Avoid these 10 mistakes when buying a smartphone
With a wide choice of smartphones available, more often than not, you could end up buying a phone that does not work for you. There are no common denominators for choosing the right phone as the use and purpose vary for every individual. That said, to avoid being stuck with a device you will be unhappy with, here are ten common mistakes that one should avoid making before buying a smartphone:
Not knowing your requirements
Before buying a smartphone, know your expectations and requirements. If you want to communicate and watch music videos, the phone you need may be very different from a professional who may want to record and broadcast videos for their website. Knowing what you need helps you buy a phone that can support it rather than buying something that has too little or too many features.
Not doing enough research
Experts say that people buy a best-selling model or use commercials to decide what to buy. A commercial may emphasize appearance and design but not technical capabilities and functions. Search the internet, visit website brands, and read the reviews and comments that users have already left on a specific brand. Comparing multiple brands and models with features as filters can help you get an idea about what to buy.
Buying a phone only for its appearance
You need not be a techie, but it is important to be aware of the basic technical configurations of a smartphone. A good-looking phone with a stylish design or a large display is only a good buy if all the other technical features are equally attractive.
Being unaware of processors
Smartphone companies choose from more than 150 different kinds of smartphone processors. Apple, Bionic, Snapdragon, Exynos, Kirin, and Dimensity are some of the top iOS and Android processors. A powerful processor that includes a CPU and Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) makes the phone faster. It gives you an uninterrupted and seamless user experience if you use the phone for games or entertainment. A good processor can support 4G and 5G and help faster downloads and content uploads.
Ignoring storage requirements
RAM and storage capacity are very fundamental criteria for buying a smartphone. If you buy a phone with only internal storage without the provision for a memory card, you may have to buy one with a high storage capacity. Many think the storage may be enough, but as you store photos, videos, and documents, you may have to keep deleting them or store them in the cloud or other platforms to create additional space.
Ignoring display size
Most smartphones today have a display that covers the entire phone screen. A larger display can help professionals to use apps like mail, calendar, and presentations. It can also help you create multiple windows, allowing you to use two windows simultaneously. You can choose phones with a smaller display if you find large phones inconvenient to handle or carry in your pocket or pouch.
Not comparing with previous models of the same brand
Companies release newer models regularly, but you may not require or use all the new features. Buying the latest model may not be the best thing to do. Compare the current model and see if the new features are worth the additional cost. Buy new ones only if they offer you features and functions that offer value for money.
Assuming that a higher pixel camera is a better one
Cameras today are launched with 64 and 108 megapixels. Though they may capture additional details, cameras with 48 and 64 megapixels offer good clarity. Also, look for other features like sensors, aperture, HDR, camera control and optical image stabilization. Check if the phone has a good and updated Image Signal Processor responsible for camera performance.
Skipping checking audio features and quality
Some smartphones may not have a headphone jack. You cannot connect a headphone, and you will have to use Bluetooth headphones or earpieces. In some cases, the USB port doubles up for a charging port and you may not be able to use either properly. Not checking speaker placement, audio settings and noise cancellation is also a common mistake. This can affect call quality and audio quality when you change from hands-free settings to a headphone and back.
Trusting the salesperson and not testing the phone
A good smartphone salesperson should understand your requirements and budget and suggest phones that match them perfectly. If you feel a salesperson is aggressively trying to promote a specific phone saying this could be the one for you, buying that could be a mistake. Learn to be firm and cross-verify with your checklist if the smartphone ticks the right boxes. Take a sample phone and check all the features and functions before buying it.
Ten factors in selecting the right smartphone
It is better to keep an open mind removing all biases while buying a new phone, even if you have been loyal to a specific brand for years. It allows you to find better phones with better functions and features at a comparatively lower cost. Check the following before buying a smartphone:
Quality and performance
Display size and resolution
Process speed
User interface or OS version
Camera features
Battery
Storage
Security
Audio quality
Headphone jack or USB port availability
