Currently, three platforms are leading the market: Android, iOS (iPhone) and Windows Phone; they are preferred by the majority of buyers. BlackBerry is trying its best to compete with the other three operating systems, but so far in vain. Let's briefly look at the strengths and weaknesses of each OS.

Android

Google's OS is one of the most popular platforms for smartphones. Compared to iOS and Windows Phone, there is a much wider range of devices on this platform from a number of manufacturers (Samsung, HTC, LG, Motorola, ZTE, etc.). Android is more open system, meaning it's easier for smartphone makers to innovate on Google's software. That's why the Samsung Galaxy S4 or Note 3, for example, can have two apps open on the screen at once, and the Moto X can be controlled by voice without having to touch the phone. You can buy the smartphone from the article on RBT.ru.

The Google Play store has more than 1 million applications, which means you can find almost everything you want, but Apple's App Store tends to be the first to receive hot apps and games. We love Android's flexibility and customizability, but some interfaces can be cluttered and easy to get lost in.

IOS/iPhone

IOS 7 has included significant improvements from Apple. The appearance has become even neater, multitasking has improved, and a new Control Center has appeared for quick settings. Some aspects of the update are confusing, such as the Notification Center being split into three separate tabs, but overall, iOS remains the most intuitive smartphone platform. Apple also leads the way in having a diverse selection of high-quality apps and games (though Android is closing the gap). The Siri voice assistant has improved and the emergence of the new iTunes Radio music service is a definite plus.

Windows Phone

More and more people are paying attention to Microsoft's OS, mainly thanks to Nokia Lumia phones. The platform features a dynamic interface with “live tiles” that display updates. These tiles are easily customizable, you can choose from three sizes, move them, add and remove them. Other benefits of Xbox include games, videos and music, and integrated Microsoft Office Outlook. The number of applications in the Windows Phone store recently exceeded 200,000, including applications for Instagram. But Microsoft's platform still has about one-fifth of the software available for Android and iOS.

2. Choosing the size of the smartphone: phablet or non-phablet?

The demand for phones with large screens is growing. The share of smartphones with displays of 5 inches and larger, the so-called phablets (English phablet from PHone + tABLET - a marketing term denoting a class of mobile devices with a touch screen diagonal from 5 to 7 inches), currently accounts for about a quarter of all smart devices sold telephones." Although the iPhone 5S with a 4-inch screen became the best-selling smartphone in the United States. The smaller display contributes to a more compact design. If you want something big, choose from Android or Windows Phone models.

The 5.7-inch Samsung Galaxy Note 3 provides a large surface area for viewing photos, movies and games. The trade-off is that it's not that easy to hold with one hand. Phones with even larger displays, such as the HTC One Max (5.9 inches) and Nokia Lumia 1520 (6 inches), tend to be heavier and won't fit into every pocket. But there are people who are willing to put up with a larger size, especially those who do not want to carry a tablet with them as well.

3. Pay attention to these characteristics

CPU

The phone's processor is the brain of the device and its speed will allow you to open applications without delay, play games smoothly and even edit videos. The modern chip for Android and Windows Phones smartphones is Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 (soon 805). This processor powers fast multitasking and powerful graphics in devices like the Galaxy Note 3 and Lumia 1520.

The Snapdragon 600 (in the HTC One) and S4 Pro (in the Moto X) are also very capable. Less expensive phones use the Snapdragon 400 processor, which is powerful enough for everyday tasks but not designed for more active activities. For example, the Galaxy S4 Mini with this processor took 7 minutes and 19 seconds to transcode a 1080p video, compared to 5 minutes and 15 seconds for the Snapdragon 800 that powers the Galaxy Note 3.

Apple's 64-bit A7 chip powering the iPhone 5s offers nearly twice the performance and graphics performance of the previous A6 chip (in the iPhone 5c). This is just one reason why it's worth investing in more expensive Apple devices.

RAM / Random Access Memory

The amount of RAM significantly affects the performance of a smartphone. Modern flagship devices offer between 2 and 3 GB of RAM, while the lower limit for mid-range phones hovers around 1-1.5 GB. If you want to quickly load applications and quickly switch between them, then the more RAM, the better.

Screen

Screen brightness.

Screen size definitely matters, but so do brightness, sharpness, color, and viewing angles. Currently, the sharpest screens for smartphones are 1080p (1920 x 1080 pixels). However, there are 720p (1280 x 720 pixels) displays, such as those on the Moto X, which offer excellent image quality. To evaluate viewing angles, we recommend holding the smartphone in your hand and seeing how faded and blurred the image is when tilting the device.

You may also want to consider this: AMOLED screens (common to many Samsung phones) tend to produce very rich and saturated colors, while LCD displays generally offer more realistic hues. It all comes down to personal preference here.

Built-in memory capacity and its expansion

Considering that you will store everything on your smartphone - from photos and music to videos and applications - you should choose as much memory as possible. Although 16GB is a fairly standard capacity, 32GB of memory is the most preferable choice. For example, an iPhone 5S with 32GB memory costs about $300. There are also more affordable options, including HTC One with 32 GB, its price starts from about 200 USD.

Also, to increase the amount of memory, you can choose a device that has a slot for MicroSD cards, for example, Samsung Galaxy S4, Note 3 and Mega.

4. Smartphone camera (don’t pay too much attention to the number of megapixels)

The fight for megapixels is over, but there are still a handful of smartphones whose cameras have a resolution of 20MP or higher. However, it should be understood that the quality of the image sensor itself is more important. For example, the iPhone 5S was equipped with an 8MP camera, but a new sensor with larger pixels allows you to create clearer images.

Camera functions

Look for features in your camera that you actually plan to use. The Galaxy S4 and Note 3 have a Sports mode and a great Eraser feature that lets you remove unwanted objects from your images. Nokia Lumia 1020 offers semi-professional-grade manual controls to help you get the best shots in any shooting conditions. Optical image stabilization, which reduces blur, can be found in the LG G2 and Lumia 1020.

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Phone prices

All mobile phones are divided into two main categories: classic phones and smartphones.

The main distinguishing feature of classic phones is their modest functionality. Although among this type there are quite advanced models, and some “non-telephone” functions such as a music player, camera or Internet access have long been the order of the day - in general, classic phones are the simplest and, as a result, inexpensive type of “mobile phone”. They are worth paying attention to if a mobile device is required primarily as a communication device, and additional capabilities are not critical.

Smartphones are advanced portable devices with extensive capabilities. Their main difference from classic phones is the presence of a full-fledged operating system (similar to those used in computers). Thanks to the OS, you can install various games and specialized applications on the device, of which there are a great many. Indispensable attributes of modern smartphones are a Wi-Fi module and a GPS navigator, and the hardware “filling” can be built on dual-core and even quad-core processors. In fact, smartphones combine the capabilities of a telephone, a laptop computer, and in many cases, a full-fledged digital camera. Thanks to this, they will be useful to those who would like to combine compactness and wide functionality in one device.

Also, when choosing a mobile device (both classic and smartphone), it is useful to know the following:
- There are many phones that allow you to use two SIM cards (and sometimes more) in one device. Those who have to constantly use several numbers may want to pay attention to this model: it is much more convenient to use than two devices for separate SIM cards, and it can also be much cheaper.
- For people who often have to stay in extreme conditions (tourists, rescuers, military, etc.), phones are produced in special protected cases that protect the contents from dust, moisture and/or falls. The degree of protection can be different, which allows you to choose the device that is optimal in terms of price and security.
- For lovers of text communication and web surfing, we can recommend phones with full-size QWERTY keyboards or keyboardless models with large touch screens - they are much more convenient for typing text than on a classic numeric keypad.
- Manufacturers have not forgotten such a category of the population as the elderly. Specialized phone models are produced for them: with large buttons, bright and clear screens and a simple interface, and in some models even with a separate emergency key.

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How to choose a mobile phone

The first mobile phones to hit the mobile market in the early 90s were bulky and heavy devices with low battery capacity and very little internal memory.

(The first tube had the following dimensions - 25 cm (height), 12 cm (width) and 5 cm (thickness). Its weight was about one kilogram). Since then the situation has changed dramatically. Today's mobile phones are distinguished not only by their weightlessness and compactness, but also by the presence of a huge variety of functions and programs. Many are equipped with a camera, music player, GPS and PDA functions. They allow you to download games, programs, ringtones and colorful background images for your desktop from the Internet and other sources. It’s hard to call them simply “mobile phones” - they are more like “mobile offices”.

Given the variety of features, form factors and sizes, as well as the intense competition between mobile phone manufacturers, which results in more and more new models appearing every year, choosing the right phone is not an easy task.

Top models of devices from different series can cope with almost any task. But which of the offered functions will you really need? Some devices stand out from the rest due to the presence of a high-resolution camera with optical zoom; When you open others, a stunning keyboard appears before your eyes, which will allow you to check for incoming emails, type and send an e-mail to your friend, and even go online and surf the net. Who doesn't want to have such an all-powerful device in their pocket?

Perhaps the most important thing to consider when buying a phone, oddly enough, is your lifestyle and style.

We hope that this article will help you make the right decision and buy exactly the device that was created specifically for you.

So, the main criteria to follow when choosing a phone are:

• Trademark
• Functionality
• Communication standard
• Display quality
• Battery type
• Phone talk time
• Standby time
• Design and form factor
• Size and weight of the device
• Ergonomics
• Internet and communications with other devices
• Memory
• Accessories
• Warranty service

Trademark

Some brands, such as Nokia, Sony Ericsson and Motorola, are more popular than others. Some users are fans of one particular manufacturer, which has proven itself well in the market, time-tested, and which they trust the most, because they have a strong opinion that it provides the most advanced technology and the best repair and maintenance service. Although in some cases users may be mistaken. Other consumers are not afraid to take risks; everything new arouses their deep interest, so they are ready to pay money for a product from even the most little-known manufacturer. In addition, different models are aimed at different types of people and age categories. An example is the Ericsson A2618 phone, designed for teenagers. Its distinctive feature is its bright, colorful colors and cartoon animation. And models such as the T28, Motorola V8088, Nokia 8850 and 8210 are aimed at young people and the working class due to their functions and aesthetic content. Functionality also varies from one brand to another.

Inexpensive phones: Typically larger and heavier, with minimal features, although overall performance is not much different from more expensive phones.

Mid-priced phones: smaller and lighter, with a fairly capacious battery, basic functions Expensive phones: equipped with the latest, most modern technologies and functions, they are the most compact and attractive.

Before purchasing a phone, the user should decide for what purposes he will use it. Apart from smartphones, all regular phones can be divided into basic and advanced ones. If you use a mobile phone only for talking and sending SMS messages, then you can limit yourself to the basic model. All of them, as a rule, have a fairly simple keyboard and simple controls, and many of them are even equipped with a simple camera and Bluetooth wireless data transfer technology.

To access high-speed Internet (such as EVDO from Verizon, Alltel and Sprint) and if you want to enjoy high-quality music and video viewing, you may want to consider a higher-end phone. Additional features may include a camera with a matrix of several megapixels, a memory card for storing music and photos, options for setting ringtones for incoming calls, games and other services. Some of these phones can be connected directly to a printer to print photos.

Functionality

As we mentioned above, when choosing a phone, your lifestyle plays an important role. What position do you hold at work? Maybe you have to keep up with many meetings and perform different tasks? Do you spend a lot of time outside the office? If yes, then buying a phone with PDA functions will really make your life easier. You don’t have to carry a lot of different devices with you; you can mark some important events by adding a corresponding note to your phone’s calendar and even set an alarm so that your phone reminds you of this event at the appointed time. On the other hand, if your work does not involve the need to clearly plan your working day, most likely, in this case you will not need the functions of a PDA, but you will need a camera. You can capture your kids in their funniest moments and instantly send them to your friends and family. For most teenagers, the phone serves not only the most basic functions, such as making a call, but, first and foremost, as an entertainment device. They cannot do without radio, MP3 functions and games, which are the most important criteria for them when choosing a phone.

If you need any specific functions, do not forget to check whether they are provided in the phone. For example, see if the device is equipped with a handsfree headset with a microphone, which will allow you to talk while driving a car. What about the speed dial feature by pressing one specially programmed key? The ability to automatically mute the radio for the duration of an incoming call will allow you not to fuss in vain and save you from unnecessary keystrokes; The answering machine will pick up the phone for you after two rings. What about voice mail, etc.

If you often need a calculator, but you don’t want to buy it separately and carry it with you everywhere, then the best option would be to purchase a phone with a built-in calculator. Busier but more distracted users will benefit from a phone with a convenient, well-designed organizer that includes apps such as a calendar, various alarm clocks, and apps for taking notes about events that the phone will remind you of at a set time. If you need some more advanced features, you should consider purchasing a PDA, but, in general, a mobile phone may be enough to organize and schedule your workday minute by minute.

Most operators provide subscribers with the same services, such as voice mail, caller id, call hold and call forwarding.

When buying a phone, it is important to decide which options you will need and find out whether they are provided in the phone. Possible features and applications may include:

• Alarm
• Calculator
• Timer
• Stopwatch
• Dictaphone
• Unit converter
• Calendar/add notes with reminder alarm
• SMS/MMS message editor
• Music/video player
• Image editor and music editor to create your own melodies
• Ability to download melodies and set them as a call signal
• Camera
• Application for viewing pictures
• GPS navigator
• Programs for working with Microsoft Office files
• Availability of handsfree option
• Wireless Internet
• Voice mail
• Modem
• Synchronizing your phone with your computer
• Ability to set individual ringtones for incoming calls
• Log of incoming call numbers
• Automatic dialing
• Redial the last number dialed
• Phone mute button
• External volume control keys
• Call hold button
• Speed ​​dialing
• Voice control and voice dialing
• Vibrate mode
• Keypad lock
• Protect your phone with a password
• Call forwarding
• Group call
• Speakerphone

Communication standard

In terms of the communication methods used, cellular systems are digital: (for example, the GSM, CDMA standard), analog (for example, the NMT, AMPS, TACS (ETACS) or NTT standards) and PCS.

Each phone is compatible with certain communication standards. Therefore, if you have already decided on the choice of operator and tariff that you will use, you need to choose the appropriate phone that supports all the necessary standards and technologies.

Analog cellular standard: It is the earliest and outdated. The signal is received in the same way as a signal from a regular radio station (each subscriber has a separate radio channel at his disposal for conversation). Sound quality is generally poorer than digital cellular or PCS (currently only available in the US) and telephone conversations can be easily overheard by tuning into the appropriate radio wave. However, this standard has the advantage of a wide network coverage area, especially outside the city.

Digital cellular standard: Digital phone software processes and converts digital messages into text and sound. This technology outperforms its predecessor in terms of sound quality and confidentiality of conversations; in addition, the digital communication standard has advanced data transfer capabilities, including voicemail and caller ID service. In addition, phones that support this standard are lighter in weight and have a longer operating time compared to their analog counterparts.

Most carriers use one of two standards: CDMA (Alltel, Sprint and Verizon) or GSM (AT&T and T-Mobile). The set of available functions and capabilities and even the performance and speed of the device will depend on which standard is supported by the phone.

For example, phones that support GSM networks provide longer talk time on a single battery charge, usually 5 hours or longer. This is quite high compared to 3 hours for CDMA phones. Another advantage of GSM phones is that the SIM card used in such devices can be removed and installed on another phone. But, for example, a T-Mobile-enabled phone's SIM card is not compatible with AT&T devices.

In addition, GSM phones can work in almost all corners of the world, unlike CDMA models.

On the other hand, the data transfer speed using CDMA technology is much faster than GSM. Therefore, a much larger number of services and entertainment becomes available to the user.

Digital PCS technology(personal communication services) differs from traditional digital communication in the frequency range in which the telephone is capable of operating (1900 MHz). As a result, Internet bandwidth and data transfer capabilities are significantly better compared to digital phones. PCS technologies include CDMA, TDMA and GSM.

If you live in the city, your phone will not have any problems with the network signal. But if you travel a lot or live outside the city, then it is best for you to purchase a dual-standard phone. It works on two different networks at the same time and allows you to receive calls coming from either network. Tri-standard phones can operate on different frequencies of the same network, or on multiple networks.

Most displays tend to excel in low-light conditions, but once the screen is exposed to direct sunlight, it becomes nearly impossible to see what's on the screen in most cases. Therefore, when purchasing a phone, we recommend that you check how the display will behave in bright lighting conditions. It’s also worth finding out whether the battery charge level and signal reception indicators are clearly visible.

An important role is played by the size of the display and its resolution. The higher the resolution, the more information can fit on the screen, the better the image looks.

If the screen is quite large and the resolution is low, then the image will be grainy, that is, the grains of which it consists will be visible.

The main types of permissions include the following:

• 128x128
• 128x160
• 176x208
• 176x220
• QVGA - 320x240
• 352x416
• VGA - 640X480
• SVGA - 800x600
• XGA - 1024x768
• SXGA - 1280x1024
• SXGA+ - 1400x1050
• UXGA - 1600x1200
• QXGA - 2048x1536, etc.

The resolution of modern mobile phone displays ranges from 128x128 to 640x480 pixels. The best choice may be a phone or communicator with an LCD display (or LCD display) of QVGA or VGA resolution with a TFT matrix.

As for pixel sizes, they can be square (for example, in 640x480, 800x600 and 1024x768 modes) or vertically elongated (in 320x200 pixel resolution). The ratio of the width of a square pixel to its height is 1:1 or 1. And in the 320x200 pixels mode, the pixels are elongated vertically and the proportion of their width to height is 1.21:1 (or 0.82).

As a result, when you transfer an image created in 320x200 mode to a 640x480 screen, it will appear slightly squished because the pixels are 20% shorter. Therefore, it is advisable to copy pictures into your phone in a format that matches the phone screen resolution.

Battery type

Most people using a cell phone? More than once during a conversation they found themselves in a situation where their interlocutor reported: “My battery is about to run out.” Cell phone batteries can fail the user because they can die at the most inopportune moment.

Different types of batteries are suitable for different types of phones. Obviously, the best cell phone battery is one that charges quickly and stores energy for a long period of time.

There are three main types of batteries:

• nickel-cadmium (NiCad)
• nickel metal hydride (NiMH)
• lithium-ion (Li-Ion)
• lithium polymer (Li-Pol).

NiCad- This technology is the most outdated and imperfect. The main problem with batteries created on the basis of this technology is the so-called “memory effect” (associated with a noticeable decrease in the actual capacity of the battery). It appears if the user often charges the battery without waiting for it to be completely discharged. In addition, such a battery should not be allowed to remain in the charger for a long time, nor should it be overheated or overcooled, otherwise its wear will increase significantly.

NiMH- Batteries of this type are less susceptible to memory effect than nickel-cadmium batteries, their operating time is much longer.

Li-Ion- Lithium-ion batteries have replaced nickel-based batteries; they are much more capacious and lighter in weight, and are also free from memory effect. They can be charged at any time and kept in the charger as long as you like. The charger for lithium-ion batteries automatically turns off after charging is completed, since this type of battery cannot be recharged. Their only disadvantage is their high cost.

Li-Pol- Appeared on the market relatively recently. The memory effect does not affect them. They are significantly superior to nickel batteries. For example, with their same weight, the energy capacity of a lithium-polymer battery is 4-5 times higher than NiCad, 3-4 times higher than NiMH. But like other types of batteries, lithium-polymer batteries are subject to wear; over 2 years of operation, their energy capacity decreases by 20%.

When purchasing a phone, be sure to check how long it takes to charge the battery and whether fast charging is available. But in some cases (especially if the phone is very compact), the battery may be built into the device. This also needs to be taken into account when purchasing.

Talk time

When choosing a phone, you need to clarify how long the phone can work in standby mode (turned on, but not in use) after the battery is fully charged, and after how long the battery will have to be recharged again when using the phone in talk mode. If the battery runs out, the phone simply turns off. You can turn it on only after you put it on charge again. Talk time is the period of time during which the battery can provide energy to the phone when using it in talk mode. If you often make phone calls and talk on the phone for a long time, then we recommend that you choose a phone that can last longer in talk mode.

Range: 60-600 minutes

Standby time

When purchasing a phone, it is important to consider how long the battery can power the phone if it is turned on but in an inactive state. The higher this indicator, the less often you will have to recharge the battery. This is very useful if you travel a lot.

Range: 1.5 - 484 hours

Design and form factor

Nowadays, not only adults, but also most teenagers use mobile phones. Moreover, for teenagers, a telephone is important not only as a device that can be used to make calls, but also as part of their image. The market offers a huge variety of styles and colors and even removable panels. Therefore, those who care about their style and those for whom the phone is important as an ornament can choose a device that will match their clothes and combine with their overall style.

As for the design of the phone, until recently they were produced in three form factors: candybars, clamshells and sliders. But the competition in the mobile phone market today is so great that different manufacturers are trying to surprise and attract the user with something unusual. As a result, models of unusual shapes appear: “rotate”, double-sided sliders and even transformable clamshells.

Size and weight

Things to consider: The size and weight of the device are quite important parameters, since most users carry the phone with them. If you have a fairly large device, it is good if the phone comes with appropriate accessories to make it easier to transport.

Recently, phones with thin bodies have begun to appear on the market. The thickness of some of them does not exceed 9 mm. An example of such devices are the new U series (ultra-thin) phones from Samsung.

Range: 55-394 g

Ergonomics

In a cell phone store, check whether it is comfortable for you to type text with one hand. Make a test call to someone you know and see how the menu works. We found phones with touch controls much less convenient than those with regular buttons. An annoying obstacle when working with your phone can be buttons that are too small, have a stiff action, buttons of an unusual shape, or a keyboard with an unusual arrangement of keys.

Internet and communications with other devices

Some high-end mobile phones provide basic Internet access and a WEB browser, as well as the ability to receive and send email. And although the capabilities provided pale in comparison to those provided when working on a computer, you can still send and receive email messages and find the information you need on websites.

To access the Internet, phones operating on GSM networks most often use EDGE (Enhanced Data Rates for GSM Evolution) technology. The maximum data transfer rate using EDGE is about 236Kb/s, which is considered quite slow according to 3rd generation network standards. For this reason, EDGE is considered a 2.5 generation network technology.

In addition to EDGE, GSM networks also sometimes use UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System) technology to transmit data at speeds of up to 3.6MB/s. To achieve higher transfer speeds, you must have a newer phone that supports the HDSPA (High-Speed ​​Downlink Packet Access) protocol. But, unfortunately, UMTS is not yet very widespread. Communication with other devices is ensured by the presence of an infrared port, Bluetooth wireless data transfer technology, a slot for memory cards and a connector for connecting a USB cable to the phone.

The amount of information (pictures, music) that you can save in the phone will depend on how much internal memory is provided in the phone. Although in phones with a basic set of functions, this feature is not so important. You can expand the memory only in those phones that are equipped with a special slot. When choosing a phone on the market, ask the seller what cards with the maximum capacity are supported by the device. Their volume today can range from 128 MB to 4 GB and above.

Accessories

In addition to the standard contents of the package in the form of a battery and charger, it is also important to find out what other accessories are included with the phone. Maybe the manufacturer took care of a spare battery? What about headphones and a phone case? What about the desktop charger, antenna, neck strap, cables, etc.?

Protective covers

Date USB cables

Battery

Car enthusiasts can purchase a car charger for their cell phone at any mobile phone store.

Car charger

Many mobile phones allow you to talk without holding the phone to your ear. To do this, some devices are equipped with a special headset equipped with a microphone and speaker, which must be connected to the device. And in some cases, the phone is connected to the audio system of your car, which allows you to hear the voice of your interlocutor through the car speakers, while you yourself must speak into the microphone.

Headset (hands free)

If your phone supports the Bluetooth A2DP profile, then you can purchase a wireless Bluetooth headset for more comfortable conversations and listening to music.

Bluetooth headset

If your phone supports memory cards, be sure to ask the seller if the card is included. And if the package is missing something that you would like to purchase along with the phone, find out if they are available for sale, in which case you can purchase them separately at any time.

In addition to the above, stocking compatible (non-standard) cell phone accessories in stores will help you save money because they tend to be cheaper. Although many users still believe in the myth that the quality of headphones from other manufacturers is worse than the quality of their own. This does not always turn out to be true, but even if this is so, many buyers will not be scared by this; for them, the pleasure of choosing, albeit a very cheap, but unique product that is not available from the manufacturer itself, is more important.

Warranty service

What to do if your mobile phone is broken? Where and how can I fix it? How long will it take for the service center to fix the problem, and what will it offer in exchange for this period? It will be better if you get answers to all these questions before you buy the phone, and not when it is already broken.

Among other things, we advise you to visit the relevant Internet sites that present phone ratings and reviews. It would also be useful if you look into a cell phone store and see with your own eyes what the model you like looks like and how comfortable and pleasant it is to the touch.

tell friends

Some time ago, I worked for quite a long time (4 months) as a salesperson at a retail outlet of one very well-known retail chain in the CIS. I can say with full responsibility that people in 90% of cases do not know how to purchase equipment correctly(in my case, phones, players and cameras). Moreover, we are not talking about impulsive purchases, when a person was simply walking by, saw a cool new store, went in and bought something (or was sold something to him). Such cases do occur, but they are extremely rare. I want to talk specifically about thoughtful purchases, when visiting a store is a deliberate act, a person goes specifically to buy a new mobile phone, but at the same time absolutely does not know how to do it correctly. I hope my advice will help someone. I don’t hope to discover America; everything said below comes solely from common sense and experience.

1. Before going to a communications store (to a radio market, to a household appliances supermarket...) you need to determine the approximate characteristics of the phone. A seemingly obvious thing that for some reason everyone ignores. As a result, salons are overcrowded with buyers who absolutely do not know what they want and waste their time and the time of sellers aimlessly. The ideal option is when the buyer chose a specific model after reading reviews online, came and bought it. To be honest, there are only a few of them.

2. Don't just go to communication shops, "price the price." I chose a model, took the money, came and bought it. It’s better to spend your free time collecting information about specific models, not so much of a review type, but rather user reviews. Why are there all kinds of forums, review sites and my blog :)

3. When you come to the salon to buy a specific phone, Look less closely at shop windows. It’s not a fact that a model that is beautiful in appearance is better than the one you’ve already chosen; it’s unlikely that you’ll be able to take it apart on the go; as a result, you can leave the store with some kind of crap and ask yourself for a long time “why, exactly, did I buy this LG if I knew exactly what I was going for Nokia?"

3. Beware of Sales Consultants. There is an opinion that mobile phone stores are staffed by losers who don’t understand anything about these phones and can’t give any sensible advice. I beg to differ. Among them there are very cool specialists in both products and sales, who can sell anything to anyone, regardless of the buyer’s preferences. The guys work for a percentage, and this percentage can be very different for different brands of phones. Decide in advance whether you are going to buy additional accessories right away. Sellers often earn more from them than from expensive smartphones and try not to let anyone leave the store without a case/lanyard. Do you need it?

4. Check the appearance and functionality of the phone before purchasing. Another banal piece of advice, which, for some reason, not everyone follows, and even if they do follow it not carefully enough. You need to check it extremely carefully, starting with its appearance: the absence of scratches, abrasions, or chips on the body. You shouldn’t think that if the phone was taken out of its box in front of you, then nothing could have happened to it before. Plus, we pay attention to the presence in the gallery of photographs taken by sellers, left melodies and all that. Sony Ericsson phones have a very useful service menu where you can check most functions easily and immediately. It is called as follows > * < < * < * , where >>< это джойстик/кнопка вправо/влево. Обязательно нужно совершить пару звонков для проверки работоспособности динамика и микрофона.

5. Check the package. The most difficult question, since you can never know exactly what equipment the phone should have, but at least there should be storage. Also, an instruction manual and a software disc will never be superfluous. Phones equipped with FM receivers and MP3 players must be equipped with headsets.

6. Buying phones from exotic brands (all sorts of Pantech and all that) inquire about the availability of service centers in your city. So that it won’t be excruciatingly painful later when you have to send the phone for repairs from Vladivostok to Moscow.

7. Check IMEI number on the box, under the battery cover, in the phone (called *#06#) and in the warranty card. Everything is clear here.

8. Check that the seller has filled out the warranty card correctly. Many warranties have tear-off coupons for warranty repairs, which must be filled out by the seller and must be stamped by the store. If they are missing, there is a high probability of refusal of warranty repairs. And in general, all fields must be filled out, and filled out correctly (in the coupon itself, as a rule, it is indicated how it should be filled out).

9. Request a check. The warranty card itself is not a document confirming the purchase, without a sales and/or sales receipt, it does not give the right to return the phone.

10. Don't buy phones on credit. With the spread of consumer lending, even in the smallest stores there are points for issuing loans, due to which the number of impulsive purchases has increased significantly. I absolutely cannot understand people who buy phones on credit. Firstly, mobile technology for a bank is a risk group, the interest and commission on such loans are extremely high (50% of non-repayment is included in them in advance). Here are the second ones, For the user of mobile technology there is a risk group, losing your phone is extremely easy (lost, broken, stolen), and paying off a loan for a missing device is extremely unpleasant.

I hope my advice will help someone, good luck and happy shopping!

Modern manufacturers offer so many phones that you can easily get confused in their diversity. We offer a convenient catalog in which you can find out the full characteristics of the smartphone, its price, see photos and main features. You can do it yourselfselect a smartphone based on characteristics and parameters using the filters on our website or read the models, which can be found in the corresponding section of the MobileGadjet portal.

When planning to buy a new smartphone from China and beyond, you need to answer a number of questions for yourself:

• How to choose a smartphone based on characteristics?
• What features are your priority?
• Where to buy a smartphone at the best price?

There is only one answer - the catalog of our website, where there is everything related to smartphones and electronics in general.

To select a smartphone based on its characteristics, use filters that allow you to specify a wide variety of parameters - limit the cost, specify the processor manufacturer, type of screen matrix, diagonal and much more. As a result, the catalog will display those models that really interest you. A convenient catalog with prices will help you choose a smartphone based on its characteristics and parameters online, where there are models from various brands - Xiaomi, Samsung, Huawei, Meizu, OPPO. OnePlus and many others, both famous and not so famous. Also here you will find accessories for every taste and price.

Catalog of smartphones with prices and photos

Having studied catalog of smartphones 2018-2019 with prices, photos and full technical specifications You are guaranteed to find a suitable model for yourself that will meet all the requirements. There are especially many phones in the budget category, where a real war has now broken out between manufacturers. They account for the bulk of purchases, because at an affordable price they are practically not inferior to flagships. Gone are the days when budget devices attracted attention solely by price; now they also offer excellent technical characteristics. By looking through the catalog of phones with prices and photos, you will only be convinced of this. You will also find here