Yes, I know the smartphone market is slowing down. However, at one time or another you are going to need to pick out a new one. Whether you dropped your phone and cracked the screen or are still walking around with a flip phone: the time has come to buy a new model. I secretly miss the flip phone. The flipping gesture was plain cool, amiright?
I recently helped my mom pick out her new phone, and I got the chance to look at the newest models. To be honest, it felt like a zoo! Even for me. But maybe that’s because I like all things tech.
There are many beautiful smartphones on the market. Question is: which one are you going to buy? Will you go for the same-old-same-old iPhone? The newest Samsung? Or step out of your comfort zone and buy something completely different? Here is my guide to buying a smartphone. Let’s go through the steps.
1. Find out what operating system works best for you
The first thing to consider is what operating system you are used to: iOS or Android? If you’re used to working with Android, it would be safe to continue using that system. If, however, all your appliances at home are all Apple, than iOS would be a better option due to compatibility reasons.
Other options for operating systems are Windows, Cyanogen (similar to Android) or Blackberry.
2. What are you going to use your smartphone for?
Your smartphone should support your needs. If you’re a photographer, you might want a smartphone with a good camera to snap pics on the go. If you are a gymbunny, you might want a smaller phone to easily carry around in the gym.
This might not determine exactly whether you are going to buy an iPhone 7 or a Samsung Galaxy Edge, but it will tell you what you find important in a phone.
Think about:
- Storage
If you’re planning to save a lot of media and install many apps, it is wise to look at phones with more GB storage. This can range from 8GB to 128GB. The average person uses 16GB or 32GB, but then again, maybe you aren’t average :). - Size
The iPhone 7 is rather large, while the iPhone SE lies comfortably in your hand. Don’t forget to consider weight, as well. The most common size is between 4.5 and 5 inches. This might be too small if you are going to watch a lot of Netflix. - Camera quality
Of course you want a good camera. Everybody does. But consider if you want a phone that focusses on the camera or whether the camera is rather an additional feature. Image/video quality ranges from qHD (480p) up to 4K (3840p).
1. Sony Xperia Z5 Premium Zwart (2160p video quality, 23 megapixel camera, 5,1 megapixel front camera) | 2. iPhone 7 Rose Gold (4k video quality, 12 megapixel camera, 7 megapixel front camera) | 3. Samsung Galaxy S7 Gold (4k video quality, 12 megapixel camera, 5 megapixel front camera)
- Battery
Long battery life is important for the frequent travelers. iPhones batteries, for example, are not known for their durability. - Water resistant
If you’ve got a bad case of wanderlust, you might want to consider a water resistant phone to take with you on your adventures.
3. Keep the future in mind
The smartphone market is fast. Before you know it, big brands are dropping new products. A smartphone might have an attractive price (I will come to that in a second), but the reason might be because a newer (*cough* better *cough*) version is on the horizon.
Read up on tech news before you buy, and don’t always trust the sales employees. Their main goal is to sell you a phone. Even if it’s an outdated model.
4. Money, money, money
Yes, of course, your budget is a big factor in choosing the right smartphone. I can’t tell you what the right amount is for a smartphone. That is a personal decision depening on your lifestyle and preferences. I can imagine if you are a tech addict, such as myself, that you would be willing to spend more than someone who just uses their device just to make phone calls.
Always ask yourself whether the price is worth your investment. It’s safe to say it is a shame to pay more than €800 for a phone you only use for phone calls.
5. Nice-to-haves
Don’t forget about the features on the phone that would be nice to have, but are not a necessity. This can be anything from wireless headphones to a bluetooth connection. Let me list a few options for you to think about:
- Shockproof
- ID Touch
- Double camera system
- Front camera flash
- Screen resolution
- Scratchproof screen
- Dual Sim
1. Huawei P8 Lite (2017) (Dual-sim, 12 megapixel camera, 8 megapixel front camera, 1080p video quality) | 2. LG G5 (3 camera’s, 16 megapixel camera, ID touch, scratchproof screen) | 3. iPhone SE (12 megapixel camera, 4k video quality, ID touch, pedometer)
If you have any questions, you know where to find me. Happy shopping!