Smartphones

Today's smartphones are nothing like the old button phones..

They are multifunctional devices with which you can not only make calls or send text messages, but also log into social media accounts and even work.

To do this, you need to choose the most productive and functional device possible. To do this, the information in this article will help.
How to choose a smartphone - a short guide
There are several criteria that are considered the most important in the use of smartphones.

These include:

Screen diagonal and resolution. The size and brightness of the display determines the comfort of the device.
Operating system. Most modern devices have the Android operating system, but some brands have their own operating system. A striking example is iOS from Apple.
Processor. Its power directly affects the performance of the device. The most modern models have the most advanced processors, which allow you to use the smartphone in multitasking mode.

Also important when choosing a device is battery capacity (for increased battery life), the number of cameras and their resolution, the amount of RAM and internal memory.

To choose a smartphone on basic technical criteria was easier, let us consider all the key indicators in more detail.

Diagonal and resolution
The screen diagonal is one of the criteria that ensure comfortable use.

There are budget smartphones with a small screen of 4 inches, and more expensive models with really big screens of 6.9 inches.

At the same time, most users choose intermediate variants with a display of 5 to 5.7 inches.

In this case, much depends on the owner's goals:

Models with a 4-inch screen are usually bought by children. The same smartphones are preferred by people who use the gadget only for making calls and performing simple tasks.
Smartphones with a screen of 5 inches are considered the most popular. With their help, it is not only comfortable to make calls, but also to communicate in messengers or comfortably watch videos.
Users who often watch videos from the phone, it is better to choose a model with a diagonal screen 6 inches..

Screen resolution also plays an important role, because the higher this figure, the brighter and clearer the picture on the screen.

As a rule, the diagonal and screen resolution are interrelated.
The larger the diagonal, the greater its resolution and the more expensive the smartphone itself.
Operating system
The most popular operating systems for mobile devices are Android and iOS. It should be clarified at once that the second operating system is used exclusively in Apple devices.

Each operating system has its pros and cons.

Let's start with iOS:

Because this operating system is used only in Apple smartphones, it can be safely called an exclusive and premium. But devices with this operating system are much more expensive than conventional Android gadgets.
For owners of such devices there is its own closed application store, although many users think that the choice of products in it is limited, and paid applications for iOS are more expensive than similar software for Apple.
The interface is also aimed at maximum user convenience, although it is not possible to expand the internal memory of the phone with a special card: you will only have to use the memory of the device itself.

The operating system for the iPhone is considered closed, and therefore more protected. But because of this, many users are faced with blocking quite innocuous applications.

Android is familiar and understandable for many users, but it also has its disadvantages:

The built-in store has a huge selection of programs and applications. Most of them are installed for free, but the choice of music is not as rich as in the store iOS.
All applications are updated automatically, which many users like. On the other hand, the constant updating of applications leads to a fast drain on the battery.
The operating system is open, so there are no difficulties with the installation of applications. However, many users who have used both Android and iOS note that it can be difficult to find the folder with the necessary settings.

Type of display
Displays are divided into types according to the type of installed matrix, and it depends directly on the manufacturer.

The most popular are considered:

Super AMOLED. This type of matrix is based on LEDs. These screens are quite bright, and the picture is clear, but there are other types of matrix with higher resolution.
TN matrix. This type is considered outdated, because it has too small viewing angles, and the picture is not very bright and clear. Typically, these types of matrices are installed in budget smartphones with small screens.
IPS matrices. Completely devoid of the drawbacks of matrices of the previous type. Viewing angles in them reach 178 degrees, and high-quality color reproduction and high contrast ensure high viewing comfort.

Screen protection level
The screens of modern touchscreen smartphones are very fragile, and need special protection against cracks and mechanical damage.

To prevent scratches on the display, it is glossy or matte film, or a special protective glass.

Films are made of a special polymer, so tightly adhere to the screen, do not interfere with viewing, but at the same time protect the display from damage, disguise the existing small scratches, and if necessary, easily removed, leaving no traces on the screen.

A more modern and high-quality type of protection is considered glass. It is made of the thinnest plastic of organic glass.

This material is not afraid of falls, scratches and mechanical damage, and the display will be protected from damage even if fallen from a small height.

Another criterion for the protection of the smartphone is its ability to withstand dust and moisture.

As a rule, buyers do not pay attention to this indicator, although it is really important. The degree of protection of a smartphone against dust and moisture is indicated by the letters IP and a few numbers. The first number means protection against dust, and the second - against the penetration of liquids.

There are 7 degrees of protection against dust and 9 degrees of protection against moisture. Accordingly, the maximum level of protection will have a smartphone with IP79, although most users do not need such an impressive protection.

Location of the front and main camera
Modern smartphones are equipped with high-quality cameras, so they are quite capable of replacing the camera. When choosing a gadget be sure to pay attention to the characteristics of the cameras.

It should be immediately clarified that the number of megapixels of the camera has almost no impact on the quality of photos and videos.

A far greater role is played by the optimal combination of hardware and software components. No less important is the location of the cameras.

The front one is usually located right in the center at the top of the case.

The main cameras are also called rear cameras because they are located on the back of the case. The greater the number of cameras, the better the quality of photos and videos will be.
Processor and video accelerator
The processor is a key part of any smartphone.

It is what determines the performance of the device. But, if the computer processor is a separate part, then smartphones use the so-called system-on-a-chip.

It involves the placement in a single chip and the processor, and video gas pedal, as well as memory and additional communication modules.

Most modern smartphones have Mediatek and Qualcomm processors. But these companies only manufacture processors, and do not make smartphones.

The amount of RAM
Another important indicator that affects the performance of a smartphone is the amount of RAM.

The devices, in which the RAM is only 1 GB, now on sale are rare. But you can not call them completely useless, because such a gadget will be quite enough for a small child or a schoolboy.
If the owner is planning to actively use the smartphone and install numerous applications on it, it is better to choose a device with a large amount of RAM.
If the RAM is not enough, after installing numerous applications the gadget will start to stumble a lot.

Choosing a smartphone according to the amount of RAM, are guided by the following tips:

For novice users, children or school students will be sufficient for a budget device with a RAM capacity of 1-2 GB.
In the medium-price smartphones provides 3 or 4 GB of RAM. As a rule, this is the amount of memory found in most models.

It is planned that in the near future smartphones with 6 and 8 GB of RAM will go on sale.

In general, the more RAM the device has, the faster the device will run. In addition, a large amount of RAM will allow you to use the smartphone in multitasking mode.
The amount of internal memory
Choosing a smartphone, it is important to pay attention to the amount of internal memory. It is from it depends on how much data can be stored on the device. But it should be borne in mind that some of the built-in memory will be occupied by the operating system by default.

For example, if the technical specifications of the device specify that the amount of internal memory is 4 GB, the user will be able to access a maximum of 2 GB.

Many users solve the problem of the lack of internal memory by installing special memory cards. But here, too, difficulties may arise. The fact is that in many models the memory card slot is combined with a SIM card slot.

In order not to limit yourself in downloading applications and storing photos and videos, you need to choose a smartphone with at least 8 GB of internal memory.

But it will be much better if the gadget will be provided with 16 or 32 GB of memory.

Quality and quantity of cameras
When choosing smartphone with a good camera many users are guided by the number of megapixels. But in fact, this indicator is not so important.

In fact, the quality of photos and videos depends on:

the brightness of the sensor;
the presence of image stabilization;
The quality of the image post-processing software.

One of the key criteria is optical stabilization. It allows you to avoid blurred images, even if the photo was taken in motion.

The number of cameras also plays an important role. The more modules installed in the smartphone, the clearer and brighter photos will be.

For example, even a two-camera camera can take a very high-quality portrait in which the background is slightly blurred and the person or object in the foreground looks very clear.
Battery capacity (wireless charging)
Since the smartphone is an indispensable gadget for any modern person, battery capacity is very important. It is this characteristic that determines how long the battery will hold a charge and how long the owner will be able to use the smartphone without additional recharging.

Battery capacity is measured in milliamps per hour (mAh). Even in budget models, the battery capacity is at least 2000 mAh. But because such a smartphone does not hold a charge longer than a day, many users prefer models with a battery of 3000 mAh and above. To read more about smartphones with a good battery you can here.

Modern devices also have a function wireless charging. It is very useful because it allows you to quickly put your smartphone on charge without using any additional wires or adapters.

The number of SIM cards and their format
In the past, smartphones were provided with only one SIM card slot. But today's manufacturers are increasingly equipping devices with two SIM card slots.

There is a simple explanation: many owners use the sim cards of several mobile operators, and do not want to buy a second smartphone.

When choosing a device, be sure to pay attention to the type of SIM card slots.

If the smartphone does not have enough built-in memory, it is better to choose a model that has two sim card slots at once and a separate slot for installing a memory card.
All about 5G communications
The 5G communication format is relatively new and is not yet supported by all countries and not all smartphones.

This is partly due to the fact that there is an opinion that the 5G format is harmful to human health.

In fact, the facts about the harm of the 5G communications standard has not yet been proven. But the towers that support this technology are not yet installed in all countries. Users who have already experienced this standard of communication in practice, note the increased speed of the Internet connection.
The user does not have to wait long to load a page or a video, as all information is loaded almost instantly, in just a few seconds.
NFC - a luxury or a necessity?
The NFC module allows data to be transmitted over a short distance (less than 10cm). Information is read out over the air, so the connection takes no more than a few seconds.

Until recently, NFC was considered a luxury, but it actually makes many everyday activities much easier.

The user can issue any commands for automatic execution:

send a message;
switch to silent mode;
turn on the alarm clock;
find and connect to Wi-Fi;
start the audio player;
turn on GPS;
pay for purchases and much more.

Previously, NFC modules could be found only in expensive devices. But, as the popularity of this function grew, many manufacturers began to equip their devices with this feature, as it is really useful and convenient.

Biometrics (fingerprint scanner, eye scanner, etc.)
Biometric technology in smartphones means unlocking the device with a fingerprint scanner, reading the wearer's pupil or recognizing their face.

Not all smartphones have these features. But if your budget allows, it is still better to buy a more expensive device with biometric security features. So the owner will be confident that even if the device is lost, his personal data will not become available to intruders.

Some users have noted that the fingerprint scanner begins to freeze in the cold, although recently such problems are occurring more rarely.
What brand to choose?
The production of smartphones is engaged in many companies. Asian manufacturers from Korea, China and Japan are recognized as leaders.

The article below presents the technical characteristics of the most popular smartphones, which harmoniously combine the best value and acceptable quality.

The production of these devices is engaged in the companies Xiaomi, HUAWEI and Honor. No less quality brand devices are considered Samsung, because they are quite reasonably priced (25000—30000 rubles) and allow you to take pictures of excellent quality.

There are a lot of fans of smartphones from Apple. They cost more than Android gadgets, but many users appreciate the functionality, interface and production of the devices of this brand.

Despite the high cost, such gadgets have clever functionality and emphasize the status of its owner, although their capabilities are no better than smartphones from conventional Chinese manufacturers.

Smartphones what Chinese companies should buy?
Smartphones made in China are on today's market in a huge range. But not to risk, it is better not to buy a device of unknown brands, the more so that in China there are several companies that have already become widely known throughout the world.

The most famous Chinese manufacturers of smartphone are considered:

Huawei .. Gadgets from this manufacturer regularly occupy leading positions in the ranking of the most reliable, functional and financially affordable devices. But recently this manufacturer has fallen under U.S. sanctions, so the gadgets are inaccessible to many services of Google.
Honor. Another successful Chinese brand that produces inexpensive, reliable and functional smartphones. As in the case of Huawei smartphones, Honor devices do not support many Google services.
Oppo. One of the youngest manufacturers of smartphones, which has already managed to prove itself in a positive way. Experts believe that this brand in the future will take a leading position in the market of mobile devices.
Xiaomi .. This company is often called the "Chinese Apple". The popularity of smartphones of this brand is due to the fact that they are sold at a reasonable cost, but they are implemented all modern technologies, for example, they have a good performance and excellent signal reception.

Also popular are considered devices from companies Vivo и ZTEBut in our country, the devices of these companies are not very popular yet..

It is possible that in the future devices of these brands will become more popular, because they have sufficient functionality for multitasking.

Also, excellent show themselves devices of the following brands:

Nokia. This firm produces excellent models smartphones for older people.
OnePlus. This manufacturer produces excellent gaming smartphonesmany of which are at the top Antutu performance rating.
Sony .. A good company, with quality compact models phones.
BQ. The firm is famous for its inexpensive smartphones in the price segment 5000—10000 rubles. It is also worth noting that they also produce shock-proof smartphones.
Realme. This manufacturer produces powerful smartphones in the average price segment of 15000-20000 rubles.

Conclusion - a brief checklist
When choosing a smartphone, you have to pay attention to many technical characteristics. To speed up the selection process, we recommend using a brief checklist. With its help, everyone can quickly choose a suitable model, focusing on their preferences and financial capabilities.

So, when choosing a smartphone, pay attention to:

Diagonal and resolution of the screen. The comfort of viewing media content depends on these indicators. But you should also check the way the smartphone is in your hand. This is especially important for girls, who may simply be uncomfortable holding a smartphone with a big screen in your hand.
Number of cameras. This indicator is important for users who plan to take high-quality photos and videos. In general, for ordinary users, one or two cameras are enough, but to get really high-quality pictures, it is better to give preference to a device with modules consisting of three or even four cameras.
Type of operating system. Android devices cost less than iOS smartphones. In addition, for many users Android smartphones are more convenient and familiar, and the application store has a sufficient selection of programs and applications for users with a variety of tastes and preferences.
The amount of RAM and built-in memory. The first criterion determines the performance of the device, and the second - the amount of data that can be stored on the device. Many devices have a special slot for a memory card, but many manufacturers initially provide smartphones with enough internal memory so that the owner does not need to install additional memory card.

Experts also recommend paying attention to the manufacturer of the device.

Proven brands do not skimp on materials and often equip their gadgets with the latest technology.

That's why you should not buy devices from little-known manufacturers, who often use low-quality materials for production. Even if there is a protective film on the screen of such a smartphone, the phone can be covered with scratches or even fail in case of an accidental fall.
Top 5 best smartphones by price/quality
Not all users are willing to pay a lot of money for a smartphone. Many are looking for the "golden mean" - a gadget that has a clever interface and thoughtful functionality, but the cost is not too high. The rating includes mostly Chinese brands, as they are popular around the world.

We also included one of Apple's devices in the rating. Despite the high cost, iPhones are popular among users, because these smartphones emphasize the status of the owner, and the manufacturer has equipped its gadgets with the most modern features and technologies for full and comfortable use.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro 6/128GB

 

One of the best smartphones produced in China. It established the operating system Android version 9.

It is familiar to many users, which together with the democratic cost makes the smartphone one of the most popular on the market. The body is made of glass and metal.

Both materials have high strength, so the device is not afraid of accidental falls from a small height..

The device has two slots for SIM cards, but one of them is also intended to install a memory card. In this case, most users have enough and built-in memory gadget, because it is 128 GB.

The smartphone also has many useful features, in particular, a module for contactless payment.

The display is covered with special glass that is resistant to scratches and mechanical damage, which does not affect the sensitivity of the sensor.

The model is great for shooting photos and videos, because it provides four rear cameras with backlight, autofocus and macro mode.

The company-manufacturer has taken care of additional functionality, which increases the comfort of using the device.

In particular, the device has sensors necessary for orientation (compass and gyroscope), which make the smartphone suitable for tourists and travelers.

To fully protect the user's personal data from intruders, there is a screen unlock with a fingerprint scanner.

Even if the smartphone is stolen, the owner can be sure that his payment and banking information will not become known to criminals.

Specifications:

weight 200 g;
6.5 inch screen;
RAM 6 GB.

HUAWEI P40 Lite 6/128GB

 

The cost of this smartphone is just under 20 thousand rubles, but it has all the necessary features for full operation.

The model has the 10 version of the Android operating system, but many Google services are not supported, which is not convenient for all users.

The 6.4-inch capacitive screen has a high enough resolution and brightness for comfortable Internet surfing and watching videos.

As in many other smartphones, this model has four rear cameras with autofocus and backlighting. With their help, you can take high-quality photos and videos of high resolution.

The high performance of the device provides a processor with 8 cores and 6 GB of RAM.

The amount of internal memory is 128 GB, so the owner will have no problems with installing applications or storing personal data. To expand the memory, the owner will be able to install an additional memory card in one of the SIM card slots.

The additional functionality of the device also received high praise from users. In particular, the device has a flashlight, a voice search and voice control, as well as some additional sensors: light and proximity.

Due to this, the device can be used not only by ordinary users, but also by tourists..

To fully protect the user's personal data in the device provides unlocking the device by fingerprint, and it works almost instantly and without glitches, even in the cold.

Specifications:

weight 183 g;
RAM 6 GB;
Battery capacity 4200 mAh.

Apple iPhone Xr 128GB

 

In comparison with Chinese smartphones, this gadget from Apple can hardly be called a budget, because its cost exceeds 50 thousand rubles..

But at the same time, many users who have already tested the device in practice, note the convenience of its operation and thought-out functionality to the details.

The smartphone is equipped with the modern iOS 12 version operating system, and the body has two slots for nanoSIM and eSIM SIM cards.

The body is made of aluminum and glass. Thanks to this, the smartphone weighs very little, and the device itself is very comfortable in the hand.

The rear camera is only one, and its resolution is 12 megapixels, but the smartphone still allows you to get high-quality pictures, as it is equipped with autofocus, macro mode and optical stabilization.

Thanks to the last function, the owner will be able to take high-quality pictures even in motion, without fearing that the photos will turn out blurry.

The owners of this smartphone positively evaluate the high battery life. Even if the owner will actively use applications, social networks or listen to music, the smartphone will work successfully without recharging for several days.

In addition, the device has a module for contactless payment for purchases or travel in transport.

Specifications:

mass 194 g
RAM 3 GB;
The diagonal of 6.1 inches.

Samsung Galaxy S20+

 

Another smartphone that is difficult to call a budget, but many users are willing to spend more than 60 thousand rubles to buy a smartphone.

Devices of this brand are of very high quality and detailed functionality.

The classic metal case is reliably protected from moisture, so the device is not afraid of accidental splashes or drops of rain.

The case provides two slots for SIM cards, but one of them is designed to install a memory card.

But in practice, owners rarely expand the built-in memory, because the smartphone itself has sufficient memory for 128 GB.

Owners of this smartphone also note its high performance. The gadget has a powerful processor with 8 cores of the company's own production.

In combination with 8 GB of RAM this technical indicator provides an instantaneous response to user actions, excellent performance and work in multitasking mode without glitches and freezes.

The manufacturer has also provided some additional features to improve the comfort of operation..

In particular, the device has a flashlight, which is easy to turn on directly from the main menu.

There is also a voice search and voice control, which allows the owner to very quickly find the necessary information or give the smartphone a quick command, which will be executed automatically.

Specifications:

mass 186 g;
RAM 8 GB;
6.7 inch diagonal screen.

HONOR 9X 4/128GB

 

Inexpensive, but very high quality smartphone from a well-known Chinese brand has a price just over 14 thousand, but it has all the necessary features for comfortable operation.

In particular, the device has two slots for SIM cards, so the owner does not have to limit himself in communication. One of the slots is designed to install a memory card.

But in practice, owners rarely use this function, since the built-in memory of the smartphone itself is 128 GB.

This amount is enough to store personal data and install applications.

The manufacturer has taken care that the gadget successfully worked in multitasking mode. To do this, the smartphone is equipped with a modern processor with 8 cores.

In combination with 4 GB of RAM, this figure provides a high performance of the device even when working in multitasking mode..

The smartphone has two rear cameras with autofocus and LED backlight, which allows you to take high-quality photos and shoot high resolution video.

The device has a high battery capacity of 4000 mAh.

Thanks to this battery, the smartphone can work without recharging for several days, even if the owner actively uses applications and often searches the Internet.

Specifications:

weight 391 grams;
The diagonal of 6.5 inches;
RAM 4 GB.

Customer reviews

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Useful Video
From the video you will learn how to choose a smartphone:

https://youtu.be/Nhp0VjtUxj4