What Features to Look For When Buying a New Smartphone

With all the features smartphones come with, it may get confusing which to prioritize. Experts share their advice on which features to look for in a smartphone.

The smartphone industry is one of the fastest-growing markets globally. It is also one of the most rapidly evolving markets as new technologies continue to add new features to smartphones. With all the advanced features the gadgets come with, it may get confusing to figure out which features should be considered when purchasing a smartphone. To help make your decisions easier, we have the experts share some advice on which features to look for in a new smartphone.

User Interface/OS Version

When buying a smartphone, the user interface and OS version are also important elements to consider. These are the interfaces that users will have to interact with every time they want to access something; thus, they should be basic and easy to use. Motorola handsets, Nexus/Pixel smartphones, and even Android One devices are available for the most minimal and pure Android experience. 

Different interfaces, such as ZenUI, Xperia UI, Samsung TouchWiz, EMUI, and others, provide more useful capabilities for sorting apps and more options in styles that the vendor believes consumers would prefer. OEM cell phones, on the other hand, come with bloatware and some apps that you will almost certainly never use. As a result, we urge that you try out the phone before making a decision. 

Hassan Usmani, Tech Expert at YEELIGHT

The Battery

Read reviews or speak with others who have previously purchased the phone you’re considering. If at all feasible, you want one that will last all day. My friends and family’s most common complaint is that their iPhones are always dead. If you’re one of these people, a smartphone with a rapid charging battery is a good idea. 

Most Android smartphone manufacturers offer special chargers that can quickly charge a battery to at least 50% capacity. If you have an iPhone, you might want to consider purchasing an iPad charger to acquire additional juice.

Dr. Peter Hinz, the CEO & Owner at Cool Springs Chiropractic

Headphone Jack/USB Port

Ports can also be a factor to think about. Although smartphones now include both micro-USB and USB Type-C ports, it is advisable to migrate to USB Type-C not only because it is easier to plug in but also because it is future-proof.

A growing number of devices have begun to support the new standard. Few other manufacturers have begun to abandon the 3.5mm headphone jack, but it may be another two years before all OEMs have entirely migrated to USB Type-C-based headphones connectors.

Dr. Dee Richardson, CEO & Owner Healing Hands Chiropractic

Security/Extra Features

Most smartphones now include additional security measures such as fingerprint scanners or even iris scanners. These are used not only to lock and unlock a phone but also as a password to gain access to specific files, documents, or apps. 

While even a Rs 5,000 smartphone can include a fingerprint sensor, iris scanners are still uncommon. Because most of us have sensitive information on our phones these days, it’s best to acquire a smartphone with these added security measures.

Tim Parker, Director of Marketing at Syntax Integration

Storage

The OS and the apps that come pre-installed on the device take up a considerable portion of the smartphone’s storage. A 16GB, 32GB, 64GB, or larger storage device does not always come with the exact amount of capacity specified. 

If you prefer to keep fewer programs on your devices, 32GB storage is an option. Users who want to store a bigger number of programs should opt for the 64GB or 128GB models. A 16GB model with microSD card capability is also available. 

Rodney Yo, Owner of Best Online Traffic School

The Display

If you’re like most of us, you’ll be staring at your smartphone screen for hours each day. Make sure you get one that’s bright enough to see outside and sharp enough to prevent text from becoming blurry when you’re surfing the web. 

If you’re looking for a phone with a huge screen, look for a resolution of at least 1920 x 1080p and, if you can afford it, the crisper 2560 x 1440 Quad HD standards. Also, consider the screen size. Is it possible for you to reach over it without difficulty? Do you prefer a larger screen for watching movies or a smaller one that’s simpler to grip and won’t fall out of your hands? 

Camera

Simply having a greater megapixel count does not imply that the smartphone camera is better. Aspects such as camera aperture, ISO settings, pixel size, autofocus, and others are also important. A 16MP back camera is not always superior to a 12MP camera. The front-facing camera follows the same logic. 

When the number of pixels in an image increases, the image becomes larger and sharper when seen on a small screen. For rapid photographs, even  in low light, a photographic enthusiast might prefer a camera with a 12 or 16MP sensor and an aperture of f/2.0 or lower. A casual shooter can get away with an 8MP or 12MP camera with an aperture of f/2.0-f/2.2.

Robert Johansson, CEO & Tech Expert at imgkits

The Company’s Reputation

Do some research on the smartphone’s manufacturer if you have the time. Apple, Samsung, LG, and the majority of other well-known brands are safe choices. Others, such as Blu, Huawei, and OnePlus, which sell more cheap flagship smartphones, have faced criticism for a variety of reasons. 

For example, US intelligence agencies warn against purchasing Huawei cellphones, and Blu and OnePlus have been found sending private data back to headquarters. 

Audio/Speakers

For individuals that rely on heavy video streaming or video conferencing, speakers and the quality of audio coming out of them can be a critical component. If you enjoy on-the-go entertainment, look for a phone with front-facing speakers. Even when the smartphone is held in landscape mode, the music is clear. 

A basic handset with bottom-firing speakers should suffice if you don’t do much video streaming or video conferencing. Those with speakers in the back are also acceptable. Darsh Ray, CEO & Founder of Job Alert

In Conclusion

There are many factors to consider when buying a smartphone. It’s up to you if you want to go with a more expensive one but higher quality one, or a cheaper one but one that lacks some features.

If you are looking for phone cases to protect your smartphone, you should check out Dropguys. They have a wide array of selections for iPhone users.

Penny Harper
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Penny Harper
Penny is a content editor who loves to read books and writes poetry. Her passion leads the way to be the best editor of the company.