Buying a phone is an important step that can affect your everyday life. It’s always with you: when traveling, helping you with your work, entertaining you in your free time. Nowadays, the market is full of endless offers, and it’s very easy to get lost among all this variety, fall into a trap and make a choice that doesn’t quite meet your needs. In order to make your purchase successful, in this article, we have compiled an overview of the five most common mistakes to avoid when buying a new smartphone.

Focusing on just one brand

Of course, love for a particular brand is good, but you shouldn’t let it cloud your judgment. Sometimes we get so caught up in the name that we overlook better deals from other manufacturers. For example, you’re an Apple fan, but have you considered the possibilities offered by Samsung, Google, or OnePlus, which are often much cheaper? They may have just as good or even better features. So before you buy, compare the features of several models from different brands.

Evaluation by screen size only

Many people choose smartphones based on the screen size alone, thinking that the bigger the screen, the better. But it’s important to remember that the size of the display is not the only criterion for selection. The type of matrix (for example, high-quality OLED, AMOLED), resolution, and color palette are also important. A screen with a high resolution will not only look better, but will also reduce eye strain, especially during long-term use. Tip: Choose a smartphone with an optimal balance between screen size and image quality.

Ignoring processor performance

Buyers focus on the look of the smartphone or its main features, such as the camera or battery, without paying attention to the importance of the processor. A powerful processor is the foundation of a phone’s speed and performance. Evaluating it by the number of cores or clock speed alone may not be enough, as optimization and chip architecture are also important. Tip: Choose smartphones with the following processors – models based on Qualcomm, Apple, or Samsung Exynos chips are suitable for most users.

Excessive attention to camera megapixels

Choosing a camera based on the number of megapixels is a common mistake. Undoubtedly, more megapixels will give you more image detail, but it doesn’t always mean better photo quality. Other parameters, such as sensor size, aperture, stabilization, and image processing software (e.g., artificial intelligence), have a much greater impact on the final quality of the photo. Tip: Instead of focusing on megapixels, pay attention to camera reviews and tests, comparing them in real-world conditions. Apple, Google, and Samsung are among the best performers in this regard.

Inattention to the operating system and updates

Smartphones with outdated OS versions or lack of support for updates will become less secure and perform worse over time. Today, Google, Apple, and Samsung usually support updates for their devices for several years, while other manufacturers may limit support as early as 2 years after release. Tip: Pay attention to smartphones with long-term update support and check the update policy of a particular manufacturer. Apple and Google are the leaders in this regard.

Ignoring the battery and charging speed

The battery is one of the most important components of a smartphone, especially if you use the device actively throughout the day. Often, buyers who are only interested in the camera features, for example, forget about the importance of the battery. Don’t make the same mistake! A low capacity will negate all the advantages of a smartphone, because the constant need to recharge it will hardly bring you pleasure. Tip : Choose smartphones with a good battery capacity (starting at 4000 milliampere hours or more) and a fast charging function. Many modern models now support 25-65W charging, allowing you to replenish the battery quite quickly, even in just a few minutes. By the way, you can also pay attention to the wireless charging function if you wish.

Inattention to the quality of case materials and water protection

The quality of the case materials directly affects the durability of the phone. Choosing between a plastic, metal, or glass case is important because each material has its pros and cons. For example, a metal case may be more reliable but also heavier, while a plastic case is lighter and cheaper but less resistant to mechanical damage. In addition, pay attention to water and dust protection (IP rating). Tip: If you are often in high humidity conditions, choose a smartphone with IP67 or IP68 certification for water and dust protection. The first digit “6” is the degree of protection against dust, and the next “7” is protection against water. The higher it is, the better. The maximum protection is IP69K, but usually such smartphones will have a very thick body and an unusual appearance. An example of them is the shockproof brands Blackview, Doogee, etc. And if you still care about the aesthetic appearance and weight, then just choose a model with premium materials, namely metal + glass.

Buying a smartphone without considering your real needs

Many people base their purchases on fashion trends or recommendations from friends, rather than considering their personal needs. Before you buy, just ask yourself the question: What do I need a smartphone for? If you’re going to use it only for making calls, browsing social media, and playing simple games, then you definitely don’t need a flagship with the most powerful processor. You can save money by choosing a mid-budget option. Otherwise, if you often plan to play games with high graphics, edit videos, and use your smartphone to work with professional programs, then yes, you can pay attention to flagship models. And remember that the right smartphone is not just a fashion item, but first and foremost an assistant in everyday life.