In this article, I give you a few tips for buying a mobile phone. There are more and more mobile phones day by day, and you need to opt for one.
Once the biggest problem was money, and today you have a sea of affordable devices, but their offer is so great that one simply does not know where to start.
In this text, I will try to make your choice at least a little easier. Tips for buying a phone are pretty general things, but they can at least narrow down your choice and lead you to eventually choose between several models, and then you are on your own. I went step by step, and I will go through all the elements of one phone. And remember, our infographic system can be of great help when choosing your new phone.
Tips for buying a phone look like as follows.
Which operating system to choose?
There are three main dases on the market. Android, iOS or Windows Phone. Each of them has many advantages and disadvantages, but they are calculated depending on what you need.
iOS is a well-protected and well-executed operating system. The market for buying apps is pretty well filled, but the use of devices (read iPhone, iPad, iPod and Mac) is limited in the sense that they only work in the environment of devices from the same manufacturer (read Apple). If you’re already using a Mac or have an iPad, for example, then it’s probably best to go with an iPhone. As the iPhone is not cheap, you always have the option to choose an older model (iPhone 5 or iPhone 4S and iPhone 4 that have or can update the system to the latest iOS7).
If your sky is the limit, then Android is for you. It is the platform that offers the greatest opportunity for individualization.
What you should pay attention to are the manufacturers who often know how to process the original Android too much and thus slow down the work of the phone. The selection of Android phones is unrealistically large, but if you want something authentic, then try the latest Nexus.
Windows Phone is the third most prevalent OS. It features a simple and likable interface, and the new Windows Phone 8.1 also has a voice assistant called Cortana, which is something that has already been seen on the previous two systems, but which is definitely helpful.
What hinders its expansion a bit is less flexibility than Android and still a relatively small number of applications. However, often WP phones with weaker hardware run faster than stronger Android machines, and plus they also come with integrated Office and other Microsoft services.
Top models: iPhone 5S (iOS), Samsung Galaxy S5 , HTC One M8 , Samsung Galaxy Note 3 , LG G Pro 2 , LG G2 (Android) and Nokia Lumia 1520 (WP).
Functionality or performance?
We will try to answer this question with another question. What do you plan to use the phone for? If it is the Internet, e-books, radio, multimedia, then the answer is performance. In that case, you need a better phone.
The best ones, as a rule, have large screens, a lot of memory, cameras with good performance and fast processors. Such phones hardly fall below some $350 USD, so that is one of the criteria you have to count on.
They are generally better in terms of hardware than the middle class models (read faster), so if you don’t really want to take the best ones, sometimes you will have the same software capabilities for half the price. Such phones cost from 150 USD onwards.
If you want your phone to be a phone and you can make calls and write messages with it, then the situation is different. These are the classic models with an alphanumeric keyboard, without large screens and advanced software, but with a durable battery. They cost as little as 10-15 USD.
We have already mentioned some of the best models on all three platforms, and perhaps they can be joined by the very grateful Motorola Droid Maxx. In the middle category, there are Samsung Galaxy S4 , HTC One , iPhone 5 , HTC One Mini , LG G Optimus G Pro , the mentioned Nexus 5 , and maybe even Nokia 520.
Standard or above average design?
At a time when phones talk a lot about us, it is important to choose one that reflects your character. If you think that classics are always in fashion, there will be no problems for you, because most phones are in black or gray. For young people, or those who feel that way, there are more and more “cheerful” colors that are becoming a trend. Nokia loves colorfulness, though neither Motorola nor Sony lag far behind.
You will often hear that the HTC One M8 has the best design because of its aluminum body. Nokia models are said to be likable and can be chosen in many colors. For those with a sophisticated taste, the iPhone 5S remains the first choice. If you want to experiment you can try to grab the Moto X model, which offers a large selection of different back cover designs.
Not to forget the great Sony Xperia Z1 and the latest Xperia Z2, as well as perhaps the most elegant phone at the moment.
Screen size?
Most of us will start by choosing a phone from the screen. In addition to quality, size is often important. If that’s your priority, then consider the Samsung Galaxy Mega with a 6.3-inch screen, and if you want a Windows Phone in addition to the big screen, then the choice is definitely the Nokia Lumia 1520. HTC One Max has a good design and good features, but it may be the best 5.7-inch Samsung Galaxy Note 3 at the moment.
If you are more interested in the quality of the screen, then these are definitely premium (most expensive) models like the Galaxy S5, One M8, etc. If you do not want your phone to become a torture for your hands due to the large screen, then the advice is not to exceed the limit of some 5 inches. Here you will find great models, such as the Moto X, One Mini and Galaxy S4 Mini.
The camera?
Rarely do any of us use classic cameras more. We are increasingly craving the capabilities of our phones when it comes to photography. If you want the best of the best, the choice is again similar to the previous one. The Nokia Lumia 1520 with a 20MP camera is probably the best when it comes to poor lighting, while it is followed by 16MP with the Galaxy S5. The iPhone 5S is also at the top and its camera “captures” really good photos with super colors. There’s also the HTC One M8 with an UltraPixel camera of just 4MP.
And yes, let’s not forget the Nokia Lumia 1020 with a 41MP PureView camera!
Battery life?
Yes .. We have come to a slippery slope when it comes to smartphones. Big screens and powerful processors are real sources of energy. Although newer models, as a rule, have batteries that guarantee at least a day of moderate use, only a few phones give their owner the opportunity to relax and not look for a charger every hour. The champion is without a doubt the Motorola Droid Maxx, although the new Galaxy S5 is not bad either.
QWERTY or not?
If you need a classic QWERTY keyboard, then you may encounter a problem, because the production of such models has almost died out. Only the BlackBerry still sticks to itself and such phones, but their models, except for some super practical things and high security, do not offer features similar to other smartphones. Nokia models often have such keyboards, but with modest performance and features.
And last but not least, the headline made you read this article. That’s the price. In search of a new phone, start with the limit until when you are ready to pay for the phone. Also, be a little flexible, because you can often get a significantly better phone for 20 – 30 USD, so pay attention to the section similar models.