Since 2011, we’ve seen an increase of 85% of smartphone usage in America. A total of 97% of Americans own a smartphone and use it daily for a multitude of things. With this huge majority, companies have had to compete on features, design, and more to help increase their smartphone sales.
Not all smartphones are created equal. If you’re shopping for a new phone, how do you know which is the best model for you? Continue reading to find out how to choose the best smartphone that’s available today.
Operating Systems
Any smartphone user knows that there are two main operating systems they can choose from; iOS or Android. While only having two choices may seem easy, both operating systems have a multitude of pros and cons to sort through.
iOS, or iPhone, is an operating system owned by Apple. This system is known for having a simple and clean interface for users.
Apple tends to offer a more accessible experience. If you’re a new smartphone user, Apple products may be the way to go.
The iOS system has also been noted for having very secure and proprietary features like Siri, fingerprint scanning, FaceTime, and iCloud. Since Apple products are all run under the same iOS system, if you already have a MacBook or an iPad, a new iPhone can sync up with your existing products.
Androids are known for being more customizable than iPhones. You can set up a personalized layout on your home screen, add widgets and shortcuts, and even change your entire user interface with launchers.
If you’re already comfortable using Google Maps, Gmail, and Google Drive, then Android may be the better choice for you. However, it’s important to note that you can download iOS versions of all of those tools.
Affordability
Price is an important feature to think of when looking at different types of smartphones. If finding an affordable smartphone is the most important thing to you, Android is the clear winner.
Depending on the type of cell phone provider you use, you can choose to pay a monthly fee to buy the phone instead of paying upfront. Most carriers lock you into a two-year plan for this payment structure.
If you don’t want to pay over two years, you can buy a phone outright before starting your cell phone plan. If you go this route, Android tends to offer a wider choice of devices at different prices. For example, the brand new Google Pixel 6 is around $599 while the brand new iPhone 13 is around $1,099 for 256GB of storage.
Design
You want your cellphone to not only work well but look good. Phones nowadays all tend to have a sleek, slender design that makes them easy to store in your pocket or bag and pull out when necessary.
While the iPhone has evolved over the years, the general design has stayed the same, with the exception of the removal of the home screen button for the iPhone X. If you like the look of the iPhone, the biggest decision you’ll have to make is what screen size you want.
Android on the other hand has a multitude of designs to choose from. You can stay with the sleek, slender look similar to that of an iPhone, or go with the innovative and futuristic look of the Galaxy Z Flip.
Most smartphones also have a variety of colors you can choose from including blue, purple, yellow, and more. You can decide to add your own color or highlight the color of your phone with the type of phone case you choose.
For example, if you purchase a purple Galaxy S22, choose a clear case to show off the color!
Camera
Who knew that the smarter cellphones became, the better photos we would take. Phone cameras have become a huge deciding factor when choosing a new smartphone. The better the camera, the better the phone.
Apple and Android have both made huge strides when it comes to the customization and quality of their cameras. Starting with one lens to now having at least three, the newer smartphones are all about photography. With all of these options, you can decide if you want an ultra-wide iPhone lens or a Samsung Nightopgraphy camera.
If professional photography is your main factor, be sure to focus on the different types of camera lenses, filters, and editing options available to you.
Apps and Storage
If you need to use your new smartphone for much more than phone calls, you need to compare applications and storage space. Storage space is all of the data your phone can hold. This includes photos, videos, apps, texts, and more.
When it comes to storage, most smartphones will have a storage capacity range of 64GB to 512GB and growing. In fact, iOS recently announced the newest iPhone 13 can hold up to 1TB of storage. It’s important to note that the higher up in storage you go, the more expensive the phone will be.
When it comes to smartphone apps, it’s good to think about what’s most important to you. Do you spend most of your time playing games? Is social media your main source of income? Are you health-conscious and want the best user-friendly health apps?
iPhone is known for having a more user-friendly app store layout and fewer built-in apps, a majority of which can be deleted. Android phones have the Google Play store. You will notice the entire G-suite will be built into your Android by default.
Decide which apps and storage space capacity are most important to you!
Battery Life
With all of your texts, phone calls, and running apps, battery life can be extremely important. The newer smartphones have an average battery life of 10-17 hours depending on how often you use them.
It’s important to note that most batteries last anywhere from 2-5 years and can often be replaced without having to replace the entire phone. When you’re purchasing a new smartphone, be sure to ask about the average daily battery life for the phone you are interested in!
Best Smartphone
With all of the innovative technology in today’s world, smartphones keep getting smarter and the options keep getting overwhelming. It’s important to think about what you will use your phone for the most.
Is the camera most important to you or the design? Do you need a high storage space capacity or are you most concerned about price? No matter what your main priorities are, you can use this guide to help you decide which is the best smartphone for you. For more information about technology, industry trends, and more, read our articles today!
Also Read: Everything You Need To Know About Buying Audio Sunglasses
