If you don’t carefully keep an eye on everything your phone decides to save, you could end up with a lot of junk on your iPhone that you don’t need. Having that extra free space isn’t just useful for storing things you actually care about; it also prevents your phone from slowing down over time. It might seem like you can only delete so much before there’s nothing left you can do. However, we have a few tips and tricks to free up space on your iPhone that should help.

Stop Storing Text Permanently

If you’ve had your iPhone for a while, you likely have lots of texts stored in your phone’s memory. The issue here is that Apple iPhones keep all text messages indefinitely by default. This means you could still have texts saved on your phone from years ago, depending on how long you’ve had your phone. You can turn this feature off by going into your Message History and changing how often your phone gets rid of texts.

Disable Photo Stream

While some people find the iPhone’s Photo Stream feature helpful, it has very situational applications that most people won’t ever really need. However, if you leave Photo Stream on and never use it, you’re essentially saving copies of photos you already have stored in your phone for no reason. An easy tip for freeing up space on your iPhone is to disable Photo Stream entirely. You most likely won’t even miss it.

Back Up Important Files Elsewhere

Many of the things you store on your iPhone don’t need to stay there when you have the option of using cloud storage. Storing important documents and pictures in a cloud instead of your phone can leave a ton of free space open. Most applications, including your camera, have the option to automatically back up things you save on your phone to a cloud storage option such as Google Cloud. Use this ability to keep your iPhone free for other things.

Switch to Music Streaming

If you’re into lots of different music, you likely have a ton of it on your iPhone. Individual songs don’t take up too much space. But over time, they can add up. Rather than save every bit of music you like on your iPhone, switch to a streaming service, such as Apple Music or Spotify. One service or another likely has most of the music you like already on it.

Need a high-quality pre-owned iPhone for yourself or someone you know? Head to Wamatek today for iPhones rigorously inspected for quality.

Plenty of people are coming to terms with the idea that they don’t need to spend exorbitant amounts of money on brand-new phones all the time, especially when there are so many phones out nowadays. Buying used phones for your own personal use is a great way to save lots of money on one of our most useful and essential pieces of technology. If you’re new to the idea of buying one, we go over a few of the dos and don’ts of buying used phones so that you can feel more confident in your purchasing decision.

Do Consider the Phone’s Condition

When you buy a used phone, you get the benefit of deciding on one based on your personal budget. Brand-new phones can be prohibitively expensive for some, and not everyone feels the need to have the shiniest technology as soon as it comes out. Used phones come in many different conditions and levels of wear and tear. Make sure you consider how much use you’re okay with for your used phone before deciding on one.

Don’t Trust Any Used Phone Ad You See

If you start searching for used phones online, you’ll find many posts about them very quickly. When considering the dos and don’ts of buying used phones, the biggest don’t is trusting every single post you see online. Not everyone will be entirely honest with the used phone’s history or origin. When you work with a trusted company like Wamatek, you don’t need to worry about whether you’ll get scammed or not. We carefully inspect all our products and only sell those that go through our extensive approval process.

Do Learn What Comes With the Phone

Getting a used phone is one thing, but phones rarely come completely by themselves. A used phone still needs accessories, such as chargers or headphones. Not every used phone you find will have these add-ons, but it’s a good idea to consider the usefulness of choosing a used phone that does. These other things rarely add too much to the cost. They can help out a lot when you want to get the most for your money.

Don’t Forget To Check for Software Updates

Even when you buy quality used hardware, you should still ensure that the software is up-to-date. After choosing your used phone, the next step is to ensure you have all the software you need. Older phones will often need software updates. You may even decide you want to update the entire operating system if your phone allows for it.

If you need to find unlocked used phones, Wamatek has a wide selection of devices for you to choose from. We stand behind every item we sell in terms of quality, and we’ll be glad to help you find the next phone that you’ll love.

Not everyone can afford to purchase the latest and greatest technological devices. Whether you’re in the market for a cell phone or a tablet, these products almost always come with a hefty price tag when you purchase them directly from the manufacturer. Fortunately, this isn’t your only option.

In recent years, it’s become more common to acquire second-hand devices rather than buying new ones. Not only is this cheaper for you, but you can even get a warranty out of the deal. Still, the question of which second-hand model is right for you remains. This is the difference between refurbished and pre-owned devices and how to best pick between them.

Refurbished Devices

To begin, refurbished products are those that were previously owned and returned to their manufacturer. Once back in the company’s possession, these models undergo repairs and diagnostics to put them back in working condition. After being fixed, cleaned, and repackaged, the device is often resold at a reduced cost. As such, purchasing a refurbished model is one of the best ways to acquire a deal on a like-new piece of technology.

Pre-Owned Devices

Pre-owned devices, on the other hand, are products that have been resold by a private seller after being used for some length of time. In these cases, the used item goes directly to a new owner without ever entering the hands of the manufacturer again. Because of this, price drops on these devices are significant, and it’s possible to find something at less than half it’s standard listing price. However, it’s vital that you acknowledge the risk that comes with this possible reward.

Certified pre-owned materials are more secure as they’re verified as coming from a trusted source. Because of this, you’ll want to check for seller verification prior to buying from them.

How To Choose Between Them

Now that you have a basic understanding of the difference between refurbished and pre-owned devices, it’s important to discuss deciding on one in particular. Both options have the potential to provide you with incredible deals on some great pieces of technology. But, in the case of pre-owned models, you have a slightly higher risk of purchasing a broken or faulty device unless you’re buying from a certified reseller.

Ultimately, your decision should revolve around what you can afford and your level of comfort in taking that additional risk. Weigh both the benefits and potential drawbacks to ensure you’re getting the right thing for your needs.

So, if you’re looking for a like-new device at a fraction of its original price, reach out to us at Wamatek. We specialize in the acquisition and reselling of certified pre-owned and refurbished technology. In fact, we’ll even buy and sell used cell phones that you don’t want anymore. Browse our selection and find out how to sell your older models on our website.

Whether you’re paying for childcare or paying for college, the latest electronics for kids rarely come cheap. Stick to these 3 simple principles to help keep tech costs down.

1. Timing is Everything
   There are plenty of deals to be had for those who keep a close eye out for them. Good things come to those who wait for the right deal. We offer great prices and promotions from time to time to help give you the latest device for the right price.
2. Not-Worth-It Warranties
   Many parents worry that a new phone will take a fall, wind up in a puddle or worse. Adding insurance to each device ads up. Make sure you read the fine print, as you might be paying for something you don’t really need. There is nothing worse than spending money every month. Good news, we offer affordable insurance plans that offer the coverage you need for all devices. Even on pre-owned devices!
3. Give Used or Refurbished
   Kids don’t care if you give them a used device. They only care that it works! And just because something’s new doesn’t mean that it’s built to last. Give the gift of used electronics and invest the leftover budget saved in an accessory – like earbuds, a Bluetooth speaker or a case that will help protect it. All devices purchased from WAMATEK are tech tested and backed by a guarantee.

Choosing the best iPhone can involve a lot more than just selecting the latest or most expensive model, as different models are ideal for different types of people, and while Apple doesn’t make as many phones as some companies, all of its phones are excellent.

Plus, thanks to Apple’s policy of supporting phones for a long time, older models also remain viable for quite a while. All of which means there are a surprisingly large number of great iPhone models to choose from.

Even if all you’re interested in is the latest and greatest models – meaning the iPhone 12 range – there are four quite different phones to choose between, from the standard iPhone 12 itself to the premium iPhone 12 Pro, the massive iPhone 12 Pro Max, and the refreshingly compact iPhone 12 mini.

Beyond those, there are a selection of older iPhones – including the iPhone 11, iPhone XR, iPhone XS Max, and a number of others which have been discontinued but can still be found at stores such as WAMATEK.

Apple iPhone XS
Apple iPhone X
Apple iPhone SE (2^nd Gen)
Apple iPhone 8 Plus
Apple iPhone 8
Apple iPhone 7 Plus
Apple iPhone 7
Apple iPhone 6 Plus
Apple iPhone 6
Apple iPhone 6s

• Don’t use window cleaners, household cleaners, compressed air, aerosol sprays, solvents, ammonia or abrasives containing hydrogen peroxide to clean your device.
• Don’t use bleach.
• Don’t submerge your device in any cleaning agents.
• Avoid harsh cleaners and rough scrubbing. When disinfecting the screen, avoid excessive wiping.

Notes:

• Using a 70% isopropyl alcohol wipe or Clorox® Disinfecting Wipes, gently wipe the exterior surfaces of your device.
• For the screen, use screen wipes or eyeglasses cleaner.
• For the back and sides, use ordinary household soap or bleach-free cleaning wipes.

To sanitize and clean your device(s), here are a few guidelines to follow:

• Before cleaning your device, power it down. If possible, remove any accessories (e.g., covers, cases, etc) and unplug all cables.
• Use a soft, slightly damp, lint-free cloth with warm soapy water.
• Avoid getting moisture in openings.
• To clean dirt that might have accumulated around the SIM tray opening, use a soft-lint free cloth and place a very small amount of rubbing alcohol on it to gently wipe away dirt from the port opening, avoiding any moisture in the opening.

If you’ve decided to trust your child with a cell phone, make sure their device is as secure as possible by adjusting the settings. These include location, screen time, passcodes and more.

Review the following 10 tips to find out how you can help keep your kids safe on their mobile device.

1. Set a password: It’s basic, but it helps prevent bullying, sexting as well as keeping their personal information private. Encourage your kids to create unique passwords featuring numbers and symbols, and to change them often. A password reminder or manager might be helpful too.
2. Set up emergency contacts: There are many emergency situations that can arise. Kids needing a ride, being locked out of the house. Make sure there are several contacts programmed in their phone just in case.
3. Set up remote locate/lock/wipe features: Enabling these features could help you locate your kids lost phones, as well as protect private information from being accessed.
4. Install security software: Security software is instrumental in blocking malware, phishing attacks featuring dangerous links, and unwanted calls and texts.
5. Turn off geo-tagging: Although useful for mapping and security services, you should talk to your kids about when and where they should share their location. Emphasize keeping the location feature on their phone turned off unless directed by you or absolutely necessary.
6. Teach your child not to reply to unknown senders or callers: Scams, phishing, and spam texts happen to everyone, regardless of age. They can lead to increased charges as well as giving hackers access to their accounts.
7. Set rules for new apps and games: The world is full of apps these days, a lot of which are not relevant or appropriate for kids. Make sure you review their apps or put restrictions around what they can download.
8. Know your schools’ mobile phone and mobile device policy: It’s important to stay aware of the school’s policy so you and your kids know when and where they can use it.
9. Set up a nightly charging station in the kitchen or den: This is particularly important in improving your child’s sleep and school performance by avoiding that late night gaming or texting distraction.
10. Review your cell phone provider contract together: Set limits and consequences, and get your child involved.

The internet has become an integral part of life. It is hard to conduct daily activities without it. It’s important your kids understand the risks and benefits and that both of you take the right precautions and safety measures to keep them safe.

The average American upgrades their phone every 18 months. Do you have old cell phones tucked away in a drawer or closet? Maybe even a tablet or laptop too? Are wondering what to do with them or how to get rid of them? Sell them to us for cash!

Sell or Trade It
You can easily sell your old phone, tablet or laptop. Complete our online “Start a Quote” form. Give us the details of your device, including the condition of it and we will give you an instant quote. If you agree with the price, click submit. We will send you a pre-paid shipping label to send us the device. Once we receive it you get paid! A quick and easy process. Learn More | Start A Quote Today!

Not ready to sell it – check out these options.

Turn it into an alarm clock
Download an alarm app through Wi-Fi. Place your phone on a stand and voila – you’ve got yourself a new alarm clock.

Use it as an e-book reader
Even though your device no longer has service it doesn’t mean you can’t connect it to Wi-Fi. Just download the Amazon Kindle app and sync it up to your library. Or read via Apple Books.

Use it as a music player
Another way to put your phone to use is by turning into your dedicated music player. Download your music streaming service onto the phone, throw in some earbuds or connect to a speaker and turn up the tunes.

We have all experienced the panicky feeling of a dying cell phone battery with no charger in sight. Sure, many newer cell phone batteries are made to last longer. Some even charge other cell phones. But in today’s world of cell phones running at full speed they can still drain quickly.

Tips to save the length of your battery:

Stop Using & Close Your Apps
Apps can drain the life out of your cell phone battery, especially those that have audio and are heavy on graphics.

• Avoid checking Instagram, Twitter and Facebook until you’ve found a charger.
• Don’t just minimize your apps, be sure to close them.
• Check your settings, view the list of your apps and see how much battery each is using. This will give you an idea of what apps not to use when your battery is running low.

Turn the Brightness Down
Just like turning on too many lights at your home uses more energy, the same story is true with a bright cell phone. The more your phone has to work to provide a brighter backlight, the more battery it is using. Turn down your screen brightness to prolong your cell phone battery.

Turn on Battery Saver or Low Power Mode
Both iPhones and Androids feather a type of battery saving mode. Both have the same goal – to save the length of your battery. Basically, this setting will suspend background app refreshes, automatic downloads and other things that may be running in the background that might bee draining your battery without you realizing it.

Connect to WiFi
Connecting to wifi is helpful as you try to spare your cell phone battery. Using your cellular network requires more energy than utilizing wifi.

Disable Your Location
Many apps are tracking your location even when you aren’t using them. This is very helpful at times however it also drains your battery. Turn your location off and only turn it on when you really need it.

Turn on Airplane Mode
Airplane mode isn’t just for when you are flying. It’s also a great way to save your battery. There is a catch though. Your phone will not be fully usable. You will not be able to make or receive calls and texts, nor will you be able to surf the internet while in airplane mode. But it is a great option to conserve your battery when need be. Additional tip – when you do get to a charger if airplane mode is turned on your phone will charge at a slightly faster rate.

Next time your battery is running low and you need to conserve it we hope knowing these tips will be helpful.

Believe it or not, you can get a reliable and affordable pre-owned smartphone. The first step is to determine what features you want. For example, is it the camera, memory size or the screen size that you want?

Unlike buying a used phone from someone you don’t know. You can have confidence in a Wamatek pre-owned phone knowing that each device is Tech Certified and is backed with a 30-day warranty.

Here are some options that may be the best budget smartphone for you.

Apple iPhone 8/8+
The iPhone 8 and 8 Plus feature glass bodies that enable wireless charging, faster A11 processors, upgraded cameras, and True Tone displays. They also feature a more advanced 12-megapixel wide-angle f/1.8 camera with a larger, faster sensor that lets in 83% more light. Other features include a new color filter and deeper pixels for better color saturation, a wider dynamic range of color, and lower noise in photos and videos.

Samsung Galaxy S8/8+
When designing the Galaxy S8 and S8+, Samsung went to great lengths to ensure that the UX behind its groundbreaking, bezel-less designs would foster convenient and intuitive interactions. The Galaxy S8 comes with a seamless interface that allows users to navigate the immersive display with ease and take full advantage of its powerful features.

Google Pixel 3
The Google Pixel 3 has an incredible camera that set the standard for smartphone photography. Major hardware highlights are a notched display, wireless charging and a soft touch back. Other than that, most of the phone’s best features lay in the software.

LG V20
The LG V20 comes with a sleek aluminum chassis. It comes with 3 mics and can record more clear and accurate audio. The rear cameras are 16 and 8 megapixels and it comes with features like auto laser focus and a dual LED flash. While the front camera is 5 megapixels, the camera also comes with the image stabilization feature that allows for good quality photos to be clicked in unsteady hands as well.

When trying to pick the best budget smartphone, it’s important to decide what features are most important to you. No matter what those features are, we are likely to have great options at a price that will fit your budget.

Make sure to check out our selection!