Smartphones have become ubiquitous in our technologically enhanced lives, infiltrating virtually every aspect. There is a growing need for them, and the available options are becoming increasingly diverse. Because there are so many smartphones to choose from, we’ve put together this buying guide to help you narrow down your options.
Table of Contents
Processor and RAM
Nearly every aspect of your phone’s functionality is controlled by the processor, commonly known as the chipset or SoC. With AI capabilities built in, smartphones will become even more “smart” than they are now.
Not only does a strong CPU make your gadget work more smoothly, it can also enhance other features. One example is image processing. The Snapdragon CPU comes in two versions, one for Samsung phones and the other for those with the Snapdragon 865+. A Samsung Exynos CPU is used in the other. Although the Snapdragon is significantly faster, several reviewers have noted that there is a noticeable difference in terms of processing power as well as image processing capabilities between the two versions.
This means that when you’re looking for a smartphone, knowing what kind of processor you want is crucial because performance is closely tied to it. Popular processors include the Qualcomm Snapdragon, Apple A13 Bionic, Samsung Exynos 990, and Huawei Kirin 990. The raw computing power of Apple CPUs is legendary, although Snapdragon chips in the Android market are the closest comparable. The Snapdragon 730 and 730G, the Snapdragon 675, the MediaTek Helio G90T and G85, and other lower-powered mid-range and budget CPUs can be found in lower-priced 2020 smartphones. Look for phones with one of these CPUs if you’re on a budget and don’t mind giving up some performance to save money. In the long run they’ll help you save a great deal of money.
RAM refers to the smartphone’s system memory, which stores data from currently running applications. To keep your smartphone working smoothly, the operating system uses some of the RAM. For the sake of time, we’re not going to get into the nitty-gritty of RAM usage in smartphones because terms like kernel-space would need a lengthy discussion. Multiple RAM enhances multitasking by allowing you to run more apps simultaneously in the background. On the other hand, there are smartphones that are defying all odds by including 12-16GB of RAM. If you’re not switching between 10-20 apps at once, that’s just too much for a smartphone. Most light smartphone users, who simply use their phone to make calls, send SMS, use Whatsapp, and do light browsing, can get by with 3-4 GB RAM. For heavy users, 6-8 GB should be sufficient.
Operating system
Android or iOS are the only options. Choosing between the two operating systems is far more difficult than you might expect. Both have numerous benefits and drawbacks. If you enjoy fiddling with your phone and making it your own, you’re on Team Android. If you prefer an operating system that is easy, powerful, and gets regular software upgrades and support, then you’re on Team iOS. Android, on the other hand, is nearly as powerful but not quite as user-friendly as iOS, despite the fact that iOS 7 is far more user-friendly than Gingerbread. Just bear in mind that iOS’s capabilities as a mobile operating system are constrained in certain situations. Split-screen mode is not available on iPhones (only iPads), you cannot customise your home screen (though iOS 14 may include widgets), and you cannot use launchers to completely change the look of your phone. For example, if an app is not available on the App Store, you cannot sideload it from the internet. Even said, there are a number of advantages to using iOS, like the ability to send and receive messages as well as video calls via FaceTime. iOS also has minimal bloat and no advertisements.
User interface
It’s also important to keep in mind that many devices run Android under a custom user interface (UI). OnePlus uses OxygenOS, a stock Android skin, while Samsung uses One UI 2, a much improved version of TouchWiz, while Xiaomi uses MIUI, a bloated but well-optimized ad-fest, and Oppo and Realme use ColorOS, which takes inspiration from iOS.
Before you buy a device, make sure you test out the user interface to make sure it meets your requirements.
Smartphone screen display
Larger and larger smartphone displays are pushing the boundaries of what we can expect from a smartphone display. Phablets are now available with displays up to 6.9 inches across the board!
In an age where we consume more and more content on our pocket devices (it’s hard to call them that these days), this may not be such a bad thing. Any screen size over 5.7 inches is ideal for fully enjoying games and movies. There are two types of displays: LCD and AMOLED. OLED and Super AMOLED panels have a lower contrast and lighter black level than AMOLED ones (in the case of Samsung). The black pixels on the phone’s display are turned off, displaying “true black,” which saves battery life.
Various alternative screen resolutions are also available, such as High Definition (HD), Ultra HD (UHD), and others. It’s true that QHD images are sharper, but there’s not much of a difference between them and Full HD, especially to the inexperienced eye. Also, make sure the screen protector on your device is working properly. In today’s smartphones, Gorilla 5 and 6 provide sufficient protection for your glass sandwiches. Despite this, we believe that you should file a lawsuit.
Camera quality
In 2020, multi-camera phones will be the norm, while single-camera phones will be relatively rare. Most cameras come with a wide-angle and telephoto lens as well as a portrait and wide-angle primary lens. A macro lens, time of flight sensor, and colour filter lens are all optional extras that some manufacturers include. We at Digit Labs love wide-angle lenses because of how many photos can now be taken with a phone. Large expanses are no longer an issue to photograph! It’s possible that the portrait lens, when used properly, will provide some spectacular bokeh. If the rising camera bumps annoy you, choose an older phone with a single lens or a newer phone like the iPhone SE 2020 if this trend isn’t for you. Avoid megapixel-hunting as well, as more pixels don’t automatically equate to better photographs, as the sensor size is considerably more significant in obtaining high-quality images.
Smartphones have employed pixel-binning to boost visual clarity and detail by essentially combining four or more little pixels into one large pixel. As for 108MP sensors, they’re best avoided for the time being due to image fringing and focusing issues.
Battery life
For high-end smartphones, a battery life of more than six hours with the screen on is considered ideal. A greater storage capacity should be adequate for even the most demanding users. Screen-on times of 8-10 hours or more are common among flagship and certain mid-range smartphones. Finding a phone that lasts at least a full day of heavy use is the objective. Before purchasing a smartphone, do some research online to see how long it will last on a given charge. Look for a solid power-saving mode on the phone you’re considering purchasing.
Phone storage
The storage capacity of entry-level phones is 64GB, while flagships range from 128GB to 512GB. Almost all of us use fast sharing apps and technologies to transfer all of the data from our old phones to our new ones. As a result, it’s vital to have adequate storage. As a general rule, don’t go any smaller than 128GB because this will provide you plenty of room to store your data and install programmes as desired. Also, seek for cell phones with extendable storage.