I wrote about a dying phone in a blog last week, and it kept me busy afterwards. Even if I didn't want it to, it's just a fact that most things in the house decide for themselves when they retire. My phone was no exception. Where it once proudly got through a full week without screaming for a power outlet, at a certain point it started giving more and more subtle hints. At first it was an extra charge halfway through the week. Oh well, it happens. Then it became a daily injection. Okay, a little less convenient, but okay. Until it suddenly turned into an electronic diva who had to be hooked up to an IV several times a day. And even then it was sometimes questionable whether it would last until I was near a power outlet again.

Now I'm not the most difficult person, I give a device its rest, but there are limits. After all, a phone is meant to be reachable and not to keep me in constant suspense about whether I can finish my WhatsApp message before it passes out again. It was time for a successor.

What specs does my phone need?

Simple: it needs to work. And not only that, but also keep doing it. No sudden comas, no dramatic death scenes when I'm just out of reach of a power outlet. So: a decent battery life was at the top of my list.

In addition, I need a phone that has a decent camera. Yes, I have two good cameras, but let's be honest, when I don't really go out with the idea of ​​taking pictures, I often have nothing else with me than my phone. In addition, it is also completely impractical to hang a large camera around my neck during a walk with Skipper, which I already have my hands full with. A phone can easily be put in my pocket, but that same phone must be able to take acceptable snapshots without me later thinking: 'Was this a photo of Skipper or a blurry yeti in the mist?'

Then we come to updates, especially the security updates. I may live in a quiet corner of the world, but I'm not completely retarded when it comes to digital security. Nowadays, banking is almost entirely done via a phone and although I don't really have millions in my account, I still want to keep the little that is there safe. I never do crypto business on my phone anyway, hello, risks, but if I ever have to for whatever reason, it should at least be possible without me being hacked before I've entered my PIN code.

Finally, an important point: I buy my phones separately. No subscriptions, no hidden costs. I use prepaid because I don't make many calls and mobile internet is usually an unnecessary luxury. And given my financial situation, I don't want (and can't) buy a phone for 1200 euros. So something decent had to come, but without the price of a small second-hand car. Yes, in that respect I just want to sit in the front row for a dime! In short, the best I can get for as little money as possible.

The Great Quest

This meant days of reading reviews, comparing specifications, and most importantly: looking at photos from regular users. Because let's be honest, the promotional photos from manufacturers are always taken under perfect conditions by people who know exactly how to play with light and shadow. Now, I know a thing or two about photography myself, but on a phone I often choose the simple way and I don't want to have to use all kinds of tricks to take a decent photo. So as a result, I mainly want to know what a photo looks like when an average mortal takes it, not a professional photographer with a PhD in 'optimal lighting'.

Finally, I had a shortlist. Then the final comparison began. I read everything again, weighed the pros and cons against each other, and then repeated everything until my partner said, "Now make that decision. Transfer money and order!" So I listened obediently, and then the waiting for the postman began as if he were delivering a treasure chest.

The New Shiny Toy

The day before yesterday it was finally here. My new shiny toy arrived, and then the next challenge began: transferring everything from the old phone to the new one. Contacts, apps, settings. Lol, it's a process that looks suspiciously like moving, but digitally. And then, finally, the moment suprême: testing the camera!

Problem: it was cold, wet, and downright miserable outside. Not exactly ideal conditions for a spontaneous photoshoot. So I decided to keep it simple: a few test photos of Skipper. A loyal friend and a patient model. Click. First impression? Promising. Now let's hope the weather will show itself from a better side soon ...

Hopefully, I can look forward to many more years together with my new shiny toy, without power stress and without wondering if my phone will decide to retire halfway through a photo.