There's no denying that smartphones have become an integral part of our daily lives. Almost everyone owns a smartphone in this day and age, and why not?
Modern-day smartphones come with a whole lot of sophisticated features that help to make life easier for you and me.
Thanks to the Google maps app installed on my mobile device, I've been able to navigate my way to destinations I wouldn't have been able to reach without asking strangers – something I try as much to avoid.
Now that's one feature I find really cool on my smartphone device. But then, it isn't the most important of all smartphone features.
If you're on the verge of acquiring a new smartphone in 2020, here are five very important features to look out for before making that purchase.
1. Battery Life
You would agree with me that the battery life of a smartphone is one of those features that either makes or breaks it.
Even individuals who reside in countries where there's never power outage still prefer a phone with longer battery life – the reason for this isn’t far-fetched.
Don't just go for a mobile device because everyone uses it or because it's classy; you should rather choose a smartphone for its impressive battery spec.
A smartphone with a battery life of 4,000mAh and above is just ideal as it lets you do a whole lot before needing a charge – you could stream videos, listen to music, and surf the internet for long hours.
Most smartphones with great battery capacity take a lot of time to charge, be sure to go for one that also comes with a fast charge feature.
2. RAM
Don't know if you know this, but one of the reasons why some smartphones hang a lot is because of their limited RAM space.
The RAM is what lets you multitask conveniently on your mobile device without it malfunctioning. In a more basic sense, it enables you to run multiple apps simultaneously without slowing down the phone.
Maybe you're like me who's a social media addict – I’d have the Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and Snapchat apps on my phone running at the same time. All of these wouldn't have been possible if my phone didn't have a 6 GB RAM.
So, when shopping for your next smartphone in 2020, do well to go for a device with 6 GB of RAM or more.
3. Processor Speed
The processor of a smartphone is more like its brain or central hub. It's the part that receives and executes every command given to the mobile device.
The processor of a smartphone determines its speed to carry out commands.
I'm sure you've once handled a phone that's pretty slow. You press a button to make a call, and it takes seconds for the call to be initiated. You try to open an app, and it takes forever – all these are as a result of the phone's poor processor speed.
There are lots of great smartphones on the market, and it could be hard for you to make a choice, however, looking out for phones with powerful processors is an excellent place to start.
Experts suggest that when purchasing a smartphone in 2020, it's essential to go for a device with a processor clock speed ranging from 1.8 GHz to 2.2 GHz.
4. Camera
Except you don't ever take pictures, the camera quality and spec of a smartphone is a vital feature.
Several studies have shown that taking pictures is by far the most used feature in modern smartphones.
I know quite a lot of people who've shot their way to stardom from just smartphone photography (taking pictures with phone cameras).
With a great smartphone camera, you could take clear and crisp photos of yourself, friends, objects, events – just about anything and share with the world on social media.
If you're like most folks out there who use their smartphones as modern-day pocket cameras, make certain to purchase a phone with a high megapixel count for both the front and rear camera.
5. Design and Build Quality
Imagine buying a smartphone for $1000 or more, only to have it slip from your hand to the ground, and the screen and body shatters to pieces.
Awful, right?
This is one of the reasons why it's important to pay attention to the design and build quality of a smartphone you intend to purchase.
By design, I'm not just talking about something superficial; I'm talking about its ergonomics – it has to be grippy and not slippery.
Another factor to consider is its build. A smartphone built from inferior materials won't survive a fall, but a phone with a sturdy build would.
The smartphone I currently use has fallen to the ground on several occasions, but there's been no crack to the screen or body – this is as a result of the front and back Gorilla Glass it comes with.
Don't just buy for a smartphone in 2020 because it's popular or that it makes you feel sophisticated, do plenty of research before making that purchase. You’ll be mighty glad you did.