iOS vs. Android
Choose an iPhone if you want a phone that’s easier to use and gets the most trending apps and regular software updates first. Use Android if you want more hardware choices and affordable options.
Stick To A Budget
Flagships or the best devices from Apple and Samsung easily cross the $1000 mark. But there are great cheap unlocked phones available for under $500 too. Some even cost under $300.
Convenient Screen-Size
If one-handed use is important, buy a phone with a 5.5-inch screen or smaller. Choose a larger phone if you want to watch a lot of videos or take advantage of Samsung’s multi-window mode. A lot of phones have screens that are larger than 6 inches, but we recommend going to a store, holding one in your hand and checking whether you are willing to handle its size on a daily basis.
Understand The display
The color and brightness matter more than resolution. 4K is overkill. AMOLED panels and better than LCDs as they are easy to see outdoors too. Some phones also offer HDR for more colors.
Ignore Megapixels
Focus on the camera’s aperture, and features like lenses, optical image stabilization, and sensors. Ignore the megapixel number.
Processors Aren’t That Important
Midrange phones offer enough performance for most people. But if you want to play games or use AR, you need an Android phone with a Snapdragon 835 processor at least or the latest Apple A13 processor. Several Android phones go in for a Snapdragon 730G processor and mate it with an Adreno GPU for accelerated gaming performance.
Battery Life
You need at least 10 hours of battery life from your phone. Search online for a phone that lasts at least one full day. Even budget phones have large batteries today.
Storage Space
64GB is the new standard. If your phone has expandable memory, that’s even better. Anything less is going to fill up rather quickly. And when your phone gets slow, you’re going to hate it.
Carrier
Currently, Verizon is the best wireless carrier in terms of coverage and speed, but T-Mobile offers the best overall value. If you want a discount carrier, check out MetroPCS.
