Smartphones are the gadgets du jour. Since the introduction of the first models a few years ago, smartphones have quickly opened our eyes to the reality that indeed, every important gadget of the last decade could be integrated into one handheld device, the kind that can do virtually everything. A smartphone combines the desirability of a mobile phone and a PDA. Generally more expensive than a mobile phone and usually at the same price range as a laptop, smartphones are indeed today’s most important investment, at least when it comes to communication. Are you buying the right stuff? Here are smartphone buying tips to keep in mind:
Check the Hardware
If buying a smartphone is a smart choice, then take a look at its hardware. To access the functions of the phone, you could either use a keypad or a touchscreen. QWERTY keypads, a design that is prevalent in Blackberrys, remain popular because many users still prefer the tactile experience of typing letters and characters on a keyboard. The touchscreen, always a cool alternative, may not suit everyone but it is a very convenient technology to use, offering quick access to links and other functions.
[Read also: 75+ Funny Phone Names Guaranteed to Make You Laugh!]
Memory
Some smartphones have expandable memory but others do not, so transferring or deleting image files may be necessary. A larger memory accommodates more files and allows you to store more images. Today’s smartphone onboard memory usually ranges from a respectable 1GB to a roomy 64GB.
Built-in Camera
Most smartphones are loaded with an on board digital camera that ranges from about 2 megapixels to a high-resolution 12 megapixels. There are also functions that enhance image capture, such as flash, graphics, clip arts, zoom and even face recognition, among others.
[Read also: New Technology Allows for Smear-Free Touch Screens]
Battery Life
Long battery life means your phone will not die on you when you need to make that all-important call or send a text message. Look for a phone with a minimum of 4 hours talk time. Your phone should have enough power to last for several days of regular use before requiring a fresh charge.
Consider Screen Size
Screens on smartphones typically range from 2″ to 3″. Bigger screens offer better visibility when using the phone but it does require the phone to be bigger and wider. Make sure to choose a phone with a screen that offers crisp and clear images for an enhanced viewing experience. The display feature is usually expressed as the number of colors the phone is capable of showing, so this could range from 65k to an impressive 16M. Most popular brands offer excellent resolution but try to test the phone before buying to see which one suits you best.
[Read also: Smartphone Screen – Is Bigger Always Better?]
Know Your Apps and OS
What makes smartphones so useful are the programs and applications they come loaded with. At present, there are 4 major operating systems that are used to run smartphones: Android, Symbian, Rim and Apple’s iOS. The main function of the OS is to allow the phones to be used to connect to the Internet. Each OS comes with its own apps and little programs, so if they differ on one thing, it is probably functionality. Among these, Android is the OS that is available for many phone brands and models, providing new and exciting functions.
Consider Connectivity
Smartphones work in 2G and 3G networks, giving you access to numerous functions, especially those coming from third parties. 3G or third generation phones are capable of faster data transmission and are ideal for people who like glitch-free downloading and video streaming. Smartphones also come equipped with Wi-Fi for easy Internet access from anywhere.
[Read also: Why Is There So Much Hype Surrounding New Smartphone Releases?]
Should You Go by Brand?
There are established smartphone brands that offer plenty to be happy about but do not ignore the competition. As technology continues to improve by the day, expect new and exciting features from many different brands. Do not be afraid to explore so you will find the smartphone that has the perfect mix of function and form.
[Read also: 5 Reasons You Shouldn’t Get The iPhone 5]
Did I miss out anything here? Please give us your comments to make this post even more informative.
Very nice tips Peter. I think we should focus on the quality not on the brand only.
Yeah I would have to agree with you on that Reetika, quality of the smartphone is also vital.
That’s obvious if you don’t use any other brand you’ll not be able differentiate what’s good & what’s bad in your current mobile. I was a Nokia freak when I started using mobile because of the Symbian application compatibility but now Android takes the lead in application management.
But wouldn’t those users reviews on the quality of different brands sufficient Dennis? With so many reviews on different brands, we could just read and get the necessary information, why must we buy and try out all the different brands ourselves… Unless you have a lot of dough to spare ya? 😛
Good tips Peter! I am going to be looking for a new smartphone this month. The one thing I forgot to consider last time was connectivity. I constantly find myself on Edge, which is really slow. I would like to get something that is at least 3G this time. What good is an awesome phone if you can’t use the Internet at a reasonable speed 🙂
Wow! Getting a new tech toy soon yeah Dominic? So which one you’ll go for? 😛
You listed very well the things that everyone should know when buying a new smartphone. A personal top 3 when choosing a phone are: OS, hardware and battery life.
Screen size isn’t important to you George? 😛 Anyway, thanks for commenting.
It is, but more important than the size i think is the screen resolution, because as you said a bigger screen will make the phone bigger and some people don’t want that. 🙂
You got a point there George.
Nice article with good tips 🙂 .
In general the people that prefer a physical qwerty keyboard for their phone are people who never tried a decent touch screen keyboard for a week.
I use swype on my phone and with that I am way faster than other people on their physical qwerty keyboard.
When I bought my phone it was €500+ in stores. But I got it for free with a new plan/contract which was a 2year contract but 24times the monthly fee was €50 cheaper than the phone in the store. But when you do that be careful that your phone is not simlocked or else it will cost you extra to unlock it.
You’ve mentioned a great point there about simlock Danny.
I cannot live without the QWERTY keyboard. My old Nokia I have had one. My new Samsung don’t. it literally takes 10 times more time to type a message.
I’m sure you will get use to it later Zinedine 🙂 Thanks for commenting.
The most important thing for me in a cell phone is the battery life… People usually don’t pay attention to this point… I just cant understand hw people can ignore the battery life feature while buying a cell phone ? ! ? !
can u please emai me your recommendation…I am 68 yrs old and not up to date with all these gadgets…what I would be happy with is big screen…loud volume to hear without straining my ears…easy of making phone calls and to be able to pull up not only stock market but real time stock board as I am a day trader, doing this I could sit on the beach and trade stocks….I am not interested in doing/receiving messaging or emails and if trading stocks is problematic then I would be just as happy with the other features….honestly, if I could get away without the extra expense of going on line that would make me happy….I need your advice for an old school guy like me….thank u for taking the time….tony
I suggest you pay a visit to your nearest phone store, I’m sure they’ll be able to give you some recommendations. However, just for the record, I heard older folks tend to prefer iPhone. Thanks for stopping by, Tony! Good luck finding one 🙂