Smartphones are our lifeline – we use them to connect to practically everything and everyone in our world. Americans check their phones an average of 344 times a day — once every four minutes — according to a 2022 survey by Review.org. But when was the last time you updated your phone? If it’s been more than two years, you might be missing out on some of the latest technological updates. Here are five essential features to consider when buying a new smartphone:
• Battery Life: When it comes to battery life, you may not realize what you’re missing until you start using your new phone. A decade ago, smartphone battery capacity ranged from 1560mAh to 3200mAh, according to data from Android Authority. Today, that capacity typically ranges from 4000mAh to 5000mAh, with some batteries reaching 6000mAh. Additionally, the latest development of USB-C ports has enabled faster charging capabilities, charging a nearly dead phone in just 30 minutes. Look for phones with fast charging technology, from 15W to 20W, and wireless charging options.
• Phone Storage: Storage matters, especially if you are a business owner, gaming enthusiast, or social media influencer. Read-Only Memory (ROM), the main internal storage of your phone, allows you to store media, files, and games, and ranges from 64GB to 128GB, up to 256GB or more in some of the latest models. Random Access Memory (RAM) is used for short-term data like apps, photos, and videos. The more RAM you have, the more multitasking you can do. When buying a new phone, look for at least 6GB to 8GB of RAM and 128GB of ROM.
• Camera: Phones have nearly replaced traditional cameras, with 90% of people using only their smartphones to take photos instead of digital cameras, according to 3D Insider. If you are an avid photographer, make sure your new phone has editing software, a variety of camera lenses, such as ultra-wide and telephoto, and special features like night mode to optimize lighting.
• Network: How you stay connected is an important decision. The latest offerings can help you select a phone and a wireless provider. For example, Samsung just launched its latest Galaxy S23 line, and T-Mobile is the only provider that can activate standalone aggregation of three 5G carriers, unlocking faster speeds and better responsiveness for some of the newest 5G smartphones – 16% faster on average than phones without it. And switching to what studies have shown to be the largest, fastest, and most reliable 5G network in the U.S. comes with benefits. New customers can earn $200 off via a virtual prepaid card (wait 8 weeks) for each line they switch to T-Mobile – that’s $800 off for a family of four. And combined with T-Mobile’s offer to save $800 on the new Samsung Galaxy S23 line via bill credits when choosing the Magenta Max plan, that family gets four new phones and saves a total of $4000. To learn more about the latest Samsung Galaxy S23 Series, visit www.t-mobile.com/cell-phones/brand/samsung.
• Security: Gone are the days of remembering a PIN or typing in a password to securely access your phone’s data. Biometric security features like fingerprint, facial, or voice recognition are crucial for keeping your private data secure. Most new smartphones come with on-screen fingerprint readers and facial recognition, and more institutions like online banking apps are now using this method instead of passwords.
Other important decision factors include the overall phone display, size, and water resistance. Priorities may vary from person to person, but selecting what is important for your new smartphone is something only you can determine.
Source: StatePoint