip phone. I finally had to upgrade to a 4G flip phone a couple years ago when they stopped supporting 2G. When I went to the store to upgrade the flip phone, the guy at the counter had to ask me 3 times whether I really wanted to upgrade to just a 4G flip phone. (I was eligible for a free smartphone upgrade and he couldn’t believe someone my age didn’t want a smartphone).

Now as much as I loved that flip phone, it was really quite painful to try and text someone on it. I often get texts for flower orders at the market, which is great. That way if I’m with a customer, I don’t have to answer the phone right then. After I’m done with whoever I’m helping, I just read the text, see what they want, shoot them back a quick reply and save the bouquet. Unfortunately it was taking me forever to type a simple text message back to them on the flip phone.

As such, I decided it was necessary to upgrade to a smartphone simply to make my life easier. In addition, I wanted something that could double as internet, because the local hardline internet provider sucks. (Oh Spectrum, when will you run your lines through our neighborhood and rescue us from the other local provider?). And I was also in need of a new, small, point and shoot camera. I figured a smartphone could probably fill all 3 of those needs. So in late December I took the plunge and got myself a smartphone.

Function Over Frills

I’m more of a function-over-frills type of person when it comes to technological devices. I’m not one to upgrade just because something new comes out. I generally keep a piece of tech until it actually needs to be replaced (like the 2G flip phone I mentioned above). So for my smart phone, I wasn’t looking for anything fancy. I just wanted a little something that could make phone calls, text easily, and tether to my computer so I could use it for internet. So I ended with pretty much the cheapest smartphone they make. A little $40 Phoenix 4 device to go with my prepaid plan.

Of course my friends told me that I would soon be addicted to my phone like everyone else was. I respectfully disagreed. And over five months later, I’m happy to say that I’m still not addicted to my phone.

I taken a grand total of two selfies on it (and those were with friends). I don’t have any games or email on it, and Instagram is the only social media I have on it. And that’s only because you pretty much have to have it on your phone if you want to use the platform. (Though in all honesty, I only only use the phone for about 20% of my Instagram activity. I use the computer for anything I can find a workaround for).

I have no problem going outside for hours while my smartphone sits inside all by its lonesome. I do take it with me while I’m driving in case of breakdowns, but I usually leave it on silent anyway. If I’m going somewhere with friends, and I’m riding with someone else, I often just leave the phone at home. Basically I treat it the same way I treated my flip phone.

I Do Love The Camera

I must admit, I do love having it as a camera though. Granted the camera on it isn’t great (I mean, come on, it’s $40 phone, how great can you really expect the camera to be?). But it makes a great replacement for my little point and shoot digital camera.

I do most of my greeting cards and serious shooting on my Nikon D40. However, that can be a little big and heavy to lug around at an all day event like a Renaissance festival or a comic con. So until last year, I had a little Kodak point and shoot that I would take with me to such events. It was light and fit in my pocket. And while that didn’t take great pictures, I’m usually just looking to preserve memories at those events, not score gallery-worthy shots. So it sufficed.

Unfortunately it bit the dust last summer, and I hadn’t yet bought a replacement. I’ve been finding the smartphone makes a pretty even replacement for it. (And it actually shoots way better video than the little Kodak did). Since I usually bring my phone with me when I’m driving, it’s in my car if I see something I want to snapshot while I’m out and about. Definitely convenient.

On The Whole, I’m Glad I Upgraded

So while I do still miss having a flip phone that could go for a month without needing to be recharged, or could be left in the car at below-zero temps without being damaged, I am glad that I finally upgraded to the smart phone. Texting is just so much easier. The internet on the phone is so much faster than what I had before too. (Seriously, a video that would normally take me 4 hours to upload on the local internet, only takes about 10 minutes through my phone’s data). And I am definitely enjoying the camera.

So that’s why I finally got a smartphone. I use it as a tool, not as a toy. And thus, I don’t have to let it control my life. You’re never going to catch me tripping on a crack in the sidewalk because I was too busy looking at my phone. (You might catch me tripping on the sidewalk because my sandals are loose, but that’s another story 😉).

Written by Amber Reifsteck, The Woodland Elf
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