Finding the best smartphones you can buy isn't easy.Smartphone is such a personal choice that there are many factors to consider when considering a purchase. First you need choose between iOS and Android. iOS has an image of being simpler in how it works, plus it comes with an entire ecosystem of devices that all work phenomenally and concisely together.Core strength of Android - in its diversity. Whatever your interests or goals, Android is there for you. Whether you need a bigger battery, a great camera, or an amazing screen, Android has something for you.
Budget also matters a lot, both for iOS and Android. Maybe you want the most "fancy" flagship. Maybe you are looking for something more moderately priced. Most, but not all, of the phones on this list have multiple cameras. Our specialists have studied the offers up and down from the best manufacturers, and We have compiled a Top of our favourites.
Best Overall: Samsung Galaxy S21
Pros:
- The 120Hz screen is great
- Powerful
- Cameras are great
Minuses:
- Normal battery life
- No microSD
- Plastic back panel
The flagship of the Samsung Galaxy phone series, and indeed of most Android devices, is the Samsung Galaxy S21. The Galaxy S21 comes in three different versions - Galaxy S21, Galaxy S21 Plus and Galaxy S21 Ultra. We'll discuss the Galaxy Ultra later, and we'll only be left with the Galaxy S21 and S21 Plus. They are both very similar: the Plus version has a bigger screen, a bigger battery, and a bigger price tag.
Samsung Galaxy S21 equipped with a 6.2-inch FHD+ screen with a 120Hz refresh rate. It has great viewing angles and our reviewer Andrew called it "absolutely great". It's bright and vibrant, everything you'd expect from a Samsung display. The processor is the top-notch Qualcomm Snapdragon 888, which is 9% faster than the latest generation of Samsung phones. The S21 also has 8GB of RAM and either 128GB or 256GB of storage that can't be expanded with a microSD card.
S21 has three cameras, including a 12MP main sensor, a 12MP ultra-wide sensor, and a 64MP 3x lossless zoom lens. Andrew writes: “All three cameras produce sharp, stellar images. They are very good at capturing fine detail in sufficient light, but still capable of producing very good results in low light in most scenarios. these are photos, and this is definitely true here: bright results sometimes make photos more attractive, but can sometimes look a bit unnatural or too bright.” Put it all together and it's not just the best Android phone you can buy today, but it's arguably the best smartphone overall.
Screen size: 6.2 inches |Permission: 1080x2400 |CPU: Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 |Camera: 64 MP / 12 MP / 12 MP rear and 10 MP front |Battery: 4000 mAh
“This is a fast phone that responds well to everything from apps and games to media and multitasking, and the smooth 120Hz display only adds to that fast feeling.”
Best score (Apple): Apple iPhone 12.
Pros:
- Nice
- Powerful
- First iPhone 5G
- Amazing cameras
Minuses:
- Screen 60 Hz
- Total 4GB RAM
- Power block not included
iPhone 12 is the latest phone from Apple and, of course, the best thing he has ever done. And again, we had to choose between the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro. We chose the iPhone 12 because, in our opinion, it offers the best value for money. With the iPhone 12 Pro, you get more RAM, a 2x optical zoom camera, and more camera features like lidar. They are good, but we are not sure if they are worth the extra money.
What's new in iPhone 12, it's a square design reminiscent of the iPhone 4 plus 5G connectivity.The A14 Bionic chip is a real beast. We tested it in benchmarks where it scored better than Qualcomm's latest Snapdragon 888. The phone only has 4GB of RAM, which is way below the 2021 standard, but it doesn't affect the day-to-day performance of the phone. We're really only bringing this up if you have validation issues in the future. Other disadvantages include the lack of a charging brick in the box. Apple claims that this is due to environmental reasons, so we will drop them. The screen on the iPhone also has a 60Hz refresh rate, which quickly becomes substandard.
iPhone 12 equipped with two cameras, including a 12-megapixel main sensor and a 12-megapixel ultra-wide sensor. There is very little color variation between the two sensors, which means you will get the same colors with either sensor. Andrew, our reviewer, writes that you get "lots of detail, well thought out colors and easy adaptation to all scenarios. Even night shots are good, retaining an amazing amount of detail without looking washed out during the lightening process. until the dark moment."
Overall, for the price, this is the best iPhone you can buy. You can also check out the iPhone 12 Mini below if you want something slimmer, or the iPhone 12 Pro we mentioned earlier for a bit more camera power.
Screen size: 6.1 inches |Permission: 2532×1170 | CPU: A14 Bionic |Camera: main 12 MP / 12 MP and front 12 MP |Battery: 2815 mAh
“The iPhone 12 is Apple’s best sub-$1,000 smartphone in years, a polished premium phone that combines power and style.”
Best Camera: Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
Pros:
- An unparalleled camera
- Huge 120Hz screen
- Outstanding Performance
- Excellent battery life
Minuses:
- Expensive
- No charger included
- No microSD
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra really earned its name by being the absolute leader in its class in every way, but especially in photography. In addition to a 108MP main camera and a 12MP ultra-wide camera, this phone features two optical zoom sensors with 3x and 10x zoom. The photos you can take with this phone are incredible. If you're the type who appreciates the ability to zoom in from afar - parents, travel bloggers, astrophotographers - this is simply the best camera setup you can get on a phone.
As for the rest of the phone, you get the best in every way. You'll get Snapdragon 888, 12 GB RAM and up to 512 GB storage. Add to that 5000 mAh battery, 6.8-inch screen with WQHD resolution and 120Hz adjustable refresh rate. Of course, all this means is that the phone is huge and fills every inch of your pants pocket.
The phone is also very expensive, with a suggested retail price of $1,199. Also, this phone does not come with a charger. It's frustrating when you buy a $799 iPhone, but it borders on crime for $1,199. But if you want the best camera on the best phone, this is definitely something to keep in mind. This phone is called Ultra in every sense.
Screen size: 6.8 inches |Permission: 3200×1440 | CPU: Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 |Camera: 108 MP / 10 MP / 10 MP / 12 MP rear and 40 MP front |Battery: 5000 mAh
“This may make the camera module look absurdly large, but the added 10x zoom is incredibly cool.”
Best Value: Apple iPhone SE (2020)
Pros:
- Great performance
- Inexpensive
- good camera
- Small, compact
Minuses:
- Battery life is weak
- Design outdated
- No 5G
In early 2020, Apple wanted to offer much of what made the iPhone 11 great, but at a substantially lower price. The result was iPhone SE (2020). This little phone comes in a compact body but is still powered by the A13 bionic processor.In terms of benchmarks, the A13 outperforms even 2021 flagship phones like the Galaxy S21. The iPhone SE also has the same RAM and storage options, but behind a tiny 4.7-inch screen and a Touch-ID-enabled Home button. The phone has one 12-megapixel camera, which is about as good as a regular phone camera.
The phone mimics the iPhone 6 in terms of design, which is why some consider it outdated. But the iPhone SE is more suitable for people who want a powerful phone but don't want to carry around a phone big enough to land small planes. Apple has ditched 5G connectivity and indeed won't be debuting a 5G iPhone until 6 months after the iPhone SE was released. The battery life in this phone is also low. The battery trade-offs that had to be made to keep the phone this small also means the phone has trouble getting through the day. But the phone has wireless charging, which is another nice bonus.
Basically, if you want a powerful Apple phone and fingerprint in a very small package, this is the best phone to meet all of these criteria.
Screen size: 4.7 inches |Permission: 1334×750 | CPU: A13 Bionic |Camera: main 12 MP, frontal 7 MP |Battery: 1821 mAh
Best Value (Android): Google Pixel 4a
Pros:
- solid chamber
- Great performance
- Good battery
Minuses:
- 5G is out
- boring design
SmartphonesPixel are phones that are made by Google, which also makes Android. One area where Google Pixel phones consistently stand out is photography. Google is using the Pixel as a showcase for what Android can be. Add to that that Google usually treats its own phones with perks like feature disables and updates before any other Android phone. A-series pixels tend to be a little less powerful and a little less pretty, but otherwise they give you an amazing Android experience.
Google Pixel 4a provides a quality Android experience thanks to a mid-range processor Snapdragon 730G and 6 GB of RAM. These specs aren't impressive on their own, but Android runs them very smoothly and delivers a great experience, as well as a whole day of battery life. The phone has one camera, which our reviewer Andrew describes as "so solid that I could use it instead of the multi-camera modules of much more expensive phones with unimpressive cameras."
If you're looking for a beautiful phone, look elsewhere. The phone looks very simple. In addition, the Pixel 4a is ditching 5G. Google has another phone, the Pixel 4a 5G, which, as the name suggests, can access 5G networks, but it's not the one we recommend here. Right now, the Pixel 4a is under $350 and it's one of the best phones you can buy at that price. If you like pure Android and are on a tight budget, this is the place to go.
Screen size: 5.8 inches |Permission: 1080 x 23400 |CPU: Qualcomm Snapdragon 730G |Camera: 12.2 MP / 12.2 MP rear and 8 MP front |Battery: 3140 mAh
"Pixel 4a is the best phone you can buy for under $400 and has enough power and features for just about anyone."
Best Design: OnePlus 9 Pro
Pros:
- Very good camera
- 5G
- Charges insanely fast
- QHD display with 120Hz refresh rate
Minuses:
- Slippery
- 5G is not supported on all networks
One Plus began its journey into the smartphone market as a "flagship killer", promoting phones with really great features at a very low price. These days, OnePlus has gone from being a flagship killer to a true flagship. OnePlus' latest offering, OnePlus 9 Pro is the best phone, which OnePlus has ever made, and it shows in many ways. OnePlus' latest flagship offers strong specs, very good cameras, and 5G on two of America's three 5G networks. AT&T doesn't support the OnePlus 9Pro on its 5G network, but Verizon and T-Mobile do.
So far, OnePlus has had a reputation for delivering great specs, but consistently substandard cameras. This is no longer the case as the OnePlus 9 Pro also delivers a very good camera experience. The phone has a triple camera, including a 3.3x optical zoom. All cameras are tuned by Hasselblad for good performance in most lighting conditions.
One of the areas in which One Plus 9 especially stands out is charging. OnePlus not only comes with a charger in the box, but also comes with a charger that delivers an amazing 65W charging power, allowing your phone to fully discharge in just 33 minutes. The wireless charger, sold separately, can charge your phone from 1% to 70% in just 30 minutes. This amazing charging time can save you a day if you need to quickly recharge your battery before heading out for the evening, or if you forgot to turn on your phone at night and need some juice before heading to work.
Screen size: 6.7 inches |Permission: 3216×1440 | CPU: Snapdragon 888 |Camera: 48 MP / 8 MP / 50 MP / 2 MP rear and 16 MP front |Battery: 4500 mAh
"OnePlus 9 Pro (and OnePlus 9) benefit from a new flagship camera system in partnership with Hasselblad, which is a big step up from the OnePlus 8 series."
Best 5G: Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G
Pros:
- Screen 120 Hz
- Great cameras
- Fast execution
- Excellent battery
- 5G
Minuses:
- No mmWave 5G
- plastic assembly
- 1080p only
Samsung Galaxy S20 is something like a compromise and course correction in one device. The “fan version” of the Galaxy S20 cuts down on many of the extra features of its flagship brethren while still delivering great functionality. You get a 1080p screen with a 120Hz refresh rate. The phone has a plastic back, but it also has wireless charging. In short, if you're willing to compromise a little, otherwise you'll end up with a lot of phone.
You still get a processor Snapdragon 865, 6 or 8 GB of RAM and 128 or 256 GB of storage. You get 5G, but not mmWave 5G. Overall, this is a fast phone with very good battery life. Andrew, our reviewer, wrote: "On a typical day, I would usually be 50% away from a charge by the time I hit the pillow."
As far as the camera setup goes, you get the same cameras as on the Samsung Galaxy S20, except instead of a cropped 64GB cropped sensor, you get 3x optical zoom. According to Andrew, "everyday shots are pretty good all around, with crisp detail and vibrant colors, although Samsung's aggressive processing can sometimes give photos an unrealistic sheen."
Screen size: 6.5 inches |Permission: 2400×1080 | CPU: Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 |Camera: 12 MP / 8 MP / 12 MP rear and 32 MP front |Battery: 4500 mAh
“With the same top-notch Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 processor found in other Galaxy S20 models, you won’t be short on power in the S20 FE 5G »
Best compact: Apple iPhone 12 mini
Pros:
- Compact
- Very powerful
- Excellent display
- 5G
- Great cameras
Minuses:
- Weaker battery life
- Screen 60 Hz
- Without power brick
When Apple released the iPhone 12, many reviewers leaned towards iPhone 12 mini. The iPhone 12 mini has everything the iPhone 12 has, but it comes in a smaller body with a smaller battery. Everything else is the same, including the processor, RAM, storage, and cameras.
On the other hand, this is one of the most powerful compact phones you can buy. You get a powerful A14 bionic processor and great cameras, plus 5G connectivity. But the trade-off is that the battery is tiny by most modern standards, making it hard to get through a full day on a single charge. iOS usually works well on a smaller battery, but in the case of the iPhone 12 Mini, the battery may be too small.
Of course, if you don't mind a little recharge during the day or at work, this is not a problem at all. The iPhone 12 Mini packs flagship power in a tiny package that fits easily into your pocket or bag.
Screen size: 5.4 inches |Permission: 2340×1080 | CPU: A14 Bionic |Camera: 12 MP / 12 MP rear and 12 MP front |Battery: 2227 mAh
“This is the fastest chip available today in any smartphone with clear boundaries, adding to the lead that Apple has gradually increased with each new version of its mobile system-on-a-chip in recent years.”
Best Google: Google Pixel 5
Pros:
- Amazing cameras
- 5G
- Screen 90 Hz
- Excellent battery life
Minuses:
- Expensive
- Not the best design
Phone Series Google Pixel - the best of what Android should be, at least according to Google. The Pixel doesn't always include top-level specs, but the Snapdragon 765G is a great performer. The included 8GB of RAM is also good, but not the best, which creates a confusing value proposition with a $699 asking price.
However, Pixel 5 remains one of our favorite phones of 2020/2021 due to how well Android runs on this hardware. Our reviewer Andrew writes, “The Pixel 5 feels reasonably responsive across the board, and the ultra-smooth 90Hz refresh rate just keeps things running perfectly fast. This is not surprising, since even the less powerful Pixel 3a models were quite fast. Google has done a great job of optimizing their Android OS for hardware.”
As for the camera setup, it's just wonderful. According to Andrew, “Between the 12MP wide-angle and 16MP ultra-wide-angle cameras on the back, you'll always take great pictures with minimal effort. Take Samsung's flagship cameras, for example, which tend to provide an overly bright look that not everyone will like. The Pixel 5 is well-equipped to capture crisp, detailed shots in almost any scenario, from nature to faces, pets, and more.”
Screen size: 6.0 inches |Permission: 2340×1080 | CPU: Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G |Camera: 12.2 MP / 16 MP rear and 8 MP front |Battery: 4080 mAh
“I recorded a top download speed of 1.6Gbps on Verizon's 5G ultra-broadband network. This is the highest speed I have ever seen.”
Final verdict
In general, the choice of the best as a whole depends on preferences.If you like Android, then our choice is Samsung Galaxy S21, otherwise, iPhone 12 . We give credit to the S21 for its more versatile camera setup, better display, and amazingly better battery life. The cameras of the iPhone 12 and even the 12 Pro don't quite fit. However, iPhone 12 is the best version of iOS. It's fast, smooth, and has a great camera. You really can't go wrong with any of these options.
Answers on questions
Which Smartphone Has the Best Camera?
All top-tier smartphones come with great cameras and usually have multiple rear sensors. You usually get a main sensor for normal shots, an ultra-wide sensor for wide-angle shots, a depth sensor for bokeh, and a telephoto sensor for zoom shots. This applies to top phones from Apple, Samsung, OnePlus, Google and others. The Google Pixel line is particularly well known for its large software extension to enhance low-light shots and post-processing. Both the latest iPhone and Samsung flagships have excellent hardware and AI-enhanced shooting. Take a look at our list of camera phones to find out more.
Which Android Smartphone is Best for Traveling Abroad?
The Android phone market is vast, from premium devices to ultra-budget devices. In terms of pure hardware, Samsung's latest flagship tends to be the best Android phone on the market, although it has a lot of competition, especially overseas where you'll see great options from Xiaomi, Realme, and even Huawei.
What is the Best Budget Smartphone?
Just because you have a limited budget doesn't mean you have to settle for less. There are many mid-range and budget options available. While they won't have the latest and greatest processor, you can get plenty of new features like edge-to-edge design, sleek build, multiple rear cameras, and even 5G support. Samsung offers phones in many price ranges, while Nokia offers many mid-range options packed in stylish designs. Motorola and LG have great workhorses with a stylus or bigger batteries.
The Complete Smartphone Buying Guide
The humble phone has come a long way over the years. Gone are the days when the phone was just a way to call people. Smartphones are the center of our digital lives these days, serving as a means of connecting with people, browsing the web, playing games, paying bills, keeping order and more.
There are many factors to consider when buying a smartphone. First, you need to figure out which operating system you want to use on this smartphone. And you'll also want to consider other factors, including storage space, screen size, battery life, and camera quality, just to name a few. So, since a smartphone is one of our most important possessions, it can sometimes be difficult to choose the right one. However, that's why we've put together this guide - to help you find the perfect smartphone for your needs.
Smartphone Operating Systems
Therefore, if you decide that you need a smartphone, you will need to consider what operating system you want to use. The operating system on a smartphone plays the same role as the operating system on a computer. Basically it is the software that you interact with on a daily basis. An iPhone has an iOS operating system, while an Android phone has an Android operating system. Each operating system has several advantages and disadvantages, which we will discuss below.
Android
Interested in the Android operating system? Android is the most popular smartphone operating system in the world, and for a number of reasons. For starters, unlike Apple, which only allows iOS on its iPhones, Google licenses Android to other companies. This is why companies like Samsung, HTC, Huawei, and Google itself use the Android operating system.
Lifewire / Claire Cohen
If you're a power user of Google, then Android usually works best with these apps and services. Here we are talking not only about the Google search engine, but also on other operating systems. Instead, we're talking about the Google Play Music streaming service, Google Drive cloud storage, other Google devices like the Google Home smart speaker, and more. Now more than ever, choosing an operating system for a smartphone is an ecosystem choice, and if you choose an Android phone, it can be beneficial to either already use Google services or be ready to transition.
Android is also generally considered an operating system "that can do more" and has more features. This is due to the nature of Android - Android code is available to developers who want it, and Google is much less closed off than Apple. about it. If you're a craftsman or want to install apps from third-party sources, Android might be the way to go, though we recommend only downloading apps from the Google Play store to keep your phones free of malware. The trade-off of being able to do more is that theyLittle harder to use than iOS phones.
Last but not least, Android phones use the results of Google's work in machine learning and artificial intelligence. As a result, Google Assistant is more efficient than some other digital assistants, and Android is better at predicting what you might want to do and when you might want to do it.
After all, there are several main reasons to choose an Android phone. Theymay be a little cheaper, they work better with Google apps and services, and are a little smarter.
IOS
Apple's iOS may not be used by as many people around the world, but in the US it is the de facto dominant operating system for smartphones. There are many reasons to choose an iPhone - an iOS phone - over an Android device. However, the main ones are that it is made by Apple and as such it is very easy to use, ultra-stylish and goes well with other Apple devices.
From the get-go, iOS helps you get used to the phone, and pretty much everything happens where you'd expect it to. All settings are in the settings app, all apps line up together, and so on.
Because Apple controls every aspect of iPhone development, they can work longer hours and handle things like multitasking faster. This doesn't necessarily mean that iOS phones actually perform better than Android phones - although they often do - it just means that iOS works better with the hardware to provide a better user experience.
There is also the fact that the iPhone works better with other Apple devices. It's safe to say that if you have a Mac or iPad computer, then the iPhone might be right for you, as it makes it easy to sync things like photos, messages, email, and more with Apple's iCloud.
If you want a simple user experience, better integration with Apple, and a phone that lasts longer, then an iOS phone is probably the way to go.
Other Features And Considerations
The operating system isn't the only thing to consider when buying a smartphone, although if you've figured out which operating system you need, then you've done a great job. You'll also want to think about the hardware (CPU, RAM, etc.) under the hood, camera, screen size, battery capacity, and more. Only a few of these things are a problem when buying an iPhone (there are only a handful of iPhone models to choose from each year). But if you're shopping for an Android phone, all of this could be something to consider.
Lifewire/Jordan Provost
CPU
The processor is essentially the brain of the computer or, in this case, the phone. More powerful processors basically mean your phone can "think" faster, which means tasks get completed faster, multitasking faster, and your phone will last longer. Longevity is important here: a phone with a sub-par processor might be able to handle today's apps just fine, but that might not be the case for apps released two years from now.
There are several companies developing processors for smartphones. Apple designs its own processors, but companies such as Qualcomm, MediaTek, Samsung, and others develop processors for Android phones. In the US, Qualcomm chips are the most common, and in 2018 Qualcomm's flagship chip is the Snapdragon 845. The higher the number here, the better.
If you need more powerful processors, you will need processors with multiple "cores". Traditional processors can only do one task at a time, but a dual-core processor can handle two, and a quad-core processor can handle four.
Storage
Storage is perhaps the most important thing to consider for most people. The more storage you have on your phone, the more files, apps, photos, videos, etc. you can store there at the same time. It's a little easier to get by with less storage these days if you use cloud storage like Apple Photos or Google Drive, but some things just can't work without being saved to your phone. We recommend purchasing a phone with at least 16 GB of storage (for light users), although 32 GB will be much better, and 64 GB or more should be sufficient for heavy users.
Some phones also allow you to use external storage, usually through a microSD card slot. With this slot, you can buy a small card the size of a SIM card that can store files. MicroSD cards start at the low price of low-capacity cards and then go further.
Camera
The camera has become one of the most important aspects of the phone. After all, having a great camera on a phone means you can quickly capture the moment without carrying around another camera.
There are a few things that make a great camera, but the most important thing is the software behind it. Two phones with the same camera specs can produce wildly different results, so it's unfortunately almost impossible to buy a phone with a great camera just by looking at the specs on paper.
However, there are several characteristics to consider. Firstly, camera resolution is important to many. Resolution determines the number of pixels that make up a photo or video, and more pixels means the photo will look good on higher resolution displays. As the resolution of displays continues to grow, this can be very important.
Lifewire / Claire Cohen
You'll also want to think about aperture, which is basically the size of the hole that light enters before it reaches the camera's sensor. The larger the aperture, the more light is let through, which can be useful in low light conditions. Aperture is expressed as an f number, such as f/2.0. However, larger holes are represented by smaller numbers - which is confusing but unfortunately true.
We recommend looking at phone reviews to determine if the camera is good or not. As mentioned, mere specs don't really matter when it comes to camera quality, here are a few phone cameras we highly recommend.
Ram
RAM or Random Access Memory is another form of storage, but instead of being used to store files, it is used by your system to store things that it might want to retrieve quickly. Most often, open applications are stored in RAM, so when you close them and open them again, they can be displayed on the screen without having to fully download again.
Generally speaking, it's better to buy more RAM when buying a smartphone, but phones with more RAM often cost more as well. For a mid-range phone, you'll probably find phones with 2GB of RAM, but a device with 3GB or more is recommended for most users.
Display Type
When it comes to phones, a screen isn't just a screen. There are several different types of displays, and not all of them are the same.
The most common type of display in mid-range and low-end phones is the LCD or liquid crystal display. LCDs are inexpensive to manufacture, which is why they're used so often, but the trade-off is that they're not the best for battery life and generally don't produce the deepest blacks or the brightest colors. However, there are two types of LCDs: TFT-LCDs, which are cheaper and have the worst color reproduction, and IPS-LCDs, which have slightly better color reproduction and wider viewing angles.
These days, high-end phones are ditching LCDs in favor of OLED displays. Since OLED displays illuminate individual pixels rather than the display as a whole, this saves battery life. On top of that, when black appears on the screen, OLED displays simply don't illuminate it, meaning blacks look deeper and contrast ratios are higher. You can see "Super AMOLED" displays there, which is basically Samsung's brand for their OLED displays.
You'll probably only notice the difference between LCDs and OLEDs if you have a really sharp eye, although you may find that the battery improvements that come with OLEDs are worth the extra money.
Screen size
Phone display sizes have gotten a lot bigger over the years, and that might be important to you. Smaller displays are four inches while larger displays are up to seven inches. Phone displays are also likely to get bigger.This is because of the trend towards edge-to-edge displays that minimize the space between the screen and the edge of the phone and make phones with larger displays but the same overall size.
If you enjoy watching videos, looking at photos, or playing a lot of games on your phone, you might want to consider getting a phone with a larger screen.
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Biometric Authentication
Gone are the days when you had to enter a PIN to access your phone. These days, most smartphones have a built-in fingerprint sensor, thanks to which you can easily and quickly log into your device with a single touch of the sensor. Some higher end phones also have other forms of biometric authentication, such as iris scanning or facial recognition.
Many consider fingerprint recognition to be the easiest way to authenticate, especially depending on its location. While some phones put the fingerprint sensor on the front of the device, others have the sensor on the back, making it easy to quickly scan your fingerprint when you take your device out of your pocket.
These days, some phones have facial recognition, which is safer and sometimes easier to use. All you need to do to authenticate with facial recognition is look at your phone, which is a bit tricky if your phone is on your desk, for example.
Some other high-end phones also offer iris scanning, which has its advantages and disadvantages. The advantages are that iris scanning is very safe and relatively easy to use, but the disadvantage is that iris scanners are expensive to make and use.
We recommend a phone with at least a fingerprint scanner, although any other authentication methods may be useful.
Battery capacity
Not all batteries are the same size, and a smaller battery can seriously affect how long your phone lasts on a single charge. Battery capacity is measured in milliamp hours, or mAh, where a higher number means more capacity. Of course, it's not always as simple as "big batteries make your phone last longer". A phone with a larger battery but the same high-resolution display and power-hungry processor may not last as long as a phone with a smaller battery, lower resolution display, and less powerful processor.
Most phones you come across should last at least a day of normal use on a single charge, but the fact remains that larger batteries are useful, and battery capacity is definitely something you should consider. We recommend getting a phone with a capacity of at least 2500 mAh, but again, how long this lasts will depend on a lot of different factors.
Charger
While the capacity of a battery is important, how you charge it is equally important to many. Many devices simply charge through their charging port, and most mid-range and low-end phones don't have any fancy fast-charging technology. However, some phones have ways to increase battery charging speed, at least when using the right charger. This fast charging technology varies from company to company, but when it's there, it can be very useful.
There is another charging technology that can be useful and that is wireless charging. Wireless charging has been around for a while, and some Android manufacturers have been using it for years. More recently, Apple introduced wireless charging to its phones, so the technology has quickly become a lot more popular. Wireless charging essentially lets you charge your phone by plugging it into a charging mat or dock, without having to plug it into a power outlet. It's very convenient, but largely reserved for high-end devices. If you're buying a high-end device, you should definitely consider wireless charging.
Lifewire / Claire Cohen
Durability
You'll most likely want your phone to last, and there are a few ways to make sure that's the case. The most common durability rating is the Ingress Protection rating, which covers water and dust resistance. Most IP-rated phones are at least IP67, which means the phone is dust-proof and can withstand being submerged in water up to one meter deep for up to 30 minutes. A rating with numbers higher than this is always better.
Some phones also have military drop test ratings, which means they've been tested to withstand drops and bumps. Phones that have this are not common, but should withstand a lot more abuse than a standard phone. Most commonly, you'll see the MIL-STD-810G standard, which means the phone has been tested to withstand a total of 26 drops per side, edge, and corner. The standard is a bit misleading because manufacturers can only test up to five samples, which means each sample only gets dropped five or six times, but it still means the phone should be able to handle an odd drop just fine.
Conclusion
As you can imagine, there are a number of factors to consider when buying a new smartphone. Next, you'll want to choose between Android or iOS. And, of course, you still need to figure out your budget and choose the features that matter most to you (be it power, display, or whatever). Find the best phone with these specs in your price range, and voila, you have a brand new phone.
No matter what's important to you, there's almost certainly a smartphone that's perfect for your needs. After all, there are dozens of phones out there, and more are released every week.
