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Introduction
Before replacing their stock headsets, smartphone owners will need to satisfy several needs before settling on a particular pair of headphones.
Determine your needs
Got a new smartphone? Don't like the headset that came with it in the box? Before buying a new headset, there are a few things you might want to consider before buying a new one. Whatever you decide on, you're going to want an ultra-portable pair of headphones with an in-line remote with a microphone, so you probably want to avoid over-ears or headphones without a remote in favor of on-ear or in-ears.
Before buying your headset, determine if you want to listen to music with it, whether or not you need noise cancellation, what design type is ideal for you, and whether or not you actually will need bluetooth, or if a wired connection will lessen aggravation in the long run. It's very hard to overstate the advantage of never needing to recharge your headset.
Make sure the headset is comfortable.
Many people don't like how in-ears feel, and others get frustrated by the bulk of on-ears. We recommend trying out your headphones before you buy, but it's important to know what will be best for your long-term sanity. After all, you will be asking your headset to do double-duty if you use it with a smartphone, so you're going to need a pair of headphones that are not only comfortable for long periods of time, but won't jostle around too much.
What type of smartphone are you using?
Sometimes smartphone manufacturers will do crazy things like use uninsulated metal cases that can shock you. If you use such a phone, look closely at the plug of the headphones to make sure that the bottom ring is plastic, not metal. Nowadays, headphones that are intended for use as headsets are made specifically to accommodate smartphones, but it's something to be wary of.