Top Factors to Consider When Buying a New Smartphone

When you think about buying a new phone, there are a few important things you should keep in mind. First, consider your budget and whether the phone gives good value for the price. Next, check the operating system and make sure it suits your needs. Performance is also important, so the phone should run smoothly in daily use. Battery life matters too—you want a phone that lasts the whole day. A good display makes watching videos and using apps more enjoyable. Camera quality is important if you like taking photos or videos. Make sure the phone has enough storage for your apps, photos, and files. The design and build quality should feel strong and comfortable in your hand. Don’t forget to check if the phone gets regular software updates. Also, look at connectivity options like 5G, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth. Choose a brand that has a good reputation and support service. Lastly, reading user reviews and expert opinions can help you make a better decision.

Nowadays, buying an Android mobile phone in any budget has become very difficult and confusing because there are so many options available in the market. So, we will look at each one step by step and break it down.

1. Price & Value

Budget: First, check your budget—how much you can spend. Always remember, there is no phone that has all the features. Only if your budget is very high, like around ₹50,000, then you can go for flagship phones. And of course, the price of such phones is also very high.
But when it comes to mid-range or budget phones, you have to make some compromises. There is no phone in this range that doesn’t have some negative points.

Offer and Discount: Always look for offers and discounts before buying. Try to buy when there are card offers, credit card deals, or during festival sales. At that time, you can see a big drop in price.

2. Operating System (OS)

iOS vs. Android: Choosing between iOS (Apple) and Android depends on your personal preferences—like the type of apps you use, how easy the phone feels to operate, and what kind of ecosystem you prefer. iOS gives a smooth, secure, and consistent experience, while Android offers more freedom to customize and a wider variety of phones to choose from.

Since Apple phones are usually more expensive, even their older models continue to give strong performance for years. For example, if your budget is between ₹30,000 and ₹35,000 and you want an iPhone, you might go for an older model without much second thought. But in the same budget, Android gives you many options with the latest features, bigger batteries, and better specs. So if you love variety and want more choices, Android is the better fit. But if you prefer a clean and stable experience with long-term software support, iOS might be the right pick—even if you have to go for an older model.

3. Performance

Processor: When buying a phone, try to choose one with a powerful processor like Apple A-series, Qualcomm Snapdragon, or MediaTek Dimensity. A good processor is important for smooth performance, especially if you use heavy apps or play games. There are many types of processors available, and for a non-tech person, it can be confusing to understand which one is better—terms like single core, quad core, or octa core are often hard to judge. In simple words, the more advanced the processor, the better your phone will handle tasks. However, how powerful the processor will be mostly depends on your budget. High-end phones usually come with flagship processors, while budget phones offer decent ones for daily use. So, it’s better to focus on getting the best processor in your price range, rather than worrying too much about technical names.

RAM: Make sure the phone has enough RAM for smooth performance—at least 4GB, but 6GB or more is better if you use multiple apps, games, or switch between tasks often. You might have heard terms like LPDDR4 or LPDDR5X. These are different generations of RAM technology. The higher the number at the end, the faster and more power-efficient the RAM is. For example, LPDDR5X is better than LPDDR4 in terms of speed and battery usage. Better RAM helps your phone run smoothly without lag and improves overall user experience, especially in gaming and multitasking.

4. Battery Life

Capacity and Efficiency: When choosing a phone, always check the battery capacity, which is measured in mAh. A higher number usually means longer battery backup. But it’s not just about capacity—how efficiently the phone uses power also matters. Phones with 5000mAh batteries generally offer good daily backup and are considered a balanced choice.

However, there’s a trade-off. Bigger batteries often make the phone heavier and thicker. So if you prefer a slim and lightweight phone, you might have to compromise a bit on battery life. On the other hand, if long battery backup is your priority, you should be ready for a slightly heavier phone. As a general rule, if the phone weight under 200g, it’s considered lightweight. Phones with 5000mAh batteries usually stay under this mark. But if the battery is 6000mAh or more, the weight also increases. In the end, it depends on what matters more to you—lightweight design or longer battery life.

5. Display

Size and Resolution: When choosing a phone, look at both the screen size and its resolution, like Full HD or Quad HD. A higher resolution gives sharper and clearer visuals, which is great for watching videos, browsing, or gaming. But screen size is also a personal choice. Some people prefer big screens for media and multitasking, while others like smaller phones that are easier to hold and use with one hand.

If you want a phone that fits well in your hand and feels light to carry, a compact size is better. But if you enjoy watching content or need a bigger display for work or reading, a larger screen will be more useful. Just make sure the size feels comfortable for your daily use—there’s no one-size-fits-all.

Refresh Rate: A higher refresh rate (e.g., 90Hz or 120Hz) makes for smoother scrolling and gaming.

6. Camera Quality

Megapixels and Features: When looking at a phone’s camera, don’t focus only on the megapixels. Other features like optical image stabilization (OIS), low-light performance, and extra lenses (like wide-angle or telephoto) are also very important for good photos and videos.

For many people, technical camera terms can be confusing. So the best way to understand real camera quality is by watching reviews and comparison videos on YouTube. There, you can actually see photo and video samples, which helps you decide better. Everyone uses the camera differently—some for selfies, some for vlogging, and some just for casual use—so always choose based on your personal needs and how the results look in real usage.

Video Recording: If you shoot videos, consider the phone’s video capabilities, including resolution (4K, 8K) and frame rates.

7. Storage

Internal Storage: Always choose a phone with enough internal storage—at least 64GB or 128GB—so you have enough space for your apps, photos, videos, and other files. If you use your phone a lot for taking pictures or installing heavy apps, go for higher storage options like 256GB.

Storage also has types, like eMMC and UFS. These decide how fast your phone can read and write data, which affects app loading time, file transfer speed, and overall performance. UFS is faster and better than eMMC, so if possible, choose a phone with UFS storage. Even if you don’t understand the technical details, you can guess which is better by checking phone reviews or the official specs. Faster storage means a smoother experience in daily use.

Expandable Storage: If you store a lot of photos, videos, or files, it’s helpful to choose a phone that supports expandable storage through a microSD card. However, nowadays most phones—especially mid-range and flagship models—do not come with a microSD card slot.

In budget phones or lower-priced models, you may still find this option. But in high-end phones, there’s usually no way to expand storage later. Instead, companies launch phones with different internal storage variants, like 128GB, 256GB, or 512GB—and the price increases with more storage. So, if your phone doesn’t have a memory card slot, it’s better to buy a higher storage variant from the start, based on your needs. That way, you won’t run out of space later.

8. Build Quality and Design

Materials: It’s important to check what materials the phone is made of. Flagship phones usually have strong build quality with metal frames and Gorilla Glass protection, along with water and dust resistance (IP rating), which makes them more durable. These features are helpful if you’re someone who uses your phone roughly or in different weather conditions.

However, in mid-range and budget phones, the body is often made of plastic or polycarbonate. These materials are lighter and cheaper but less durable than metal or glass. That’s why it’s very important to use a good protective case with such phones. Most phones don’t break easily from small drops, but they can get scratches or dents. So, using a case and screen protector helps keep your phone looking new and safe from daily wear and tear.

9. Software and Updates

Software Experience: Always check the user interface (UI) of the phone—some people like stock Android for its clean and simple experience, while others prefer custom UIs like Samsung’s One UI or Xiaomi’s MIUI for extra features and customization options.

It’s also important to look at the brand’s record of giving regular software and security updates. These updates keep your phone safe, improve performance, and add new features over time. One thing to remember is that new phones launch almost every month, but that doesn’t mean you need to keep buying a new one again and again. To avoid this, choose a future-proof phone—one that gets regular updates for at least 3 to 4 years. This will help your phone stay updated with the latest tech and features for a longer time, and you won’t feel left behind.

10. Connectivity

5G and Wi‑Fi: If you want a future-proof phone, make sure it supports 5G and the latest Wi‑Fi standards. Right now in India, 4G is still widely available with good speed and cheaper data plans compared to 5G. Many users are still happy with 4G because it works well for everyday tasks like streaming, browsing, and calling.

However, it’s still a smart choice to buy a 5G phone. Prices of 5G phones have come down, and even in the budget range, you can now get 5G support. Having a 5G phone means you’re ready for faster internet in the future when 5G becomes more common everywhere. It also helps in better call quality, faster downloads, and a smoother internet experience. So, even if you’re using 4G now, getting a 5G phone is a better long-term decision.

Dual SIM and Other Features: Based on your daily needs, you may want to choose a phone that supports dual SIM, so you can use two numbers at the same time—one for work and one for personal use. Also, check for features like NFC, which is useful for contactless payments, and IR blaster, which lets you use your phone as a remote control for TVs and other devices.

Other useful features can include a headphone jack, stereo speakers, fast charging, and USB Type-C. These small things may seem less important at first, but they make a big difference in your everyday experience. So always look at these extra features and pick what matches your lifestyle.