Smartphones

Hear, hear, here

That choosing a smartphone is today nothing short of a dilemma is as deep an understatement as any. Thankfully there is no shortage of information and reviews out there but then, sifting through the reams of writing and reviewing (and shouting) demands skill too, apart from patience. Personal preferences play a huge role of course. Overall, getting objective is easier said than done and hence we have in this report tried to simplify the choosing task by zeroing in on the attributes that commonly matter.

It is worth discussing the main features that one normally checks before deciding on a particular device.

• Display size and resolution: Display has two dimensions – size and resolution. If you are a regular user, you need a smartphone for checking emails as well as chatting and browsing social media, in which case anything from a 12.7 cm to 13.9 cm (5 inches to 5.5 inches) HD or full-HD display handsets are perfect for you. Otherwise you can opt for a tablet.

• Processing power: The processor is the key characteristic that enables real smart usage of the mobile phone/tablet. The processing power varies from one device to another, depending on several factors such as the OS version, UI, bloatware and more.

• Camera: Most users want to know how many megapixels the camera has. But just having a higher number of megapixels does not mean that the camera is better. Several other specifications – such as camera aperture, ISO levels, pixel size, auto-focus and more – are also important.

• Battery: It is important to have a battery with longer staying power. If you are a heavy user and work on internet/apps, play games, stream videos and more, then go for a smartphone with at least a 3,500 mAh battery or above. If you are an average or light user, a handset with a 3,000 mAh battery would be good enough to run for a full day.

• The build: The build is directly linked with the durability of a smartphone. The entire handset market is broadly divided into two types of builds – metal and plastic. Which option you select should be based on how you evaluate your own usage pattern – do you tend to be very careful with your devices or are you clumsy and rough? Metal built would be more durable and robust but more expensive. • User interface: The user interface and OS version are key factors to choosing the best devices. The interface is that part of the phone that you interact with each time you access any function, so it should be easy and simple. • Storage: Nowadays storage is available in options of 16 GB, 32 GB, 64 GB or more. Higher storage volumes are mainly required by users who store movies or play heavy games. It is advisable to go for a minimum of 32 GB storage, else you will have to deal with the problem of hanging/ functions slowing down when closer to reaching full storage.

• Security: Our smartphone contains private data and pictures that we don’t want to share with anyone. So, security features are important and can include fingerprint sensors or even iris sensors. • Service: Another factor to consider is whether or not the phone supports the newer, high-speed 4G networks. • Design: A very important feature is the look and feel of a device. If the device fits in your hand, then it is easy to access its features.