Decisions, decisions! Picking a new smartphone is kind of like being a kid in an ice cream shop. Do I want mint choc chip or boysenberry? Triple whirl or cheesecake? I’m going to regret it if my sister picks a better flavour! Unlike ice creams, though, your phone is going to be your best friend for another couple of years, so you want to narrow down your choice from the thousands of models on the market. Here are some considerations to help you nail down the best flavour smartphone.
1. Battery life
How long does a phone battery need to last? And just what is typical use anyway? Most smartphones are designed for you to plug it in overnight to charge, which is frustrating for campers, the forgetful, and people who like to party hard after work (get a power bank!).
Finding the right smartphone is rather subjective. First and foremost you need to ask yourself what you’ll be using this gadget for, then narrow down your list based on those needs and wants. There are of course the ‘nice-to-haves’, but there are also features which are considered a staple.
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2. Camera
Top-of-the-line smartphone cameras are pretty crazy. With up to 108MP resolution, front flash, 8K video, four or more cameras, ultrawide and telephoto lens… it’s enough to turn anyone into a pro (with the right guidance, of course). But plenty of these features are way too over the top if you’re just posting day-in-the-life videos to Instagram or TikTok, or want a gorgeous photo of the sunset and your cocktail.
Test out some cameras in-store to get a feel for the type of photos they can take. Don’t forget that great software also helps with the camera, too, so your phone brand also matters.
3. SIMs
Is one SIM ever really enough? We say no, although plenty of people would argue otherwise. If you run a business or travel internationally, then having the opportunity to use multiple SIMs at once just makes life easier.
There are different options available to use more than one SIM in your smartphone. The traditional way is via Dual SIM phones. There are plenty of these on the market and they will have slots for two micro SIMs. The other option is to get a smartphone with eSIM capabilities. Not all smartphones have this and it is certainly not common in cheaper handsets so check the specs.
4. Ports
The news of the minute says that iPhones in the future will sport the industry-standard USB-C port, thanks to EU regulations outlawing proprietary ports such as the Lightning connector. This is good news for any iPhone owner who forgets their cord when visiting Android-loving friends. Most smartphones produced now will only have one port – the USB-C port. However, older model phones, and in particular iPhones, may come with a different port for charging.
If there is another hole in the phone that’s not the one you stick a pin in to eject your SIM tray, then it’ll be for a headphone jack. If you like wired sound or find your Bluetooth headphones running out of battery at inopportune moments, then you’ll want this port – and some wired headphones.
5. Size and weight
Size matters! In a phone, that is. And so does weight. While smartphones have increased in size significantly since they were first released, it doesn’t mean you should just get the biggest screen size. That probably means you need a tablet, too.
Instead, go for a size and weight that is comfortable in your hand. For those of us with more delicate features, this might reduce your field significantly, so head to the shop to feel what feels right in person.
6. NFC
NFC, or Near Field Communication, is now available on most smartphones, but not all. NFC is the technology that allows you to do cashless payments via Apple Pay or Google Pay, plus use loyalty cards, etc. Make sure to check to see if it’s on your new smartphone as this one is a must-not-miss feature over the coming years if you don’t have it already.
7. 5G
Another must-not-miss feature that’s standard in most new smartphones but not all is 5G network capabilities. 4G is pretty good for most phone usage but when you’re in 5G areas with a 5G-enabled phone you’ll really notice the difference.
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