We are living in the 21st century, where having a mobile phone is almost as important as breathing. Never has there been a greater need for fast, convenient ways of communicating with loved ones, or being able to conduct your business from absolutely anywhere in the world. Choosing a mobile device is exciting, as you can choose cheap phones for daily use, or go for a more upmarket, technologically advanced device, depending on your need and affordability.
With the option of contracts or pay-as-you-go, it has never been easier to own a mobile phone. Whether you buy your phone, or you have a contract with a service provider, the options of mobile devices are endless. It is important to know what you will use your phone for most, and knowing the specifications of the device are important.
What are the most important specifications you should look at when choosing a phone? Here are 7 specs that we find are the ones you should focus on:
1) RAM: This refers to random access memory and is how quickly the phone can load applications and programs. They store the data on the device RAM. Most phones currently on the market have RAM of 2GB to 4GB. It is important to note that features such as the home screen and keyboard that are preloaded on your device can already account for half a gigabyte of RAM.
2) Storage: This refers to how much your phone can store, such as media, applications, and more. They measure storage in gigabytes, and devices are available in 16GB, 32GB, 64GB, and 128GB of storage. Phones with a large storage space will cost you more, but will enable you to store as much as you want to without slowing down any functions of the phone. Extra storage is available as an SD card, which you would place in an SD slot, as well as saving your data directly to cloud storage.
3) Battery life: This is expressed in mAh, which is milliampere hours, and refers to how much energy your battery can provide. A high mAh value equates to an extensive battery life. Factors such as number of running applications, low storage space, and how much you use the phone can affect how long your battery lasts.
4) Operating System: This refers to the software needed to run the applications and software on your phone. While there are a few operating systems available, go for a more popular system, as these have the best functions and applications available to enhance your phone’s capabilities.
5) Screen Size: Screen sizes can range in size from small, medium, and large. The size of the screen you opt for depends on what you will use your device for. A 5-inch screen is ideal for someone with smaller hands, while a 6.5 inch screen would be best for entertainment or business use, as you can view more on your screen.
6) Camera: You will be hard pressed to find a mobile phone that does not have a camera built into it. We measure camera quality in aperture values (f-stops), as well as pixels. Aperture value refers to how much light can get in when taking a photo. The lower the value, the wider the aperture, and vice versa. Having a good camera is handy for taking a picture of your car in a busy mall parking lot to help you remember where you parked, and also for taking photos of a beautiful sunset or capturing a family moment.
7) Display Quality: Display quality is how bright an image will appear on your phone, as well as how wide the viewing angle is. There are 2 main types of display, namely AMOLED or LCD display. AMOLED display provides better color richness and wider angles and would be ideal for someone who used their phone for entertainment or business purposes.
With all the specifications defined, knowing what you will use your phone for the most is still the key factor in choosing the right mobile phone for your needs. Always do as much research as you can, and compare different types and models of device to ensure your choice of device has all the specifications you are looking for.