With the sheer number of options available, buying a new smartphone can be daunting. Modern smartphones are much more than just calling devices thanks to the technology advancements. Nowadays, they can be your work assistant, entertainment center, camera, and much more. So how do you pick the best one for your requirements? In the sea of brand claims and specifications, it's simple to get lost. Whether you're a gamer, a photography enthusiast, or someone searching for a long-lasting battery, understanding the crucial aspects that you must consider will enable you to recognize your needs and make an informed choice.

We'll walk you through the key features in this buying guide, including processing speed, camera quality, battery life, display technology, and storage capacity, to help you make an informed choice. By the end of this guide, you'll know exactly which features are most important for you and how to select a phone that offers the best value for your money.

Buying guide for phones: Key factors you should look for


Factors to look for while buying a smartphone

1. Display size:

The size of the display is one of the most crucial aspects to take into account when selecting a smartphone. This establishes how convenient it is to use with one hand or how small it can fit in your pocket. A smartphone's screen size is expressed in inches and measured diagonally.

Most smartphones have screens that are six inches or larger. A phone with a display size between 4 and 6 inches might be something to look into if you don't like the idea of a large smartphone or want to be able to use it with one hand. However, a display size larger than 6 inches is advised for heavy video editing, intense gaming, split-screen work, e-reading, and movie

2. Display type

Display type is another important factor that affects the viewing experience. Smartphones are now available with LCD, Retina, OLED, and AMOLED panels, each of which has optimal use cases, viewing angles, and color reproduction capabilities of its own. Here are all the display type explained.

LCD display:

Liquid crystal displays, or LCDs for short, are a common option for smartphones and other devices due to their affordability and widespread use. The term LCD refers to a collection of liquid crystals that are backlit by a backlight.

Relying on a TFT (Thin Film Transistor) layer with an active matrix, modern LCDs are less expensive and complex than their low-resolution, passive counterparts, like the ones found in many calculators, vintage watches, and even the original Game Boy. Because tiny transistors regulate the current received on each row and column of pixels in a TFT, each pixel can be turned on or off without requiring a dedicated connection.

OLED display:

Organic Light Emitting Diode, use OLED. Thin sheets of electroluminescent material make up an OLED display; as the name suggests, these materials emit light when current is applied to them. OLED displays are "always off," unless the individual pixels are powered, in contrast to backlit LCD panels.

This indicates that when black or darker colors are shown on the screen, OLED displays have much purer blacks and use less energy. On the other hand, OLED screens with lighter color themes consume a lot more power than an LCD screen with the same theme. The cost of producing OLED screens is higher than that of LCD screens.

In comparison to LCD screens, OLED displays have higher contrast ratios since their black pixels are "off." Although OLED displays can also have very quick refresh rates, they are not as visible in bright light as backlit LCDs. Other things to think about are screen burn-in and diode degradation (since they are organic).

AMOLED display:

Unlike PMOLEDs (passive matrix OLEDs), which drive the display on a row and line level, AMOLEDs (Active Matrix OLEDs) use a TFT layer to control individual pixels. The outcome is comparable to LCDs and enables larger and denser screens. Generally speaking, every OLED screen available today is an adaptation of AMOLED technology.

Apple's ProMotion, Liquid Retina, and Liquid Retina XDR:

The term "Retina" was first used in the past to refer to LCD screens that have "Retina" resolutions, meaning that at standard viewing distances, the human eye cannot distinguish individual pixels. According to paper, every iPhone model since the iPhone 4.

Apple uses the term "Liquid" for the LCD panel and "XDR" for the HDR capabilities in its Mini LED technology. Another marketing term used by Apple to characterize screens with high refresh rates and dynamic adjustment is ProMotion. Comparable to the Dynamic & Fluid prefixes discussed earlier, but applicable to LCD screens in the case of Apple as well.

Refresh rate

The number of times your screen is refreshed every second is known as the refresh rate. The smoother your video viewing experience is, the higher the refresh rate, which is measured in Hz. Calling, light web browsing, and light social media use are best served by 60 Hz, whereas heavy web browsing, email, social media usage, light gaming, and editing are best served by 90 Hz. On the other hand, intense gaming, watching movies, and video editing work best at 120Hz and higher.

RAM and storage

A 4GB smartphone would be plenty if you're searching for an entry-level model. It would be best to get a phone with 6GB of RAM if you're looking for something between Rs 10,000 and Rs 15,000 because it can hold more apps at once. It's best to spend your money on a smartphone with 8GB of RAM if you want to buy a mid-range or high-end phone that costs between Rs 15,000 and Rs 35,000 in order to enjoy more seamless multitasking. It would be wise to get a phone with at least 12GB of RAM if you're planning to buy a flagship device.

However, in case of iPhones, things are different. Last year’s iPhone 15 Pro Max had only 8GB RAM, still it’s one of the most efficient phones available in the market. iOS is known for its efficient memory management and optimisation, which allows it to deliver smooth performance even with relatively lower amounts of RAM compared to some Android counterparts. Even iOS apps are designed in such a way that they work efficiently even with less amount of RAM.

In terms of Storage you can get a smartphone with 64GB and above depending on your need.

Processor

A processor is comparable to a smartphone's brain. You can say that almost everything you do on your smartphone is dependent upon it. Nevertheless, purchasing an expensive flagship smartphone is necessary to get a high-end processor. The tasks and apps you use on your phone will determine how much processing power you require, though. Selecting a smartphone with a processor that provides the ideal amount of power while remaining comfortably within your budget is crucial. Performance of a processor is primarily determined by two factors: the number of cores and clock speeds available. A variety of multi-core processors are available in the latest generations of smartphones. Dual-core (two), quad-core (four), and octa-core (eight) processors are the most prevalent. Here are mostly used processors:

Qualcomm:
Leading the processor industry, Qualcomm is well-known for its Snapdragon chipsets, which include models 4, 6, 7, and 8. These drive a number of high-end flagship devices from Xiaomi, OnePlus, and Samsung.

Mediatek:
Mediatek is another manufacturer known for powering flagship and mid-range smartphones. The popular Helio and Dimensity chipset families from Mediatek power 4G and 5G smartphones, respectively.

Apple:
Apple design its own chipsets exclusively for its own line of products only. All iPhone chipsets, starting with the A14 Bionic, are capable of supporting 5G technology.

Exynos:
Similar to Apple, Samsung also make Exynos mobile processors exclusively for its smartphones. Many Samsung smartphones, including the entry-level Galaxy J series models and the flagship Galaxy S series models, are powered by the same processor.

Camera
One of the first things that most of us look for in a smartphone is a camera. A good smartphone camera is now a need rather than a luxury in an era where social media and remote work have become integral parts of our lives.

Every manufacturer sells smartphones with various camera configurations, each with special features. Three primary types of smartphone lenses exist: telephoto or zoom, ultra-wide angle, and primary sensors.

Primary sensors:

When you open the camera app on a smartphone, the default camera is the primary lens. It is perfect for taking close-up pictures of everyday subjects. Additionally, the primary lens—which a phone may or may not have—always has the highest image resolution of all the sensors.

Ultra-wide-angle sensor:
Smartphones now comes with a wider field of vision between 117 and 123 degrees thanks to an ultra-wide-angle sensor. These lenses come in handy for taking pictures of landscapes at sunsets or perhaps of a sizable gathering of people, like at a wedding.

Telephoto sensors:
Telephoto sensors let you take pictures of distant objects. Essentially, it lets you enlarge an image without sacrificing quality when zooming in on a distant subject. These sensors come in handy for photographing things like wildlife.

What is Megapixel?
Digital image resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, which are counted per inch. One million pixels, or discrete bits of data that go into creating an image, make up one megapixel.

When talking about the quality of their photos, the majority of smartphone brands usually mention the number of megapixels on the device. Though having more megapixels does contribute to sharper images, it is important to remember that this is not the only factor.

Other additional camera features:

Artificial Intelligence takes away all the hassle of photography; Optical Image Stabilization mechanism reduces blur in your images; High Dynamic Range (HDR) helps capture images with a better dynamic range; and Portrait Mode, which uses the Bokeh Effect to blur the background of your images and enhances your selfies and portraits.

Battery and Charging support

The battery life of a phone is very important, especially for people who are constantly on the go. Larger values, expressed in milliampere-hours (mAh), typically correspond to longer battery life. When used moderately, phones with batteries ranging from 4,000 to 5,000 mAh can usually last an entire day. Fast charging, on the other hand, is a modern necessity. With the fast charging technology found in many smartphones, you can charge your phone to 50% capacity in just 30 minutes. Convenience is increased by the fact that many high-end models offer wireless charging.

Conclusion
Buying a smartphone requires careful consideration of both your needs and your budget. It will be easier for you to choose if you focus on battery life, camera quality, and overall performance. Understanding these key factors will help you make an informed decision. So, the next time you're on the hunt for a new smartphone, our guide will help you find the perfect phone that fits in your lifestyle and budget.


FAQs

1. What is the minimum RAM capacity needed for a Mobile phone?
It is advised to choose a phone with RAM of at least 4GB if you want your end user experience to be as efficient as possible when using the phone. It is recommended that individuals who frequently use multiple programs and processes at once have RAM that is at least 6GB or 8GB.


2. What are the different display options available on Mobile phone?
In terms of external screen protection, mobile phones are available with LCD, OLED, and AMOLED screens, among other screen types. OLED and AMOLED displays are generally found to have better color reproduction and contrast than LCD displays.

3. What are the best display resolutions available on Mobile phone?
The Full HD (1080p) resolution, Quad HD (1440p), and 4k Ultra HD are the display resolutions that work best with smartphones. HD displays produce sharper images, which translates to an improved viewing experience all around.

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5. TheGiftKart Ultra-Hybrid Clear Back Case Cover

The TheGiftKart Ultra-Hybrid Clear Back Case Cover is the perfect choice for Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra users seeking a blend of protection and style. This transparent case allows you to showcase the phone’s original design while offering robust protection. Made with a combination of hard PC back and soft TPU bumper, it ensures shock absorption from drops and impacts. The raised edges provide additional protection for the screen and camera, preventing scratches when placed on flat surfaces. Its slim profile maintains the phone's sleek design, while precise cutouts ensure easy access to all ports and buttons.

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The CASEOLOGY by Spigen Nano Pop Mag Case for iPhone 16 is a blend of elegance, durability, and innovation, making it a must-have accessory for your new device. Designed with a sleek and stylish two-tone finish, this case adds a pop of personality while keeping your iPhone 16 safe from daily wear and tear. Crafted from high-quality materials, the Nano Pop Mag ensures a snug fit and features military-grade drop protection to guard against accidental falls.

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2. Amozo for iPhone 16 Back Case Cover

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6. Sounce Case Cover for iPhone 16

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The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra 5G Silicone Case in Violet's sleek, stylish design provides reliable protection. Made from premium silicone, it feels soft and fits snugly around your device, guarding against drops and scratches. Its lightweight construction ensures easy portability, while precise cutouts allow access to all ports and buttons without hindrance.

Users’ Review:
Customers love the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Silicone Case for its vibrant color and comfortable grip. Many appreciate its slim profile, which doesn’t add bulk to the phone. Users report excellent durability, noting it keeps their devices safe while maintaining a chic look.

2. Samsung Galaxy Buds2 Pro

The Samsung Galaxy Buds2 Pro in Graphite deliver an immersive audio experience with innovative AI features. These truly wireless in-ear earbuds offer advanced active noise cancellation, blocking out distractions for clearer sound. With Bluetooth connectivity, they seamlessly pair with devices, ensuring a stable connection. The ergonomic design provides comfort for extended use, while the long battery life keeps you listening longer. Enhanced sound quality and customizable settings make these earbuds perfect for music lovers and busy professionals alike.

Users’ Review:
Users rave about the Galaxy Buds2 Pro's exceptional sound quality and effective noise cancellation. Many highlight the comfortable fit, making them ideal for long listening sessions. The intuitive controls and quick pairing features receive praise, while the AI enhancements improve audio clarity.

3. Samsung Original 25W Type-C Travel Adaptor

The Samsung Original 25W Type-C Travel Adapter in White is a compact and powerful device charging solution. Designed for fast charging, it delivers up to 25 watts of power, ensuring your compatible Samsung smartphones and tablets charge quickly and efficiently. Its sleek design makes it easy to carry and an ideal companion for travel or daily use. A USB Type-C port provides versatility for various devices, ensuring you stay connected on the go.

Users’ Review:
Users appreciate the Samsung 25W Travel Adapter's fast charging capabilities, often noting significant time savings. Its compact size makes it perfect for travel, easily fitting in bags. Many praise its build quality and reliability, highlighting that it works well with multiple devices.

4. Samsung Galaxy 10000mAh Power Bank

The Samsung Galaxy 10,000mAh Power Bank in Beige is a reliable companion for on-the-go charging. With 25W fast charging capabilities, it quickly powers up your devices, making it perfect for smartphones and tablets. The dual output allows you to charge two devices simultaneously, ensuring you stay connected wherever you are. Its sleek design and lightweight construction make it easy to carry, while the built-in safety features protect against overcharging and overheating.

Users’ Review:
Users love the Samsung 10,000mAh Power Bank for its efficiency and portability. Many appreciate the fast charging speed, noting it quickly revitalizes their devices. The dual output feature receives positive feedback, allowing charging multiple gadgets simultaneously. Customers also commend its stylish design and reliability, making it a go-to accessory for travel and daily use.

5. Samsung Galaxy Watch4

The Samsung Galaxy Watch4 Classic Bluetooth (4.6 cm) in Black combines elegant design with advanced health tracking features. With a rotating bezel and vibrant display, it offers an intuitive user experience. It is compatible with Android devices and provides comprehensive fitness tracking, heart rate monitoring, and sleep analysis, making it a perfect companion for health-conscious users. The watch also supports notifications, music control, and customizable watch faces, ensuring you stay connected and stylish throughout your day.

Users’ Review:
Users rave about the Galaxy Watch4 Classic for its sleek design and functionality. Many appreciate the accurate health tracking features and seamless integration with their Android devices. The rotating bezel is praised for easy navigation, while the battery life impresses with all-day performance. Customers enjoy the customizable watch faces and the stylish look, making it a practical and fashionable accessory.

FAQs

1. What type of case is best for protecting my Samsung smartphone?
A durable, shock-absorbent case, such as a silicone or rugged cover, is ideal for protection against drops and scratches while maintaining a slim profile.

2. Do I need a screen protector if I have a case?
Yes, a screen protector is recommended. It safeguards the screen from scratches and cracks, providing an additional layer of protection beyond the case.

3. Are wireless earbuds compatible with all Samsung smartphones?
Most wireless earbuds are compatible with Samsung smartphones as long as they support Bluetooth. Check for specific compatibility features for the best experience.

4. How can I extend my Samsung smartphone's battery life?
A portable charger or power bank can help extend battery life, especially during travel. Additionally, optimizing battery settings and reducing screen brightness can help conserve power.