If you’re in the market for a new smartphone, this handy guide covers everything you need to know before you invest, including features like operating system, screen size, processors, and price. Use these recommendations to make sure you get the very best handset suited to your needs and budget.
Price
Wireless carriers no longer subsidize the cost of a phone with a two-year contract, so you end up paying full price. Although providers try to break up the cost into monthly payments over two years, you could still easily end up paying anywhere from $650 up to $1,000 for your next phone. If you’re wanting to save some money and still get your hands on a capable handset, check out unlocked Android phones, the best of which offer surprisingly good value, including solid performances, full-HD screens, and long battery life.
Operating Systems
Android currently dominates worldwide smartphone sales. With Android, you will find more choices than iOS when it comes to displaying size, specs, design, capabilities, and price. In addition to that, Android is an open OS, making it easier to customize with different launchers and widgets. All the latest iPhones, such as the iPhone 8 and iPhone X, as well as older handsets, run the latest version of iOS which offers several enhancements, including a useful Control Center, Live Photo editing, a files app, and a redesigned app store.
Screens
Though bigger screens are currently in vogue, you will still find a variety of different display sizes. Size is also only part of the story, as current narrower aspect ratios are making big-screen phones even easier to handle with one hand.
Display
Apart from the screen size, you should pay close attention to your smartphone’s brightness, color quality as well as viewing angles.
Ensure that the smartphone you’re interested in has a panel bright enough for you to be able to read outdoors in direct sunlight.
Design
The definition of a good smartphone design is different for different people, but if you care about build quality and aesthetics, look for a phone that is made of metal or glass, or even better, a phone that has both. There are a few cheap handsets that come with plastic bodies, but generally, we’d avoid them unless your priority is to save money.
