We live in a world where there are now more smartphones than people, with something like 9 billion mobile subscriptions currently in use around the world. We’ve come a long way from that first Motorola phone call in 1973, and today a smartphone is more than just a communication device.
With so many options on the market, picking the right one for you might be overwhelming, it involves taking performance, camera, software and design into consideration, as well as price point of course which will always be a determining factor when selecting the right mobile device. You might be thinking comparing and reviewing phones is a tiresome and boring exercise. Not to mention, it eats away your time - which you could use actually purchasing your phone. But as much of a tedious task as it may be, it’s important. Otherwise, how else can you be confident in your decision?
One of the main things you need to ask is what you’ll be using your phone for. Will it be exclusively for work, or will you be playing games? Perhaps you might want to play at an online casino offering no deposit bonuses? And if it’s the case, you’ll want to make sure to pick a site that compares and reviews them for you. This great article by AussieBonuses about how they review operators will come in handy.
Identify Your Needs
Before venturing out into the vast smartphone market it’s a really good idea to identify what you really need and expect from this device. By understanding your requirements and priorities you’ll be able to narrow it down to a range of smartphones that best fulfill those preferences. Handy tips to keep in mind include:
- Budget – determining the amount of money you’re willing to spend on your new device allows you to look for phones that offer the features you’re interested in while remaining within your price range.
- Operating Systems – in today’s world your phone will either run on an iOS or Android system, and most users will pick one or the other depending on app or custom preferences, and overall familiarity.
- Battery Life – learn more about your daily smartphone usage and consider power consumption. If you’re looking for something that can go on all day, then you’re going to want to find a larger phone with a big battery and fast charging features.
- Camera – how important are high-quality photos to you? If you’re a passionate photographer then having a high-end camera with advanced features might make sense, but if you’re mostly known for taking photos of your pets or plants for no specific reason then something more standard might also work for you.
- Storage – how many photos, videos, apps, and messages are saved on your phone at the moment? This estimate will help you determine whether in-built storage makes more sense or whether you might require an expandable option in the future.
Smartphone Features to Consider
Once you’ve figured out what you expect out of your next mobile device, it’s now time to start comparing specs to figure out which one is more compatible with your requirements and lifestyle. With technology advancing faster than we can keep up with, here are a couple of advanced phone features that could make your next upgrade worth its while.
OLED and AMOLED Screens
Superseding the outdated LED panels, AMOLED and OLED screens are superior in many ways. Today, both mid-range and high-end smartphones will generally display this type of screen that creates the perfect black contrast by shutting individual pixels down. These same pixels are also able to display a broader range of colours with greater accuracy while displaying a wider viewing angle making them ideal for those who enjoy consuming online content.
Multiple Camera Setups
Truth be told, even if we have no training in photography, everyone’s camera roll is filled with hundreds if not thousands of photos of absolutely random things. Having a decent camera on your phone in 2024 makes sense, but how advanced does it need to be? High-end phones often make use of a triple camera system that allows you to take photos from different angles and perspectives, however a decent mid-range phone will usually also include a dual camera setup which also works if the photos you’re taking are purely for personal reference.
RAM
Given the way technology has progressed so quickly, we tend to feel that a good smartphone in 2024 should have at least 8GB of RAM, especially if you’re running an Android system, generally speaking you’re even able to go as low as 6GB if you’re running iOS.
Because smartphones these days require the ability to multitask at high speeds, this is one of the ways to make sure your phone won’t always feel like it’s jammed up. Most flagship phones today will come with around 12GB of RAM, however if you’re looking for something more mid-range the above suggestions have got you covered.
Storage
Going back to the photography point we mentioned earlier on, the more advanced the camera, the larger the files that get stored on your phone. Apps are also getting bigger and better so you’re going to want to keep your current needs as those for the next couple of years in mind when selecting your next phone. Even though there are several cloud-based storage services available, there’s no denying that the bulk of that material always ends up being saved directly on your phone after all.
A phone with 256GB of storage is playing it safe, you could probably also get away with a 128GB storage option if you’re a relatively casual user that doesn’t snap too many photos or install too many apps. Many Android phones, however, will also take SD cards allowing you to expand storage along the way if required.
Processor
If you’re buying a high-end phone this year, then you absolutely shouldn’t settle for anything less than Apple’s A17 Pro chip or Android’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processors – but this goes to say you’re aiming at the $1,000+ price range.
If you’re after something a little more mid-range then a handy guideline is to look for devices using last year’s flagship processors, which in this case would be Apple’s A16 Bionic chip or Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Android users.
Conclusion
Picking the right phone means that you’ve taken your needs and priorities into consideration and then you’re going to want to find the best phone to suit those needs while remaining within your budget. Keep in mind the importance of assessing factors such as camera capabilities, operating systems, storage and battery life before making a final decision and purchasing a new device.
Often picking out the perfect phone is more of a personal decision than you’d imagine, and while you should prioritize the latest technology or the overall user experience, knowing what to look out for could save a lot of time and effort next time you’re faced with this decision.