First time buying a smartphone. Could really use some help/advice.

[mahatmakanejeeves]

2. I got my first one just over a year ago. I have been on Tracfone for years.

I do not use a phone much. I just wanted to have a smartphone, as they are getting to be essential now. My existing phone worked just fine as a phone, but it was getting limited. It could receive text messages, but it had no keyboard. You had to press buttond on the keypad repeatedly to send a text message.

The writing was on the wall.

If you are a minimal user, I urge you to consider the pay-as-you-go phone plans, such as Tracfone.

I got an Apple 6S, as Tracfone had a good price on it at the time. Your mileage may vary. When the phone was shipped, the SIM was separate. I could have put anyone's SIM in the phone, and it would have been primed for that provider's service. The SIM is the only thing that makes my phone a Tracfone phone. The only disadvantage is that Tracfone won't let me use my phone as a local hotspot, so I can't connect to other computers with it. I probably got the words wrong, but someone will correct me.

The nominal fee for 365 days of service for a smartphone with Tracfone is $125, but there's a blog with Tracfone promo codes, where I found a promo coded that knocked $50 off that. Right now, the magic promo code that does that is 22448. So if you do go the Tracfone route, figure out what level of service is best for you and check the promo codes before you hand over your credit card number. It will be worth your effort.

The screen of the 6S is pretty small. You wouldn't want to surf the internet all day long on one. A 6S Plus, with a bigger screen, would have been better for that. It also would have cost $50 more. I don't use my phone for non-stop 'net surfing, though, so it's not an issue. Like brewens, I use a laptop for almost all my online work. I use my phone as a phone.

Tracfone has both iOS and Android phones. Tracfone will need to know your general location before it can show you what's available in your area.

Before the days of smartphones, Tracfone phones were locked to Tracfone service. With smartphones, that is no longer true. You can also buy an unlocked phone from, say, Walmart and stick a Tracfone SIMS in it. When I got my phone, Tracfone had a competitive price, so I did not go that route.

Links:

Tracfone Smartphone Reviews

https://shop.tracfone.com/shop/en/tracfonestore/phones

Tracfone Promo Codes - March 2021

67472 - $15 off - $125 Smartphone Only Card - February 2021
33158 - $15 off - $125 Smartphone Only Card - January 2021
22448 - $50 off - $125 Smartphone Only Card - working March 2021
67472 - $15 off - $125 Smartphone Only Card - working March 2021
34932 - $50 off - $125 Smartphone Only Card - expired Dec 2020

I'm almost ashamed to take up any DUers valuable time on something I should have learned 15 years ago and apologize in advance.

You needn't be. I asked my coworkers, all of whom are years younger than I am, for guidance. Without their help, I would not have known what to have done. I have great coworkers.