What to Look for Before Buying a New Phone

Buying a new phone is not for the sole purpose of getting the latest and greatest model on the shelf. It is for choosing a personal assistant which you will for the most part use every day for communication, entertainment, work, photography, and much more. With so many choices released to the market every few months, it is easy to feel overwhelmed in your choice. From the slim flagships to the budget options, each phone brings to the table a different mix of features, performance, and value.

To avoid buyer’s regret, you should identify what truly sets you off before you go and spend your hard-earned money. As you trade in that old model, switch to a different brand, or buy your very first phone, we have the in-depth guide of what to look for when you purchase a new phone.

1. Budget: Know Your Bounds.

When it comes to buying a new phone, the first thing to do is determine what your price point is. Phones range from budget to very expensive:

Flagship phones (over $800) have the best-in-class tech, top design, and performance.

In the mid-price range ($300–$700), you get great value.

Budget phones (at or under $300) do have a lower price point, but in trade, you get less in terms of performance, camera quality, and build.

Do you really need to spend $1,200 on a phone to use social media, send emails, and watch videos? Probably not. Before you buy, set a budget, which in turn will reduce your choices.

2. Operating System: Which one do you prefer, Android or iOS?

The age-old and familiar argument: Android or iOS. That which you choose will shape your smartphone experience.

iOS (Apple): Wonderful performance, continuous updates, simple user interface, also very secure. If you are an existing Apple products user.

Android (Google, Samsung, OnePlus, etc.): Wide variety of devices, more options for customization, and ease of use and storage of apps. Androids at all price points.

In familiar things until you are ready to try out what is new. Also, if you are in the midst of a particular ecosystem (like Apple or Google), it is simpler to stay in that.

3. Performance: CPU and RAM.

Your phone’s performance mainly depends on its processor (CPU) and RAM.

Processors: Flag leaders use the best processors like Apple’s A series or Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 series. We can see those as the speediest and the best looking to the future. In terms of the mid-range models, we have the 7 or 6 series from Qualcomm, which also do a great job.

RAM: The minimum is 6GB for smooth performance at present. If you are a gamer, do multi-tasking daily, or want your device to last, 8GB or more is what you should go for.

Apps are getting larger in size and more resourceful. If you’re looking to have the same phone for a few years, don’t skimp out on this.

4. Display: Scale, Quality, and Refresh Rate.

Your display is a window to what you do on your phone. It should be bright, clean, and easy on the eyes.

Size: Larger displays (6.5 inches and up) are great for media and games, but not as easy to use one-handed. Compact phones are easy to throw in your pocket, but you trade some of that immersive experience.

Resolution: Full HD+ (1080p) is the most in demand. Quad HD (1440p) is better for large screens in terms of sharpness, but at the same time is very taxing on the battery.

Refresh rate: A 60Hz screen does the job, but 90Hz or 120Hz screens make scrolling as smooth as silk—great for gaming and video.

Go for OLED or AMOLED screens, which provide better color and black reproduction, and pass on LCD, which is ok but a little out in high-end devices.

5. Battery Performance and Charge Time.

What is the point of a good phone if it dies out in the middle of the day?

Battery capacity: At least 4.5 Ah; any less than that may have issues with heavy use, which may be overcome by very efficient design.

Screen time is a better metric. Reviews also put forth how a phone performs daily.

Charging: Fast charge is a great feature. 25W to 65W on wired charging is what we are seeing more of today. Also, some phones now do wireless and reverse charging, which is cool.

Don’t dismiss it. During the day, a dead phone is more frustrating than you think.

6. Camera Quality: Beyond the Megapixels.

Many people think about cameras a great deal. But megapixels aren’t the only factor.

Lens options: A robust setup has a primary sensor, ultra-wide, and also may include a telephoto lens. The more varied the array, the better.

Night performance: Night mode is a must-have. Try it out or read reviews first.

Video capabilities: Stability, 4K/8K capture, and frame rate control is key if you do a lot of video shooting.

Software processing: This is what Google Pixels and iPhones do best. It’s not that the hardware which is great—it’s the software which does the image processing.

You may not need a DSLR for professional work. What you do need is a solid all-around camera for day-to-day use.

7. Storage Choices and Growth Options.

Do you have your device filled with many apps, take thousands of pictures, or store movies, which in turn leaves no space?

Minimum storage: 128GB is the standard. 64GB may work if you’re a heavy streamer and don’t install many apps, but it isn’t for the long term.

Expandable storage: A few Android models still have microSD card feature, which is great for photographers and international travelers.

Cloud storage: If you use the cloud (Google Drive, iCloud), then you may not need large amounts of onboard storage.

Storage type should be UFS 2.1 or higher, which in turn will provide you with fast file access and app start-up.

8. Quality and Design Build.

A phone is a thing that you have with you all the time, which you check in to.

Material: Metal and glass give that high-end look but are fragile and heavier. Plastic is lighter and does not shatter.

Durability: IP rated (IP67, IP68) which means they are water and dust resistant. If you are prone to accidents or are very much into outdoor labor, though, that may not be for you.

Grip and comfort: Curved edges, rough backs, and thin profiles change the way the phone feels in your hand.

Design is personal. Go with what you love, but don’t sacrifice functionality.

9. 5G and Connectivity.

5G isn’t really for today, but do look into it if you are going to be a phone user in the coming years.

5G: More info, less delay. Still in the early stages of deployment, which means if your area is not yet covered, don’t worry yet.

Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2: Smaller, more recent updates which improve on connectivity and performance of new accessories.

Dual SIM support: For business customers.

Consider what you do with your phone the most. If you are always on a mobile data plan or travel a great deal, future-proofing may be worth the investment.

10. Software support and updates.

This is a point often ignored but is very important. Software updates improve security of your phone and also bring in new features.

iPhones have 5 to 6 years of updates, which is unbeatable.

Android phone support varies. At present, Google and Samsung are at 4 to 7 years for some models. Budget brands will see that drop to just 1 to 2 years.

Select a brand that has a good update policy. Also, your phone may become out of date or at risk faster than you expect.

11. Brand Image and Post-Purchase Support.

Reputation counts for little, but it does count.

Customer support: Can you stop by a local service center? Do we have a warranty? Will they help you out?

Build trust: Companies which are large players in the field, like Apple, Samsung, and Google, do well in terms of quality and service. Some may sacrifice reliability or long-term support for better specs, which in turn means more outlay.

Read in on what other people have to say; I don’t do specs in a vacuum. A phone with a long feature list is useless if after a year it breaks and the manufacturer won’t stand behind it.

12. Special Content and Additions.

These will be sweet or they will be a gimmick. It depends on what you want.

In-display fingerprint readers or Face ID

Stylus support (e.g., Samsung’s S Pen)

Gaming triggers or cooling hardware

DeX mode or desktop experiences

AI-driven features or voice control

Dual speakers with Dolby Atmos

Don’t spend money on features which you will never use. But if that one particular ability really does bring value to your life, it may be worth it.

13. User Reports and Hands-On Experience.

In the ad, they play up what is the best feature of the product, but in reality, it is different.

Before purchasing, research: Before buying, do your research:

• User reviews
• YouTube comparison videos
• Tech forums and Reddit
• Long-term reviews spanning over 6+ months

This, in turn, gives you a look at issues like overheating, battery wear out, and software problems which may not be at first noticeable.

14. Durable and Resale Value.

If you’re not into resale, that’s okay, but it is a good idea to think about the long-term build quality.

iPhones retain their value.

Android resale values are a mixed bag; Google, Samsung, and OnePlus do the best as against lesser-known players.

A more eco-friendly phone also means it is easy on your budget.

Final Thoughts

Buying a new smartphone is a choice which you make for yourself. It goes beyond screen size or camera quality — it is what the phone will do for you and your needs. What works for one person may not at all work for you.

By recalling what it is that really matters — performance, battery life, software updates, and user experience — you are going to see that your choice of phone, which will last you for years, is much more likely. Don’t fall into an impulse buy. Do your research, determine what is most important to you, and choose the phone which is the best fit for your life. Not your money.

The best phone is what fits your needs.