Smartphones are like a daily requirement for most people. It is not just a desire or a want, but it becomes a need for a variety of reasons. Communication is very important in all aspects. Smartphones are the leading communication devices that people use. It is convenient and offers you various means of communicating – SMS, social media, messaging apps, and video conferencing platforms, among others. Because smartphones are “smart”, they are also used in business, education, and entertainment, among others.
There are hundreds of smartphones available in the market. They have unique specs, features, and technologies. Because the choices are very much available, it is now more difficult to choose among these smartphones. To help you, check these top 14 criteria in buying a smartphone:
Build Quality
The build quality of the smartphone is very important. It will determine the durability and the probability of your smartphone lasting for years. Basically, smartphones are either made of plastic or metal. Phones made of metal look more sophisticated and modern. It is basically more durable as well. However, malleable metal like aluminum tends to bend and it is prone to dents. On the other hand, plastic-made covers are less costly and can come in different colors. However, they look cheap and cannot protect your phone 100%.
Screen Size
Screen size also determines the size of the smartphone. Screen sizes are categorized into three major sizes – small, medium, and large. Small screened phones are 5 inches or smaller. It is compact and is easy to hold. However, expect that the interface and display are small. Medium screens measure 5 to 5.5 inches. It is considered by most consumers as perfect in which everything just fits into place. Lastly, large screened-phones, classified as “phablets” measure 5.5 inches or larger. They are great for watching videos, reading e-books, etc.
Display
There are different types of smartphone displays. So far, the best screen displays include Retina Display, LCD, OLED, AMOLED, and Super AMOLED. For the resolution, the full HD is usually 1920 x 1080 pixels. This is the standard if you want a good and crisp display. Some high-end phones have a quad-HD resolution which can go up to 2560 x 1440 pixels.
Design
The design of the smartphone includes the thickness, the edges, the finish, and the overall aesthetics. These factors are even integrated for more functionality. The good design of the phone is something that is comfortable with the hands. Most smartphones now also feature shatterproof glass display not just to make it look flawless, but for added durability. At least, settle for a phone with Gorilla Glass display material.
Processor
The best processor provides the best smartphone experience. The processor is responsible for the responsiveness of your smartphone. The Snapdragon 835 processor is the leading processor among the Qualcomm CPUs. The iPhone 7 used uses 64-bit A10 chip, the most powerful yet before their release of the latest iPhones.
Operating System
The Operating System/User Interface works along with the processor. The OS manages the apps and the programs in the smartphone while also determining how the whole interface will look like. The most popular operating systems are Google’s Android and Apple’s iOS. Others include Windows, RIM BlackBerry, and Symbian.
RAM
RAM also plays a vital role in the responsiveness of the smartphone. They are responsible for storing temporary data in use. If you love multitasking, go for smartphones with RAM higher than 4GB. Some high-end phones have at least 6GB of RAM. Avoid buying phones with just 1GB of system memory.
Camera
In this “selfie” generation, the camera is one of the major priorities in buying a smartphone. The best camera should have the best aperture, speed, ISO, image quality, and features. Most quality smartphones now have a camera with at least 12 megapixels. Some could go up to Dual-20MP, while others have 2 to 4x zoom capability. So far, iPhones are unbeatable in terms of camera quality.
Battery
The battery spec is a major criterion in choosing a smartphone. It determines the ability of the phone to stay powered. Battery life depends on the use – gaming, watching movies, playing music, or surfing the web. If you are dependent on internet connection, choose a phone that can last up to 9 hours of straight internet surfing. The standard for the best battery of smartphone has at least 3,000 mAh.
Storage
The bigger the storage, the more you can do with your smartphone – install dozens of apps, store songs, and movies, take hundreds of photos, shoot long videos, etc. Most Android phones can go up to 128GB, which can be expandable to another 128GB. On the other hand, iPhones are not expandable and are not only available to 16GB/32GB/64GB/128GB/256GB variants.
Security System
Security systems vary from phone to phone. Basically, smartphones are equipped with lock and unlock features accessed through patterns, passcode, and password. On the other hand, high-end phones have stronger and more reliable security systems. The recent iPhones launched their Face ID system, scanning the facial features for access. Before, they have Touch ID, which also inspired the fingerprint sensors of other smartphones. Others even have iris sensors.
Audio Quality
To round up if the smartphone is the best, check if the audio quality is excellent, both on a loudspeaker mode and on earphones. Most smartphones now are ditching the 3.5mm headphone jacks to make way for micro-USB and USB Type-C ports. Nonetheless, just make sure that smartphones have clear, crispy and surround sound quality.
Network Technology
Check if smartphones support LTE and 4G connectivity. It allows you to surf the web and use network-dependent apps through data connectivity. The smartphone’s capability to connect with Wi-Fi is not enough. Check the cellular network technology supported by the smartphone.
Price
Lastly, considering everything above, evaluate if the price is worth it all. Of course, superb quality and high-end phones can be more expensive. Make sure you consider your budget or how much are willing to spend for your dream smartphone.