Important features for choosing the right smartphone

Depending on how you plan to maximize your mobile phone, it should be relatively easy for you to choose the right phone. But that's not always the case. With a variety of smartphones to choose from, we often get overwhelmed and opt for a device that's within our budget but with low quality, or a high-performance one that costs the earth. To help you choose the best smartphone, here are the important features you should consider first:

Design aesthetics

Since mobile phones are made by a variety of manufacturers, you have a wide range of designs to choose from. You should select the one that fits your needs. One specific feature to consider is whether the phone includes a full keyboard. While most mobile devices (even smartwatches) come with a fully functional touchscreen, there are some that still use a QWERTY keyboard, such as Blackberry, which has brought back its infamous line of keyboard smartphones Touchscreens may look nice, but they're not always as easy to use as their QWERTY-based counterpart. Meanwhile, a keyboard adds a bit of bulk to the device, especially if it's the sliding type.

These are the other design features to consider:

• Phone size • Screen resolution • Ruggedness • Curved edges or sides • Physical or integrated home button

Data connection and capacity

Nowadays, it is not enough for a smartphone to be able to connect to the Internet, as almost every mobile device on the market (even wearables) can do so. There are specific features that all mobile users should be aware of in terms of connectivity to ensure the best option on the market.

Consider the following questions:

• Can it connect to 4G? There are some smartphones on the market that can only connect to 3G or EDGE connectivity. • What is the maximum connection speed (Mbps)? The fastest data connection is up to 450Mbps, which is three times faster than phones from two years ago. • How many compatible mobile internet bands can it cater to? This will help you determine whether a particular phone can only connect to one internet provider or more. Some can connect to up to 25 bands. Mobile internet depends on the data cap provided by your mobile service provider. Digital company O2 said that Mobile plans have a variety of data allowances to > from 250 MB to 20 GB per month. It is ideal to choose the best mobile data plan according to your online usage.

Smartphone Software

At the end of the day, it will all come down to the type of operating system you want to use. Even Android smartphones come in different versions, and some of them cannot be updated to the latest OS version. To get the most out of your phone, get to know the built-in features of the OS (mPayment, NFC, productivity apps, etc.). Given the growing problem of cybercrime, it is ideal to choose a platform that offers the best security features. Second, is there any particular third-party app you want to use? Some apps are only limited to the App Store or Google Play Store and therefore should affect your decision on which platform to use. Finally, find out the operating system version and whether it will be compatible with the next system update. Every operating system has its own features and bugs to consider. The mobile features mentioned above are a must to ensure that you have a high-performing phone that is worth every penny you invest in it. Timing is everything when buying a smartphone. New phones are announced year after year, so today's new devices could be old news tomorrow. It is best to take your time and do your research before buying a smartphone, and if you think a more suitable one will be released in 6 months, wait and be patient.

Written exclusively for King of App by JTechnology