Smartphone sales rebounded in 2021, growing by 6%. That’s in spite of supply chain challenges and component shortages. Cell phone manufacturers still announce new models and continue to push for more sales.
That’s good and bad news for you if you’re looking for a new phone.
It’s good news because you’ll be able to buy the latest technology. It’s bad news because there are so many phone models that it’s confusing.
Who knows what the difference is between an A53 and an A22?
Well, we do and we’re about to share tips and tricks to help you make sense of these new phone options. Keep reading to learn what to look for when you’re phone shopping.
1. Budget and Needs
What are you going to use your phone for? If you like to play games, you’ll need a phone with a fast processor and a large screen for gaming.
For people who want to take a lot of pictures and videos, you’ll need a phone with a great camera. Phone storage is another consideration.
Consider what you’re going to use the phone for and what your needs are. Then figure out how much you have to spend on the new phone.
Check with your cell phone provider to see what they offer. You might be able to get a hefty discount like with these Boost Mobile devices for new customers.
2. Types of Cell Phones on the Market
The phone market is crowded with hundreds of makes and models.
There are certain brands that you’ll be familiar with. Apple, Google, and Samsung are among the most popular brands. There are other brands like Huawei, Xiaomi, and OPPO that are known for offering more features for less money.
Read reviews about different brands and learn the pros and cons of their phones. You’ll see certain patterns emerge about them.
One thing to keep in mind is data privacy. Phone manufacturers collect a ton of data about you, from your location to your search history.
Learn how each phone maker manages your data. You might discover that you’re getting a cheap phone, but really paying for it with your data.
There are three general categories of phone models. The high-end phones have the latest features and are built to last a while.
Low-end phones have a lot of plastic parts and don’t have the features that a premium phone does. A mid-range phone tends to fall in between the two.
3. Battery
The battery life is a little hard to gauge because there are many factors that determine how often you need to charge the phone.
Battery capacity gets measured by mAh (milliampere/hour). Phones batteries are usually in the 4000 – 5000 mAh range. A higher number means that there’s more capacity to store energy.
That might seem like a good thing until you realize that the screen resolution sucks up a lot of battery life. Then you have your usage on top of that.
If you spend all day watching videos on your phone, you’ll drain the battery life faster.
Look at reviews that perform lab tests to determine the true battery life of a phone.
4. Camera
The camera is the most important feature on the phone for most people. You’ll want to check the megapixels, ISO, and aperture settings.
Find out how the camera performs when it’s zoomed in all the way. Phone cameras perform differently in low-light situations.
Overall, you’ll find that most phones have similar camera hardware. It’s the software that sets phones apart.
Phone makers have software to improve the quality of phone images. You might be able to take pictures in RAW, which saves more details that you can edit later on.
5. Processor
The processor is the central control area of your phone. It sends and receives information to communicate with the different apps and features of the phone.
This matters most when you’re doing a lot of video work, live streaming, and gaming. Remember that the higher the number, the faster the processor.
6. Support and Updates
Consumers don’t want to spend $1000 on a new phone only to have no support or security updates after a couple of years.
That’s why phone manufacturers improved their support and update policies. These policies apply to different models, though.
High-end models get supported for three to five years. Mid-range models have support for two-three years, and low-end models have support for a couple of years.
Find out how long a phone has support. You want to make sure that your phone has the latest software features and security updates. Without the security updates, your phone is vulnerable.
7. Size and Usability
You can order a phone online, but it might not be the right fit. It might have everything you’re looking for, but it just doesn’t feel right in your hands.
This is a very subjective choice, so you want to get a couple of phone models in your hands before you settle on a phone model.
Visit your local tech stores that have phones on display. Play with the devices and ask questions to learn more about the models.
You’ll be able to finalize your decision and finally be finished with phone shopping.
Simple Tips for Buying a New Phone
You can easily jump down a rabbit hole when you’re phone shopping. Hopefully, this guide makes buying a new phone easier and helps you make sense of the specs and models out there.
You’ll want to start by figuring out your needs. Think about what you plan to use the phone for and what your budget is. Start to learn about the different brands and compare their specs.
Check with your phone carrier to see if you can get discounts on a new phone. Once you get your new phone, be sure to come back to this blog often for gaming, security, and mobile device news.
