The Big Picture
Today's phones let you send and receive
email and text messages, surf the Web, and play music and videos. And there’s
no time like the present to buy a new one, whether it be the newest iPhone to
an Android super phone to a business friendly Windows Phone.
Before you hit the stores, however, do a
bit of research and read this guide so that you'll know exactly what to look
for. And when you do visit a store, perform some simple tests to ensure that
the handset has everything you need.
Samsung’s
Galaxy S III is speedy and has a large, high-res display.
The Specs Explained
Call quality: When evaluating phones, be sure to make a few test calls. In our
hands-on tests, we generally make some calls in a quiet room and several calls
in a noisy environment. You might not be able to replicate such tests indoors,
but try your best. Listen for static, tinny voices, or any interference. Ask
the people you call if they can hear a disruptive amount of background noise.
Design:
Choices range from phones with large touchscreens to slider-style handsets with
full-QWERTY keyboards. Whichever type of phone you select, check to see if it’s
comfortable to hold against your ear, if you can hear callers without constant
adjustment, if you can use it with one hand (or scrunching your neck and
shoulder), if it fits comfortably in your pocket or bag, and if it's durable
enough to handle some rough treatment. Consider investing in a case or display
protector, too, especially if you’re somewhat accident prone.
Operating system: The mobile operating system you choose will greatly affect the
capabilities of your phone. The most popular platforms are Google’s Android
(found on multiple devices), ¡OS (found only on iPhone models), BlackBerry OS
(found on BlackBerrys of various designs), and Microsoft’s Windows Phone 7.
Each has its advantages and disadvantages, so familiarize yourself with all of
the platforms before settling on one.
Display: If
you intend to do a lot of Web browsing or movie streaming, make sure that the
screen is big enough for you to take full advantage of the phone's features.
For surfing the Web or editing Office documents on your phone, a screen that
measures less than 3 inches diagonally will feel cramped.
Screen resolution: The higher the resolution, the better the screen will look an
important factor if you plan to watch videos or view photos on your phone.
AMOLED displays perform well in sunlight,
but they tend to make colors look oversaturated. qHD displays (whose resolution
is one-fourth of a full-HD 1080p frame and three-fourths of a 720p frame) do
well in video playback and games.
If your phone lets you adjust contrast and
brightness (including backlighting), you can make text and graphics more easily
viewable in well-lit places, and you can also save battery life in a pinch.
4G support and availability: The two main 4G technologies are WiMax and Long Term Evolution.
4G's faster download speeds improve streaming video significantly, and allow
features such as videoconferencing and network gaming.
If you decide to buy a 4G phone, first
confirm that your area has coverage.
Apple’s
iPhone 5 is faster and thinner than its predecessor.
Cameras: If
you expect to take a lot of photos with your phone, you’ll want to pay
attention to the camera specs. For mid-to high-level smartphones, 5 megapixels
is the standard. Some phones ship with 8- or 12-megapixel cameras, but a higher
megapixel count doesn't necessarily mean a better camera. Verify that the phone
camera you're interested in has a flash dual-LED or Xenon flashes work the
best. Otherwise, pictures you take indoors or at night will come out looking
like blurry messes. Try to take a few pictures in the store to get a good idea
of the camera's photo quality.
Most cell phone cameras have video capture
capabilities, and some high-end phones can capture high-definition 1080p video.
If video is your thing, make sure that the OS provides an easy way to upload
your videos to services such as Facebook or YouTube.
Many modern smartphones have front-facing
cameras. These are mostly good for making video calls; but some camera apps,
such as photo-booth apps, use the front-facing camera too.
Processor speed: Some phones use dual-core processors, but for most users such power
isn't necessary. Unless you’re doing a lot of app multitasking or playing games
with 3D graphics, you'll probably be fine with a 1GHz processor. Aside from the
processor speed, factors such as the version of software your phone is running
(Android 2.3 is faster than Android 2.2, for instance) and the speed of your
network contribute to speedy, fluid phone performance.
Battery life: There’s no easy way to predict how long a phone’s battery will
last. In our Labs tests and our hands-on evaluations, 4G phones have a
shorter battery life than 3G phones do. Ultimately, however, it all depends on
how much you use your phone. You can download battery-management apps or task
killers that may alleviate some of the drainage. You can also buy a case with a
built-in wireless charger, or carry around an extra battery for your phone.
Nokia’s
Lumia 900 is a Windows 7 phone with style and substance.
Buying Tips
Comparison-shop at a third-party retailer:
You can purchase a new phone directly from a carrier store; but if you're not
sure what to buy, we recommend going to a third-party retailer. Best Buy,
RadioShack, Target, and even Walmart sell phones, as well as carrier plans. A
big advantage of buying a phone or a tablet from a third-party seller is that
you have dozens of phones from multiple carriers at your disposal. If your
contract has expired and you’re trying to choose between the iPhone 5, a
particular Android phone, and a particular Windows Phone, for instance, you
might not be able to test them side by side at a carrier store, if they
happened to be available only on different networks.
Don’t give phones as surprise gifts: If you’re considering buying a phone as a gift, consult with the
recipient before you go shopping. Although it will ruin the surprise, you
should probably bring the recipient along on your shopping trip, too. We
recommend getting as much hands-on time as possible with multiple phones before
settling on one.
Cut to the chase: When dealing with store representatives, ask them to be as
straightforward as possible. Tell them exactly what you're looking for, and
describe the kind of phone or plan that meets your requirements. If you’re
completely unsure, ask the reps what phone they use, or which phones impressed
them this year. Don’t let them launch into a sales spiel, or you'll spend way
too much time in the store. But remember, they’re human beings, and they're
working during the holiday rush; so be courteous, and you'll receive the same
treatment in return.
