The processor, memory, display, and camera are priority when buying a new phone, particularly for budget-conscious peeps.
Buying a new phone isn’t simple nowadays due to the overwhelming number of choices, from various models to storage options. That’s why we have a list for you to consider containing the obvious things you should look for on a smartphone. But we also added a few touches to balance it out based on your budget.
Processor
This is the heart of your phone and a top priority when choosing. Your choice will also determine the base price of the device. Apple’s own chipsets and Qualcomm’s models are typically the most expensive in the market. More affordable ones are usually sold by MediaTek and Unisoc.
So, what’s the baseline? We’ll use AnTuTu as a reference for raw performance. As of June 2024, the highest score is 2,113,236 points hit by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 while the lowest is 1,943,855 points with SD 8 Gen 3 on the high-end models. The MediaTek Dimensity 9300 scored 1,962,072 points while the D9300+ scored 1,948,003 points.
For mid-ranger models, the highest score is 1,337,357 points with SD 7 Plus Gen 3 and the lowest score is 783,962 points with SD 7 Gen 3. The D8200 scored 931,156 points while the D8100 scored 811,152 points.
Of course, we can’t exclude Apple and Google. Apple’s A17 Pro currently sits at 1,528,074 points while Google’s Tensor G4 is at 1,323,184 points.
The safe baseline is at least 780K points on AnTuTu. There are many smartphones priced between 10K and 15K capable of hitting that or scoring higher.
Memory
RAM (random access memory) and ROM (read-only memory) are the storage configuration typically noted as X+X GB. If the budget isn’t a big deal, 6 to 8 GB on Android is sufficient for most cases, even for games. Below that will make the phone sluggish, even if brands add the gimmick “RAM expansion.”
iOS is a different league and operates far more stable and smoother than Android. That’s why the base model of iPhone 15 only has 6 GB.
As for storage, 128 GB is acceptable but try to go for 256 GB. Lots of apps, games, and media? 512 GB if there’s no microSD card slot. Cloud storage is good but not everyone is always connected to the grid 24/7.
So, a balanced storage choice when buying a new phone is 6+256 GB, with a microSD slot if possible.
Display
LCD or OLED? Small or big? Screen size is up to you and your grip. Big screens are fantastic when watching but good luck when gaming with small hands. Small screens make things tiny but easier to grip when playing.
For the screen type, both LCD and OLED have their own pros and cons. But we’ll focus on the big things here.
LCDs are great with whites and excellent for AFK gaming because it doesn’t suffer from screen burn-in. They are also cheaper than OLEDs. While not prone to screen burn-in, LCDs can have backlight bleeding, when light leaks around the screen’s edges.
OLEDs are great with blacks, colors, and overall viewing angles. Although known for their flexibility, OLEDs are expensive and prone to burn-ins, especially if the brightness is high and visual elements are static. Since they favor the color black, Dark Mode and black visuals are often associated with lower power consumption.
The resolution and refresh rate will be up to you. Higher resolution and higher refresh rate consume more battery. But if you don’t want to have issues with a tempered glass, choose a phone with a flat display instead of curved.
Camera
Better cameras will skyrocket the base price of your phone, thanks to expensive sensors and software. This is one reason why some brands price their models exorbitantly, despite not including a flagship chipset.
At the end of the day, it’s all up to preference and we recommend that you visit a physical store and check online reviews to get a full understanding of your chosen device. Here’s what we think should be the baseline:
- 108, 64, or 50 MP main camera
- 32 or 16 MP selfie camera
- Optical image stabilization
- 4K at 30 FPS or 1080p at 60 FPS video recording
- Pro or Manual mode in the camera app
When you test a phone’s camera, always scrutinize the lighting, color accuracy, and noise. If you plan to sell products online, you’ll need a smartphone focused on this feature, especially on its selfie sensor.
Battery
These days, smartphones may not last an entire day for many. Games, video streaming, and nonstop browsing can eat away the battery fast, especially at higher resolution and refresh rate.
The minimum should be 5,000 mAh capacity with fast charging of at least 18 W. Though, you may need to increase your budget.
If you’re conscious of battery health, check the device’s battery manager for specials like a charging limiter or full battery notification. A passive cooling system or battery temperature safety protocols will help control the heat during charging.
Connectivity
4G or 5G? Depends on you and your location. 5G is truly faster than 4G but using this network is demanding on the chipset. 5G requires sophisticated hardware to process all that data in a flash.
Depending on your living space and lifestyle, you may want to check for infrared and NFC support. Some phones have NFC enabled for easy wireless payments while some appliances can be controlled by an IR blaster.
Audio
Stereo speakers as much as possible for maximum immersion. Even if they aren’t impressive, you can augment them with a built-in equalizer on various music players.
Some devices have native enhancers like Dolby Atmos or JBL. But the hardware itself speaks more than these enhancers. Check for bass, treble, and distortion when you max out the volume level.
Optionals
These are optional features and specs that you want to examine during window shopping:
- Wired audio port
- 3.5 mm headphone jack: Nothing beats the convenience of the legacy audio jack. This is best for analog audio.
- USB-C: Although some judge it as better than 3.5 mm, it’s inconvenient when you want to charge your phone while listening to your favorite tunes.
- Bypass Charging
- Some brands emulate bypass charging where the phone directly gets its power from the charging brick, bypassing the battery.
- This is more useful when you want to play mobile games console style.
- Launcher Customization
- Android has been known for customization but some brands hate third-party launchers. When you install one, some brand features will be turned off like gesture navigation.
- Freezer
- Some brands have native Freezer that lets you “freeze” or suspend apps, saving memory and battery.
- This is recommended for apps that you don’t use frequently.
- Frozen apps will also not appear on the homescreen and app drawer, providing some level of privacy.
- Routines
- One particular brand is popular for this. It creates an automated set of actions when certain conditions are met.
- For example, when the battery hits 25% and below, the device closes a specific app, enters power saving mode, and locks the screen.
Final Thoughts
Durability and resistance standards are good things to add as well. But they often raise the price tag. Plus, they don’t last forever since protection degrades over time. It’s all up to you.
When buying a new phone, three things must be kept in mind first: budget, lifestyle, and use case. These will tell you what to look for when browsing in shops.
Check out a sample draft below of a possible smartphone model to get an idea. It considers primary needs and best value for your money.
| Specifications | Details |
| Display | 1080p IPS LCD, 90Hz |
| Processor | AnTuTu score of 800,000 points |
| Memory | 6+256GB with hybrid microSD card slot |
| Camera | 64MP main camera, 16MP selfie camera |
| Battery | 5,000mAh with 18W charging |
| Connectivity | 4G or 5G, no NFC, no IR |
| Audio | Stereo speakers with 3.5mm headphone jack |
| Software | Near vanilla user interface |
| Protection | IP54, dust and splash resistance |
