How to choose a quality smartphone
A rare user buys a smartphone based on a year or less. Everyone wants to buy a device that will last for several years and all this time will show itself perfectly. Below is described how to choose a smartphone that will last more than one year and will not require an immediate replacement.
Content
Manufacturer
The first thing the buyer thinks about is which manufacturer is better. This is not surprising, because in the market a huge number of brands. Some devices look very interesting and at the same time are inexpensive. Currently, the best manufacturers of smartphones are Chinese brands Lenovo, Xiaomi, Huawei, Honor, Meizu, as well as Koreans Samsung and LG, Japanese company Sony, Taiwanese HTC and American Apple. These brands of smartphones today offer the best features and quality, taking into account the price. When choosing the best smartphone is better to give preference to well-known brands.
Often when selecting smartphones by parameters, you can see that Little-known brand offers a set of characteristics with a price tag below.than similar figures from well-known companies, even Chinese ones. Here it should be understood that such proposals are fraught with pitfalls.
- Little-known firms can offer devices where the characteristics do not always correspond to reality,
- The quality of iron may not meet international standards.
- Repair of little-known brands is a rather complicated task, and it is not uncommon for budget smartphones to be disposable.
Type of shell
The second item in the list of parameters for selecting a smartphone is the case. Modern devices may have a body made of plastic, glass, metal, ceramics.
- Ceramics It looks rather non-standard, but it is a slippery material and, moreover, a brand. If the device is in dark color, then you should think about how often you have to erase prints from it. In addition, for ceramics cover is a vital necessity.
- Metal - the most reliable option, but it is worth understanding that the weight in this case is more, and if you drop the case, it will not burst, but can be dented.
- Glass - a very beautiful case, today many manufacturers have learned to make a special glass of several layers. In budget devices glass can scratch, the more expensive models have a special layer that protects against mechanical stress, but not shock. Among other things, the glass is easily stained, this can save the oleophobic layer, but it is not 100% protection from dirt.
- Plastic - The most budget option, scratched, easily covered with stains. Again, it is worth considering that cheap and expensive plastic are two different things. Models with good plastic visually look no worse than glass or metal devices.
Screen size
Here everything is an amateur. Today, smartphones are presented in a variety of diagonals - from very small to large options. True, to find a modern smartphone with a diagonal of 4 - 5 inches is quite difficult. Most famous brands offer devices from 5.5 inches.
Important when choosing a diagonal look at resolution. The same resolution on smartphones with different diagonals will look different. Therefore, we must remember the rule: a large diagonal - a higher resolution.
When choosing the size will not be superfluous highlight the tasks that the device will solve.
- For reading and watching movies it is more convenient to use a large diagonal, from 6 inches.
- If you need a smartphone for work, and in general the user does not part with it, then the best option is 5.5-6 inches.
- Anything less will be convenient for people who are engaged in physical labor and are afraid to damage the matrix during work.
Display quality
Choosing a smartphone without assessing the quality of the display will not be entirely correct. The three main types of matrix phones - IPS, AMOLED and TFT. The last option is considered the worst and outdated. This option is definitely not worth buying. IPS has a natural color reproduction, wide viewing angles, good brightness. Such screens are considered average for the price. AMOLED is currently the best option: bright, beautiful, accurate on image transmission. In low-cost devices mainly found in Samsung.
Do not forget about availability safety glass - Gorilla Glassif it is, it will be indicated in the specification. This coating gives protection from scratches. Oleophobic layer will save from fingerprints. The anti-glare layer makes it possible to view the image in bright sunlight.
Hardware
The chipset is responsible for all the work of the device. A powerful processor is a guarantee of high-quality and stable operation of games, multitasking, speed. Processor power can solve problems of energy saving, it can also affect the operation of the camera.
Quad core processor - This is an option for people who do not plan to play and sit more on social networks, on the Internet, read or watch videos. 8-core smartphones - These are more serious devices for performing any tasks. However, the core and frequency are not the most important parameters. Sometimes a processor with a lower frequency works better than the one with which it is larger. This may depend on the firmware, RAM.
The best processors for smartphones are made by the following companies.
- Qualcomm - It is considered a world leader, famous for innovations in this field. Against the background of competitors most often more expensive, but also offers interesting technology more often.
- MediaTek - the second world leader. The principle is the ratio of quality and price. Often offer low-cost solutions.
- Samsung is known for its own Exynos ruler. The brand has its own factories for the manufacture of chipsets, and you can usually find them in your own phones or expensive models from other manufacturers. Samsung’s factories are manufacturing the first two companies in the list.
- Nvidia - The company is known for its line of Tegra. Initially, the brand is focused on the gaming industry, so there are such processors in gaming solutions. In the global market are not very common, and it is sometimes difficult to find them in smartphones.
- Intel - The leader in the production of processors for PCs and laptops, but there is a line of Intel Atom, designed for tablets and smartphones. The processors are quite good, but not often.The advantage is that the company often makes a good discount to the smartphone maker for the right to supply its processor, and the output is inexpensive devices with excellent parameters. However, you should not consider the Intel Atom, as an option for games.
- HiSilicon - a company owned by Huawei. Here they make interesting decisions, for example, the Kirin line, they are mainly placed on Huawei and Honor phones.
Choose the best processor for a smartphone can not. Each has its own nuances, depending on the model.
operating system
Smartphone operating systems are represented by Android, Windows and iOS.
Android
it most popular OS with a huge app store. Advantages:
- a large selection of paid and free software;
- excellent opportunities for giving individuality;
- simple and logical interface;
- convenient synchronization with PC.
Most modern phones work on it. There is a system and cons - pre-installed software, often not needed, but it takes up memory, and viruses, errors and freezes.
Windows
Smartphones on Windows - this is a fairly narrow segment and not the most popular. You can say that Windows-based models are more suitable for work, since there are more applications that run on the main version of Windows. Most often, Android offers an analogue software from a PC, but not the same programs. As a result, there may be problems with file compatibility. The downside is that this the system is less clear and not so flexible in terms of customization. The app store is smaller than Android.
Many software makers are more focused on working with Android than on Windows Phone. In particular, some games simply will not run on Windows. You can position the system as follows:
- Windows Phone - option for work;
- Android - multimedia and entertainment.
iOS
Used only in iphone. Considered very stable, free of viruses. The downside is that the store is not the biggest, a lot of paid software. In addition, the system is not the most understandable and not very convenient when synchronizing with a PC, at least when you first met. Usually, if a user chooses an iPhone, then he understands exactly what he has to work with.
Camera
To present a modern smartphone without a camera is impossible. In recent years, due to some stagnation of ideas, the main emphasis in the production of telephones is on this very direction.
Front-camera necessary for selfies. In modern devices, it can be double and have the same bells and whistles as the main module. Main camera has from one to four modules with different tasks.
Important! A good camera must have a flash, today with two LEDs of different colors. It will not be superfluous optical stabilization and optical zoom. Phase and laser focusing will allow the device to quickly find the desired object and guide it if it is in motion.
Video shooting can be in HD, FHD, 4K resolution. Obviously, the latter option implies the highest quality, but you should not look only at the description. It is best to read how well a smartphone shoots in one format or another.
Memory
In smartphones, there are two types of memory - operational and permanent. The first is a temporary repository. The processor communicates to it for the data it needs for immediate work now. The more a given memory, the better.
The amount of RAM varies from 1 to 10 GB. Minimum for comfortable work requires 2 GB. If you consider the phone as a gaming device, then it is worth considering 4 GB and more.
Main memory is the place where user data is stored and the system is installed.Its volume starts at 4 GB and injected 512 GB. It should be understood that part of the memory will be given to the system, the rest is available to the buyer. Even if there are not many applications, they will be updated over time, which means that the memory is consumed. Better initially consider options from 32 GB. This is a necessary minimum for comfortable use. For a permanent drive, speed is also important.
Sim cards
Modern versions of smartphones can work with several SIM cards - from 1 to 4. Of course, option 3 or 4 sim is not the most popular, so the choice of devices here is very small. 2 sim is the most common picture. Why choose a model with two sims:
- working and personal sim card,
- SIM card for calls and for the Internet.
A SIM card can fit under the cover if it is removable, which is not common now, or in a tray that is hidden in a smartphone. The second option is more convenient, usually there is hot swap function: took out the tray, changed the card and work. If the SIM card is under the cover, then the device will need to be turned off, since usually there is also a battery above the card.
Sim cards today are divided into types - standard, micro, nano. They are different in size, but you shouldn’t think about it, because SIM cards are easily cut off, or you can simply change it to the desired size from the communication provider. This service is provided free of charge.
Communication interfaces
The highest quality smartphones should have the following set of wireless interfaces.
- Wi-Fi ideally with two ranges of work.
- GPS for navigation without using the Internet
- LTE - high-speed mobile Internet. In 2019, devices with 5G support are expected, at an even faster speed.
- NFC - wireless interface for connecting different devices. But today, a broader application is the payment of purchases through a smartphone without using a bank card.
- Bluetooth - connecting accessories, such as wireless headsets, speakers and other items.
- IR port It is not necessary, but it can be used to control other devices in the apartment. Most often, a smartphone with IR is used as a remote control for a TV.
Battery
Of course, when choosing a smartphone you should not forget about the battery. Estimating autonomy by battery volume is stupid. Of course, to some extent, the principle “the more, the better” works, but only if it is a big difference. If the device has a difference of 100-500 mAh, it is better to read the reviews. Often, optimization of the system and an energy-efficient processor make the phone one of the leaders in energy saving.
It should be understood that the big screen is an additional battery consumption. Another point is how they will work with the phone, and in what conditions. If the connection is unstable and is constantly lost, the battery quickly sits down. Internet through mobile communications, watching videos, playing games - all this is a quick expense. The minimum for a modern device is 3000 mAh. Considering less there is a sense, only in the case of the device for calls and SMS.
Worth a look at availability of fast charging, which will allow for a short period to gain a good capacity. There is also wireless charger. This is the lot of expensive phones, and in general, self-indulgence, but some users may be comfortable.
Protection of the device and user data
Now on the market you can find "not killed" smartphones with a reinforced case, protection from water, dust and other troubles. Such devices are needed not for everyone. Often these are smart phones with walkie-talkie and navigator, a huge battery capacity, but this is not about them. In a normal smartphone for standard use, there may be moisture protection. She is marked with IP67 standard. This means that the phone will not break if you accidentally drop it in a puddle or get in the rain with it. The function is useful, and if it is on the phone, then this is only a plus.
Of course, everyone wants to make sure that his device does not become a treasure trove of information when it falls into the wrong hands. Previously, passwords, special images and similar mechanisms were used for protection. Modern devices in this matter more perfect. Most common fingerprint protectionwhen only the owner can enter the device.
The most modern and reliable option, but at this stage of development is not the most common - face scanner. The technology is found in expensive devices and does not always work accurately, so for now it is better to still buy a smartphone with a fingerprint scanner.It can be located below the display, on the rear panel, in the side power button or in the most modern form below the display. What is more convenient is for each user to decide for themselves.
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