5 Top Things to Consider Before Buying a New Smartphone
Buying a new smartphone is both thrilling and overwhelming in a market crowded with countless options.
Smartphones are no longer just messaging devices; they are now a means of capturing photos, playing media, organizing schedules, making payments, and more. With so many models released every year, and each claiming to enhance processing speed or the camera experience, it’s easy to get lost in the buying process.
One option is to check out buyer guides that compare various smartphones head-to-head. In fact, buyer guides are essential whether you’re buying a new faucet, vehicle, or garden tractor.
Whether you’re among the 98% of Americans with some type of cellphone or among the 2% who have yet to jump onto the bandwagon, here are five things to consider before you spend your hard-earned money on a new smartphone.
1. Performance and Processing Power
A smartphone’s processor, also known as a system on a chip, plays a huge role in determining the device’s responsiveness. A powerful processor becomes even more important when you are a multitasker, use high-resolution video, are a mobile gamer, and use heavy-duty apps.
RAM is also a major factor in performance. Although 4 GB of RAM will suffice for light use, 6-8 GB will make a significant difference for most users. Heavy users, such as mobile gamers or remote workers, should consider 12 GB of RAM or even higher.
Before purchasing a new phone, consider not only your current usage patterns but also how your needs are likely to change over the next couple of years.
2. Battery Life and Charging Options
Even with a fast-charging smartphone, you’ll find it frustrating if it runs out of power too soon. There are several considerations when evaluating battery performance. These include battery size in mAh, software optimization, screen technology, and processor design.
Smartphone batteries with 5,000mAh capacities are no longer uncommon, but not all batteries are created equal. Some smartphones with low mAh batteries will run for a longer period due to software optimization.
The speed of charging also matters. With many phones now offering fast charging, it’s important to consider both battery life and overall charging performance when choosing a smartphone.
3. Camera Quality and Real-World Performance
The camera is also essential. Most flagship smartphones come with three to four lenses. While a flexible camera sounds good, it’s more important to note that what matters most in camera functionality is how a phone processes images. Optical image stabilization, night mode, true color reproduction, and video shooting are what matter most in a camera.
4. Software, Updates, and Long-Term Support
Software functionality has a significant impact on a smartphone’s lifespan. Even when a smartphone has amazing hardware, substandard software updates can affect longevity. Apple has long been known to support software updates for a longer period than most other companies that use the Android platform. However, in recent years, some Android manufacturers, including Google, have committed to providing software updates for periods.
When seeking your next smartphone, check how long software updates will be available for that model. You might not care about this if you buy a new smartphone every year or two, but it’ll be essential if you like to hold on to your smartphones for more than a few years.
Another point to ponder would be the interface. Some companies like to implement as many custom options as possible on their version of Android. Others stick as closely as possible to a vanilla experience. What it boils down to, though, is being able to find a software experience that has, in your opinion, a clean and intuitive interface.
5. Price and Value
Smartphones range from budget models costing less than $300 to high-end models costing over $1,000.
High-end smartphones are usually equipped with the latest technology and features, but many mid-range smartphones offer pretty good value without the hefty price tag.
Identifying what you must have in a smartphone and what you would like to have but don’t necessarily need is key. It can help you avoid overspending.
Buying a new smartphone can be a daunting experience if you head into the process without a strategy. It’s best to pay attention to features such as performance, battery life, camera, software updates, and value for the money.
Doing all of the above can help you get a smartphone that serves you well over the long term.
