What is obvious usually gets attention, but there is often much more detail in what is not so striking. And this particularly concerns Android phones: even if the big numbers stand out, the experience is generally marked by other aspects. And that’s exactly where I tend to pay attention, those little details that don’t always stand out on a spec sheet.
Among my family and friends, I’m always “the cell phone guy”, the person everyone brings their phone to when it’s not working properly and who is asked which model to choose next. Nothing strange, though: In my list of phones registered with Google account there will be hundreds of Androids, literally. Since I change my phone several times a month I have a series of features that are essential to me; and that not all of them are usual, experience has shown me that it is appropriate to analyze them closely.
Numbers aren’t everything, especially potentially
The Pixel 7a isn’t the most powerful, but it hits my list of values perfectly
All manufacturers are behind offering as many features as possible that attract the most attention. Maximum brightness lenses, for example, something very fashionable lately. Just like the megapixels of the main camera, the processor the phone has or the maximum charging power. It is true that experience contributes, but There are other equally important specs that end up flying under the radar.
Every time I buy a new smartphone, or plan to buy one, I dive into the feature tables, locating point by point the keys that I know will ultimately determine how I use them. At the phone. Among the specifications that I usually look at, and which are not always apparent to the naked eye, are the following.
CPU age
Yes, being powerful is vitally important, but so is how long the SoC has been on the market. I prefer to choose a mobile phone with a newer mid-range processor rather than a high-end phone that has been around for two or three years., often the efficiency, user-friendliness in common tasks and overall experience are much better. The price to pay is that games may not offer as much graphical richness, but the rest can make up for it.
Fast RAM and storage
It doesn’t matter how powerful a processor is if the mobile phone doesn’t have fast enough memory. And the same goes for the space offered: more doesn’t necessarily have to be significantly better (this applies to almost every aspect of a mobile). Therefore, I aim for my mobile phone to have:
- LPDDR5 RAM memory (yes it is LPDDR5x better). With 8 GB of capacity, more than enough for now.
- UFS 3.0 storage (if available) UFS4.0 better). 128 GB is enough for my use. If someone wants to install a lot of games, my recommendation is to aim for 256 GB.
Screen resistance
Neither the diagonal, nor the resolution, nor the brightness: once the minimum values that each of my phones must have ensured (AMOLED with FHD+ and 90 Hz), another aspect that I pay attention to is protection against scratches. Gorilla Glass Victus is my beacon to follow, This is generally the best guarantee against scratches; especially since I don’t use screen protectors on my phones. Against the blows, the only thing we can do is to pray.
That the cell phone comes with a charger
Unfortunately, this is becoming more and more common, but that doesn’t mean you have to settle for: I want my phone to come with its own charger, especially if the manufacturer promises me faster charging than usual. What is included? Minipoint to tip the scales towards the purchase.
Must have wireless charging
This is a must-have for me as wireless charging is my usual method of bringing any phone back to life on a daily basis. And without this conflicting with the fact that it must be accompanied by a perfectly complementary charger: While I work I charge my phones via Qi, if I have to go out and need maximum battery life I connect them via cable. That the brand combines the two in the same product makes me happy. And I’ve proven that wireless charging extends battery life, at least as long as it doesn’t exceed 15W.
That the multiple camera has a decent telephoto lens
Almost all the photographic weight rests on the main rear sensor, it’s obvious: the more efficient this sensor is, the better the photos it should take (without the number of megapixels being the key). And, if I choose a phone for secondary cameras, I will always stay on the telephoto side: For me, the wide angle is superfluous. A good camera with a telephoto lens, with the brightest aperture possible and a lossless zoom level that reaches at least 5x (even in hybrid mode): you have my full attention.
Sufficient quality stereo speakers
I wouldn’t buy a cell phone without good stereo sound, which is why I look for a pair of speakers in any model. This is always something I check in every analysis: The volume of mobile phones must be high and as quiet as possible above 75%. If a manufacturer takes care of external audio, they usually also take care of playback with headphones, that’s a good tip.
Which have IP67/IP68 protection
Because this won’t be the first time I’ve dropped my phone in water (or spilled all the coffee on it): protection against the liquid element is vital for me. For this reason, I appreciate that the manufacturer certifies its cell phone with IP67 or IP68 (the second is better, obviously): I find this very useful. Even when taking photos in water, you can achieve a great effect in these photos.
Minimal brightness that does not dazzle
Ok, every brand has had a goal of making their screens glow to supernova level, but it seems to me just as important that they barely glow in the dark: my eyes appreciate it when I use my cell phone at night. If I turn it on in complete darkness and the screen burns my retina, a bad sign. Although this is not information that manufacturers typically share, it often needs to be verified manually.
Beyond these specs, I also look at battery capacity, screen size (not gigantic, please), materials used, or design (is anyone else hate straight edges on phones??), among other options. And I try to avoid the prejudices that specifications usually give rise to: A smartphone is much more than its list of features. Although technical data influences my choice, I only issue reviews when I can test the model. In my experience, the numbers can be a bit misleading.
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