What are the most popular operating systems on smartphones?
The two most popular operating systems on smartphones are – Android and iOS. While iPhones are powered by Apple’s proprietary smartphone operating system, called iOS, Android phones are powered by Google’s Android smartphone operating system.
Here are the key differences between the two operating systems to help you make a choice.
- Exclusively used by Apple to power their iPhones.
- Pre-installed apps such as Apple Maps, Apple Music, FaceTime, Safari, and more.
- App store: Over 1m downloadable apps.
- Easy sync with other Apple devices (iPad, Apple Watch, Apple Mac and Apple TV)
- Siri voice assistant
- Limited Customisation
- Used by most brands such as Samsung, Google, Nokia, etc.
- Pre-installed app such as Google Maps, Google Chrome, Google Drive, YouTube, Google Docs and more.
- Google Play Store: Over 1m downloadable apps.
- Easy sync with other devices such as Android tablets and Google smart tech.
- Google voice assistant.
- Highly Open for Customisation.
Choosing between Android and iOS really depends on what you priorities in a smartphone. The best way to decide is to try out both platforms and see which interface feels more comfortable.
Which cameras do you need in a smartphone?
A camera is one of the first features most of us look for in a smartphone. At a time when social media has become an essential part of our lives, so has remote working, a good camera on a smartphone is no longer a luxury but a necessity.
Every brand offers smartphones with a different camera setup, each of them with their own unique abilities. Smartphone lenses are of three main types – a primary sensor, an ultra-wide-angle sensor, and a telephoto or zoom sensor.
Primary sensors
The primary lens in a smartphone is the default camera when you launch the camera app. It is ideal for photographing day-to-day subjects from close quarters. The primary lens also almost always has the highest image resolution out of all the sensors, which may or may not be available with a phone.
Ultra-wide-angle sensor
An ultra-wide-angle sensor gives your smartphone a wider field of vision between 117 and 123 degrees. These lenses are useful for clicking landscape images of sunsets or maybe for photographing a large group of people at, say, a wedding.
Telephoto sensors
Telephoto sensors allow you to capture subjects from far away. In essence, it allows you to zoom in on a subject from afar without having to compromise on the image resolution. These sensors are useful for capturing subjects such as wildlife.
What is a megapixel, and why is it important?
Another factor to look out for in a smartphone camera is the number of megapixels it has. One megapixel is made up of one million pixels, which are small units of information that combine to make up an image.
Most smartphone brands usually refer to their device’s megapixel count when discussing their photo quality. It is important to bear in mind that though a higher number of megapixels does allow for sharper image quality, it is not the only factor that does so.
Other factors, such as the colour array of the camera, light sensitivity, and more, also determine the sharpness of an image. The number of megapixels, however, comes into play when zooming in or cropping a photo. How? The higher the pixel density in an image, the more the minute details are visible.
What other camera features you should look out for?
While the types of sensors and the megapixel count of each of these sensors determine how good images are, one should also consider looking out for additional features in a smartphone’s camera.
Pop-up Selfie Camera
Pop-up Selfie Camera and other motorised designs offer you more display and no notch while housing great features.
Ideal for selfie lovers and those who prefer bezel-less screens and no-notch offering and edge-to-edge screens for better viewing.
4K @ 60FPS
4K Camera ensures smooth recording of high-quality 4K video at appreciable frame rates to provide a great viewing experience.
Ideal for YouTube Vloggers.
Multiple Camera Setup
Dual Cameras are now the normal, but several phones now have triple and quad-camera setups adding new dimensions to your photography.
Ideal for street and fashion influencers.
Optical Image Stabilisation
The Optical Image Stabilisation mechanism reduces blur in your photographs delivering better and crisper images.
Ideal for action photography and videography.
HDR
High Dynamic Range (HDR) helps capture photos that have a better dynamic range (shadows to highlight).
Ideal for capturing landscapes, outdoor portraits in sunlight, and heavily backlit scenes.
AI Camera
Artificial Intelligence removes all the hassle from photography - adjusting your settings in real-time to provide stunning shots.
Ideal for professional photographers as it helps to enhance images in real-time.
Burst Mode
Burst Mode helps capture those action-packed moments in vivid detail.
Ideal for sports and wildlife photography.
Portrait Mode
Portrait Mode blurs the background of your images using the Bokeh Effect and takes your selfies and portraits to the next level.
Ideal for subject photography.
Auto Focus
Auto Focus adjusts focus in real-time to capture the immense detail in moving objects, making for stunning clarity.
Ideal for sports and wildlife photography.
A higher megapixel count results in sharper images with more details. It is important to remember that along with megapixels, factors like sensor size and lens quality also play a big role in image quality.
What is the ideal smartphone screen size for you?
One of the most important factors to consider when choosing a smartphone is its display size. This determines how easily you can use it with a single hand or how easily it can fit into your pocket.
The size of a smartphone screen is measured diagonally, in inches.
Most smartphones have displays of six inches and above. If you don’t like the idea of a bulky smartphone or want to be able to use it with one hand, you can consider a phone with a display size between 4 and 6 inches.
Best suited for calling, basic web browsing, and social media usage
Best suited for calling, basic web browsing, and basic social media usage.
Best suited for heavy web browsing, Email, heavy social media usage, basic gaming and editing.
Best suited for heavy web browsing, Email, heavy social media usage, basic gaming and editing.
Best suited for heavy video editing, heavy gaming, split-screen work, e-reading, and watching movies.
Best suited for heavy video editing, heavy gaming, split-screen work, e-reading, and watching movies.
The ideal smartphone screen size depends on what is best for you. You can choose the screen size between 4-inch to 6-inch and above depending on your usage and comfort.
What are the different types of smartphone displays?
Depending on the brand, model, and price, smartphones also feature different kinds of display panels, each with its own ideal use cases, viewing angles, and colour recreation abilities.
The viewing angle of a smartphone display refers to the maximum angle at which one can view a mobile display with a clear visual performance. Beyond the stated viewing angle, the image appears to become blurry, with low contrast, and low saturation.
Colour reproduction, on the other hand, refers to the ability of the display to reproduce the original colour of an image you view on your phone. This is crucial when taking photos and videos or streaming your favourite film/show.
Available in HD and Full HD resolution, this screen is best for basic web browsing, basic social media usage, etc..
The viewing angle and colour reproduction ability of this display type are average.
Available in Full HD and FHD+ resolution, this screen is best for heavy web browsing, Email, heavy social media usage, basic gaming, and editing.
The viewing angle and colour reproduction ability of this display type are good.
Available in QHD and UHD resolution, this screen is best for heavy video editing, heavy gaming, split-screen work, e-reading, and watching movies.
The viewing angle and colour reproduction ability of this display type are best.
Available in Full HD, QHD and UHD resolution, this screen is best for video editing, gaming, split-screen work, e-reading, and watching movies.
The viewing angle and colour reproduction ability of this display type are really good.
Available in HD, Full HD and QHD resolution, this screen is best for video editing, gaming, e-reading, and watching movies.
The viewing angle and colour reproduction ability of this display type are extremely good.
Different display types have different colour reproduction so it is better to choose one which doesn’t cause strain on your eyes.
How much refresh rate your smartphone should have?
Simply put, the Refresh Rate is the number of times the display of your screen is updated every second. Refresh Rate is calculated in Hz and higher the Refresh Rate, smoother your video viewing experience will be.
60 Hz
Is best suited for calling, basic web browsing, and basic social media usage.
90 Hz
Is best suited for heavy web browsing, Email, heavy social media usage, basic gaming, and editing.
120 Hz and above
Is best suited for heavy video editing, heavy gaming, and watching movies.
If you are someone who consumes more media in the form of films or engages in mobile gaming, always opt for smartphones with higher refresh rates.
How much RAM do you need for your smartphone?
RAM, or Random Access Memory, is where the operating system of the phone, as well as the apps or data in use at any point in time, are stored. The higher the RAM in your smartphone, the more apps you can open simultaneously and the smoother they will run. Depending on your usage, you can purchase a smartphone with anywhere between 4GB and 16GB of RAM. A few models have even higher capacities.
Up to 4 GB
Best suited for calling, basic web browsing, and basic social media usage.
4 - 6 GB
Best suited for basic calling, internet surfing, listening to music, and basic gaming.
6 - 8 GB
Best suited for those who like to stream content, engage in advanced gaming, edit documents on the go for work, and like to read books on their phone.
8 - 12 GB
Best suited for those who engage in heavy gaming, streaming content in high resolution, and editing large documents.
12 - 16 GB
Best suited for streaming high-resolution content, heavy gaming and video editing, and split-screen tasks.
How much storage capacity do you need?
Storage capacity, also called ROM, is as important as RAM. It is where all your photos, videos, contacts, and app information are stored on your smartphone.
Most smartphones are available in 64GB, 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB storage variants. While you may not need so much storage, it is always a good idea to purchase a smartphone with a slightly higher storage capacity.
Storage of your phone is an important factor so always remember to consider how much space you need for apps, games, and media.
Which smartphone processor is best suited to your needs?
Your smartphone’s performance is linked to its processor. It is because of the processor that you’re able to do everything from surfing the internet to gaming, from watching your favourite movies and TV shows to staying in touch with your friends, families and colleagues on your smartphone.
When it comes to processors, there are mainly four processor manufacturers whose chipsets power most smartphones available today.
Qualcomm
Industry leader in processors, Qualcomm is known for the Snapdragon series 4, 6, 7, and 8 chipsets. These power several premium flagship smartphones from Samsung, OnePlus, and Xiaomi.
Mediatek
Manufacturer of processors for both mid-range smartphones and flagships. Mediatek’s prominent range of chipsets are Helio and Dimensity, which power 4G and 5G smartphones, respectively.
Apple
Apple designs chipsets are exclusively for its own ecosystem of products. When it comes to iPhones, all chipsets from the A14 Bionic onwards have been 5G enabled.
Exynos
Similar to Apple, Samsung also designs its Exynos mobile processors exclusively for its smartphones. The processor powers all Samsung smartphones, from the high-end Galaxy S-series flagship models to the budget J series variants.
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