Nearly half of all Americans now own a smartphone. With the world at your fingertips, it seems asinine not to want the kind of access smartphones can give you.
From instant GPS to the Internet to social media all at your fingertips, smartphones offer a level of connection with the world that was unimaginable only a decade ago.
However, before you switch to a new smartphone, be mindful of the following seven considerations.
1. Dual-core processing
Multi-tasking is a way of life for everyone these days, and that includes your phone. With dual-core processing, your phone will run more quickly and efficiently when running more than one task at a time. For example, if you are in the middle of a phone call and want to continue playing a game while you speak, dual-core processing is necessary.
2. Megapixels
Smartphones are quickly replacing the camera. While most people still own a camera, the majority whip out their phone to snap a quick picture wherever they go.
If you plan on using your phone as a replacement camera, or you want good, quality photos of your children and vacations, researching which smartphone can carry the most megapixels is essential. The more megapixels, the better your photo quality.
3. Service
Good service is important. It makes no sense to have a smartphone if you regularly lose your signal, drop calls, or get disconnected from the Internet. Researching which providers have the most towers where you live and which phones have the best signal can make or break the beauty of your relationship with your new phone.
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4. Storage
Internal storage is not limitless. You cannot purchase new things continually for your home without running out of space unless you buy a larger home. The same is true of your smartphone.
If you like to download applications and save your photos, you need a phone with storage. An iPhone 5 with 16GB storage will not hold nearly as much as one with 64GB storage. Consider this option carefully.
5. Battery life
Having the world at your fingertips offers numerous benefits, but it also has a major downside. The battery life of smartphones is not nearly as long as the battery life of other phones. Using your phone for everything from calls to texting to browsing the Internet and gaming can kill the battery before you even realize it. Particularly if you are a serious gamer, researching which smartphone has the longest battery life is imperative.
6. To go 4G or not to go 4G?
Going 4G is fine for those of us who live in a 4G network. At the moment, not everyone does. What 4G has to offer is faster Internet speed and connection time. If you stick with 3G, you might notice the difference in connection speed or you might not.
7. Operating system
Each smartphone comes with its own operating system. Knowing which one is right for you can make the difference in how you feel about your phone. For example, Google’s Android operating system allows users more customization and options.
Apple’s iOS is simple to use and exceptionally streamlined. All operating systems have something to offer. If you don’t research the different operating systems before you buy, you can find yourself with a phone that doesn’t really make you happy.
Life is not perfect, so your phone may not be perfect. While a smartphone is a great way to stay connected and live a more tech-savvy life, each brand and product line is different. Do not switch to a smartphone until you know what you need and what you’ll be getting with each phone.
Phones are an expensive investment. Choose wisely.