7 things to consider when buying a smartphone

Take a moment to observe those around you, and you’ll likely notice that most are either using or at least holding a smartphone. FYI, as of 2023, there are approximately 6.92 billion smartphone users around the world, constituting 85.74% of the world population!

This staggering figure just highlights the integral role smartphones play in our lives. With the variety of smartphones available in the market, deciding which one to buy is becoming increasingly challenging. Choosing the right iPhone alone is already tough, and when you throw Samsungs and Huaweis into the mix, it can be so mafan!

Fret not, we've got your back! Here's a list of things to consider before deciding on your next tech companion!

Processor

At the top of our list is the processor. Think of the processor as the ‘brain’ of your smartphone - it has a very big impact on how well it processes tasks!

However, if all you wanna do is scroll through Instagram or browse the web, the processor may be a little less important for you. On the flip side, if you’re a gamer or multitasker, choosing a smartphone with a decent-performing processor is definitely recommended.

Here’s an example: Apple manufactures its own processor for the iPhone, and the higher the number in the iPhone’s name, the better the performance. Therefore, the A14 Bionic processor installed in the iPhone 12 outperforms the A13 Bionic in the 11 series, making the former a better fit for gamers.

Build quality

Build quality is all about durability! In today’s market, smartphones primarily come in three builds - metal, plastic and, most recently glass.

If you’re someone prone to dropping your smartphone, opting for a handset with a metal or plastic build is highly advisable. These materials can withstand drops from 2 to 3 feet, whereas glass-build handsets are more prone to shattering.

RAM

RAM, or Random Access Memory is basically where your smartphone stores files and applications on a short-term basis. Essentially, the more RAM it has, the more room there is to keep files and code open for quick access.

Generally, more RAM is usually better! However, it also depends on how efficient your phone handles its RAM. For example, the iPhone performs really well with only around 4GB of RAM, simply due to Apple’s optimised handling of the operating system and other components with the available RAM. Most Android phones, on the other hand, often need more RAM to perform well because most Android manufacturers aren’t Google, so they have less control over how Android utilises RAM.

All in all, phones with 8GB or more of RAM can smoothly handle multitasking, while devices with 4GB or 6GB should still perform adequately for most situations.

Battery and charging

Battery capacity is measured in milliamp-hours, and it basically refers to the size of the phone’s battery. However, the metric isn’t an indication of how long a phone will last. Various factors can affect how long the battery can last, including display specs, network usage, and other activities like gaming. So, checking reviews before making a purchase is advisable if you’re concerned about battery life.

Your battery charging pattern matters as well. Nowadays, there are two ways to charge your phone - using a cable or wirelessly. While the latter may seem more convenient, it's generally slower. That being said, when you place your phone on a wireless charger, it might take a few hours to be fully charged.

Camera

Moving on to our next consideration: the camera. As more people become interested in photography and videography, manufacturers continually enhance their pixel game. 

It’s also important to realise that a higher number of megapixels doesn’t necessarily equate to a better camera. For example, a 16MP rear camera doesn’t guarantee superior pictures compared to a 12MP camera. Higher number of pixels simply means that the size of the image is bigger, resulting in sharper images on small-screen devices. So, it’s advisable to explore other specs such as camera aperture, ISO levels, and autofocus as well.

Display refresh rate

Some of us may not be familiar with what a refresh rate is. Simply put, it’s related to how often the screen generates a new image in one second. This means the screen displays a static image that changes so fast that it creates the illusion of movement. For example, a 60Hz refresh rate creates a new image 60 times per second, while a 120Hz refresh rate creates twice as many.

A faster refresh rate results in an image that looks and feels much smoother, which is  especially helpful when playing games - provided the game you’re playing can take advantage of a higher refresh rate!

Storage

You may ve noticed that over time, devices come with increasingly bigger storage. However, it has less to do with how well your phone performs; it’s more about how much stuff you can keep on it.

With the rise of cloud services, you don’t necessarily need that much storage. For instance, you can store apps on your phone, while your songs, videos, or files can be stored in the cloud, ready for download as you stream and view them.

Nevertheless, it doesn’t mean that storage isn’t important. As you download more apps over time, you may find the need for extra space. So, it’s safe to say that whether you choose lesser or more storage is just a matter of how you use it!

Recap

Of course, the aspects we highlighted are almost entirely subjective. Regardless of what you’re looking for, it’s just a matter of perspective.

However, there’s one perspective that we all share: getting a smart device at a very, very affordable price! At Shop.CompAsia, you can own professional-certified second-hand smartphones, tablets, MacBooks, smartwatches, and more without putting a dent in your budget. What’s even better? By choosing us, you're not just getting a great deal, but you're also playing a part in saving these devices from ending up in the landfill.

Note: This article was originally published on Shop.CompAsia. Please visit the site to read other insightful contents.