Designed by Freepik When it’s time to buy a new smartphone, the majority of consumers do their research by googling through the Internet and reading experts' and tech gurus' recommendations, forums and blogs to make smarter buying decisions. This is not bad, but does it guarantee that you will receive the best advice without any marketing influence from those gigantic smartphones vendors and manufacturers? Maybe yes, maybe not.
You will read and notice a lot of recommendations regarding performance and processing power, latest central processing and graphic units (CPU/GPU), photo capture capabilities and features, different operating systems, screen size and resolutions, material made from, design, and so on. The list will grow infinitely (not really but it will be long). So, how do you choose which smartphone is best for you? Well, it will always be based on a few factors and on your needs:
- Your budget. How much you are you able to spend on these devices. An expensive smartphone may not always be the best phone on the market.
- Your emotions and status-quo. If you like the hype created by the geniuses and probably go with the masses. They are experts at creating needs that are not real or necessary.
- Battery life that long lasts your entire working or normal day (eight hours’ or more). This is tricky. Sometimes the “best smartphone” doesn’t come with the best battery capacity or durability. If you notice, we have mentioned capacity not necessaryly battery size. Some smartphone vendors or manufacturers have optimized their hardware and software to take advantage of their energy resources and it doesn’t imply battery size. A smartphone with a battery that will last more than 24 hours will be good. Remember that battery life will depend on daily and intensive usage (and bugs free applications).
- Storage capacity. Yep! This is another tricky factor from vendors. Like battery capacity, this is another factor that deserves our attention. As of today, there is the hype to record 4K and capture ultra HD and high resolution (HDR) photos. The files (images and videos) are so big that it will consume your entire storage capacity very quickly. Unless you are frequently backing up your phone files and deleting them thereafter, you will find yourself without memory (we mean your cell phone) when you want to shoot more videos and photos. So, our best recommendation; if you have a little more money, buy a smartphone with bigger storage capacity or expandable memory if available (128Gb and 200Gb).
- Camera features and capacities. Well, this a very important factor and it may complicate your life (just your decision making). Sometimes you may find a great phone with awesome capacities and processing power but when it comes to picture taking, it will disappoint you. If at all possible, before buy a phone, visit your nearest phone store and ask them to let you take a few pictures and videos and see if it satisfies your expectations and needs. You will notice that photos taken with light will look great. But try taking pictures with low light conditions or at night. It will help you to decide which one convinces you.
- Processing power. There is not too much you can do here unless you buy old (proven) smartphones. Technology trends will drive you on this area. Latest CPU/GPU manufacturers and vendors just move forward, implementing new processing technologies, capacities and features even with beta versions. Do your research and see which one doesn’t come with hardware/software bugs (antenna – reception signal problems and overheating, among others).
- Design, screen size, weight and material made from. This is very subjective from person to person, but consider your working environment, dressing clothes and environmental safety. For example, consider phones that fit in your pants' pockets. Also consider usability and ergonomics. Contrast ratio and dots per inch (dpi), OLED and LCD technologies.
We hope this blog provides you with vital information when determining which smartphone will better fulfill your requirements and needs.
Author: Gilberto Crespo, MSCE, CDIA+, CIP, ITILv3
Computer Engineer & Entrepreneur
Author: Gilberto Crespo, MSCE, CDIA+, CIP, ITILv3
Computer Engineer & Entrepreneur
