I Asked 5 Students Which Phone They Use and Why – The Results Surprised Me

We all have that one friend who swears by Apple. Another who's all about the latest Samsung Galaxy. And then there are the few brave souls still holding onto their budget Androids like battle-scarred warriors. Recently, out of sheer curiosity (and maybe a bit of boredom), I decided to ask five students—real people I know from campus—what phone they use and why.

I honestly thought I knew what to expect. Either they'd all say iPhone or pick the trendiest models. But what I got instead were some genuinely interesting—and surprising—reasons behind their choices.

1. Aditi – iPhone 13 Mini

Major: Design
Phone used: iPhone 13 Mini
Why she chose it: “Because I can actually use it with one hand.”

Aditi is someone who values aesthetics and function in equal measure. She’s a design student, so I expected her to be using the latest iPhone Pro Max with the fanciest camera. But nope—she proudly showed me her iPhone 13 Mini and said, “This size is perfect for me. I can type with one hand, it fits in any pocket, and I don’t want a huge phone just to show off.”

She did mention she was tempted by the new iPhone 15, but decided the Mini size was more important than having the absolute latest tech. “Plus, the battery life is not as bad as people say,” she added.

Surprise factor: High. I thought all creatives needed the biggest screen. Turns out, comfort matters more.

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2. Rohan – Samsung Galaxy S21 FE

Major: Engineering
Phone used: Samsung Galaxy S21 FE
Why he chose it: “I like value for money, and I’m not stuck in Apple’s ecosystem.”

Rohan is the kind of guy who can probably build a PC from scratch before breakfast. When I asked about his phone, he was mid-way through editing a video on CapCut. “I got this on a deal during Flipkart’s Big Billion Day. The camera’s decent, the performance is smooth, and I can sideload any app I want.”

He also emphasized the flexibility of Android and how he syncs everything with his Windows laptop.

Surprise factor: Medium. I expected Android, but the fact that he does light video editing and still went with a budget-friendly flagship was cool.

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3. Sneha – iPhone SE (2020)

Major: Literature
Phone used: iPhone SE 2nd Gen
Why she chose it: “It’s small, simple, and does everything I need.”

Sneha was probably the most chill about her phone choice. “I use it to read books on Kindle, scroll Instagram, and talk to my friends. That’s all.” She got her iPhone SE as a hand-me-down from her cousin last year and has no complaints.

“I’m not into taking a hundred pictures or playing heavy games, so this works fine.” She does plan to upgrade eventually but is waiting for the phone to actually die.

Surprise factor: High. I thought someone who reads a lot might prefer a bigger phone—or maybe a Kindle. But nope, her SE is her go-to device.

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4. Aman – OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite

Major: B.Com
Phone used: OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite
Why he chose it: “Gaming and battery. Simple.”

Aman didn’t even wait for me to finish my question. “OnePlus. Great battery, big screen, doesn’t lag in BGMI.”

He said he had considered a Poco or Redmi, but his brother convinced him to go for OnePlus for better build quality and software experience. “I use it for YouTube, Insta Reels, and gaming. That’s like 90% of my phone use.”

Surprise factor: Low. He’s the typical performance-first user. But still, I was impressed that even on a mid-range budget, the phone handled everything he threw at it.

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5. Ritika – Google Pixel 6a

Major: Psychology
Phone used: Google Pixel 6a
Why she chose it: “The camera. Oh my god, the camera.”

Ritika was the only one using a Pixel, and she couldn't stop showing me photos she took during her trip to Rishikesh. “Look at this—no filter, just night mode.”

She loves taking candid shots, especially in low light. “The skin tones are always real. And the UI is so clean, like it doesn’t try too hard.”

She did admit that the battery life wasn’t amazing and that the phone heats up a little during long video calls, but she still prefers it to any Samsung or iPhone she’s tried.

Surprise factor: Medium to high. Pixel phones aren’t super popular here, but she swears by it.

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So What Did I Learn?

I expected everyone to be running after the latest and greatest flagship phones, but these 5 students showed me that:

• Size really matters – Some prefer compact phones (like Aditi and Sneha), which goes against the current trend of larger devices.
• Performance is personal – Whether it’s editing videos or gaming, each user has their own definition of what “fast enough” means.
• Cameras matter—but not to everyone – While Ritika swears by her Pixel camera, others like Aman and Sneha don’t really care.
• Price-conscious decisions win – None of these students were using a device that cost more than ₹60,000. Most were mid-range, smart purchases.

Final Thoughts

As students, we’re all on different paths. Some of us want that aesthetic, one-hand experience. Some are power users. And some just want something that works without thinking twice.

What surprised me the most wasn’t the phones they used—it was how thoughtful and personal each decision was. In a world full of unboxings and review videos, real-world usage still reigns supreme.

So if you’re looking for a new phone and don’t know what to buy—maybe skip the flashy ads for a bit. Ask someone around you. Their reasons might just help you make the most practical choice.