Smartphone is one essential technology that we cannot do without. Our existing phone has damaged or worn over and we immediately need a new one. All of us want to go for a handset that will last for at least 2-3 years and function smoothly. In such a case, buying a smartphone becomes the most crucial decision. If you are particularly buying a cell phone online, you do need some help in making the best choice at a reasonable price. Even if you alternatively think of buying a smartphone from a store, it will be helpful to have a guide to buying a smartphone right at your fingertips.
This article presents you with 12 essential things to consider to buy smartphones. It also has recommendations that will help you take a few steps ahead into buying out the best one!
12 Things to Consider When Buying a Smartphone
Battery power
Having a good battery is a prerequisite for most smartphone users. If you are a gamer or someone who watches out videos for longer periods, the ideal battery should have more power in them. Since the graphic chip and the CPU are working overdrive, batteries drain out faster. To avoid this from happening, go for a handset that allows you to stay onscreen for a significant amount of time. In such a case, a 3500mAh battery power will best suit your needs. On the other hand, if you are an average user of a smartphone, a 3000mAh battery can be your perfect choice.
Processor
The processor should be faster in providing you a seamless experience in streaming movies, playing games or editing videos. It is a technology that prioritizes our multi-tasking needs. The best mobile processors are AppleA14 Bionic, Snapdragon 888, Samsung Exynos 2100, to name a few. Other efficient processors are octa core, quadcore, MediaTek etc. Watch out for the processing speed in terms of GHz. If you are ready to invest money, go for a high-end processor but you have budget constraints, simply opt for an average processor like 2000MHz.
Display
The display screens are either LCD or LED. LCD stands for Liquid Crystal Display whereas LED is Light Emitting Diode. Although these may seem scientific terms, put simply they help emitting light through the phone screen. LCD have higher backlight which makes it possible to view the screen under a glaring sun. LED screens works better in dark and is lighter and thinner.
LED is better in all the ways from LCD but cannot be deemed “budget-friendly”. On the other hand, LCD is cheaper in overall production cost that makes it affordable. If you are a little tight on the budget, it is advised to go for an LCD screen. A Full HD or a Full HD+ is recommended if you watch videos and films in the maximum resolution.
Memory
Before you buy a smartphone, it is quite necessary to have a look at the storage capacity of the phone. Usually, you can check it by referring to the RAM and ROM. RAM and ROM represent Random Access Memory and Read Only Memory respectively. RAM determines the ease of operation within a smartphone. If a device has a higher RAM, it will be speed efficient.
On the other hand, ROM usually refers to the storage that can be used to store multimedia, games, apps etc. Go for a higher ROM for space efficiency. If you need a lot of storage, choose a phone with an ideal 4 GB RAM and 64 GB ROM. In case you prefer to stick to an average variable, 2GB RAM and 16 GB ROM will do just fine.
Operating System
Regarding operating systems you have to choose between either Android or iOS. Choosing iOS means that you are necessarily purchasing an apple iPhone. The other smartphone makers belong to Android. Android users prefer to stick to their OS just as apple users do the same for iOS. Both have equal advantages and disadvantages of their own.
If you pit Android against iOS, personal choice seems to be the better out of the two. iPhone is usually a costly business and is less preferred according to a survey conducted by Business Insider.
Camera
If you are planning to execute your photography skills through a smartphone, don’t be pleased with those extra megapixels. What makes a good picture is the right ISO, aperture, autofocus and pixel size. Usually, the phone comes with these inbuilt settings but nowadays the camera even allows you to readjust according to your wishes.
Also, a sensor with a greater size should usually be opted for since it guarantees you better pictures. A 12–16-megapixel camera with an aperture of f/2.0 is all you need to have good photos. Watch out for front cameras with 5 megapixels to get decent selfies. If you are not someone who bulk loads his gallery or is an occasional photographer, go for an 8–12-megapixel rear camera smartphone and a front camera with 2 Megapixels.
Sound system
Audio is one important aspect to consider before buying a cell phone online. Since you will be playing out videos, songs, movies and attending calls, audio is something you should take seriously. Do you think the louder the audio, the better it is? If the loudness of the smartphone or the audio is excessive, it might exhaust the battery sooner. This is one con that you must clearly avoid. Moreover,
your speaker placement should be proper so as not to block off the area and be a hindrance in serving optimally. Also, take care to check the headphones and their jacks. Quality headphones do come with cushions or earpads since they not only prove comfy but filters harsh sounds coming from the speakers. A good quality headphone will isolate noisy environment and provide you a rich audio experience. Going with the current trend and the budget, Bluetooth speakers can also serve as a trusted ally.
Build
The build quality of a cell phone is the hardware. It can be alternatively referred as the finishing or the rearside of the product. For example, Apple uses metal as its hardware, whereas Sony uses a glass build quality. Even there are plastic build qualities available which are more durable just like its metal counterpart. The latter even dissipates heat unlike the plastic ones. Going for a glassy build is a little risky as they get easily shattered. However, as an environment-friendly person you can go for the glassy ones since they are recyclable. They are even waterproof and aesthetically pleasing. Plastic builds are significantly cheaper.
User interface
Mobile user interface also called mobile UI is the touch-sensitive display of a smartphone that grants its users to interact with the apps, features, multimedia etc. Everything within the smartphone display should be arranged neatly that makes the interaction easy and efficient. The UI should be designed in such a manner that ensures smooth usability and readability. Top mobile UI include iOS 12, Samsung One UI, OxygenOS, Android one as per the Business Standard. Look for a smartphone with less friction on-screen and you have your mobile UI sorted.
Connectivity
The next important thing that comes down the lane after user interface is connectivity. Be it for entertainment or work, each one of us requires web connection. Since fast connectivity is a priority nowadays considering the pace of the modern world, a 4G technology is mostly mandatory. Moreover, the efficient services of a network provider can only be enjoyed through this 4G technology.
Apart from that, one needs to check Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, hotspot connectivity as well. Some phones even have WIFI calling feature that enables calls on Wi-Fi connection. Moreover, they even serve useful in maintaining contact in case of an exhausted mobile data. However, these can be listed under secondary prioritized features. The latest OS in Android is 12 and that of iOS is 15.5.
Security
To prevent tampering with your phone while you are away, security features serve as one of the important things within your device. Lock features are present in almost every smartphone. It keeps your device protected against unauthorized activity. Nowadays, fingerprint sensors are a new fashion that unlocks the phone by your thumb impression. More recent is the infrared face unlock security that detects your face through the infrared camera and unlocks your phone.
In case of any suspicious activity, the intruder is often captured by the system and the message gets relayed to you. Also, it is wise to go for another security feature inbuilt in your phone that is the SOS. In Android, SOS is an emergency message directed from your phone to 4 primary recipients. You can slide the SOS slider or press the SOS button three times (in India) to connect directly with emergency services. In case you feel unsafe under any circumstances, you can make the best use of these features.
Brand
Going for a branded commodity is good since it will be long-lasting. Opting for highly rated brands like Samsung and Apple has its own perks but it is certainly not everything. Even phones from other brands like Oppo, Vivo, Lenovo compete equally in the market to provide the best of its services. However, if you want to avoid taking risks or play on the safe side, it will be better to go for high-rated brands.
Samsung and Apple are traditionally reliable and can offer long-term quality service even after the guarantee period is over. Contrarily, if you want some new features at a budget-friendly price, go for the rest of the already mentioned brands. In case you like changing phones within a term of 2 years, going for medium-rated brands will do fine.
The Final Thought!
Did you find this guide to buying a new cell phone worthy? If yes, it means you already understand the various important aspects to buying a smartphone. We are pretty sure you can walk confidently into the store or make your next smartphone purchase online. If your friend needs to buy a new smartphone, share this link for help.
