WHAT WE LEARNED ABOUT SMARTPHONES (RECAP)

Our best Smartphone round-up includes only the very best mobile phones right now. If you're looking for a new phone then it's coming soon.....

 

In our latest update I'am going to add a range of excellent phones, including the Moto X Style and the latest iPhones. The Nexus 6P has also to be added, which is just as well as it's arguably the best Android phone ever made.





I've removed a few phones, too, including the Galaxy Note 4. While it's still a great phone and one of the best phablets you can buy, it's not quite up there with the very best phones overall anymore.

Best Smartphone Buying Guide

Not sure where to start in your quest for a new phone? Whether you're seasoned buyer or are looking to buy your first smartphone, here are a few pointers to help you get started.

How much should you spend on a new smartphone?

 (comment down below so that i could make a new blog on that price range)

While flagships seem to be getting more expensive by the year, laying your hands on a good smartphone is actually cheaper than ever. By all means splash the cash on a show-stopper like the iPhone 6S or LG G4 if you want to, but bear in mind that some crackers like the the 4G-enabled Motorola Moto E (2015) cost a fraction of the price and are brilliant phones in their own right.

It's also worth considering last year's top phones. The LG G3 – TrustedReviews Phone of the Year in 2014 – is now available for much less and it better than many new mid-range phones. It’s still just as good now as it was last year, so it’s a great way to get top-end features at a lower price. 

Don’t assume you have to spend big on the latest and greatest unless you really want to.

What size smartphone should you buy?(comment)

 

Large-screened mobiles are very much in demand these days, with even Apple embracing phablet fever. Phones measuring in at 5.5 inches and above can be considered as such, and are usually blessed with excellent displays that are great for watching videos and playing games on.

Anything between 4.5 and 5.1 inches is more practical for fingers and pockets, while still good for browsing the web, gaming and more. 4-inch smartphones, meanwhile, are ideal for children and users who aren’t fussed about games and videos. If you're unsure what's best for then a 5-inch is a good size for most people.

Other things to consider

 

You might consider extra features to be like the sprinkles on top of a cake, but they’re far more important than that. 

 Things like microSD card slots, NFC, fingerprint scanners and water-resistance can dramatically affect the overall user experience of a smartphone.

Of all those, fingerprint scanners and NFC are quickly becoming must-have features. Not only does the former add extra security to your phone, the two combined open up the potential for contactless payments. Believe me when I say paying with your phone using your fingerprint is very cool.

Android vs iPhone vs Windows: Which is best?(rate it down. just type A or i or W)

The smartphone world is notoriously divisive, with Apple-worshipping ‘fanboys’ on one end of the spectrum and 

Android-obsessed ‘phandroids’ on the other. The smaller Windows Phone OS has similarly militant supporters who don’t yet have a collective name, and you should ignore all of them.

I’ve explained the main advantages and disadvantages of each of the three main mobile operating systems below.

Buy an Android smartphone if you want a wide range of options (I think you will after reading this)

The Android operating system offers a better balance of variety and affordability than its rivals, due to the sheer diversity of Android smartphone manufacturers. There's a phone to suit any desire or budget and even the flagship ones are often much cheaper than iPhone rivals.
 
 In Google Play, Android has the largest selection of apps and games too, but there’s a lot of rubbish mixed in with the good stuff. 

Overall, it’s a great operating system and it’s certainly the best option if you’d rather not spend big money on a shiny new smartphone.

Buy an iPhone if you value simplicity

iPhones are some of the most expensive smartphones you can buy, and the last-generation iPhone 6 will still set you back a fair amount SIM-free. However, design is always on-point, the apps are great and they're very easy to use.

Apple’s App Store isn’t quite as populated as Google Play, but its restrictions are tighter, meaning that the overall quality of iOS games and apps is higher than what you’ll find on Android.

It’s also a great option if you own other Apple gadgets, like MacBooks and iPads, as the tightly integrated services make life easy.

(Recommended) Don't buy Windows Phone at the moment

Now is an odd time for Windows Phone. Microsoft is soon to launch Windows 10 Mobile and new phones to go with it. 

While some Windows Phones will get the update, not all of them will. It's also been a long time since we saw any really good new Windows Phones, which is why there aren't any in this list.

This could change in the near future once the new phones arrive, but if you're considering buying one we'd recommend waiting to see how the new phones compare to the iPhones and Android phones in this list.



Let me know what you think; anything missing? tell me for next time. add on G+, follow on twitter