Top 6 Considerations for Buying a New Smartphone

Choosing a device that dynamically suits your needs basing on its functionality, specifications, performance, and budget can be a hurdle. 

With the various existing phone brands each possessing varied features, you may find immense difficulty finding the best gadget that operates to your suitability and terms

Buying a new smartphone can be hectic and puzzling! You desire to find the best suitable device of maximum functionality at the most affordable cost. 

If you’re in such a circumstance, this article is to help you make a great choice!   

Let's dive right in! 

Considerations should be made considering your line of work, the nature of activities that you use your phone for, whether you are a battery or camera person, all compiled for easy guidance.

Put the following into consideration:

1. OPERATING SYSTEM

First and foremost, you should always consider what type of operating system you are set to use. Initially, chose an OS you're well versed with, one that's easier for you to use and understand. 

We all have different preferences. There are various Operating systems such as Android, iOS, Windows OS, Blackberry OS, KaiOS, Windows OS, Harmony iOS, etc.

·         Android

With over 1.4bn active users worldwide, this OS persistently resides to be the most widely adopted OS over the globe. It clasps a higher preference virtue than its great and competitive rivalry the iOS by Apple. Inc. The Android OS offers assorted functions. 

It offers flexibility and customizability of your smartphone the effortless access to a diversity of third-party apps to tweak up the phone and replace the original apps, home screen launcher icon changers, widgets, tweak up the phone as they desire, among others, thus giving the user maximum control over their phone. This is my preference, and I have always used this type.

·         iOS

This is an OS by Apple Inc. that is made entirely for their mobile devices. It is the greatest and high competing rival of the Android OS. 

This OS is known for its better secure system, faster and smoother user experience (through their optimized interaction between the hardware and software) of their devices, quicker and faster integral software improvements, better quality apps, and no bloatware. 

They roll out their software upgrades on all their devices, though with some limitations to the lower or earlier releases of their devices that they wish to phase out, they still get the update experience.

Since I enjoy the freedom of flexibility, I preferably use android. For one that desires a simple, easier-to-understand OS, Android is for the better. 

2.   RAM (RANDOM ACCESS MEMORY)

A phone has two forms of memory;

o       ROM (Read Only Memory) - concerned with permanent storage of data. It forms part of the internal storage and is nonrandom makes up part of the internal storage that is not accessible for usage

o        RAM (Random Access Memory)

 This generally pertains to the multitasking of the phone. It is responsible for the coexisting operation of the open apps while the phone is in usage. 

Various Apps are being developed from time to time by various developers, for which most turn out to be significant that we have them installed on our devices. 

From social media apps, basic-task apps, games, among others. These come in different sizes that sum up to the need for a greater sum of storage. Phones with lesser RAM value will not be able to handle the needs and operations of these numerous operations by the apps on phones, thus not running smoothly, they will lag and have slower loading rates. No one wants a slow phone this year! 

The latest smartphones being brought on the market come with various ranges of RAM such as 2GB/3GB/4GB/6GB or higher values. My advice is to go for devices with a higher value of RAM than those of lesser value and at least 2GB as the lowest value. 

A greater value of RAM will mean smoother and faster operations since the phone can deal with various hefty operations and still run fine. For a heavy user Chose devices with higher Ram values. 

3. BATTERY

This is one of the most crucial features of the smartphone. It powers the device and enables it to run its activities thoroughly. 

With the changing social trends, we have developed habits of using our smartphones most of the time for recreation. 

I earlier stated in my preceding article on how to keep your battery healthy for longer periods where I share crucial Battery Care Tips and extension of Lifespan. Of late, phones have been developed and manufactured to perform numerous functions. 

This, in turn, results in higher usage of energy. Phone battery capacities are measured in units called (mAH) such as 1500mAH, 3500 mAH, 4000 mAH, etc. . . .

 For an average user utilizing the phone for basic activities such as calling, texting, social media, a 3000mAH battery should be just fine. 

For heavy users streaming videos, photo editing, playing games, I highly recommend the capacity of 5000 mAH and beyond for the better. 

This capacity is most suitable and favourable to handle heavier phone activities for longer hours. Higher battery capacity should be your priority! 

You’ll be saved from fast drains of battery, burdens of your phone blacking after some time of usage, moving with bulky chargers and cables for charging.

 4. SECURITY

The internet is changing and evolving all the time. Security breaches have also become rampant. 

Hackers, phishers are on the lookout to hack into people’s systems for their information, organizations are being breached, and many more. 

Also Read: How to Receive Your E-mails directly on Telegram

It is for your good to focus on storing your information with extra affirmation and assured security. Security features such as Fingerprint sensors, Face recognition, Voice recognition, Iris Scanning are vital and key. 

Considering their accuracy and sensitivity, these should provide safety for your device if at all your device is to handle sensitive data and information, it is useful to consider these extra features for additional security 

5. BRAND

Choosing a Brand is very vital. Concerning preference, genuineness, and authenticity, Brands such as Samsung, Apple, Sony, Huawei, HTC, Nokia, Blackberry, and others of such stature have peaked to the peak in terms of Quality. Here's a simple trick for you to prove the authenticity of the device. 

1. Get the IMEI  number of your phone (It could be on the packaging that came with your phone or dial *#06#, and it will display automatically

2. Search for it on the internet to check for its details.

3. It should display information concerning your phone; if it shows otherwise, your device will most definitely be a fake one.

These brands have -constantly delivered quality and the best phones on the market for a while and are still consistent. 

Note: Purchase from trusted retailer stock shops to prevent buying counterfeit a device.

They have been approved by mainstream users and have been major in the field for a while. Choosing a genuine phone brand comes with benefits such as a warranty, a guarantee,  may offer free repairs for a stated time, promotional discounts on their devices, among others.

They have a history of authenticity, good quality, genuine, and durability. Undoubtedly, this should be the right path to take in making a choice. Stay away from unknown isolated phone brands because they are being offered to you cheaply, be cautious!

6. STORAGE

Storage is the primary space where the phone stores all information that you wish to keep. Media like images, videos, music, documents are all kept here. 

Phones have storage capacities such as 16GB, 32GB, and 64GB and beyond. For users that use devices for such activities that require storing, such as photo and video editing, streaming videos, playing games, you’ll require higher storage values such as 64GB, 128GB, and higher. Still, for an average user who’ll use the phone for basic functions such as social media, 32GB will work just fine. 

Considering the above entities discussed, the scheme above will help you decide what things to put in mind and make a choice. 

Choosing a phone because of its high price doesn't directly mean it will possess all your needs in a device. 

You'll rather need an extensive guide such as this one. You can get a phone at a fair budget price, having almost all the basic functionalities you need. After 

Finding and acquiring a device that possesses the above-discussed entities, you'll rest assured of the best outcome out of your device. Good luck choosing your device! 

What are your priorities while choosing a new smartphone?

Let me know about your ideas in the comment section.

#TechTips