I also mostly use my laptop for internet. I don't like buying Apple products, and have always been a big Samsung Galaxy fan. They have great cameras, too-- my camera is so much better than the one on my husbands iphone. Mine is a few years old so I have the 24+, but if I were to upgrade tomorrow I'd just get the newest version of the same. I've been happy with it.

Also an Android user. I currently have a Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra. I usually keep my phones for several years until they get damaged and/or start glitching. I think it is my third Galaxy model.

Get an Otterbox case for it, specially the type that protects the glass corners. That is how I damaged my last phone, as the case I had used did not have enough edge/corner protection.

Thanks, sas! DLM - I watched a video of the google pixel camera, never heard of this before, and found that brief introduction both intriguing and creepy. Given that I expect to probably not connect to the internet for quite some time, I suspect that possibility won't work since it appears to use AI to create improved photos and videos.

Chispa, only several years before they get glitchy? For $1,500 - $2K I expected the Galaxy 26 phone to last a good long time. Maybe my plan isn't a viable one after all.

Any one else have thoughts?

I would expect a Galaxy phone to last a good five years or more.. When I got a Note 9 in 2018 I gave my husband my old Samsung Galaxy phone which I had had for several years. He finally had to get a new phone around 2022 because after around 7 years it couldn't run the newest apps.

If my Note hadn't broken when it got soaked when I had a hard fall near the ocean I would have kept it a couple more years. I'm currently using a Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra, which I have no issues with at all.

Indigo, to be fair, they tend to get glitchy after being dropped one time too many! I am usually really good about not dropping phones, but don't know what was up a few weeks ago and I dropped it hard several times. The Otter box case definitely saved the case and screen, but I am noticing a slight delay/glitch when opening apps, so I might have shortened this phone's lifespan!

Indigo you do not have to connect to the internet to use they myriad of photo correction options for color, contrast, general enhancement, cropping etc. But understand with any phone if you do not connect to a storage site of some type, you are limited to what the phone can store and what photo correction options it can do. Samsung syncs to Microsoft OneDrive storage, Apple phones to iCloud, Pixel phones to Google Photos although with any of them you can choose other options as well. With any of them, the photo editing options are more robust in the storage site.

I am an android girl as well. I like the galaxy phones. My last phone lasted almost 6 years. Then one day, it just wouldn't turn on. I use body glove cases. No screen protector. The verizon guy was amazed that the phone looked brand new.

My current phone is a galaxy A53. It's 4 years old. I tend to get the middle of the line galaxy's.

Very happy with this one.

Android family here also. We have had the Galaxy series for several phones, currently have 24+. We do replace them every 2-3 years when our plan allows. I think the camersas are good but I also have not enlarged or printed any pics.

Skipping down to say I've really liked all the Samsung Galaxy phones I've had - and mine have always been the more basic models, not top of the line, and often refurbished. I think I'm on the 5th one now. The only reason I swap out for newer is the OS starts to get a bit slower and wonky after several years. Hubby is using an old one that's more than 5 years old for sure. It still works fine, but some new(not necessary) apps don't jibe with the older OS.

I've never spent more than $100 on a phone - often much less - and I use prepaid/no contract.

I have an iMac desktop and an iPod - never had an iPhone, tho.

If I were in your shoes, I would choose by size and price. Do you want or need larger or smaller. Does the cost matter? Etc.

The brand or system really matters little, in my experience. With one exception - if your home PC is a Mac, I'd stick to iPhones because of how they seamlessly and automatically offer interoperability and syncing. This capability is highly overstated and overrated in my view but it is important to some.

I was a longtime Android user (the last two were Google Pixels, which I quite liked) and I switched to iPhones about 6 years ago. Because of size (slightly smaller) and price. Phones in both systems have exactly the same apps available (with but a few exceptions), have the same functionality and mostly the same features and performance.

Some models and brands can be needlessly expensive, the added functionalities they offer aren't worth the added cost.

DLM - this all just highlights how little I know and understand. I was expecting to just store photos and videos on a Seagate Backup Plus Hub I never opened that I thought I bought a few years ago. Just checking the box realized it's 10 years old!! Good grief. I'm now reconsidering not having internet and will likely add a carrier shortly after buying a phone....

I have a Samsung Galaxy and my husband a Pixel. Both bought at the same time. MIne is going strong. I don't need the latest , so I just keep it until it dies. My husbands first pixel lasted 3 years. It was battery issues. He is on his second Pixel now. He really likes the camera on the pixels.

FWIW, all my Google apps sync with my Android, Mac & iPod without issues.

Your Google app info (and mine and everyone else's) resides on Google's servers and your different hardware pieces connect to those. That's different than syncing.

You could put stuff on your iPhone and then take your iPad to a remote location with no connectivity. I believe the photos and videos you'd taken, music and audiobook content, Kindle content, content for apps on both, yada yada, would be identical on the iPad to what was on the phone at the last moment of the iPad's internet or network connectivity. Without taking any steps to do so. That doesn't happen between Androids and anything else, PCs and anything else, nor with Macs and anything not an Apple product.

Instead of a new S26 I was looking into the S25 Ultra given all your positive comments about the Galaxy, but given the cost I'm now also considering prior models since I mostly just want a great camera. I've also decided to get phone service with one of the low cost carriers so I can stop my somewhat limited texting on my work phone. Anyone have any other thoughts? If it seems I'm making a big deal over something so minor to so many, please realize my last cellphone was a pre-covid, emergency use Tracphone flip-phone!, LOL!!!!

What do you do with your pics? Print? Enlarge and print? That could make a difference in how nice of a camera you may want.

FWIW, I've been a satisfied Tracfone customer for years - unlimited talk and text for around $20/month. Data is limited, but you can always purchase more to add on. I don't use that much data, so it's plenty for me and excess unused rolls over.

There are a handful of secondary plan sellers who, lacking their own networks, offer connectivity piggybacking on one of the big players - the Tracfones, Mint Mobiles, Tello, US Mobile, etc. Their plan structures and pricing are pretty much the same from one to another because it's an open competitive market and it's easy for potential customers to compare prices. The one requirement is to have an unlocked phone, get your phone unlocked, or to have one that's locked to a big player that the little guy is affiliated with.

OK, so now I'm considering older galaxies, maybe the upper models, but am concerned about having one age out fairly quickly. If you were me, how old would you go, or not go? Thanks in advance for your help!!!

I tend to keep things for a long time, so I prefer going latest model and holding onto it.

Sas, that's what I was originally thinking, but the steep price is giving me 2nd and 3rd thoughts. This is driving me nuts.

If I were replacing my phone right now, I'd probably go for the Galaxy A56 5K. About $450.

I dumped Verizon and switched DH and I to mint mobile over a year ago. Mint runs on the Tmobile network which has good coverage in my area. Happy with the decision.

I wouldn't go more than one (maybe two) prior to the latest Android OS (currently @ 17). Mine have always been that and lasted me for several years. And 5G is better than 4G, but my 4G phone is still working well - just a bit slow on some sites/apps. I am planning on a replacement soon.

The biggest perceivable difference between 5G and 4G is the bandwidth capacity (and thus apparent speed) for data transmissions. Think of it as a faster internet connection.

Carol, you said above that you use little data. For users like you, there really is no significant difference between having a 5G phone vs having a 4G phone. Watching TV or doing other data intensive things - a different story where the signal may be less than full strength.

In some central district areas, mobile carriers have increased network capacity when upgrading equipment to 5G. It's rare to encounter delays when trying to use a mobile phone but if you find yourself in crowded locations (a football stadium might be a good example), having a 5G device might provide access to a signal with more capacity.

I have an older phone (4G only) that I sometimes use for GPS nav in one car. That requires a steady stream of data and also connectivity in rural areas (when traffic updates are desired). Its performance is on a par with my 5G phone in the same locations.

Do you have a carrier you prefer or does it not matter? I would look at the different carriers and see if the different phones have varying costs across companies.

RNmomof2, I was planning on Mint Mobile but there is no choice of a phone #, if a number is needed, they generate one. I need to now research this as well -to see if I can find a similar company, but one where you can choose a number from a list. Maybe no one does that anymore? If so, it'll be Mint.

Are you wanting to keep or port your number or get a new one? I thought the major carriers allowed you to keep your number but I don't know. We are big cell phone users and have had our numbers and same carrier for years.

Tracfone lets me port my old number to a new phone - we were even able to port a landline number to a phone...

I mostly use data-heavy apps over wifi - that's why I don't use that much of my mobile data.

Here's the result of a search on porting phone numbers. All the carriers do it because they are required to by law.

" Under Federal Communications Commission (FCC) rules in the United States, all standard mobile phone carriers are required by law to allow you to port your active phone number to a new carrier or to a new account, provided you remain in the same geographic area. Your old carrier cannot refuse the transfer even if you have an unpaid balance. "

Umpteen years ago, I ported a landline number to a VOIP internet based new provider, Ooma. It was a trivial matter and was done free (an inducement for new customers).

Elmer, I don't have a number to port, although I've since found I can buy a number, which is what I plan to do to avoid being asigned some random # I likely would not find acceptable.

Just being curious, what would make a phone number unacceptable? You have mentioned having problems getting a random number a few times.

Indigo Rose, my porting comment wasn't specifically intended for you. I made the comment to correct what carolb had implied, that what Tracfone did was different in some way from what others do. It's not, they all have the same policies because they all have to do what the law requires.

Interesting that you expect to perhaps dislike one number and prefer another. Personally, I've never had concern over what my phone number is or isn't. I never use it or and rarely need to remember it. When you want to give a personal contact your phone number, hand them your phone and tell them to enter their number. Press send and bingo, it's done.

Elmer, you never use or have to remember your phone number??? Even over the phone I still have to give mine out to plenty of people. I’ve never handed my phone to someone so they could enter their number. For one thing, I don’t like other people touching my phone (and a lot of people don’t want to touch mine either, I'm sure) unless it’s really necessary. Phones are very "germy". Are there certain instances someone has to handle your phone-yes, but that is rare in my experience. Always handing your phone over just so the other person can type their number is actually very inconsiderate, weird-and kind of lazy, if I’m honest. It’s not that hard to enter someone’s number yourself.

I'm with Ollie Jane on this one and understand Indigo wanting an acceptable number although maybe I'd say I PREFER one number sequence over another. I would never hand my phone to someone and it's not even about hygiene as much as that's just weird to me. DH and I have identical phone numbers other than the last digit. Our sons had the same although both changed them when they were in college. A million years ago Verizon let you pick your numbers from a list and I choose a sequence for all of us that related to our landline number because in those days we all memorized numbers of our nearest and dearest friends and family. Still have my landline number from 1978 on Ooma and refuse to give it up. I use that number for stores or if I have to give my number online to a company. As a result I rarely get scam calls on my cell.

I have two cell phones, the second one I use for specific purposes. On the rare occasion I need to know the number, I have to look it up on the first phone. I don't give it out as a contact number but anyone who's received a call from me is welcome to call that number (though I caution it's usually off).

My point was more general than specific and perhaps needed more explanation. How many of you could pick up someone else's phone and call your favorite take-out restaurant for an order? Or, call your kid's brother/sister/mother/father in law who you speak with from time to time? Ignoring specific circumstances that I'm sure someone can cite (that in-law is my best friend, that's how the kids met) but that's a distraction.

These days, most people (Luddite old geezers excepted) make phone calls from the contact files on their phones. They redial numbers previously called or received put into the file. Or, one can refer to "recent calls". Numbers don't need to be more rememberable than others because people don't make calls from memory to the extent they did previously.

I just gave it a thought - the 5 friends I'm in contact with most, do things with socially most frequently - I don't know from memory any of their phone numbers. Not one. I'll bet the same is true for many people. Their numbers don't even appear in my Message app or Phone app, don't appear when they call me, only their names. Because they're in my contact file.

Yesterday I called two businesses I hadn't been involved with before. For the first, they wanted information from me to do some checking, after which they'd get back to me. At the end of the call, I was asked "Is the number you're calling from the best one for us to use to call you back on?" Yes. Done.

A second call to a different place on a different matter went to voicemail and I ended the call before leaving a message. Fifteen minutes later, I got a return call from a person at that business.

That's how things work.

Well, I guess I'm a becoming a luddite old geezer, what can I say? RNmom, I just want an easy number. I'm surprised to learn others might not feel the same! I don't have a contact list as I don't have a personal cell. Ages ago, probably like most others my age or older, I had quite a few numbers memorized, friends, some stores, places like the library, post office...it was easier than looking it up everytime in the phone book or calling the operator. Now, like OllieJane, I find I'm often giving out my number when talking to busineses and others over the phone and just want it to be simple, easy. Maybe easier for me as well....and yes, DLM2000, I would prefer certain sequences - acceptable wasn't a good word choice!

Years ago I had a cell phone # that I really liked. When I changed jobs and work gave me a phone, it was too much of a pain for me to carry 2 phones around, but I really didn't want to lose this number (kind of weird, when you think about it.) So I ported my number to Google Voice for something like $10 or $20, and I just parked my number there for 15 years. When I retired recently and bought a new phone/plan, I was able to port my number from Google Voice to my new plan. So I get the attraction to certain number sequences.

" I'm a becoming a luddite old geezer, what can I say? "

Maybe not.

You say you've been using a work-supplied phone for the last 5+ years. Do you not have necessary phone numbers you use regularly in a contact file for easy access and quick dialing - just as if they were speed numbers but with more info? Or have you memorized or written on paper those numbers?

Oh, Elmer....No contact file on my work phone. They're in the work computer on my caseload file...though I have a few memorized. At any rate, these days audio has been largely superseded by Zoom . Edited to say I should have said these days at work....

Indigo Rose, I am with you on phone numbers. I forget when (maybe when we moved into this house 30 years ago?), the phone company offered me the new number. When I hesitated, she offered another, and then a third which had only four different digits and was so easy to remember for me and everyone else. I grabbed that one and still have it. :-)

Cyn, that's exactly what I mean. At any rate, I did get a number, but now have no phone. It's become a big mess! I stayed up until after midnight as today is a tax-free holiday, and I had decided to get a pricier phone after all. I was so excited, but after hitting buy on *-bay, the order info was for yesterday - I wouldn't qualify! I hit the cancel button and noted in the comments for cancelling box that it was because I needed the transaction to go through for today's date for the tax-free holiday and would re-order first thing in the morning. Imagine my shock when a pop-up said *-bay would notify the seller who would decide if they would accept the cx and get back to me in 3 days!!?!! - and then realized I've been blocked from the seller's site!!! Now I've lost the tax discount AND the phone. I figured later that the difference in time is that my order must have been based on the seller's time zone, not mine. I had no idea. And I was with someone not long ago who cx'd an order also within seconds, and the order was in fact cx'd right then; they were not blocked from the site. There should be a warning of consequences if there will be any. Sigh.

That's not a good site to buy cell phones from. I think it's better for many reasons to stick with a legit bricks and mortar store (like an authorized distributor or a place like Walmart, Costco or Best Buy) or if directly from a mobile provider, one of its physical locations or its website.

I heard an interesting quote that was attributed to the great philosopher Jimmy Buffett. Maybe he said it, someone did:

"Indecision is something I may or may not suffer from occasionally."

Thank you everyone for your thoughts which has been so, so helpful. I checked out phones that were mentioned, and agonized over it all. Ultimately I chose the galaxy S25 ultra 1TB for the length of time it will be supported, the camera quality and the storage - I do not intend to use cloud storage. I also bought a photo frame and added a 512 gb SD card - this one will operate well without using the app etc. I also bought a phone number. Again, you all are the best!!!!!