Choosing the best smartphone in 2024 can be an exciting yet daunting task, given the tons of options available in market. As technology continues to evolve rapidly, smartphones have become one of the essential of life.
From performance and battery life to camera quality and software experience, understanding your priorities and needs will guide you toward the perfect smartphone. Here’s a complete guide to help you navigate the key aspects to consider when selecting the best smartphone for you in 2024.
Prioritize your Needs when Selecting a Smartphone
Before buying a smartphone in 2024, it’s crucial to understand your priorities. Consider what you’ll primarily use the device for: Are you looking for a smartphone to consume more media, one with the best camera quality, a device tailored for gaming or a smartphone meant for day-to-day use.
Identifying your needs will also help you choose the best smartphone that aligns with your lifestyle and preferences.
Important Factors to Consider while Choosing a Smartphone in 2024
Mentioned below are some of the key features you should keep in mind while choosing a smartphone.
Performance, Chipset and Hardware:
When choosing a smartphone, start by considering its performance, chipset, and hardware. Focusing on these features will help you select a device that delivers smooth performance and will remain
reliable over time.
Ram and Storage Combination:
Before buying a smartphone, always make sure to check the RAM and storage combination. To enjoy smooth performance, opt for a device with at least 6 GB of RAM and 128 GB of storage.
Types of Storage in Android Smartphones: eMMC vs. UFS
When choosing an Android smartphone, it’s important to understand the two main types of internal storage technologies:
| eMMC (Embedded MultiMediaCard) | UFS (Universal Flash Storage) |
| Speed: eMMC storage is generally slower compared to UFS. | Speed: UFS storage is significantly faster than eMMC, offering quicker data transfer rates. |
| Usage: Often found in budget and mid-range smartphones. | Usage: Commonly used in flagship and high-performance smartphones. |
| Performance: Suitable for basic tasks but may struggle with high-end applications and multitasking. | Performance: Provides a smoother experience for intensive tasks like gaming, video editing, and heavy multitasking. |
| Cost: More affordable, which helps keep the overall cost of the device lower. | Cost: More expensive, but justifies the price with enhanced performance and efficiency |
Display Quality
The display of a smartphone should be a top priority, as it significantly impacts your overall experience. Since most of your interactions with the device involve the display, choosing one with high resolution, vibrant colors, and good brightness levels is essential for an enjoyable user experience.
Types of Smartphone Displays
AMOLED Panel: Offers vibrant colors and deep blacks by lighting up individual pixels, leading to better contrast and energy efficiency.
OLED Panel: Similar to AMOLED, but often used in higher-end devices, providing excellent color accuracy and viewing angles with individually lit pixels.
IPS Panel: Known for accurate color reproduction and wide viewing angles, but less contrast and energy efficiency compared to OLED and AMOLED displays.
Right Display Resolution
For a low-budget, day-to-day smartphone, a 720p resolution is acceptable. However, if you’re buying a smartphone priced above 25K, you should opt for an HD display to ensure a better visual experience.
Camera Quality Beyond Megapixels
When buying a smartphone in 2024, don’t ignore the camera quality. While 50MP, 108MP, and even 200MP cameras are common, don’t be swayed by the number of pixels alone. Instead, focus on the smartphone’s post-processing capabilities for better overall photo quality.
Battery and Fast Charging
When choosing a smartphone, pay attention to the battery and fast charging combination. For a low-budget mobile phone, a 5000 mAh battery paired with 33-watt fast charging is ideal for longer usage and quicker recharge times.
Software Experience and User Interface
If you are switching from one brand’s UI to another, such as from an international brand to a local one or vice versa, take the time to research online, read reviews, and watch videos before making a purchase. There can be significant differences in the overall UI experience between smartphones from different brands.
Software Updates
Ensure the smartphone offers at least 2 years of software updates for a secure and up-to-date experience.
Network Connectivity
Check for network connectivity when buying a smartphone. Prefer models offering connectivity above 4G. While 5G is not currently available in Pakistan, investing in a 5G-capable smartphone is wise if you have a high budget, as it will future-proof your device for when 5G is introduced.
Brand and Resale Value
When buying a smartphone, consider the brand and its resale value to make future resale easier. For local brands like VGO Tel, Sparx, Code, and itel, it’s best to buy models priced under 30K. If your budget is between 45-50K, opt for Techno or Infinix for better resale value. For a budget of around 100K, Samsung, Realme, Redmi, OPPO, and Vivo offer superior quality and higher resale value.
Mistakes to Avoid When Buying a Smartphone in 2024
Following are some of the points you should keep in mind while purchasing a smartphone in 2024.
Avoid Brand Loyalty: Focus on Value and Expectations
Don’t be a brand loyalist when buying a smartphone. Instead, focus on the value the smartphone provides and whether it meets your expectations.
Avoid Impulse Buying: Wait for Trusted Reviews Before Purchasing a Smartphone
Don’t impulse buy a smartphone just by watching an unboxing video on launch day, as many of these are paid reviews. Instead, wait for a proper review from a trusted mobile tech reviewer. This will ensure you make an informed decision based on unbiased opinions and thorough testing.
Wait for Price Drops and Honest Reviews Before Buying a Smartphone
Rather than buying your preferred smartphone on the release date, wait for a week or two for the price to drop. During this time, you can also watch thorough reviews to see how smoothly the smartphone works and whether it meets your expectations. This approach ensures you get the best value for your money.
Conclusion
Choosing a smartphone wisely in 2024 requires careful consideration of your specific needs and budget. Identify essential features like camera quality, battery life, and processing power. Avoid impulsive purchases; instead, wait for thorough reviews and potential price drops post-launch. Compare different models and check for long-term software support and warranty. By taking these steps, you can ensure you select a smartphone that meets your requirements and offers great value.