Smartphones seem essential in today’s world, but it can be hard to know what to look for when you’re in the market for one of your own.
Smartphones have the ability to connect us to friends, have directions at a tap of the finger, play games when we’re bored, among many other features. So what should you look for when purchasing a smartphone? Should you choose an Android or an iPhone? Are there certain features that all smartphones should have? How much do smartphones cost, anyway? Let’s take a look at how to find the perfect smartphone.
What is a smartphone?
A smartphone is a mobile phone that uses an operating system, such as iOS or Android. In recent years, smartphones have gained features and functions once limited to computers, including touchscreens and GPS navigation systems. Smartphones can be customized based on your personal needs and preferences. They are also easily portable: small enough to fit in your pocket and sturdy enough to withstand damage if dropped. With apps available on both Apple’s App Store (for iPhones) and Google Play (for Android phones), they can do more than ever before1! If you’re thinking about upgrading from an older model phone—or switching to a new phone entirely—you should be aware of some factors before you make your purchase. These factors are important for assessing which smartphone best suits your needs.
Battery Life
One of the most important things you should look for in a smartphone is battery life. Smartphones are supposed to be used on the go, and often. Make sure your phone will last you through a whole day of using it before buying it. It’s not uncommon for people to carry spare chargers around with them due to poor battery life, so don’t let that be you! When looking at phones, don’t just look at specs like milliamp-hours (mAh)2, but also make sure you test out how well they hold up while actively using them throughout an entire day. It may take some time to find one that works best for you, but finding that sweet spot is worth it!
Camera Quality
The camera quality on smartphones has drastically improved over time. In fact, some smartphones have incredibly high-quality cameras that can rival some point-and-shoot cameras. When deciding which phone to purchase, look at reviews of its camera quality and compare it to others in your price range. For example, if you’re looking for a mid-range phone with an amazing camera and you find several reviews stating it is one of their favorite smartphone cameras, then that could be your best bet.
Price
Smartphones are expensive. Depending on your service provider, you can pay for your phone in monthly installments or upfront. If you pay in installments, you will not be able to upgrade your phone until the full payment is made3.
The range of prices for smartphones is pretty broad—and it’s easy to overspend if you aren’t careful. Luckily, there are a few factors that can influence how much your smartphone will cost. Consider what you need from your phone, and look at options within your budget.
Phone Size
The size of your phone is an important factor in choosing one. Phones come in many different sizes, and they also vary depending on their manufacturer. You should choose a size that is comfortable for you to use. Today, larger phones have become more popular because of their ability to play games and watch videos on bigger screens. However, you can still utilize these features on smaller phones, it just depends on your viewing preference. If you don’t plan on using your phone for entertainment purposes, then stick with a small phone that’s easy to carry around with you all day long.
Popularity
There are many different brands of smartphones on the market. Among them, Apple and Samsung are extremely popular. In fact, there is so much competition between iPhone and Samsung that they both release new updates almost every month. Also, with such high competition among these phones comes a higher price. If you want an Apple or Samsung phone, expect to pay a high price. But if you’re not interested in either of those brands and prefer something like LG or Sony, you can find some cheaper options. When buying anything–be it clothes or electronics–you generally get what you pay for.
Final Thoughts
First and foremost, choose your carrier. If you’re using your phone on AT&T, T-Mobile, or Verizon, that’s one less thing to worry about. Also, look for a specific model you are interested in. Now that we have narrowed down our carriers and models, we can start looking at phones themselves. Do you want a flip phone? Or something sleeker? Are you more of an iOS person or Android? There are so many different phones out there, it’s important not to make decisions based solely on price but also on what features are most important for you personally. There is no one size fits all!
Work Cited:
- https://www.computerhope.com/jargon/s/smartphone.htm
- https://www.ubergizmo.com/what-is/mah-milliamp-hours/#:~:text=mAh%20means%20milliamp%20Hour%20and,it%20has%20a%20higher%20capacity.
- https://www.whistleout.com/CellPhones/Faqs/217074657-How-do-monthly-installment-payment-plans-work-#