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 or you want to buy a new phone? If you’re looking for the best smartphone of 2016, you’ve come to the right place. We will guide you through the hottest mobile phones of the year to save you time when you go to your local phone shop.

We are now at the point where most smartphones are good, but it is not necessarily easy to find a phone that is good for your specific needs. Maybe yo are into photography and want your pictures to get the most likes, or you are trying to be more productive away from the office and want to leave your laptop behind. Or maybe you just want an affordable phone you can feel confident giving to your child.

You might want to wait a few weeks before choosing a new Android phone, though. While the likes of the Nexus 6P are still fresh and new, many of last year’s Android smartphones are due an update now.

That’s where MWC 2016 comes in, the annual mobile phone show where many brands choose to launch their next big product. We’re certain to see the Samsung Galaxy S7 launch at MWC in February, so we wouldn’t recommend buying a Galaxy S6 right now.

There’s also a good chance we’ll see the LG G5 at MWC and new phones from the likes of Huawei, HTC and even HP.

Bottom line: If you want one of the new Nexus phones then you’re on pretty safe ground, but if not then wait to see what happens at MWC.

How You Should Rate Phones

You should rate smartphones using a combination of subjective criteria (including design and ease of use); your  own benchmarks (e.g., our battery, audio and display tests); and synthetic benchmarks (Geekbench for speed, 3DMark for graphics). You should also take photos in different lighting conditions and compare the results.

After you have conducted all of our testing, you rate each device based on its features, performance and overall value.

Will I get the latest version of Android?

Google is constantly looking at ways to improve the Android operating system, and releases major software updates on a regular basis. But that doesn’t always mean the phone you’re buying will get that update.

The latest version is Android 6.0 Marshmallow, which is making its way onto existing smartphones. However, many current handsets still run Android 5.1 Lollipop or even 4.4 KitKat.

Smartphone Operating Systems

If you’re buying a smartphone, the operating system can make a big difference in how you use your device. At the moment there are four major operating systems vying for your attention. Here’s a brief overview of what each one has to offer.

Android

• Open source platform that allows third-party developers to create apps and tools
• Designed as a consumer- and social network-centric platform
• Easy to customize to match your needs and tastes
• Thousands of apps available via the Google Play store

Apple iOS

• Access to one of the widest app selections in the mobile industry with over a million apps worldwide
• Intuitive interface with built-in features and apps including iTunes and Safari mobile Web browser
• iCloud Drive lets you access all your files from any of your Apple devices
• Security features including Touch ID and passcodes automatically encrypt and protect personal information

BlackBerry

• Created for business users for easy access to e-mail and text messaging
• Updated BlackBerry 10 operating system creates a more interactive, user-friendly experience
• Ideal for international use

Windows Phone

• Personalized, user-friendly experience that communicates seamlessly with Microsoft computers and other devices
• Easily customizable touch-screen interface
• SkyDrive app allows easy management of documents, photos and vid

Other things to consider

Finally, you need to think about extra features. Things like NFC, water-resistance, fingerprint scanners and microSD card slots may just seem like bonuses, but they can dramatically improve the overall user experience of a smartphone.

A microSD card slot is a good idea if you want to watch lots of downloaded videos or music, and it’s an essential feature on some cheaper phones that have limited built-in memory. Any phone with 4GB or less of storage will need a microSD card slot.

The most important factor in buying a new device is making sure you have the best smartphone for you. The best for your budget, the features you need, the size that feels right and platform that suits you best.