With so much choice today in the world of smartphones, finding a phone that perfectly satisfies your needs can be a source of frustration and confusion. While the biggest brand names like Apple and Samsung tend to dominate the market, other somewhat lesser-known brands like Huawei offer some attractive features that might give them an upper hand when it comes time to make your choice.

If you have been shopping around for a smartphone, you might have come across used Huawei cell phones that have sparked your interest and begged the question: should I buy a Huawei phone?

In this article, we explain the advantages of buying a Huawai cell phone and some potential drawbacks that you might want to consider.

Huawei phones are beautifully designed

When looking to buy a new phone, the first consideration that often comes to mind is the look and feel of device. In this respect, Huawei phones offer a level of craftsmanship that easily rivals Apple iPhone and Samsung Galaxy smartphones.

Huawei’s flagship P series features a gorgeous design that feels comfortable in your hand on a day-to-day basis. You certainly won’t be disappointed with the Full HD+ screen resolution that offers an exceptional browsing experience bursting with color and clarity.

The Huawei camera is a powerhouse

If you find your current phone is lacking in the camera department, a Huawei smartphone will be a welcome change. Huawei phones feature some of the most powerful and crystal-clear camera technologies available on the market.

For example, the popular Huawei P30 Pro features a rear quad camera design with 40 MP, 20 MP, 8 MP and time-of-flight lenses that deliver a simply brilliant picture quality. The phone also offers a 5x optical zoom that blows the Galaxy S10’s 2x zoom out of the water and a Night Mode that produces bright and clear images in dark environments.

Huawei smartphones have lightning performance

In addition to looking great and providing outstanding camera quality, you will be glad to know that Huawei smartphones are absolute beasts when it comes to performance. Whether playing your favourite mobile games or scrolling through even the most power-hungry apps, both new and used cell phones from Huawei will provide a smooth, frustration-free experience on par with Apple and Samsung.

Are there drawbacks to buying a Huawei phone?

If you have been paying attention to tech industry news in the last year, you may have heard about the controversy involving Google pulling services from Huawei following U.S. restrictions on business dealings with the China-based company. However, as of February 2020, the Google Play Store and other Google apps and updates are still available on all Huawei phones and Huawei has been working on developing an in-house operating system in response.

While the US has been urging other governments to drop Huawei from their 5G networks, there is currently no cause for concern if you want to purchase a Huawei phone in Canada. That said, you may want to keep an eye on new developments, especially if you plan to buy the upcoming P40 model from Huawei, which may not include Google apps, although this is pure speculation for now.

So, is it worth buying a Huawei phone in Canada?

The short answer is yes. Huawei phones are feature amazing designs, powerful performance and best-in-class cameras. However, while Huawei phones in Canada essentially remain unaffected by the US trade ban, you may want to stay updated on efforts to further restrict the company in the future.

If you have any questions about purchasing a used Huawei phone or want advice about other smartphones, we welcome you to contact the Recycell store today.

With February just around the corner, the temperature in Canada is set to plunge to its coldest point of the year. While most people have already broken out their most protective winter apparel, many people still neglect to protect their electronic devices.

Have you ever noticed your phone losing its charge, becoming unresponsive or suddenly dying in cold weather? This may come as a shock, but even a sleek new iPhone or Samsung phone isn’t designed to handle temperatures below freezing.

Have no fear, Recycell is here!

In this article, we show you how to protect your phone battery in cold weather with some winterproofing tips that will keep your phone from suffering a frigid fate.

Protect your phone battery in cold weather with a winterproof case

Much like us humans need to bundle up in warm protective layers when winter arrives, your phone needs its own defense against the cold weather. There is a good chance the protective cell phone case you use most of the year won’t be enough to brave the harsh Canadian winter.

When shopping for a case that will protect your phone battery in cold weather, look for products that offer thermal protection and temperature control, made from insulating materials that are designed to withstand temperatures well below freezing.

Avoid exposing your phone to cold air

While this may seem obvious, sometimes the urge to answer a text or peek at who’s calling can be the trigger that leads to your phone battery being damaged by cold air. Avoid the impulse to take your phone out in cold weather and keep it sheltered in your pocket or bag.

Shut your phone off in cold weather

Even better than using sheer willpower to avoid using your phone in cold weather is shutting it down before leaving home or work. This proactive approach will ensure you don’t feel the urge to answer any messages while also conserving your battery power (which can drain much more quickly in the cold) and increasing your phone’s safe temperature range by up to 20° C (in the case of the iPhone).

Power-saving mode and Bluetooth

If you absolutely need to use your phone in the cold weather (to use the GPS, for example), you should have your phone’s power-saving mode activated to avoid stressing the battery, which is already very vulnerable to the cold. If you urgently need to take a call, use Bluetooth technology and keep the phone as close as possible to your warm body (in your pocket, for example).

What if your phone dies in the cold?

If, despite all the tips above, your phone happens to die because of the cold weather, your best bet is to allow it to reach a normal temperature in a warm location. While it should function normally after warming up, your phone likely won’t be able to handle this type of stress multiple times before dying for good.

Recycell: used phones that are built to last

If are looking for used cell phones in Canada that are built to last, browse our selection of rugged phones that provide extra strength and durability.

For more information about our range of smartphones, don’t hesitate to contact us now. We will be happy to answer all your questions.

With the wide range of options for buying a cellphone in Canada, many shoppers can become confused with some of the terminology. One frequent point of misunderstanding is the difference between a locked and unlocked cellphone.

In this article, we dispel the confusion surrounding unlocked phones and explain exactly how to use an unlocked phone in Canada.

What is an unlocked phone?

First and foremost, it is important to understand what it means when a phone is unlocked. An unlocked phone is a phone that can be used with any wireless service provider with no restrictions. This means your phone can easily be switched between carriers if you find a better plan at a lower cost.

A locked phone can only be used with one service provider. Essentially, service providers will ask the phone manufacturer to install a lock that prevents their users from using the phone on a competing network.

In a nutshell, an unlocked phone is a cellphone without this pre-installed lock feature or one that has been unlocked by your carrier (usually for a fee).

How to unlock a phone in Canada

Before December 1^st, 2017, Canadian service providers had the liberty to charge their users a hefty fee to have their phone unlocked. This practice was essentially used to enforce customer loyalty and was a well-known source of frustration among cellphone users.

However, in good news for Canadians, the CRTC updated its Wireless Code at the end of 2017 and now forces service providers to provide unlocked devices to their customers. If you purchase a phone from any carrier in Canada and it comes locked, the carrier now has to unlock the device at your request, free of charge.

Should you buy an unlocked phone?

The short answer is yes, when shopping for used phones or smartphones, there is practically no downside to buying an unlocked phone.

The long answer is that buying an unlocked phone comes with a host of benefits that will save you a headache. These include:

• easily switching between service providers without having to worry about unlocking your phone
• avoiding rigid contracts and enjoying discounts when you buy an unlocked phone before going to a service provider
• using local SIM cards to avoid expensive roaming plans when traveling internationally
• having a better resale value if you decide to sell your phone

The only downside is that you will end up paying the full retail price up front if you want to avoid getting locked into a contract, since carrier subsidies tend to lower the total cost of the phone when you enter a contract. However, you can compensate for this by finding great deals when buying a used cell phone.

Using an unlocked phone in Canada has never been easier

In conclusion, the CRTC’s updated Wireless Code has made it easier than ever for Canadians to get their hands on an unlocked phone without paying ridiculous fees to their carrier. For more information about the unlocked phones we sell in the Recycell store, we welcome you to contact us.