Nov 07, 2012 01:12 PM
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(Updated Nov 07, 2012 02:43 PM)
Mobile Phones Buying Guide
If you still don't have a latest and greatest smartphone, right now is a good time to buy a new phone. Before you hit the stores, however, do a bit of research and read this guide so you'll know exactly what to look for.
Features to Consider
When shopping for a phone, you can do some simple hands-on tests in the store to make sure the phone has everything you need.
Design: Your choices range from flip-open clam-shell-style phones to candy bar-style phones to slider-style phones with full-QWERTY keyboards. Whichever type of phone you select, check its ergonomics. See if its comfortable to hold against your ear, and that you can hear callers without constant adjustment. Also see if you can use the phone with one hand or if you can comfortably hold the phone to your ear by scrunching your neck and shoulder?
Operating system: If you're looking to do more than make calls and send text messages with your phone, consider the platform on which it runs. The mobile operating system you choose will greatly affect the capabilities of your phone. The most popular platforms are Google's Android OS (found on multiple devices), iOS (found only on the iPhone) and BlackBerry OS (found on BlackBerry's of various designs). Each has its advantages and disadvantages, and you should definitely familiarize yourself with all of the platforms before settling on one. Other platforms include Symbian (found on most Nokia smartphones), Microsoft's Windows Phone 7.5 and now latest Windows Phone 8 and Samsung's very-own Bada.
SmartphoneAt the top of today's handset pecking order is the smartphone. These devices typically have the most power and top-notch components such as processors, memory, screens, and connections to fast wireless data. By definition they run true mobile operating systems such as Apple's iOS, Google's Android, and Microsoft's Windows Phone. They also support downloadable applications via virtual stores tied to their associated software platforms. Because of all their capabilities, smartphones are usually the most expensive phones on the market.
Messaging or feature phonesOne step below smartphones, feature phones strive to offer many of the same abilities that their more pricey siblings do. Instead of popular mobile operating systems, these gadgets run proprietary software crafted by hardware manufacturers -- for example, Samsung or LG. Many feature phones tend to be made primarily for text messaging and e-mail, sporting full QWERTY physical keyboards.
Basic phonesThere are plenty of people who have no interest in viewing full desktop-quality Web pages or running apps on their mobile device. Simply put, they just want a phone for making, well, phone calls. For these folks a basic phone fits the bill. While basic handsets have been eclipsed by smartphones, they're uncomplicated, use traditional simple keypads, and are designed to one thing. That's to make and receive voice calls reliably and with excellent audio quality. Key components
Screen size
Large screensThe current rage among mobile phone design, especially in advanced Android smartphones, is having a massive display. We consider any handset with a screen of 4.7 inches or greater to be on the top end both in terms of physical size and display dimensions. Some gadgets such as the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 (5.5 inches) and LG Intuition (5 inches) push the screen real estate envelope to new heights, almost reaching a tablet level of functionality and girth. Keep in mind, however, that while devices with larger screen offers a bigger view, they are also harder to manipulate in one hand and can be uncomfortable to hold for long periods when you're making a call.
Medium screensSitting in the cell phone size sweet spot are devices with screens ranging from 4 to 4.5 inches. Phones in this middle category typically strive to balance the high degree of engagement and entertainment a larger display brings while still remaining practical. Motorola's Droid Razr M and Apple's iPhone 5 are good examples of this approach, offering large hi-resolution screens that users can grip with one hand and whose thumbs comfortably reach all portions of the display.
Small screensThanks to the swelling number of gargantuan smartphones hitting store shelves, compact cell phones are a shrinking segment of the mobile handset market. That said, some people still place portability highest on their list of phone features. If you're one of these individuals then we suggest limiting your shopping to devices that have screens that are 4 inches or less. Models such as these, like the HTC One V for example, are the most pocket-friendly, yet they manage to pack the hefty capability punch that Android can throw. For more on specific display technologies, check out the deeper dive section at the end of this guide.
The screen's contrast and backlight are also important. There are phones out in the market that show marked differences in viewing quality. If your phone allows you to adjust such settings, you can make text and graphics easily viewable--even in bright places.
Consider the screen's resolution, too. The higher the resolution, the better the screen will look--an important factor if you plan to use your phone to watch videos or view photos.
3G support and availability: Although a lot of buzz surrounds the next generation of wireless networks, 3G has finally seen the light of day in India. 3G's faster download speeds significantly improve streaming video and allow features such as videoconferencing and network gaming. All major telecom providers offer 3G services in most Indian cities today and therefore 3G compatibility is important for a new phone.
Cameras: If you intend to take a lot of photos with your phone, you'll definitely want to pay attention to the camera specs. For mid-level to high-level smartphones, 5 megapixels is now pretty much the standard. Some phones ship with 8- or 12-megapixel cameras, but a higher megapixel count doesn't necessarily mean a better camera. Verify that the phone you're interested in has a flash--dual-LED or Xenon flashes work the best--or else you won't be able to take any pictures indoors or at night without them looking like blurry messes. Try to take a few pictures in the store to get a good idea of the camera's photo quality.
Most cell phone cameras also have video-capture capabilities; some high-end phones can even capture high-definition 720p or 1080p video. If video is your thing, make sure that the OS provides an easy way to upload your videos to Facebook or YouTube.
BatteryIf your cell phone battery conks out, all the snazzy features in the world won't be able to help you. Manufacturers have begun to recognize the critical importance of battery life and are squeezing greater capacity batteries into their phones. Typical phone batteries range from 1, 700mAh capacities and go all the way up to 3, 300mAh.
Manufacturers also list battery performance in terms of talk time, standby time, or by how many hours you can expect a device to perform tasks such as playing video and music.
End of Part 1
