Smartphone consumers are currently following two trends: they buy a new phone either because they want to flaunt a flashy new device or because they are looking for a serious upgrade.
Well, there is not much we can do if one is determined to buy a newly launched phone. But if you’re really looking for a smartphone buying guide, your search ends here.
We’ve put together a checklist for you to go through before buying your new phone
1. Processor: Because speed matters
Yes, the speed of a phone’s processor matters a lot. But then, do you really need all that speed? At best, if your phone activity is just making calls, running a handful of apps, and playing the occasional game, a phone with a moderate to mid-range budget would serve your purpose just fine.
For example, let’s take Moto G5 Plus, Xiaomi Mi Max 2, Samsung Galaxy J7 Series or Lenovo K8 for example. These phones handle everyday tasks with barely a lag or two in between.
This is mainly because the hardware of the phones has been superbly upgraded to include multi-core processors.Finding a phone running on a single processor is rare these days. And thanks to these upgraded processors, the times of app crashes and freezes are over.
This is when it comes to budget phones. However, if you are doing heavier tasks with your phone, like playing games with high-end graphics or experiencing virtual reality, you should definitely opt for a phone with a high-end processor.
The Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 is one of the best processors available in the market and has been featured in a number of flagship phones such as OnePlus 5, Xiaomi Mi Mix 2, Nokia 8 and other high end devices such as Google Pixel 2, LG V30., Samsung Galaxy S8 and Note8.
2. Battery: capacity and charge
I’m not going to exaggerate when I say battery life makes or breaks a phone. It goes without saying that you should get a phone with great battery life, preferably one that lasts more than a day on a single charge.
For example, the Xiaomi Mi Max 2 has a 5400 mAh battery unit that can last up to four days or the Samsung Galaxy A9 Pro with its 5000 mAh battery unit.
Bigger batteries mean bigger phones. If you’re concerned about size, consider getting a phone with a 3,400mAh battery, which will easily last a day.It’s not just the mAh unit of a battery that counts. Battery efficiency and low power CPU cores also play an important role in improving the performance of your phone.
A phone with low-power cores will be able to perform low-intensity tasks, such as going to sleep or responding to commands (when your screen is off) without draining the battery.
A built-in quick or fast charging technology is a must-have feature.
But that’s not the only thing that matters when buying a phone. Charging on the go is the norm these days and the built-in quick/quick charge technology is a must-have feature. After all, you wouldn’t want your phone hooked up to the charger forever, would you?
In summary, a longer battery is as important as the charging technique it uses.
3. Display: Sharp and Bright
The Samsung Galaxy S8 has a stunning 4K display. I admit the term sounds really impressive, but you also have to consider how much 4K video content you can actually consume on your cell phone on a daily basis. Also, would your cellular plan support unlimited 4K video consumption?
Such factors are important when considering buying a new phone. But that doesn’t mean you should settle for anything less, either.
The sharpness and brightness of a display is measured in terms of pixels per inch (PPI). A higher PPI value indicates a more dynamic and sharper display.
The higher the PPI value, the better the display.
Generally, the higher the PPI value, the better the display. In addition, the general display must be of good quality. Quality examples include displays from Samsung and JDI Sharp.
Other than that, make sure the readability of the phone in sunlight is perfect. After all, you wouldn’t want to squint at your phone to read a line of text in broad daylight, would you?
Display without bezel?
In 2017, bezel-less screens became the big hit in the market. Phones with bezel-less displays look good but, at the same time, they are flimsy and a bit difficult to hold.
In the rush to have an all-glass screen, some of the phones have compromised a bit on placements. Remember the weird Mi Mix 2 front camera placement?
4. RAM and storage: the more the merrier
With heavy apps all around, a phone should have at least 3GB of RAM. However, if you are looking for cash, you can go for a 2GB RAM phone, but it is not recommended to go below this option.
With 6 or 8 GB of RAM, a phone might be overkill unless you’re using it instead of a laptop.
The more storage, the merrier.
The same goes for storage. The more storage, the merrier. With the advent of a treasure trove of backup services such as Google Photos, Google Drive, or any other online music streaming service, reliance on built-in storage has been reduced.
However, if you are heavily dependent on offline storage, make sure that the device you buy also offers enough expandable storage. Buy Latest Phones at Affordable Prices on Carphone Warehouse.
5. Stock or Custom UI: Different Experiences
The Android world is still divided in terms of stock and custom UI experience.
While phones like the Mi A1, Moto G5 Plus or Nokia 8 will let you get the Android experience, phones including the Samsung Galaxy series with Touchwiz or Xiaomi with its MIUI 9 give you a plethora of options. additional options.
From smartphone managers to nifty battery-saving features to customization options, these phones let you perform various tasks with built-in apps and settings.
Another notable thing is that Custom UI phones also come with a series of added software also named as Bloatware.
6. Camera technology: not just megapixels
You will hardly find anyone with mini camcorder these days. The phone camera has taken over and finding the right camera in your new phone is more important than ever.
The megapixel craze is long gone. The current camera buzzwords are pixel, sensor size and aperture.
A wider aperture means brighter images. The smaller the aperture value, the better. The logic is opposite for pixel size – bigger is better.So if you’re confusing two options with the same specs but one has an f/1.7 aperture and the other offers f/2.0, go with the one with an f/1.7 aperture.
Also Read: The Ultimate Guide to Image Stabilization
7. What’s in the box: what’s extra?
When you open the box to take out your new phone, basic accessories such as headphones, cables, etc. are usually provided inside.
But in this case, not all manufacturers send their devices in the same way. For example, OnePlus and Xiaomi don’t offer headphones with their phone, while Huawei’s latest offering not only packs headphones but also provides protection.
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