As next semester approaches, you're going to need the right tools to help you make the most of the new term. Phones, laptops, headphones, and other gadgets are fun, but they can also make us more productive students. In this article, I'll share the best back to school deals on phones, laptops, and more, so you don't have to spend a fortune for the best tech tools out there.
Technology Can Be An Investment
New phones, laptops, and other gadgets can be expensive. Even when back to school deals drop on these devices, the price tags can still run pretty high. So, why pay so much?
Devices like phones and laptops, especially premium ones, are built to last years. While you might pay a high price now, it can keep you from having to pay for a replacement and repairs over the next several years. It's like buying a car — you need to choose carefully and make a big investment for the payoff of years of use.
Because of this, it's important to consider the details that matter to you. UpPhone's phone comparison tool is a great choice to compare cell phones, based on any number of features and specifications. You can also use the tool to find a data plan that fits your needs and budget to go along with the phone of your choice.
Essential Phone Features For Students
The best way to shop for phones is to pay attention to important features that are worth your while. There's no need to spend on features you don't want or need, even if there's a back to school deal on the device.
Battery Life
As a college student myself, the most important element of a phone is battery life. I need my phone to last through a day of classes and an evening shift at my part time job. What you'll need depends on how heavily you use your phone — the more you use it, the bigger battery you'll need.
When shopping for back to school phone deals, make sure you're paying attention to battery specs. Smartphone battery capacity is measured by milliamp hour (mAh). 4000-5000 mAh is considered high, while 2000-3000 mAh is pretty low. In between those two ranges is about average.
An alternative to getting a phone with a good battery is to get a portable charger. These are small, rechargeable battery packs that you can use to charge your phone while on the go. We highly recommend the INIU Power Bank which is super slim and has a 10,000 mAh capacity, so it can charge a Galaxy Note 20 Ultra from 0% to 100% twice!
Performance
Another feature I value is processor performance. I need my phone to be as snappy as possible because I'm always in a hurry and need stuff done fast. This is especially important when your university requires you to use your phone as a dual authentication method just to get into your online classroom content.
Verizon Back To School Phone Deals
Verizon offers plenty of back to school phone deals for you to take advantage of. Verizon's Just Kids plan is a great starting plan for kids to stay connected with their family through a cell phone. You can get 5 GB of data, as well as unlimited talk and text.
Be sure to remind your kids not to use their phones during school!
AT&T Back To School Phone Deals
AT&T's back to school deals are perfect for students looking for new devices and accessories to power them through the year while staying connected. AT&T's prepaid plans are an excellent choice for students, as they are flexible to fit your particular needs, so you aren't paying more than you have to.
T-Mobile Back To School Phone Deals
T-Mobile's deals hub has plenty of options for back to school savings on phones and plans. When you switch to T-Mobile, you can even get an iPhone 11 for free!
Sprint Back To School Phone Deals
Sprint has some great deals on new smartphones that you can take advantage of for fantastic back to school savings. You can get an iPhone 11 for free, if you trade in an eligible device. You can also receive a free Samsung Galaxy Tab A tablet when you add unlimited data to your plan.
Essential Laptop Features For Students
Laptops are even more important than phones. They're better suited to productivity because of their keyboards and larger screens, and they make it easy to take notes in class. However, they are much more expensive than phones and are a bigger investment. This makes back to school laptop deals even more important to help save money.
Once again, the most important feature of laptops is battery life. There's nothing like watching your laptop die in the middle of class, right as you need send a text to your frie— I mean, right before you could jot down that important chemistry formula. Don't worry, your TA definitely didn't notice that you weren't paying attention during lecture.
The Two-In-One Machine: The Ultimate Form Factor For Students?
As a student, I think that the most useful form factor for a laptop or similar device is the two-in-one. I'm talking mostly about devices like the Surface Pro series. They have detachable keyboards and can function as tablets or laptops. Plus, they include pen and touch support.
The two-in-one device might not be great at being either a laptop or a tablet, but the flexibility it offers enables you to do things that tablets and laptops can't. This might make them expensive for mediocre performance, but the flexibility is worth it, if you can find a good back to school deal.
Tablets will let you hand write notes, but most aren't good productivity machines and can't run a lot of specialized programs that you might need for your courses. Laptops can run those programs, but can't be used to hand write notes. This is where two-in-one devices shine, as they can perform both kinds of tasks.
Best Back To School Laptop Deals
Here are some of my favorite back to school laptop deals to help you save money on your next note-taking machine. Keep in mind which form factor you prefer and your needs. You might not need the most expensive laptop from this list, but also remember these are being offered at discounted prices!
Surface Go 2
The Surface Go 2 is the perfect two-in-one device for students who need flexibility and portability. The 10.5 inch screen is small but mighty, allowing you to carry the machine in your backpack along with your books for school. With the keyboard type cover, a Surface Pen, and Windows 10, the Surface Go 2 is the ideal device for taking notes and doing homework.
We've found some great deals for the Surface Go 2 here. Keep in mind you'll have to buy the type cover and pen separately.
MacBook Pro
The latest MacBook Pro is a beast. Powered by Intel's Core i7 processor, this laptop gets you all-day battery life in a tried and true form factor that's familiar to many students. With the dynamic Touch Bar, you can enjoy media with an easy tap.
Surface Pro 7
If you like the form factor of the Surface Go 2, the Surface Pro 7 offers even more. With a 12 inch screen, the Surface Pro 7 has more power under the hood to help you multitask and push through the day. It looks the same as previous Surface Pro models, like the 4 and the 6, but comes with fully updated hardware.
MacBook Air
The newest MacBook Air is an alternative to the more powerful MacBook Pro, for those who love the MacOS operating system and traditional form factor. It's light, thin, and elegant, with long lasting battery life to get you through the day. There's a reason why most of the students I go to school with use MacBooks, so it may be just what you need.
Tablets: An Alternative To Laptops?
Depending on your needs, you may not require a laptop. Tablets have become powerful enough that they can perform many of the essential functions that a laptop can. They can run multiple apps at once and connect to physical keyboards, so you can type out notes and assignments.
Tablets, like iPads, are perfect to get a hold of during back to school deals because they're generally cheaper than laptops. They also can be used in different orientations, if they have a kickstand or keyboard case that can prop them up like a laptop. Most also come with pen support, so you can hand write notes during class.
Best Back To School Tablet Deals
Here are my favorite back to school deals on tablets. However, if you need to run specific Windows or Mac programs or more advanced features of apps like those in the Microsoft Office suite, you may be better off getting a laptop. That being said, a tablet is a great option for note taking and typing up assignments.
iPad Pro 2020
The 2020 iPad Pro is nothing short of an absolute monster when it comes to performance and features. This is probably the best tablet on the market right now with Face ID, a beautiful display, and powerful processor. This is also the first iPad to have a keyboard with a trackpad available from Apple, so you can expect it to be a productivity machine.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S6
The Galaxy Tab S6 is the best Android-powered tablet on the market right now, and it has a ton of impressive tricks up its sleeve. Not only is it compatible with a keyboard and S-Pen, but the device can shift into Samsung DeX mode, so you can handle apps in windowed views just like on a Windows PC.
Headphones: Essential Study Tools For Students
Headphones and earbuds are extremely important for students. If you live with roommates or need to work on homework in between classes, you'll probably find yourself somewhere on campus like a library or café. Even libraries can get loud and distracting, and you'll want headphones to drown out the noise to help you focus.
Headphones are also great for talking on the phone and listening to music while walking between classes. The more convenient and feature rich Bluetooth earbuds can be expensive, so you'll want to take advantage of back to school deals to save money.
Best Back To School Headphone Deals
Here are our top picks for back to school headphone deals. You should consider important features like battery life and convenience when deciding which headphones to buy.
Samsung Galaxy Buds Plus
The Galaxy Buds Plus are an updated Galaxy Buds model, offering plenty of great features, better microphone audio, and better battery life in the same size and shape. They're probably the best earbuds for Androids right now and come in several attractive colors.
AirPods Pro
The AirPods Pro are a contender for the best wireless earbuds of 2020. Unlike many other wireless earbuds, like the Galaxy Buds Plus, they have an option for active noise cancellation which is essential when you need to block out noise to study. If you have an iPhone, the AirPods Pro are a valuable accessory.
Surface Earbuds
The Microsoft Surface Earbuds aren't for everyone, but they have some features that might suit you, depending on your style. They look funny, but their unique fit allows you to wear them comfortably all day with their 8 hour battery life. The additional charges through their charging case allows up to 24 hours of total run time.
The fit also ensures that you don't drown out your surroundings. When I wear other earbuds, I have trouble hearing things around me, even if they have an ambient sound feature. The Surface Earbuds don't go straight into your ear canal, so you can comfortably hear cars, people, and other things as you walk to class.
Save Big With Back To School Game Console Deals!
You're going to need something to do when you're not busy studying and doing homework, and video games are a great option when you need to social distance. Don't spend too much on a new game console, take advantage of back to school deals!
PlayStation 4 Slim
The PlayStation 5 was recently announced, but the PlayStation 4 is still going strong with its unique arsenal of games and excellent processing power. You can play lots of exciting games with your friends at school using multiple controllers or online play. The console itself is thin and will fit comfortably in a small dorm room.
Nintendo Switch
A few of my friends have these at school, and I'm super jealous. The Nintendo Switch is the ultimate portable gaming console that you can not only play as a handheld, but also on a larger TV with its detachable controllers. You can play plenty of fun games with your friends using additional controllers, as well as on the go.
You're Ready To Save!
Now you're ready to save on phones, laptops, and more with back to school deals. I hope this article helped you save money this year, and I hope your school year goes great! Thank you for reading, and if you have any questions about phones, laptops, or any other tech, please leave a comment below.
