Buying a New Phone? Here Are 4 Factors to Consider

Every year, a new set of phones comes out on the market. While this is great news for avid tech lovers, the additional options add to the stress of making the right choice for the average consumer. You might be looking for the absolute best, most powerful phone out there. Or you could be looking for something that suits your personality and tastes more. So what should you really be looking for in your next phone? Here are four factors you should look into when buying a phone.

Performance Criteria vs. Budget:

Generally, performance goes hand in hand with price. The latest, greatest technology usually comes with a hefty price tag. Flagship phones pack the best cameras, powerful processors, and may even sport cutting-edge tech like flexible displays. The high prices mean these phones are only worth considering for those who want the latest tech in their pockets.

However, not everyone needs a high-end phone or prefers to spend the extra money on such features. Fortunately, midrange phones now offer many features once limited to top-tier phones, like wireless charging and multiple cameras.

4G vs. 5G:

The 5G network is still quite limited, so if you’re considering going for a 5G phone, it’s worth asking yourself whether you want faster speeds and whether they’ll be available where you live. If you plan on keeping your phone for at least two years, you can expect the 5G network to expand. If you’re not sure yet, it’s worth thinking about whether you might feel differently in nine months and regret missing out on 5G earlier.

The Camera:

Camera features have been a central point of competition in recent phones, with manufacturers always wanting an exciting number, be it the number of megapixels or the number of actual camera lenses. Three rear cameras are now common — one with a regular lens, one with an ultrawide lens, and one with a telephoto lens — and even budget-focused phones pack multiple cameras.

Battery Performance:

Most phones can last a day on a single charge. Bigger phones often have bigger batteries, but bigger screens and powerful processors suck that extra juice down quickly.