Every year, smartphone manufacturers come up with new devices with more advanced features. While this provides consumers with an abundance of choices, it can make the selection process more challenging. Even if you apply filters when you search “mobile phone Philippines,” you will still see a lot of options.
Since many smartphones available today can be hefty investments, you need to carefully consider different factors before making a purchase. Ask yourself, do you want to get a phone and use it to play games as if you are using a laptop? Do you need a smartphone for work or leisure? These questions can assist you in determining the kind of phone you will appreciate. In addition, you also need to evaluate important features that can impact how you want to use your device daily.
In case you are thinking of getting a new smartphone, here are the vital features you need to take a look at to ensure you make an informed decision.
Size and Type of Display
Many individuals use their phones to consume different types of content, making size and type of display important factors to consider. If you enjoy streaming videos or watching shows using your smartphone, it’s best to opt for one with at least a 5.7-inch screen size for your viewing pleasure. Also, make sure the display has at least a full HD resolution for smoother visuals. Another display option is QHD or quad high definition. It offers sharper images with more pixels per square inch than full HD.
On the other hand, if you regularly use your mobile phone to browse social media apps, check emails, and send messages, a five-inch smartphone with a full-HD display is a great choice that offers a high refresh rate display.
Internal Storage Capacity
The majority of a smartphone’s storage is dedicated to its operating system and the apps that come pre-installed in the device. You need to keep that in mind when picking a smartphone based on the storage capacity. So when you get a 32GB model, the actual available storage may be less than that.
However, this doesn’t mean a smartphone with 128GB or 256 GB internal storage is better. You need to think about how you use your phone. Unless you plan to store a lot of music, photos, and files on the device, then 64GB is sufficient. And if you need more space, you can take advantage of cloud services to save up space for files you need to access offline and essential apps.
Processor
The smartphone’s processor is responsible for the device’s overall performance. It translates the actions you do on your phone into the visual changes you see on the screen. So if you have a high-quality processor, your phone functions better and faster. It sounds simple, right? However, the different technology jargon like quadcore, Qualcomm, and Mediatek can be confusing for someone who is not familiar with them.
If you don’t consider yourself a techie, a good rule of thumb is to look at the processing speed expressed in terms of gigahertz or GHz. The higher the GHz, the faster the processor. In case you want to use your smartphone to edit photos or videos or stream videos, get a device with a faster processor.
Battery Life
Battery life is another vital feature you need to carefully consider before purchasing a smartphone. You can tell a device’s battery capacity based on its milliamperes/hour or mAh. Still, it takes more than a high mAh to determine a device has a long battery life. Battery life can also be affected by other features. For instance, smartphones that have screens with higher resolution tend to consume more energy.
In addition, you need to factor in your usage. Do you frequently use your phone to play games or use online streaming apps? Are you a heavy online user? These things can drain your phone’s battery faster. If you answer yes to these questions, it’s best to get a phone with a long-lasting battery. Otherwise, the standard 4,000 mAh is sufficient to maximize your phone’s features.
Camera Quality
A lot of smartphone manufacturers today are paying more attention to camera quality and features, which many users get to enjoy. With high megapixels, autofocus capabilities, optical stabilization, adjustable manual modes, and more, smartphones are closer to becoming suitable substitutes to digital cameras.
Although these features can be impressive, you also need to find out details like integrated sensors and lens quality. In the meantime, you can use megapixels (MP) as a baseline reference. If you plan to take full advantage of your phone’s camera, the best option is a device with a 12 to a 16MP camera minimum. However, if you don’t usually take a lot of photos or are not a heavy camera user, a smartphone with an 8MP camera should be enough for occasional shots.
Before purchasing a smartphone, you need to assess how you will be using the device. From here, you can select the factors you want to prioritize. It will also be helpful to check out user reviews and see the experience of other people when using the model you are eyeing. It should help you understand the pros and cons of the product and make the best selection.