Best Travel Phones: Choosing The Right Companion

Choosing the right phone to take travelling can be a daunting task. There are a lot of factors to consider, from battery life and camera quality to price and size. Whether you're after a disposable phone, a budget option, or something with all the bells and whistles, there's a phone out there to suit your travel needs.

Pros and cons of travelling with a smartphone

Smartphones have become an essential travel companion for many people. They serve as our camera, map, translator, and means to stay connected with people back home. They are lightweight, compact, and perfect for minimalist travellers. Here are some pros and cons of travelling with a smartphone:

Pros:

• Versatility: Smartphones replace the need for multiple devices such as a separate flashlight, map, music player, or alarm clock. They also double up as cameras, with some offering excellent camera quality, such as the Google Pixel 7 Pro, iPhone 14, and Samsung Galaxy S23.
• Connectivity: It is easy to get connected when travelling with a smartphone, even without cellular data. Many public places like cafés, airports, and train stations usually offer free Wi-Fi.
• Useful apps: There are numerous travel apps available that work both online and offline. These include currency converters, translation tools, navigation apps, guide books, and itinerary trackers, making travel easier and more convenient.
• Entertainment: Smartphones provide access to entertainment apps like Netflix, as well as games and books, making them a great way to pass time during long flights or journeys.

Cons:

• Battery life: One of the biggest drawbacks of smartphones is their limited battery life. It is rare to find a smartphone that lasts more than a day of normal use, and long travel days can often result in a dead phone before reaching your accommodation.
• Screen size: While phones are getting larger, their screens are still relatively small for extended entertainment. Watching movies or reading books on a small screen may not be ideal for some users.
• Typing: Typing on a small phone screen can be frustrating, especially if you need to type lengthy messages or do a lot of online research.
• Data costs: Using cellular data while travelling internationally can be expensive, and finding local SIM cards or alternative data plans may be necessary to keep costs down.

In conclusion, smartphones are a convenient and versatile option for travellers, offering a range of features and functions in a compact device. However, their limited battery life and smaller screen size may be drawbacks for some. For those seeking a balance, combining a smartphone with a tablet can provide the best of both worlds.

Best travel phones of 2024

Samsung Galaxy S23

Samsung's latest phone has a range of features including a 200MP camera, an S PEN, Night Mode, and long battery life. It also has a high-resolution camera and great video options. It supports two physical SIM cards as well as eSIMs.

Price: $700

Google Pixel 7 Pro

The Pixel 7 Pro offers one of the best smartphone cameras on the market at 50 megapixels, a great water resistance rating, and solid battery life. It's a good choice if you want to take photos on your travels.

Price: $710

IPhone 15

Apple's iPhone 15 is a great all-round travel phone. For $799, you get one of the best camera systems money can buy, dust and water resistance, a decent battery life, a new USB-C port for convenient charging, and eSIM support. The iPhone 15 supports eight eSIM cards or more, making it convenient for travellers who need to use a temporary local eSIM.

Price: $799

OnePlus 11 5G

This is a budget-friendly phone with a good battery, improved storage capacity, and decent low-light photography.

Price: $669

HTC Desire 22 Pro

The HTC Desire 22 Pro is a great middle-of-the-road phone with reliable performance and a big, water-resistant screen. The 64 MP lens captures photos beautifully during the day and for the price, this is a very decent, reliable phone.

Price: $349

Pros and cons of travelling with a tablet

Travelling with a tablet has its pros and cons. On the one hand, tablets are lighter than laptops and have a larger screen than smartphones, making them a great option for those who want to watch movies or read books during their travels. They also offer better battery life than smartphones and are a good choice for those travelling with kids, as they can be filled with fun apps, games, and offline TV shows. Additionally, some tablets come with the capacity for cellular data, meaning you can access the internet just as you would with your phone.

On the other hand, tablets are more expensive than smartphones and take up more space. They also don't have the same processing power as laptops, so if you need to do any serious video or photo editing, a tablet may not be the best option. Tablets can also be a target for thieves, so it's important to be aware of the potential risks when travelling with valuable devices.

Pros:

• Larger screen than a smartphone, which is great for watching movies, reading books, and doing research.
• Better battery life than smartphones.
• Some tablets have cellular data capabilities, allowing you to access the internet without relying on Wi-Fi.
• Tablets are lighter and more portable than laptops.
• Tablets are a great option for travellers with kids, as they can be loaded with entertainment options.

Cons:

• Tablets are more expensive than smartphones and take up more space.
• They don't have the same processing power as laptops, so they may not be suitable for intensive tasks like video editing.
• Tablets can be a target for thieves, so extra security measures may be needed.
• Taking photos with a tablet can be inconvenient.

Pros and cons of travelling with a laptop

Whether or not to travel with a laptop depends on several factors, including the purpose of your trip, the length of your trip, your job, and the tasks you need to perform. Here are some pros and cons to consider when deciding whether or not to bring a laptop on your travels:

Pros of Travelling with a Laptop:

• Increased productivity: Laptops allow for faster typing and more efficient completion of tasks such as writing emails, coding, or editing reports. They also enable tasks that require more computing power, such as video and photo editing.
• Computing power: Laptops offer more processing power than smartphones or tablets, making them ideal for editing videos and photos, running multiple programs, and even gaming.
• Entertainment options: Laptops provide a better viewing experience for watching movies and TV shows, especially with their larger screens and decent speakers. They can also store downloaded movies, TV shows, music, and games for entertainment during long flights or train rides.
• More storage space: Laptops typically offer more storage space than phones or camera SD cards, making it convenient to store travel photos and videos.
• Better security and privacy: Laptops allow you to take extra steps to secure your connection and protect your personal information. You can use a VPN, encrypt your data, and choose secure networks to log into sensitive accounts.
• Software options: Laptops can run powerful programs designed for productivity, such as photo and video editing software, coding software, and word processing applications.
• Work from anywhere: With a laptop, you can work or access your files from various locations, including hostels, cafes, libraries, or even city parks, thanks to the widespread availability of WiFi.
• Efficiency: Laptops allow you to make use of downtime during travel, such as drafting emails or writing blog posts during a long bus ride.
• Customization: With a laptop, you have all your files and software installed and organized according to your preferences, which is not possible with public computers.
• Charging other devices: Laptops can double as a power bank to charge other electronic devices like phones, cameras, or e-readers via USB.
• No need for internet cafes: Travelling with a laptop eliminates the need to spend money and time searching for internet cafes or relying on hostel computers, which may not be secure.

Cons of Travelling with a Laptop:

• Hassle at airport security: Removing a laptop from its case and placing it in a separate bin during security checks can be annoying, especially for international flights with multiple security checkpoints.
• Weight and bulk: Laptops and their accessories add significant weight and bulk to your luggage, making it challenging to travel light and stay within carry-on size limits.
• Risk of theft or damage: The high value of laptops makes them a target for thieves, causing constant worry and stress during travel. Additionally, the fragile nature of laptops increases the risk of damage during transit or in accommodation.
• Privacy concerns: Some countries may require you to hand over your laptop and passwords upon entry, raising privacy and data security concerns.
• Wear and tear: Travelling exposes laptops to extreme temperatures, humidity, dirt, and vibrations, which can lead to premature failure or damage.
• Time spent online: It is easy to spend excessive time online, reducing the time available for sightseeing and exploring during your travels.
• Ergonomic concerns: It can be challenging to achieve a comfortable and ergonomic position when using a laptop during travel, potentially leading to issues like carpal tunnel syndrome or back pain.
• Redundancy: Smartphones have become powerful enough to perform many tasks that previously required a laptop, making a laptop seem redundant for some travellers.
• Need for a VPN: To ensure secure connections and protect your data, you will likely need to invest in a VPN service, which comes at an additional cost.

Tips for using your phone when travelling abroad

Using your phone abroad can be a convenient way to stay connected, but it can also be expensive and frustrating if you don't plan ahead. Here are some tips to help you get the most out of your phone while travelling:

• Sign up for an international plan or Google Fi: Depending on your cell phone provider, you may be able to add an international plan to your existing service. This can be a convenient way to stay connected while abroad, but it can also be expensive. Alternatively, you can sign up for Google Fi, a virtual cell phone service provider that partners with local providers in over 200 countries. With Google Fi, you can get unlimited free texting and data at the same price as back home, but phone calls will cost 20 cents per minute.
• Utilize free overseas data: If you're on a budget, consider using T-Mobile or Sprint as your cell phone provider. Many of their plans offer free text and data while travelling overseas, although the data speeds may be limited to 2G.
• Buy a local SIM card: If you're staying in one country or region for an extended period, purchasing a local SIM card can be a cost-effective way to make local calls and access data. In some cases, this may be cheaper than using an international plan or Google Fi.
• Use an eSIM card: eSIM cards are a high-tech solution that allows you to get a local number without having to find a physical SIM card. You can purchase and download an eSIM on your phone, which will connect you to cell networks and data services in your destination country. However, make sure your phone supports eSIMs and be prepared for a potentially tricky setup process.
• Pay for an international plan add-on: If you want to use your regular phone number for calls and texts while abroad and don't have Google Fi or a compatible T-Mobile or Sprint plan, you may need to purchase an international add-on from your cell phone provider. The rates and options will vary, so be sure to check with your provider before your trip.
• Consider a disposable phone: If you're worried about losing or damaging your expensive smartphone while travelling, consider leaving it at home and bringing a cheap disposable phone or burner phone instead. You can find basic options for under $150, or even less if you're willing to sacrifice smartphone features.
• Use Wi-Fi whenever possible: To avoid using up your data, take advantage of free Wi-Fi whenever possible. Many cafés, airports, and train stations offer free Wi-Fi, and some cities even have free public Wi-Fi in parks and other public spaces. Just be sure to use a VPN to protect your data when using open networks.
• Buy a budget smartphone: If you don't already have a smartphone or want to upgrade to a better model for travelling, consider purchasing a budget-friendly option. There are several affordable smartphones on the market that offer good battery life, storage capacity, and decent cameras, such as the Google Pixel 7 Pro or the OnePlus 11 5G.
• Rent a phone or portable hotspot: If you don't want to commit to buying a new phone or plan, you can rent a phone or portable hotspot at airports or from various companies before you leave home. This can be a good option for short trips, but it may be more cost-effective to buy a new phone for longer travels.
• Protect your phone: No matter which phone you bring, make sure to invest in a durable case to protect it from damage during your travels. Travel insurance may also provide limited coverage for electronics, so consider upgrading your plan or purchasing additional insurance if needed.

Frequently asked questions