Harllee,
Texting, taking/sending/receiving photos, fast internet website access (early ret. forum?), e-mail access and navigation apps really make it worth moving to the smartphone.
Some comments:
Texting:
Most communication for people under 40 is being done by texting, and most people older than that are switching over to this. I didn't like it at first, and it seemed silly, but it does have it's advantages. For example: My sister will text to our whole family that she is having Thanksgiving dinner, and everyone replies if they will be there, and what they will be bringing. Family pictures and comments get passed around too. That group communication would be difficult to do just on the phone. I suspect you are being left out of the loop on many things. Maybe your preference.
Cost:
There are many lower cost smart phones and providers. We recently purchased beautiful Samsung J3 Emerge smartphones for $50 each through Boost mobile. $35/month service with no contract. Not much more than your flip phone.
Listening quality:
- My wife didn't like talking on the smart phone as much as on our land line phone. I bought her a blue tooth headset for when she wants to talk with her sister for a long time, and she likes that best. It is hands free, and she can hear very good on it. We finally let go of the landline after she got this. (Saved almost $50/month) We even moved our long time landline number over to her cell phone.
Take care,
JP