I had the honor of testing out three smart phones for my mommy readers: the Samsung Galaxy S9+, the Google Pixel 2 XL, and the iPhone X on the Verizon Network and I have some reviews for my goddess friends. This post is for you if you’re a mom in the corporate world, classroom, working from home, or a creative. With so many phones out there, I wanted to provide some clarity and help you make a choice. We not only need reliable devices for keeping in touch with those caring for our precious children but we also need:

• simple and reliable access to our files and synchronicity across all devices
• cameras that take crisp gorgeous images so we can build our brands and side hustles and photograph our constantly changing kids.
• we need reliable GPS for transit, walking, and driving (a reliable network helps with that).
• we need easy note taking for those conferences, professional development meetings we attend and present at
• handing it off to kids for new exciting AR fun and learning games.
• Ladies, we are killing the game and these three devices will help you reach the next level. All three phones are awesome, especially with reliable Verizon service. So it’s all a matter of what’s important to you.

1. Crisp amazing pictures

So for us #momswithcameras, who don’t actually have a professional camera but still want crisp ah-mazing photos for our Instagram and blog aesthetic and brand you can’t go wrong with the front and rear cameras on all three phones.

Highest Ranking: Google Pixel. Crisp beautiful photos, but here is what amazed me about the Google Pixel 2 XL was the crispness of the photos I took at night. The other phones that I tested looked super grainy and awful at night. There’s also the AR feature for fun pictures with the kiddos.

Middle Ranking: Samsung Galaxy S9+

The iPhone X and Samsung S9+ take awesome photos as well. Portrait settings are where it’s at, but as mentioned before, night time photos with these two are not effective. The S9+ has the clear zoom feature which is great. Many times when you zoom with iPhone x you get that grainy low quality. The S9 offers Pro Mode and you can do all types of special effects.

2. Easy Access to My Files

It’s so easy to get to your Google files that contain your blog posts, meeting minutes, or lesson plans. I often outline and sometimes write my blog post from my iPhoneX.

Highest Ranking: All three phones do incredible when allowing you to access your google docs, google drives, etcetera.

3. Phone Size

After having the iPhone 5S for years and then getting the iPhone X I will never go back to a small phone. But in comparison the Google Pixel 2 XL and the Samsung S9+ the iPhone X is the smallest.

Highest Ranking: Google Pixel 2 XL and the Samsung S9+ offer amazing large sizes (if that’s what you prefer), beautiful images, and the utilization of nearly the whole face of the phone for the screen.

Lowest Ranking:  for me, it’s the iPhone x with the smallest screen but it’s still a great size for running my business from my phone when needed. But for you, the smaller size may be optimal.

4. Entertainment for kids…and you

Apps and games are constantly evolving to catch up with the new technologies of these high tech phones.

Highest Ranking: The Google Pixel 2 XL and the Samsung Galaxy S9+. My children loved, really really loved the Augmented Reality. They took pictures with dinosaurs in our living room. I downloaded meditation, Pinterest, and Instagram apps for myself with ease and that’s my entertainment. 

5. Easy phone access

I’m a mom, teacher, blogger, entrepreneur and I need my phone to be secure but also to unlock quickly and simply.

Highest ranking: iPhone X. IPhone X unlocks with facial recognition. It unlocks apps and passwords with my face whether or not I have on my glasses. It knows me. Easy Peasy

Middle-ranking- Samsung Galaxy S9+. The S9+ also unlocks with facial recognition but it could only recognize me without my glasses.

Lowest ranking- Google Pixel 2 XL. The XL still uses the pattern unlock.

So all of these features are awesome but none of that would matter without reliable phone service. This was my first time using Verizon and at times when my personal phone had low bars and I couldn’t make a call, I could always pick up one of my Verizon phones and be able to make the call easily.

Which phone fits your mommy lifestyle?