Smartphones

Modern smartphones are not at all like the old ones push-button phones.

These are multifunctional devices with which you can not only make calls or send text messages, but also log into social network accounts and even work.

To do this, you need to choose the most productive and functional device.The information in this article will help you do this.
How to choose a smartphone - a short guide
There are several criteria that are considered the most important in the use of smartphones.

These include:

Diagonal and screen resolution. The comfort of using the device depends on the size and brightness of the display.
Operating system. Most modern devices have the Android operating system installed, but some brands of devices have their own operating systems. A good example is iOS from Apple.
CPU. The performance of the device directly depends on its power. The most modern models are equipped with the most modern processors that allow you to use your smartphone in multitasking mode.

Also, when choosing a device, an important role is played by the battery capacity (for increased autonomy), the number of cameras and their resolution, the amount of RAM and built-in memory.

To choose a smartphone according to the main technical criteria it was easier, we will consider all the key indicators in more detail.

Diagonal and Resolution
The screen size is one of those criteria that ensures comfortable operation..

There are budget smartphones with a small screen of 4 inches, and more expensive models with really large screens of 6.9 inches.

At the same time, most users choose intermediate options with a display from 5 to 5.7 inches.

In this case, much depends on the goals of the owner.:

Models with a 4-inch screen are usually bought for children. The same smartphones are preferred by people who use the gadget only for calls and perform simple tasks.
Smartphones with a 5-inch screen are considered the most popular. With their help, it is not only comfortable to make calls, but also to communicate in instant messengers or comfortably watch videos.
For users who often watch videos from their phones, it is better to choose models with a screen size of 6 inches.

Screen resolution also plays an important role, because the higher this indicator, the brighter and clearer the picture on the screen will be.

As a rule, the diagonal and screen resolution are interconnected.
The larger the diagonal, the higher its resolution and the more expensive the smartphone itself.
Operating system
The most popular operating systems for mobile devices are Android and iOS. It should immediately be clarified that the second operating system is used exclusively in Apple devices.

Each operating system has its pros and cons.

Let's start with iOS:

Since this operating system is used only in Apple smartphones, it can safely be called exclusive and premium. But devices with such an operating system are much more expensive than conventional gadgets on Android.
Owners of such devices have their own closed app store, although many users think that the choice of products in it is limited, and paid apps for iOS are more expensive than similar software for Apple.
The interface is also aimed at maximum user convenience, although it will not be possible to expand the internal memory of the phone using a special card: you will only have to use the memory of the device itself.

The operating system for the iPhone is considered closed, and therefore more secure. But because of this, many users are faced with blocking completely harmless applications.

Android OS is familiar and understandable for many users, but it also has its drawbacks.:

The built-in store has a huge selection of programs and applications. Most of them are installed for free, but the choice of music is not as rich as in the iOS store.
All applications are updated automatically, which many users like. On the other hand, constantly updating apps will drain your battery quickly.
The operating system is open, so there are no difficulties with installing applications. But at the same time, many users who used both Android and iOS note that finding a folder with the right settings can be difficult.

Display type
Displays are divided into types according to the type of installed matrix, and it directly depends on the manufacturer.

The most popular are:

Super AMOLED. The operation of this type of matrix is ​​based on LEDs. Such screens are bright enough and the picture is clear, but there are other types of matrix with a higher resolution.
TN matrix. This type is considered obsolete, as it has too small viewing angles, and the picture is not very bright and clear. As a rule, these types of matrix are installed in budget smartphones with small screens.
IPS matrices. Completely devoid of the shortcomings of the previous type of matrices. Viewing angles in them reach 178 degrees, and high-quality color reproduction and high contrast provide high viewing comfort.

Screen protection degree
The screens of modern touchscreen smartphones are very fragile and require special protection against cracks and mechanical damage.

To prevent scratches from appearing on the display, a glossy or matte film, or a special protective glass is glued to it..

The films are made of a special polymer, so they fit snugly to the screen, do not interfere with viewing, but at the same time protect the display from damage, mask existing minor scratches, and, if necessary, easily peel off without leaving any marks on the screen.

Glass is considered to be a more modern and high-quality type of protection.. It is made from the finest plastic organic glass.

This material is not afraid of falls, scratches and mechanical damage, and the display will be reliably protected from damage even when falling from a small height.

Another criterion for the security of a smartphone is its ability to withstand dust and moisture..

As a rule, buyers do not pay attention to this indicator, although it is really important. The degree of protection of the smartphone from dust and moisture is indicated by the letters IP and a few numbers. The first number indicates protection against dust, and the second - against the ingress of liquids.

There are 7 degrees of protection against dust and 9 degrees of protection against moisture.. Accordingly, a smartphone with IP79 will have the maximum level of protection, although most users do not need such impressive protection.

Location of the front and main cameras
Modern smartphones are equipped with high-quality cameras, so they are quite capable of replacing the camera. When choosing a gadget, be sure to pay attention to the characteristics of the cameras.

It should immediately be clarified that the number of megapixels of the camera practically does not affect the quality of photos and videos..

A much greater role is played by the optimal combination of hardware and software components. Equally important is the location of the cameras.

The front is usually placed right in the center at the top of the case.

The main cameras are also called rear, as they are located on the back of the case. The more cameras, the better the quality of photos and videos.
Processor and video accelerator
The processor is a key part of any smartphone.

It depends on the performance of the device.. But, if in a computer the processor is a separate part, then in smartphones the so-called system-on-a-chip is used.

It involves the placement in one chip of the processor itself, and the video accelerator, as well as memory and additional communication modules.

Most modern smartphones have Mediatek and Qualcomm processors.. But these companies only make processors, they don't make smartphones.

RAM
Another important indicator that affects the performance of a smartphone is the amount of RAM..

Devices in which RAM is only 1 GB are now rarely found on sale. But you can’t call them completely useless, because such a gadget will be quite enough for a small child or schoolchild.
If the owner plans to actively use the smartphone and install numerous applications on it, it is better to choose devices with a large amount of RAM.
If the RAM is not enough, after installing numerous applications, the gadget will start to get very stupid.

When choosing a smartphone by the amount of RAM, they are guided by such tips:

For novice users, children or schoolchildren, a budget device with 1-2 GB of RAM will suffice.
Mid-range smartphones have 3 or 4 GB of RAM. As a rule, this is the amount of memory found in most models.

It is planned that smartphones with 6 and 8 GB of RAM will go on sale in the near future..

In general, the more RAM a device has, the faster the device will run. In addition, a large amount of RAM will allow you to use your smartphone in multitasking mode.
Built-in memory
When choosing a smartphone, it is important to pay attention to the amount of internal memory. It depends on it how much data can be stored on the device. But keep in mind that a certain amount of built-in memory will be occupied by the operating system by default.

For example, if the device specifications indicate that the internal memory is 4 GB, a maximum of 2 GB will be available to the user..

Many users solve the problem of lack of internal memory by installing special memory cards. But even here difficulties can arise. The fact is that in many models the slot for a memory card is combined with a slot for a SIM card.

In order not to limit yourself in downloading applications and storing photos and videos, you need to choose a smartphone with at least 8 GB of internal memory.

But it will be much better if the gadget has 16 or 32 GB of memory.

Quality and quantity of cameras
When choosing smartphone with a good camera many users are guided by the number of megapixels. But in fact, this indicator is not so important.

In fact, the quality of photos and videos depends on:

matrix luminosity;
the presence of image stabilization;
the quality of software post-processing of the image.

Optical stabilization is considered one of the key criteria.. It allows you to avoid blurry shots, even if the photo was taken in motion.

The number of cameras also plays an important role.The more modules installed in the smartphone, the clearer and brighter the pictures will be.

For example, even a dual-camera camera can produce a very high-quality portrait, in which the background will be slightly blurred, and the person or object in the foreground will look very clear..
Battery capacity (wireless charging)
Since a smartphone is an indispensable gadget for any modern person, the capacity of its battery plays a very important role. It depends on this characteristic how long the battery will hold a charge and how long the owner will be able to use the smartphone without additional recharging.

Battery capacity is measured in milliamps per hour (mAh). Even in budget models, the battery capacity is at least 2000 mAh. But, since such a smartphone holds a charge for no longer than a day, many users prefer models with a battery of 3000 mAh and above. Read more about smartphones with good battery you can here.

Modern devices also have a function wireless charging. It is very useful, as it allows you to quickly charge your smartphone without using any additional wires or adapters.

Number of SIM cards and their format
In the past, smartphones had only one slot for a SIM card. But modern manufacturers are increasingly supplying devices with two slots for installing SIM cards.

There is a simple explanation for this: many owners use SIM cards from several mobile operators and do not want to buy a second smartphone..

When choosing a device, be sure to pay attention to the types of slots for SIM cards.

If the smartphone does not have enough internal memory, it is better to choose a model that has two slots for SIM cards at once and a separate slot for installing a memory card.
All about 5G communication
The 5G communication format has appeared relatively recently and is not yet supported in all countries and not by all smartphones.

This is partly due to the fact that there is an opinion about the dangers of the 5G format for human health..

In fact, the facts about the dangers of the 5G communication standard have not yet been proven. But towers that support this technology are not yet installed in all countries. Users who have already experienced this communication standard in practice note the increased speed of the Internet connection.
The user does not have to wait long for the site page to load or the video to load, since all information is loaded almost instantly, in just a few seconds.
NFC - a luxury or a necessity?
The NFC module allows you to transfer data from a short distance (no more than 10 cm). Information is read using a radio signal, so establishing a connection takes no more than a few seconds.

Until recently, the presence of an NFC module was considered only a luxury, but in fact, this module greatly facilitates many household activities.

The user can give any commands for automatic execution:

send a message;
switch to silent mode;
turn on the alarm;
find and connect to Wi-Fi;
launch the audio player;
enable GPS;
pay for purchases and much more.

Previously, NFC modules could only be found in expensive devices.. But, as the popularity of this feature has grown, many manufacturers have begun to equip their devices with this feature, as it is truly useful and convenient.

Biometrics (fingerprint, eye, etc.)
Biometric technology in smartphones means unlocking the device using a fingerprint scanner, reading information from the owner's pupil or recognizing his face.

These features are not available on all smartphones.. But, if the budget allows, it is still better to buy a more expensive device with biometric security features. So the owner will be sure that even if the device is lost, his personal data will not become available to intruders.

Some users note that the fingerprint scanner starts to freeze in the cold, although recently such problems have become less common..
Which firm to choose?
Many companies are involved in the production of smartphones. Asian manufacturers from Korea, China and Japan are recognized as leaders.

The article below shows the technical characteristics of the most popular smartphones, which harmoniously combine the optimal cost and acceptable quality..

These devices are manufactured by Xiaomi, HUAWEI and Honor. Brand devices are considered no less quality. Samsung, since they differ in quite democratic cost (25000—30000 rubles) and allow you to take pictures of excellent quality.

Apple smartphones also have many fans.. They cost more than gadgets on the Android OS, but many users positively evaluate the functionality, interface and production of devices from this brand.

Despite the high cost, such gadgets have well-thought-out functionality and emphasize the status of their owner, although in terms of capabilities they are no better than smartphones from ordinary Chinese manufacturers..

Smartphones of which Chinese companies are worth buying?
Chinese-made smartphones are presented on the modern market in a huge assortment. But, in order not to risk, it is better not to buy devices of unknown brands, especially since there are several companies in China that have already become widely known all over the world.

The most famous Chinese smartphone manufacturers considered:

Huawei. Gadgets from this manufacturer regularly occupy leading positions in the ranking of the most reliable, functional and affordable devices. But recently, this manufacturer came under US sanctions, so many Google services are not available in gadgets.
Honor. Another successful Chinese brand that manufactures inexpensive, reliable and functional smartphones. As with Huawei smartphones, many Google services are not supported on Honor devices.
Oppo. One of the youngest smartphone manufacturers, which has already established itself on the positive side. Experts believe that this brand will continue to take a leading position in the mobile device market.
Xiaomi. This company is often referred to as the "Chinese Apple". The popularity of smartphones of this brand is explained by the fact that they are sold at affordable prices, but at the same time they implement all modern technologies, for example, they have good performance and excellent signal reception.

The devices of companies are also considered popular. Vivo and ZTE, but in our country, the devices of these companies are not yet very popular.

It is possible that in the future the devices of these brands will become more popular, because they have sufficient functionality to work in multitasking mode.

The following brands also perform well:

Nokia. This company produces excellent models smartphones for the elderly.
One Plus. This manufacturer produces excellent gaming smartphones, many of which are at the top Antutu performance rating.
Sony. Good company with quality compact models phones.
BQ. The company is famous for its inexpensive smartphones in the price segment. 5000—10000 rubles. It's also worth noting that they also produce shockproof smartphones.
Realme. This manufacturer produces powerful smartphones in the middle price segment 15,000-20,000 rubles.

Conclusion - a short checklist
When choosing a smartphone, you have to pay attention to many technical characteristics. To speed up the selection process, we recommend using a short checklist. With its help, everyone can quickly choose the right model, focusing on their preferences and financial capabilities.

So, when choosing a smartphone, pay attention to:

Diagonal and screen resolution. The comfort of viewing media content depends on these indicators. But at the same time, you should also check how the smartphone lies in your hand. This is especially important for girls, who may simply feel uncomfortable holding a smartphone with a large screen in their hand.
Number of cameras. This indicator is important for users who plan to shoot high-quality photos and videos. In general, one or two cameras are enough for ordinary users, but in order to get really high-quality pictures, it is better to give preference to devices with modules consisting of three or even four cameras.
Operating system type. Android devices are cheaper than iOS smartphones.In addition, for many users, Android smartphones are more convenient and familiar, and the app store has a sufficient selection of programs and applications for users with a wide variety of tastes and preferences.
The amount of RAM and built-in memory. The first criterion determines the performance of the device, and the second determines the amount of data that can be stored on the device. Many devices have a special slot for a memory card, but many manufacturers initially supply smartphones with enough internal memory so that the owner does not need to install an additional memory card.

Experts also recommend paying attention to the manufacturer of the device.

Proven brands do not save on materials and often supply their gadgets with the most modern technologies..

That is why you should not buy devices from little-known manufacturers, who often use low-quality materials for production. Even if there is a protective film on the screen of such a smartphone, if it is accidentally dropped, the phone may get scratched or even fail.
TOP 5 best smartphones by price/quality
Not all users are willing to pay a lot of money for a smartphone. Many are looking for the "golden mean" - a gadget that has a well-thought-out interface and well-thought-out functionality, but the cost is not too high. The rating includes mainly devices from Chinese brands, as they are popular all over the world.

We also included one of the Apple devices in the rating.Despite the high cost, iPhones are popular among users, because such smartphones emphasize the status of the owner, and the manufacturer has equipped its gadgets with the most modern functions and technologies for full and comfortable operation.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro 6/128GB

 

One of the best smartphones made in China. It has Android 9 operating system installed.

It is familiar to many users, which, combined with the affordable price, makes the smartphone one of the most popular on the market. The body is made of glass and metal.

Both materials have increased strength, so the device is not afraid of accidental falls from a small height..

The device has two slots for SIM cards, but one of them is also designed for installing a memory card. At the same time, for most users, the built-in memory of the gadget is enough, because it is 128 GB.

Also, the smartphone has many useful features, in particular, a contactless payment module..

The display is covered with a special glass that is resistant to scratches and mechanical damage, which does not affect the sensitivity of the sensor.

The model is perfect for shooting photos and videos, because it has 4 rear cameras with backlight, autofocus and macro mode.

The manufacturer also took care of additional functionality that increases the comfort of using the device..

In particular, the device has sensors necessary for orientation (compass and gyroscope), which make the smartphone suitable for tourists and travelers.

To fully protect the user's personal data from intruders, the screen is unlocked using a fingerprint scanner.

Even if the smartphone is stolen, the owner can be sure that his payment and banking information will not become known to criminals.

Specifications:

weight 200 g;
screen 6.5 inches;
RAM 6 GB.

HUAWEI P40 Lite 6/128GB

 

The cost of this smartphone is a little less than 20 thousand rubles, but at the same time it has all the necessary functions for full operation..

The model has version 10 of the Android operating system installed, but many Google services are not supported, which is not convenient for all users.

The 6.4-inch capacitive screen has a high enough resolution and brightness for comfortable Internet surfing and watching videos.

As in many other smartphones, this model has four rear cameras with autofocus and backlight. With their help, you can shoot high-quality photos and high-resolution videos.

8 core processor and 6 GB RAM provide high performance.

Built-in memory is 128 GB, so the owner will not have problems installing applications or storing personal data. To expand the amount of memory, the owner can install an additional memory card in one of the SIM card slots.

The additional functionality of the device also received high user ratings.. In particular, the device has a flashlight, voice search and voice control, as well as some additional sensors: lighting and proximity.

Due to this, the device can be used not only by ordinary users, but also by tourists..

To fully protect the user's personal data, the device provides for unlocking the device by fingerprint, and it works almost instantly and without glitches, even in the cold.

Specifications:

weight 183 g;
RAM 6 GB;
battery capacity 4200 mAh.

Apple iPhone Xr 128GB

 

Compared to Chinese smartphones, this gadget from Apple can hardly be called a budget one, because its cost exceeds 50 thousand rubles..

But at the same time, many users who have already tested the device in practice note the convenience of its operation and thoughtful functionality to the details.

The smartphone has a modern operating system iOS 12 version, and the case has two slots for nanoSIM and eSIM SIM cards.

The body is made of aluminum and glass. Due to this, the smartphone weighs very little, and the device itself is very comfortable in the hand.

The rear camera is only one, and its resolution is 12 megapixels, but the smartphone still allows you to get high-quality pictures, as it is equipped with autofocus, macro mode and optical stabilization.

Thanks to the latest feature, the owner will be able to take high-quality pictures even on the move, without fear that the photos will turn out blurry..

The owners of this smartphone positively assess the high autonomy of work. Even if the owner will actively use applications, social networks or listen to music, the smartphone will successfully work without recharging for several days.

In addition, the device has a module for contactless payment for purchases or travel in transport.

Specifications:

weight 194 g;
RAM 3 GB;
diagonal 6.1 inches.

Samsung Galaxy S20+

 

Another smartphone that can hardly be called a budget one, but many users are willing to spend more than 60 thousand rubles to buy a smartphone.

The devices of this brand are of very high quality and well-thought-out functionality.

The classic metal case is reliably protected from moisture, so the device is not afraid of accidental splashes or raindrops.

The case has two slots for SIM cards, but one of them is designed to install a memory card.

But in practice, owners rarely expand the built-in memory, since the smartphone itself has enough 128 GB of memory.

The owners of this smartphone also note its high performance.. The gadget has a powerful processor for 8 cores of the company's own production.

In combination with 8 GB of RAM, this technical indicator provides an instant response of the device to user actions, excellent performance and multitasking without glitches and freezes.

The manufacturer has also provided some additional features to increase the comfort of use..

In particular, the device has a flashlight, which is convenient to turn on directly from the main menu.

Voice search and voice control are also provided, which allows the owner to quickly find the information they need or give the smartphone a quick command that will be performed automatically.

Specifications:

weight 186 g;
RAM 8 GB;
screen size 6.7 inches.

HONOR 9X 4/128GB

 

An inexpensive, but very high-quality smartphone from a well-known Chinese brand differs in cost of a little more than 14 thousand, but at the same time it has all the necessary functions for comfortable operation..

In particular, the device has two slots for SIM cards, so the owner does not have to limit himself in communication. One of the slots is for installing a memory card.

But in practice, owners rarely use this feature, since the internal memory of the smartphone itself is 128 GB..

This amount is enough to store personal data and install applications.

The manufacturer made sure that the gadget worked successfully in multitasking mode. For this, the smartphone was equipped with a modern processor with 8 cores.

In combination with 4 GB of RAM, this indicator ensures high performance of the device even when multitasking.

The smartphone has two rear cameras with autofocus and LED backlight, which allows you to take high-quality photos and shoot videos with high resolution.

The device also has high autonomy due to a capacious 4000 mAh battery..

Thanks to this battery, the smartphone can work without recharging for several days, even if the owner actively uses applications and often searches for information on the Internet.

Specifications:

weight 391 g;
diagonal 6.5 inches;
RAM 4 GB.

Customer Reviews

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Useful video
From the video you will learn how to choose a smartphone:

https://youtu.be/Nhp0VjtUxj4