We are often faced with the challenge of making a choice of a device to buy among the myriad of devices out there in the market. Making the right choice to meet your needs is sometimes a cumbersome decision especially for those on a tight budget.In this post i will attempt to provide a guide of some factors you should consider in arriving at the choice that best suits you.
1. Need: This has two aspects. First is, do you really NEED a new smartphone if you already own one? Often times the desire to get a new device is borne out of being bombarded by advertisements by different brands about the "killer" features their latest device(s) have to offer. However if your occupation or business entails tasks that require that you upgrade your device to a newer one for optimal productivity, then proceed to the other suggested factors to consider.
2. Budget:Premium brands with the latest hardware and features are usually highly priced, thus you may have to do some googling so as not to break the bank to get the device that meets your needs. Hence look out for a device with features you need that is within the range of your budget. A budget is essential because without one you could get carried away at the smartphone shop and end up spending more on a particular device only to discover later on that you could have spent less for another device with exact or close to same specifications.
3. Battery capacity: This may not be a major consideration if you live in the developed world where electricity supply is regular in some instances virtually uninterrupted but in the developing countries like mine, for some of us battery capacity is "king". With constant use of social media and the internet, a good battery capacity is necessary for a good mobile experience. My personal recommendation is a minimum of 4000 mAH. However, if you can squeeze out more for a higher battery capacity please do as every additional mAH acquired is worth it.
4. RAM and ROM Size: Overtime requirements from smartphone applications and games for RAM and ROM usage have continuously evolved with an upward trend. Hence getting a new smartphone with 1 GB RAM and 8/16 GB ROM will likely not get you the best value for your money. But if constrained by your budget and have to limit yourself to a device with such specification then opt for an Android device with the Android GO variant. Android GO is optimized for devices with such system specifications and also have applications tailored in that line.
If you are are going to be doing a lot of multi-tasking and using applications which store lots of data without the option of changing storage location to microSD card then your target should be a device with AT LEAST 3-4 GB of RAM and 32 GB ROM so as to avoid your device slowing down or getting prompts of low internal memory or storage. For those who do not do lots of multitasking, 2 GB of RAM and 32 GB of ROM may just be OK for you.
5. Camera: If you are a fan of taking photos or a journalist, then consider this factor. Several premium brands boast of good cameras but from my little experience, Samsung devices pack the best cameras. A photo taken with a Samsung smartphone with a lower megapixel could be comparable and even at times outshine one taken with other brands with higher megapixels. The South Koreans deserve some commendation for managing to consistently churn out devices with good cameras.
6. Availability and cost of replacement parts: Strongly consider the presence of after sales customer service for the device you intend to purchase. This is important because it will make it easier to get replacements for any parts of your device such as battery or screen just in case damage occurs while in use. Aside from the availability of customer care or support, the cost of replacement parts should also be factored in. Components of devices for some brands are almost as expensive as buying a new device,so if you are on tight budget you would do well to steer clear of such devices.
Other factors which haven't been treated in this post God willing will be addressed in my subsequent post.
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