BEFORE SPENDING BIG ON A NEW IPHONE OR ANDROID CONSIDER THESE THINGS:

The iPhone 14 Pro Max, Google Pixel 7 Pro, and Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra are some of the best phones you can buy right now since they have every feature you could possible need. These best smartphones are the pinnacle of mobile technology due to their outstanding performance, amazing camera systems, and a wide range of additional features. It therefore comes as no surprise that these high-end phones have correspondingly high pricing. These products are out of reach for many of us due to their high prices, or they are superfluous if you only require a reliable device for your daily needs.

Budget versus smartphone performance

Performance typically correlates with price. Most of the time, the most advanced technology is also the most expensive. Flagship phones typically feature the greatest cameras, the fastest CPUs, and sometimes even cutting-edge technology like flexible displays. These phones are only worthwhile of consideration for people who desire to carry the most cutting-edge technology in their pockets due to their expensive pricing.

But not everyone needs such cutting-edge technology, or they could just be unwilling to spend the $1,000 or more that is generally needed to get it. Fortunately, the midrange phone market has seen some of the greatest competition among manufacturers, leading to some incredible phones that won't break the bank. When it comes to flagship phones, features like wireless charging and cameras with multiple lenses are already standard.

You can still enjoy all of your daily online browsing on even low-cost phones with respectable camera quality and sufficient power.

4G or 5G?

With the most recent standard, 5G, you can expect mobile data to be transmitted at breakneck speeds while you're on the go. Like with any new technology, it's typical to see it on more expensive handsets, but it's also becoming more typical to see it on phones that are significantly less expensive.

Since 5G coverage isn't yet universal, it's necessary to consider if you actually require 5G speeds and, more importantly, whether they're accessible where you live. It's safe to assume that 5G will become more commonplace at that time if you intend to maintain your phone for at least a few years. If you're debating it right now, it's possible that in nine months you'll change your mind and wish you had taken the risk sooner.

Screen size

Over the past few years, all phones have slowly gotten bigger, with the Galaxy S22 Ultra measuring 6.8 inches and the enormous 6.68 inches of the iPhone 14 Pro Max. Small phones aren't as popular as they once were, but there are a few options to consider if you don't want a huge screen sticking out of your pockets.

At 5.4 inches, the iPhone 13 Mini is considerably smaller than the 6.1-inch iPhone 14 despite Apple's decision not to upgrade it this year. It is still officially available for purchase through the Apple Store. Even though the Google Pixel 6A is one of the better smaller Android phones thanks to its 6.1-inch display, it's still not what you'd call petite.

Camera Performance

In more recent phones, the camera has been a huge selling point for bragging rights. Manufacturers are constantly striving for greater, more exciting numbers, whether it's the number of megapixels or the number of actual camera lenses. With even budget-oriented phones containing several cameras, three rear cameras are now the norm: a standard lens, an ultrawide lens, and a telephoto lens.

More lenses offer more photography options when you're out and around, so this is fantastic. All multilens cameras, however, are not created equal. The results you typically receive depend on how much money you spend, same to how processor performance changes with price, with the costliest flagships typically having the best cameras available.

Watch out for features like optical (rather than digital) zooms, night mode for better shots in low light, and optical image stabilization. It's not always easy to determine a camera's performance simply looking at the specifications because these qualities might not always be obvious. Take the time to read the reviews and check out the camera's performance before you invest your money if you're serious about your phone's photographic abilities.

Battery Life

From entry-level models to premium flagships, the majority of phones can operate for the most of the day on a single charge. While larger phones may have larger batteries, they also typically have larger screens and more powerful CPUs, which quickly drain the extra power. Few phones last more than a single day. Here are a few things to remember:

• Always prepare to charge your phone completely at night.
• Look for features that enable your phone to absorb a lot of power in a short amount of time, such as fast charging. A dated USB plug might not be able to support it, so check to see whether your phone comes with a speedier charger that is suitable.
• Avoiding more demanding activities like gaming or streaming video will extend the life of your battery. Additionally, lowering the screen's brightness will be beneficial.

Processor performance

High-end phones often include strong processors and up to 12GB of RAM. These phones have enough power to do any activity without breaking a sweat, so you don't need to spend a lot of money on a flagship model to enjoy excellent performance.

Most quality midrange phones provide sufficient power to meet all of your daily requirements. You may continue to use apps like Snapseed to edit your high-resolution photographs and play virtually any game available on the Google Play store. Few things could be thrown at most midrange phones that they couldn't handle.

When you go closer to the lower end of the price range, things like gaming will start to slow down. Demanding 3D games may appear more stuttery and may abruptly end. However, simple operations like sending emails, using Spotify, and visiting Instagram shouldn't present any issues.

You'll need how much phone storage?

The majority of phones, including those in the lower price range, have at least 32GB of storage, of which 10GB may be used up by the operating system and preinstalled applications. 32GB can be plenty if you never intend to record any video and aren't into gaming, but in all other cases, you should think of 64GB or even 128GB as the bare least.

Higher-end phones have storage capacities of 256GB or more, especially those that can record 4K video in high definition. You won't even need to hesitate about having to delete obsolete files with that much space.

It depends on if the phone accepts microSD cards. These days, 32GB microSD cards (or larger) can be found for relatively little money, and inserting one into your phone will significantly enhance the amount of storage you have available.

Added Features

When you're buying, it's important to keep in mind that many of these features are now standard on phones of all price points.

• Face unlock or fingerprint scanner: A scanner may be embedded into the display or even be hidden on the back of the device. Having to memorize a PIN is less safe than biometric security, as it is known.
• Water-resistant: Do you frequently take calls while it is raining? To protect your phone from liquid spills and water, look for one with an IP67 rating at the very least.
• Wireless charging: As long as you use a charging pad that is suitable, many phones enable wireless charging, and some of them now offer quicker wireless charging speeds.