Mobile Phone Buying Guide

Mobile Compare's Phone Buying Guide!
Wednesday, September 14, 2022

Nowadays, we don’t go a minute without looking at our phones! We use them in almost every part of our life. So when it comes to choosing a new phone, it’s important to find one that meets exactly your needs.

To help you figure this out, read the handy Mobile Compare guide on all the things you should consider when purchasing a new phone!

A screen to suit you!

Since we’re looking at our phones for hours on end, you need to make sure the screen is right for you. Firstly, the size. Do you want a small screen that’s compact, easy to reach all four corners and will fit in your pocket? Or do you want a larger screen that’s great for scrolling through social media and watching videos? Secondly, the resolution of the screen is important. Make sure you’re getting a good quality screen with high resolution like QHD, AMOLED or OLED.

iOS or Android?

The experience that you have on your phone greatly depends on your operating system. iOS is Apple’s operating system that’s very straight-forward, easy to use and integrates incredibly well with other Apple devices. On the other hand, there’s Android which covers a large variety of smartphones. Android is generally more customisable than iOS and is packed with a ton of features that’ll let you make the phone exactly what you want (if you put in the effort to do so).

What’s inside the phone is super important!

Another key factor that determines your experience on your phone is the processor that’s inside. If you’re buying a top of the line phone, you’ll be getting a great processor that delivers fast performance and will handle anything you throw at it. If you buy a budget phone, however, you may not always see these fast speeds. So, it’s important to check what’s inside the phone to see if it’ll be able to keep up with whatever you’re doing on it!

A great battery is key

One of the worst things is to constantly have to charge your phone or fear that it’ll die on you! So, make sure to think about battery life. Usually the bigger the battery, the longer your phone will last! But nowadays, with faster processing chips and better optimisation across operating systems, it’s not always that easy to know how the battery will truly perform. A good idea is to look into reviews on what people are saying the battery life is actually like in the real world!

Got enough space?

From photos and videos to games and apps, it’s likely you’ve got a lot of stuff on your phone. So it’s important to check whether the phone you want has enough storage! Many phones come in different storage options ranging from 64GB to 1TB or even more! So make sure to pick the right size for your needs. But don’t forget that some phones have a micro SD card slot for expandable storage and you can still use cloud-based storage on most phones!

What’s the camera like?

Phones now have super advanced camera setups with anywhere between 2-4 cameras on the back plus a selfie camera on the front. Many phones have wide-angle and telephoto cameras to give you plenty of options when snapping pictures. The higher end phones like iPhones and Samsung’s Galaxy range also have impressive low-light capabilities. So if taking great photos is important to you, consider getting a more expensive phone, as the cheaper options usually don’t have great cameras!

Check out the audio!

Don’t overlook finding a phone with good speakers! The more expensive phones have great front-facing speakers which offer immersive sound quality. On the other hand, budget-friendly phones will have adequate speakers but won’t pack quite the punch. Alongside speakers, make sure to think about whether you need a headphone jack or not. A lot of phones have ditched this connection, which still frustrates a lot of people. So, if you don’t want to use an adapter or get wireless headphones, then you may want to find a phone that still has a headphone jack!

Consider the age…

It can be tempting to buy an older model or refurbished phone to save money. However, this may not be the best idea in the long run. Getting an older phone may mean that it’ll stop getting software or security updates. Also, the older processor inside could mean that the phone won’t be able to keep up with everything you’re doing on it. Sometimes, if you’ve got the money, it’s better to get a phone that’s new now so that it’ll last you into the future!

Pricey or cheap?

Price is one of the biggest factors when deciding which phone to get. Of course, the expensive phones are going to deliver the best experience. However, the budget phone sector has become a hugely competitive space for many companies, with new phones released every year that are getting better and cheaper. So, make sure to have a good look around to find the best phone in your price range. There may be more options than you think!

Extra features – Are they worth it?

With so many phones to choose from, sometimes it’s the extra features that will make you want to pick one over the other. Want to be able to drop your phone on a charging pad and not think about it? Then you’ll want a phone with wireless charging. Need the fastest speeds possible? Then grab a phone that supports 5G. If you love cutting edge technology then you may be interested in foldable phones. Or a phone with a home button may be important for your elderly relative or younger child.

Stick with a trusted brand?

When there’s a seemingly endless amount of phones to choose from, often it can be easiest to go with a brand that you know. With well-known brands like AppleSamsung and Google offering a variety of phones, it’s sometimes best to go with one of their phones as you know you’ll be getting a quality product. On the other hand, sometimes lesser known companies will offer a phone that’s truly unique, attracting people with specific needs.

At the end of the day, buying a phone will always be a personal choice and it comes down to finding what’s right for you. Do your research and have a good look around the market. Find a phone that suits your life the best and that is where PriceMe will help you! Simply search which mobile phone or features you are looking for and then compare them side-by-side. It couldn’t be easier!

To get the best mobile plans then jump on Mobile Compare!

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