There are two ways to save money when buying a new smartphone: get a discount or choose a budget model with decent stuffing. The latter is even better because you will know exactly what you paid for. But you will have to spend time and figure out the features.
Let’s find out how to pick an inexpensive high-quality smartphone: stylish, fast and relevant in the next couple of years.
Which OS to Choose
There are two major operating systems – iOS and Android.
iOS is a development of Apple. It’s available only on the brand models, and they are usually expensive.
Android is used on many different brands. It’s a popular and inexpensive operating system. Its benefits include:
- Full freedom of action: icons can be moved, swapped, placed in any part of the screen.
- A huge number of apps are growing every day. These are games, bookmaker online programs, file managers, text editors, photo, and video tools.
- Regular updates that improve performance and eliminate bugs.
Choosing a smartphone on Android, pay attention to the version of the OS. There is always a number in its name. The last one, 13, was released in 2022. It’s better to choose it or 10, 11, 12. Earlier versions are on outdated phones.
Which Processor to Choose
The processor is responsible for speed and quality. It determines whether you can download and view videos, play games, and edit photos. The ability to use a large number of apps and quickly browse your news feed also depends on it.
The processor is selected according to three characteristics.
Number of Cores
The most budget models are equipped with a 4-core processor. It’s chosen for the minimum requirements: to run simple apps, make calls, and send messages. The optimal number of cores – 6. This is enough for a fast response to any commands, operative work of the camera. Processors with 8 cores retain charge better, but cost more.
Performance
Performance refers to the frequency of the processor cores – the number of cycles they can perform in one second. The unit of measure is gigahertz – GHz. Models with a processor speed of 1.5 GHz and above are worth considering.
Chipset
A chipset is a set of microcircuits. It binds all system components together. The best chipsets are considered Qualcomm – they complete the flagship processors. In the budget models often use MediaTek, Unisoc. They are created using a different technology, cost 30% less but also ensure uninterrupted operation.
So, if you are going to play games with high detail, regularly shoot and watch videos, choose a processor with 6-8 cores, Qualcomm chipset, performance of more than 1.5 GHz. For making calls or using WhatsApp, a 4-core unit with 1.5 GHz performance, Unisoc chipset, MediaTek is enough.
For budget smartphones with a simple processor, there are light versions of applications. They are labeled Lite. They have reduced functionality, but their main task they perform perfectly.
Matrix: Key Selection Criteria
The sensor is responsible for the image quality. It’s a liquid crystal display which determines the type of screen. It affects the accuracy of shades, the clarity of the image, the speed of response – the time that passes from the moment of the command to change the color of the pixel.
Three types of matrix are used in smartphones:
- TFT TN. A popular choice for the cheapest models. Pros: low price, almost instant response – 1 ms. Cons: poor color reproduction, viewing angle of only 60° – you can only look at the screen directly, from the side it will seem gray.
- IPS. A universal matrix for models in the budget and medium price segment. It reproduces colors quite accurately, consumes little power, and doesn’t reduce the image sharpness. In inexpensive smartphones, IPS can oversaturate colors, making them unnaturally bright. Before buying, check whether this screen suits you: ask to turn on your smartphone in the store and take a closer look.
- OLED, AMOLED, PMOLED. These are expensive matrices in which each pixel is illuminated separately, not a row, column or a certain area. They provide maximum detail.
Choosing the Screen
The main characteristics of the screen – the diagonal, resolution, pixel density, and brightness.
The diagonal determines the size of the device. This is the distance between the lower and upper corners, arranged diagonally. It’s specified in inches. Resolution is the number of pixels in height and width. It determines the amount of information that can fit on the screen: the more pixels, the finer the details.
Pixel density depends on the ratio of resolution to screen size, and determines how prominent the pixels are. Brightness is responsible for perception, and can be adjusted automatically or manually.
Screen Diagonal
Diagonal varies from 4 to 7 inches. The most popular sizes fall in the range of 6-6,5 inches. Such devices are comfortable to hold in your hand, fit in your pocket and purse. They can read long texts, work with any applications and programs. It’s also easy to find stands, bumpers, soft covers, and hard cases for them.
Screen Resolution
For medium-sized devices with a diagonal of 6-6.5 inches the optimal resolution is 1920×1080. For smaller models, you can choose a screen resolution of 1280×720.
By making smartphones with different height to width ratios, manufacturers create many different resolutions. When choosing, it’s better to follow this principle: the larger the diagonal, the higher the resolution should be.
Pixel Density
Pixel density is the number of pixels per square inch of the matrix. It’s referred to as pixels per inch or PPI. The optimal value for a smartphone is 350-400 PPI. At this density, the pixels themselves are indistinguishable, and all diagonal lines are perceived as straight.
Screen Brightness
Brightness is measured in nits. In smartphones, it varies in the range of 300-1500 nits. In inexpensive devices, it reaches 700 nits: the higher the number, the brighter the screen. However, you can orient yourself without exact indicators: at the maximum, the picture shouldn’t fade under sunlight or strong artificial light.
An important point is the ability to adjust the brightness manually. Budget models are equipped with low quality light sensors. As a result, the display is darkened too much or becomes too bright. Manual adjustment helps to get out of the situation. But the function isn’t available in all models – you need to check it.
