The five keys to look at before buying a mobile beyond the price

Buying a new mobile is an important decision. Cell phones are getting more and more expensive the options available in Europe are multiplying. In addition, it is a device that will be used daily, both personally and professionally, so you must have a series of requirements and requests to meet beyond WhatsApp, phone calls and the lowest possible price. .

And it is that although the cost is decisive, the truth is that mobile phones hide some important details to take into account before buying them beyond the megapixels of the camera. Among them it is interesting to know, for example, the version of Android from which they start —and even the one they can update— or the real autonomy they have.

We then collect What aspects of a mobile are the most important and what to look for in each of them before you spend the money and decide to upgrade your current smartphone to a new one.

Power: the key to last

If the idea is for the mobile to last long enough by performing at the highest level, it is better if it has a high-end processor. In the case of an Android mobile usually these are Qualcomm or MediaTek, so you will have to choose the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 or the Dimensity 9200, although there are other brands that use their own processors and also offer great performance. If you are looking for low intensity use, you can bet on a mid-range model to favor other headings, starting with the price.

In addition to the processor, it is also necessary to ensure that the mobile has a sufficient amount of RAM, not less than 6 GB. It is recommended that the amount of internal space be at least 128 GB. Otherwise, it is most likely to rely on internal storage or a cloud subscription service.

Thus, although the years pass and the applications tend to increase and the files accumulate, the device will be able to withstand. If you skimp in this regard, it is not surprising that after a few years the mobile has good performance.

Photography: Versatile vs. useful

The photographic section is one of the main elements that manufacturers use to differentiate their mobiles from those of the competition. The more the mobile has photographic sensorsthe more versatile it will be, but not all have the same utility.

As secondary sensors it is advisable to have at least one telephoto sensor, which serves to make zoom photos without losing quality, or with an ultra wide angle, which allows more space to be framed in the photo. There are also sensors for macro photography and to enhance portraits.

If you are looking for a mobile with a good camera, it is better to bet on high-end smartphones, since they tend to pay a lot of attention to this section, such as the Pixel 7 Pro, the Huawei P60 Pro or the Galaxy S23 Ultra. At a lower price range, the Pixel 7a is the better option.

Battery and fast charging

A good battery is essential to be able to enjoy a good experience. For many users, battery life is important. The best thing to know what is the autonomy of a mobile is to read its analysis in EL ESPAÑOL

There are also several factors that make it perform better or worse. Generally, the higher the screen’s resolution and refresh rate, the higher its battery consumption will be. As a guide, it is recommended from 4000 mAh if it is intended for intensive use.

It is a component that wears out over the years. This means that if the battery performance is bad when the mobile is new, after a few months or years of daily use, it will get worse.

If the battery is not large enough, fast charging can compensate for this. There are fast charging technologies with different powers, but it is recommended which has at least 65 W, as it can charge 4000 mAh in just over half an hour.

Release year and updates

Unfortunately, not all Android phones update equally or at the same time. It is convenient to check that the Android version is the latest, because there are times when smartphones come out with a version from the previous year.

Some manufacturers use this to their advantage to offer fewer updates. For example, if a brand promises two major Android updates, but releases a device that runs the previous year’s version of Android, one of these two updates will be to match the mobile with the current version. In short, they save a year of updates and that hurts the user.

Updates improve the performance of mobile phones and make them more secure, so The more years the manufacturer offers, the better. Manufacturers have become aware of this maxim and it is increasingly common that this policy of updating terminals is also a commercial claim. For example, Samsung is offering eligible Galaxy phones up to four generations of One UI and five years of security updates.

think about the extras

You should not only think about what mobile needs now, but also what might be needed in the years to come, such as the 5G connectivity. Other features like water resistance can add value to the mobile and keep it out of trouble, especially in the summer. So it’s a good idea to ask yourself if you think you’ll need any features in two or three years.

It is the same for the Bluetooth and Wi-Fi versions, because the better they are, the more advantages they will have in terms of connection, such as greater range, stability or audio quality. So, for example, Bluetooth 5.3 is the most modern version. Anything less than Bluetooth 5.0 is not recommended; Likewise, the WiFi 6 standard is becoming mainstream.

Another accessory detail, which only some phones have, is stylus which may help the experience of some users. There are high-end phones like the Galaxy S23 Ultra that have one built in, or mid-range phones like the TCL Stylus 5G.

You must also assess whether you want to bet on a folding mobile to have a mobile that takes up little space, as is the case with the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 or the OPPO Find N2 Flip. There are other models such as the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4, the Huawei Mate X3 or the OPPO Find N2 that are committed to having a large format screen.

You may be interested

Follow the topics that interest you