It was simply just a few years ago to purchase a new Android phone. Any smartphone you bought would be a significant upgrade over your current model because every new generation of smartphones included significant enhancements. The difference between the two generations of smartphones is smaller than ever, despite the impressive specifications of modern smartphones. As a result, choosing what to buy becomes more difficult. Seven features that your next Android phone should have to be future-proof are discussed in this article.
1. A Powerful Processor
Your phone’s capabilities will be limited without a powerful processor, also known as a chipset or SoC. How much you use the processor is significant. Using benchmarks like AnTuTu and Geekbench, you can evaluate a processor’s performance; however, remember that phones with the same chip may produce distinct benchmark scores.
For casual users, an AnTuTu score between 300K and 500K is pretty good. However, that might not be sufficient for gamers and power users. If that’s the case, you need a processor that can pull at least 700K. However, keep in mind that benchmark scores may not always be accurate, so treat those outcomes with caution.
2. Minimum RAM of 6GB
RAM is used for short-term memory, whereas ROM is your phone’s primary storage. It will be easier to multitask on your device with more RAM. This is useful because more apps can run in the background without being closed, saving you time by not having to load them from scratch each time you open them.
The amount of RAM that a phone can hold varies greatly. It can be as little as 2 GB on some entry-level gadgets and as large as 12 GB on the Galaxy S23 Ultra. 6GB of RAM is ideal for the average user. It makes it simple to perform multiple tasks simultaneously. At the same time, you can chat with friends, stream music, and browse the web.
3. A minimum of 128 GB of storage
32GB of internal storage was the norm just a few years ago. Some flagship devices offer storage capacities of up to 1 TB. However, neither is suitable for the average buyer.
Even though most people only need 128 GB of storage, if you plan to use your phone a lot, you should get 256 GB. Even better is if the phone you want has a slot for a MicroSD card. Since you can simply insert your existing SD card into your new phone, support for external storage is very helpful.
4. A display that refreshes at 120 Hz
The specifications of the display will differ based on your budget. A modern smartphone display should, nevertheless, have an FHD resolution, AMOLED colors, a 120Hz refresh rate, and a screen-to-body ratio of more than 85%. If the screen has a hole-punch camera cutout rather than a notch, you get brownie points. This ensures a clear viewing experience.
5. Battery with at least 5000 mAh and quick charging
For the most powerful Android smartphones, anything below a 5000mAh battery capacity is no longer competitive. After all, Samsung’s previous Galaxy M51 had a massive 7000mAh battery. However, keep in mind that software optimization has a significant impact on your phone’s actual battery life.
On the off chance that you look at the iPhone 14 Genius Max and Cosmic system S23 Ultra, for instance, you’ll find the previous’ 4323mAh cell gives generally a similar battery duration as the last’s 5000mAh cell.
Even though you can extend the life of your battery if necessary, having a fast charger with at least 25W will be very helpful. It’s a nice bonus if your phone also supports reverse wireless charging for charging wireless earbuds and other accessories.
6. A Camera System That Works Best
The use of smartphones for photography is becoming increasingly more computational. Hardware is still important, but not as much as it used to be. Nowadays, most phones have good camera hardware; however, the software makes the difference.
Some phones often overemphasize color and sharpness, while others go for a more natural look. Some create cinematic masterpieces but lack fun filters and features, while others are excellent at low-light photography but produce poor videos. It’s a mess.
The number of megapixels claimed by brands is not necessarily indicative of the camera’s actual quality. Instead, check these two additional specifications, which may provide a more accurate indication of the quality you will receive: the size of the aperture and sensor.
- Aperture: This controls how much light the focal point allows. The bigger the gap (confusingly displayed as a more modest f-number, as f1.8), the more extensive the focal point can open so it can allow more light in. This is particularly valuable for low-light photography and getting a characteristic bokeh impact.
- Sensor size: Light is captured and transformed into an image by an image sensor; the Size and resolution of images are directly affected. Although the size of the sensor isn’t always specified, a larger one is always preferable.
However, the only way to evaluate a phone’s camera quality is to test it yourself or read user reviews. An ultra-wide lens is a necessity in addition to the main camera. Telephoto and macro lenses are nice to have, but depending on your preferences, they may not be as important to you.
7. Additional Things to Look for
On modern phones, there are a few other things you should look for in addition to the specs.
- Gorilla Glass protection: It’s only a matter of time before you drop your phone and break the display by accident. It is recommended, if not better, that your phone has Gorilla Glass 5 protection to avoid this.
- Clean software: An uncluttered and unobtrusive software experience is ideal. There are primarily three options for this: stock Android, Samsung’s OneUI, and OnePlus’ OxygenOS, albeit OxygenOS is losing its appeal. If you can, try to steer clear of MIUI, ColorOS, and FuntouchOS.
- Water resistance: a requirement for the majority of high-end and high-quality mid-range devices. Although you won’t be able to swim with your phone because of its water resistance, you won’t be afraid to drop it in the sink or use it in the rain.
- Headphone jack: Headphone jacks are rapidly disappearing from all smartphones. But get it if you can find it. If you don’t have a jack, you’ll either have to deal with using a USB-C dongle or buy Bluetooth headphones that will soon become obsolete.
- NFC: NFC (Near Field Communication) is a great way to make secure wireless payments with a touch if you hate carrying cash.
Buy a phone that you will enjoy using
Smartphones are now better than ever in terms of performance, capabilities, design, and construction quality. No matter what price range you fall into, you will be able to find the ideal Android phone if you know what to look for.
