Android Phones Buying Guide: 8 Features to Consider Before Purchase

Android Phones Buying Guide: Are you planning to buy a new Android phone? If yes, Read here on the features to help you make a better choice.

In recent times, the use of Android phones has become very popular. Presently, Nigeria witnesses a fast and growing market in this sector. From affluent backgrounds to low income earners, owning an android has no class distinction. It’s a remarkable contrast to the era when landlines was merely a reserve for a few.

Perhaps, you may be considering buying a new android phone. However, selecting a suitable Android device to suit your personal needs can be a daunting experience with over 20,000 versions in the market.

Android Phones Buying Guide

Before purchasing an android, you may wonder what features could help you assess the quality and desired functions of your preferred Android. Below is a brief overview of features you must not ignore before making a choice.

1. Extra Security Features

Extra security features other than locking and unlocking phones are essential features not to overlook. Because androids are capable of storing vital and personal information, security features such as fingerprint sensor or iris sensor become essential in securing files, apps or documents.

Therefore, before purchasing a new android, take note of its security features.

2. Internet Connectivity features.

For lovers of faster and high speed internet connectivity, features that support the LTE technology may be a preferable choice. The LTE (Long term evolution) network services are up to five times faster than that of 2G and 3G technology.

Purchasing a 3G-only phone would not grant you the option of utilizing a 4G LTE network but a 4G phone would offer you the option of utilizing both a 4G LTE network and a 3G network as well.  However, if your phone is able to read LTE signals, it therefore means it is able to access the 4G LTE network. In that case you would use a 4G supported SIM card.

Whether to go for the 3G or 4G LTE supported device may not really matter at present because most network providers in Nigeria do not offer the 4G LTE network at all regions of their operations. But if high speed connectivity is your primary concern, then it matters.

Nevertheless, it isn’t a bad idea to go for 4G devices, because in the next five years 4G LTE network would most likely become the most popular standard as it reaches a wider coverage.

Moreover, manufacturers of Android devices are gearing their most recent android versions to suit the 4G network. Therefore, bear these.

3. Camera display

A higher megapixel (MP) may be a good deal. However, be aware that recent top models have cut down on MPs but however capture shots with greater close-up details. This is because the quality of pixel is what gives a picture its high quality and not the amount of pixel.

You will enjoy a better experience with androids that have both front facing and rear-facing cameras. They are especially good for video conferencing.

To get higher quality in image capturing, ensure that the functions of the android camera extends not only to recording videos and capturing still images, but is also able to do so in HD.

4. The Physical Appearance (Screen display, size and weight)

Screen size would obviously influence your pick. You can find size ranges of 4 inches to 10 inches. 4 inch screens can be found at more affordable prices than the larger screen. If you are one who enjoys watching video or using social media apps like Instagram, a larger screen would do.

An additional screen feature you may decide on is the screen display. Would a multi-touch display or a physical QWERTY keyboard fit your circumstance? Some Androids are a hybrid between the two categories. However, most androids are only touch-screen.

They do come with their challenges that affect vital operations of the phone when screen is cracked or malfunctioned. Most often, damaged screens are difficult to repair even after replacing them. A simple solution would require you purchase a new phone entirely.

What about the quality of screen resolution? It is ideal to pick screen resolution not less than 1280 x 720 (720p). They are ideal for watching HD (High-definition) Videos which have higher resolution and better quality of image display than SD (Standard-definition) Videos. Before you purchase your android, test the phone screen display in a credible store. Test it out with different lighting conditions. Light from the sun can affect the way screen displays.

5. Battery durability

Battery life is a major consideration for those who use their androids in heavy multitasking for long period of time. An Android with 24 hours battery life even when performing a variety of task is worthy of your consideration.

Often, manufacturers judge battery life based on the ‘talk time’ or ‘Standby’ status. Some android phones such as Lenovo P2 have battery hours above 700 hours on standby mode.

However, if you are a heavy user, it is reasonable to go for androids with at least 3000mAH battery power.

See: Top 10 Android Smartphones with Long Lasting Battery Life

6. CPU operating frequency

Another crucial feature to consider is the processor or CPU (Central Processing Unit) on which the phone operates on. A higher CPU operating frequency is a great choice to match heavy multi-task operations. Of recent, the fastest CPU available is the Quad Core Processor. They are ideal for high graphic image-display apps such as games. It is best to go for a processor which operates on a frequency of 1GHz.  Anything less than that could hinder android’s performance during heavy multi-task operations.

7. Storage capacity

A greater part of the storage capacity is consumed by the Android’s Operating System and pre-installed Apps. What you are left with is the remaining space that is not usually mentioned by the manufacturers. Nevertheless, your storage preference is dependent on the amount of items you consider to store in your phone. If you require fewer amounts of items, 32GB storage is what you need. Heavy downloads require that you consider a 64GB or 128GB storage capacity. You can find cheaper android phones of up to 32GB of hard drive space. Most android devices come along with a slot for inserting external memory space to boost storage capacity.

8. Android Operating System Version

A greater part of the Android phone’s capabilities hangs on the version of the operating system. Here are some facts that you need to be aware of as regards to the Android OS version.

First, older versions of Android OS do not always support the expanded features of newer versions of Android apps. You probably would have noticed that updated version of WhatsApp, which is the most popular messaging app in the world, had ceased to provide services to phones running on Android OS 2.3.3 and below.

Secondly, a greater number of Android phones, currently, are about 2 generations behind the most recently developed version of Android OS due to the challenges in updates faced by brand developers of Android devices.

Thirdly, a significantly older brand version of Android device is less likely to be compatible with the most recent versions of Android OS than for a rich man to pass through the eye of a needle.

The advantages of recent versions of Android OS  is found in their  improved performance, newer features, compatibility with newer Apps, battery improvements, fixed bug issues and problems that existed with the older versions.

Now, be the Judge. Is the Price-worthy qualified?

Does your choice of Android have the features you desire most? Do the features match-up with your needs in carrying out heavy multitasking?

See the Cheapest Android phones in Nigeria.

Does it have durability in surviving a long term use? The basic features highlighted above gives you a quick guide to help you assess an Android phone before making a purchase.

Remember, the advantage in going for quality far outweighs that of cost. Nevertheless, if your phone’s basic features scale high in your assessment, then you can be most certain it is worthy of your money.

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