Top Tips for Buying a New Phone You Haven't Heard of Yet

We’ve been hearing a lot about the “unknown” brands and startups that are making their way into the mobile world. These brands don’t have the same global recognition as Apple, Samsung, or Google, but they’re making waves for their powerful innovations. We all know about flagship smartphones, and most of us own one or more of them. But, if you think there aren’t other options to explore when buying a new phone, you might be surprised by what else is out there. It might be time to consider something new, with affordable price points and unique features. Ready to make that leap? Read on for top tips on how to buy a new phone you haven’t heard of yet.

Cost and research

First, do some research. Make sure a certain phone fits your budget and criteria, then compare prices online, read reviews from reliable sources, and visit a local store if necessary. Special sales and promotions shouldn't be taken advantage of. In order to keep your smartphone working for four or five years, you should not buy one with 2GB RAM and 32 GB storage. Thus, always invest in specifications that will last for a few years if you want to future-proof yourself. Read our review of the OnePlus 10 pro.

Make sure you focus on features that might be useful to you

Make sure you don't rush into buying a new smartphone. It is important to consider dozens of factors before purchasing a smartphone. In order to find the right smartphone for you, first determine what features are most important to you, as individual needs can vary greatly. Can you store music and video files on a phone with a lot of storage? Is battery life important to you when choosing a smartphone? Other people can live with a regular selfie camera but would like a powerful processor for gaming. Some might want a phone with a Snapdragon processor and a better front-facing camera. Don't let gimmicks fool you, don't get swayed by gimmicky features, and don't waste money on unnecessary gadgets. You can read our review of the iPhone XR.

Resolution is less important than screen brightness

Though a phone with a (4K) resolution display might seem appealing, even a Full HD screen is probably enough for most people. Regular humans won't be able to tell the difference between 4K and FHD, according to experts. The quality of brightness and color should therefore be taken into account more seriously by buyers. Check that the computer is bright enough to see outside and that the text is sharp enough not to appear blurry.

Keeping the display size in mind is also important. Watching movies on your smartphone requires a smartphone with a large screen - popular sizes range between 5.8 and 6.4 inches - and a minimum resolution of 1920 x 1080 high definition (Full HD). You could also get by with a smartphone with a screen resolution of 720p (HD) if you are an average user with limited needs. LCD screens do not have the same contrast as OLED screens do, and they have a deeper black than OLED screens. OLED screens are available on a variety of smartphones, but they are not inexpensive. Here is our review of the Samsung Galaxy s22.

Ergonomics are also important

Increasing smartphone sizes have resulted in compromises in portability and comfort. It's possible that people don't like using extra large smartphones because they are clunky and bulky in the pocket and cannot be used one-handed. Make sure your smartphone allows you to type easily and swipe quickly. One hand should be able to reach all parts of the screen. It is important not to compromise on comfort and usability, so you should try out your shortlisted phones in a physical store before making a purchase. You can read our Nokia G11 plus review.

Check the Specs & Look at the Processor

Smartphone spec sheets aren't really important at the end of the day. The real test is how well the product performs on a daily basis. The performance of most mid-range smartphones is good these days (for example, the Redmi Note 11 Pro). The Snapdragon 845 with 8GB RAM might make sense if you're a power user who plays a lot of graphics-intensive games. Since there are not enough apps to make use of 8GB of RAM, a smartphone doesn't need it at the moment. It will be easier to open apps quickly on a smartphone with 4GB RAM.

Android requires more memory, while iOS works differently. Performance-wise, the iPhone XS Max is faster than any Android-based flagship even with 4GB of RAM. Featuring the fastest mobile chip ever, the iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and iPhone XR include the A12 Bionic processor. Read the iPhone XS review here.

Buy smartphones with a minimum of 32GB of storage

You should ignore a good deal on a smartphone with 16GB of storage. If possible, choose a smartphone with an internal storage capacity of at least 32 GB. Games, photos, videos, and music would ideally be stored on a phone, depending on how the phone is used. The addition of a microSD card slot to an Android smartphone would be very convenient. MicroSD isn't supported by the iPhone. Take a look at our review of the Realme 2 Pro here.

Android or iOS

Smartphones are powered by their operating systems (OS). Android and iOS are two of the most popular options these days. In addition, Android has more hardware options, and it is open to customization by any manufacturer. Android is more popular thanks to its openness and ability to be customized by any manufacturer.

You'll get the best experience with Android if you've already used Google's core apps and services. In addition, Google Assistant remains the best virtual assistant available today by far. One of the reasons Android is so popular is its affordability. But they tend to be slow over time, especially the budget models.

Using iOS on iPhones is much easier than using Android. Furthermore, iOS apps are quality-tested before they are released on the store, making them more secure. People who use Apple products such as iPods and Apple Watches are more likely to purchase iPhones. Those who desire an experiential shop who are experienced, but are the best choice, but they typically cost a lot more than Android phones. Read our review of Oppo Reno7 5G.

Is a new smartphone better than a used one?

The decision has to be made by you on your own. In addition to the possibility of a stolen device, abuse, or a worn-out device, buying a used smartphone can also be a haunting experience. Don't buy a used smartphone if you don't know what you're getting.

You might save a few bucks by purchasing a used smartphone, but you may also incur more repair expenses. If you are thinking about buying a used smartphone, you need to consider your needs and what you are looking for. It might be a good idea to buy a secondhand smartphone if you're using it as a secondary device. In that case, you might want to avoid buying a used smartphone that is too old if you plan to use it as a primary device. Used phones are only worth considering if they are still under warranty and in good condition.

Buyers should ask sellers the following questions during sales negotiations:

• What are the problems with this smartphone?
• Can you tell me about this smartphone's history?
• This smartphone has a warranty card, do you have it?
• Is this smartphone in need of any repairs?

Be Very Careful When It Comes to Battery Life

Smartphones are supposed to last all day, but we know that’s not the case. Smartphone battery life is also influenced by how you use it. The battery is depleted a lot faster when streaming videos from YouTube, for example. The poor network is also a problem. Consider buying a smartphone with a large battery and fast charging if you are in the market for one. A battery can be charged to 50 percent in just a few minutes with the special chargers shipped with smartphones like OnePlus and Oppo. Visit our Redmi 9A review to learn more.

Take note of the aperture on your camera

Smartphone users pay a lot of attention to the camera on their devices. Phones with expensive cameras, such as the iPhone XS, and Samsung Galaxy Note 10, are outstanding. There are, however, problems when you choose budget or midrange smartphones without great cameras. You should pay more attention to features such as the aperture, the dual lenses, and the optical image stabilization rather than just the megapixel count. Interested in testing the smartphone camera? Visit a mobile store nearby to do so. Before purchasing a camera, you can get a sense of how it performs. 

Prepare for an Upgrade

Finally, make sure you’re prepared for an upgrade when the time comes. While these phones are great for their price, they might not be the best option for you in three years. Be sure you’re ready to let go of that new phone and move on to the next great innovation in mobile phones. Ready to try a new phone you haven’t heard of yet? These brands have a lot to offer and are worth considering if you’re ready to make the jump to something new.