Not sure what you want? Here’s what you might want to consider before buying a phone.
Cost
Do you have a budget in mind? It’s smart to think about how much you can afford so you don’t overspend.
Operating system
It’s important to check what operating system the smartphone uses. The two biggest are Apple’s iOS and Google’s Android. The operating system will affect how you use your phone and what apps you can install.
Camera
How important is the quality of your phone’s camera? Check for the number of lenses and their Megapixels. Also does the phone come with any fancy photography features, such as soft focus or HD video.
Battery
Do you need a phone that can last all day? Look out for a phone with a large battery capacity (measured in mAh). Some models support advanced battery features like fast charging or wireless charging. Whatever size you go for, there’s still plenty you can do to make your battery last longer.
Screen
How big of a screen do you need? A larger screen could be important if you like to watch videos or play games, and can help prevent eye strain. The trade-off is that a bigger screen makes for a larger phone, which means less portability.
Also look out for the type of screen. This affects display quality, the vividness of colour, and power consumption. You might want to check the refresh rate too - the higher the value, the more frames per second. This'll give you smoother animations, both in everyday use and when playing games.
Storage space
How much storage space would you like? A lot of smartphones come with storage options, but more space will cost you more money. Also does the phone have an SD card slot? You can use this to expand the storage in the future.
Connectivity
As mobile connectivity evolves, it’s useful to know what your next phone can and can’t do. 5G is still a relatively new technology, but more and more phones are starting to support it. 4G is more widespread, but not always supported by older models. If you like to call people, it’s worth checking if the phone allows for Wi-Fi Calling.
Extras
There are so many other aspects to consider when buying a phone. Does it have a headphone jack or a fingerprint scanner? Is it water resistant? Does it support contactless payments? Always check what else the phone can do, especially if you consider any of these extras a must-have.