Buying a new phone? Here are key factors to consider
Buying a new smartphone can be super confusing, especially given the sheer number of choices. Today, you can buy a new handset at price points ranging from Rs. 5,000 to over Rs. 1 lakh. But frankly, there are only a few features in each phone that make it better than its closest rival. So, here are some factors to consider before making the purchase.
Display: Because that's what you look at (all the time)
If you are like most of us, you are going to spend a lot of time looking at your smartphone screen. Hence, make sure the phone you buy has a bright and sharp display that you can use even outdoors. We would suggest going for full-HD screens and, if your budget allows, go for Quad-HD resolution. Also, screen size is an important factor.
The battery: A phone's lifeline
If you are into streaming videos on your phone or are a casual gamer, you need a phone with a long-lasting battery - preferably 4,000mAh or more. If you are a light-to-medium user, anything above 3,000mAh should be good. Also, consider a phone with a fast charging battery that will let you juice it up to a near half charge, in minutes.
Memory: The RAM and ROM stuff
Smartphones use two kinds of memory-Random Access Memory (RAM) and Read Only Memory (ROM). RAM (along with your phone's processor) determines the speed of the phone and its ease of operation while ROM is basically built-in storage used to save music, movies, apps, photos, and other stuff. Hence, given our present-day requirements, don't go for a phone under 4GB RAM and 64GB storage.
Processor: The powerhouse of your phone
Talk about processors and one is bogged down with jargons like quad-core and octa-core or brand names like Snapdragon, Exynos, MediaTek and so on. But things can be simplified here. The performance of a processor is expressed in GigaHertz (GHz) wherein a higher value corresponds to a faster processor. So, if you are into photo/video editing or mobile gaming, go for a faster processor.
Camera: Does more mean better? Not really
Given the competition, even budget range phones now offer triple camera setups. But more megapixels or more sensors don't mean better pictures. Factors like aperture, focus speed, ISO level, optical zoom, stabilization, color processing, etc. are key factors that determine image quality. But in general, a camera with smaller aperture value (f/2.0 or lower) offers good low-light as well as outdoor pictures.
Beyond the basics: The rest
While the aforementioned factors deal with the basics, there are a few factors that make your phone future-proof. Look for features such as in-screen fingerprint readers or 3D face scanning for a new-age experience of unlocking. You can also look for dual speakers, wireless charging (because it is convenient), a headphone jack (because not many modern-day phones have it), and the latest connectivity options.
Cost: Stick to a budget
Given the wider adoption of technology and the ever-increasing competition, smartphones are now available at price points ranging from Rs. 5,000 to all the way upto Rs. 1,00,000. Naturally, prices will go up as you opt for faster processors, higher memory, better cameras, and brighter displays. Hence, if you are looking for a smartphone, clearly lay down your priorities and stick to a budget.
