Looking for an intuitive phone to keep you company? Or an assistant you can delegate your tasks to? Whatever your specific needs might be, a smartphone can probably meet them all. Still, there are some things to consider before upgrading to a newer model. We’ve came up with a few suggestions to guide you through the process.
- Choose Sides in the OS Battle
With Android and iOS fighting a blistering battle with each other, worldwide sales of smartphones suggest that, when it comes to popularity, the battle is currently even. However, the rivals do differ in details, and you should definitely contemplate both options to find out which one suits your lifestyle the best:
- Android – Slightly in the lead for its customizable design, widgets, specs and price, the Android phone is the definite ruler of multitasking and user experience. If you want complete and easy control over your mobile device, look no further.
- iOS – For those who prefer an instinctive and self-dependent system, the iPhone is probably a better choice. It provides ease of access and manages all important software updates on its own. Also, the apps and games market is Apple’s playground, and iOS will certainly satisfy smartphone accessories enthusiasts.
- Other options – So far, Windows Phone and BlackBerry have trotted behind these trailblazers in small, but secure paces. If the operating system is not much of a concern, you can still find fine and functional models among these.
- Measure Your Screen Size Needs
The design, size and screen visibility vary from one model to the next. Ultimately, the choice depends on your lifestyle alone – if running on a busy schedule that demands your pocket device to be highly responsive and easy to operate with one hand only, it’s better to opt for easy-to-grip medium sizes. Small screens are devised for those unburdened with browsing on the move, and large, phablet ones are perfect for multitasking, videos, games and eBooks.
Resolution, brightness, colour quality and viewing angles are all important screen segments to consider. Quality displays allow you to read in broad daylight and share what’s on the screen with the others around you. The design is perhaps a property least significant for the phone’s functionality, so feel free to browse from the available selection.
- Take a Perfect Selfie
Whether you need your device for business or for pleasure, a smartphone camera always matters. Don’t get charmed by megapixels, but remember to look at image quality, aperture (the lower the better), pixel size, speed and additional features. For great selfies, choose Galaxy S7 or Galaxy S7 Edge, because these have some of the best smartphone camera features.
- Get Comfortable With a Processor
Even if you mostly care for a fancy finished product, try to take some time to learn more about what hides beneath the sparkly surface. Smartphone processor talk may be confusing and exhausting for you, but still, this feature is the very heart of your device, so don’t make the mistake of taking it too lightly. A quality processor regulates performance and speed and secures durability – all crucial segments of a solid functional phone.
So far, the properties of a Snapdragon 820 are a pretty convincing argument for making this chip a class-leading processor of the generation. Graphics are 40% faster than with the last model, and the speed of the camera and upload/download performance have also improved, with a long-lasting battery to support it. If multitasking swiftness is what you’re going for, an Android phone with this processor is by far the best choice.
- Pay Attention to RAM and Storage
If multitasking is your main consideration, than pay close attention to your potential new smartphone’s RAM. Start with a solid 2GB, and if you decide that’s not enough, 4GB RAM always secures an impeccable performance. To avoid having your entertainment needs limit your smartphone’s functionality, as far as storage goes, you should consider additional internal storage. For piles of high-res photos and lots of games, skip the 16GB option, and go for 32GB.
- Increase Durability with a Long-Lasting Battery
Durable batteries are no longer exclusively for those with responsible jobs and long working hours. We’re all constantly on the move, and the connectivity of this modern age now has us asking for cell phones powerful enough to sustain our roaming needs. You certainly wouldn’t want to buy a flashy new device if you’ll be needing to recharge it every couple of hours – 8 hour endurance is the least you should settle for. A 3,000 mAh battery is your benchmark for buying a quality long-running smartphone.
- Compare the Prices
With all of the gold features we’ve mentioned before, the Samsung Galaxy S7 is currently the crème de la crème of the smartphone market in 2016, with a quality-matching cost that goes around $700. The tenth best smartphone at the moment is the iPhone SE, a close-to-$500 model that is both handy and powerful. In between those two, the list showcases models that are somewhat even in performance, design and features, and their prices vary from $500 to $1000. However, there is a catch to be cautious about – the top-voted Galaxy S7 is less expensive than its iPhone 6S Plus rival that lands on the seventh place on the list!
With all of the information needed, it’s less likely that you’ll make a mistake while purchasing your new gadget. The calculation is simple – you can be a proud new owner of a high-performance smartphone if you’re prepared to cash out around $500. If power and durability are really important to you, don’t settle for less.
A brand does sell, but it always costs more – don’t get misguided by popular logos when you can get the less popular ones with better properties at a lower cost. In a nutshell, find a solution between functionality and cost, and you’ll make a fine choice.