Is a Premium Smartphone Worth the Extra Money?

Smartphones come in a wide range of price points, which raises an important question: What are the benefits of spending more on a phone? Although even the lowest cost phones provide a wealth of practical and powerful features, there are a number of reasons why spending a bit more can be a wise decision. Here are a few features to expect when spending more for a mid-tier or premium phone.

Higher Screen Resolution

All modern smart phones are capable of displaying content at a sufficiently high resolution, especially for watching video on a smaller screen size. However, the higher resolution displays on more expensive phones have a number of advantages. Text, in particular, tends to be smoother and easier to read at higher resolutions. Furthermore, higher resolutions provide a crisper look when running games. Those who are interested in virtual reality should look for phones with high resolutions, as virtual reality uses smartphone screens to cover the user’s entire field of vision. Still, even budget phones offer excellent resolutions for most use cases.

Better Processors

Smartphones have become dramatically faster over the years. However, operating systems and apps have likewise become more demanding, so less expensive phones are generally less responsive when compared to their more expensive counterparts. Even seemingly simple tasks, such as loading websites, can be demanding of processors, so those who plan on using their phones to browse the web regularly might benefit from a higher-end device. Even if websites take only a second longer on average to load, those seconds add up over years of use.

More RAM

Premium smartphones generally have more RAM than less expensive devices. Most smartphone users will have apps running in the background, and operating systems need to reserve RAM for storing important system processes. By purchasing a phone with more RAM, users can expect a snappier experience. Furthermore, the operating system can keep more apps in RAM at the same time, making it faster to switch between programs.

Premium Materials

Budget smartphones typically use plastic as often as possible, as do some premium phones. However, it’s important to note that plastic quality varies significantly, and the plastic used on more expensive devices tends to feel better than plastic on cheaper devices. Premium devices often use metal, which many users find offers a better feeling but that doesn’t mean they don’t end up in a mobile phone repair shop from time to time. Furthermore, glass components are almost never found on budget devices. It’s work keeping in mind that a phone case will remove most of these advantages.

Better Game Performances

Although the processor and RAM affect game performance, the bottleneck in most modern games comes from the graphics processor. Simple game typically run well on budget phones, but games with intense 3D graphics will perform better on premium devices. While there are other factors to consider for people who prioritize game performance, the better graphics chip is perhaps the most valuable benefit of using a premium device.

More Storage Space

Apps can take up a significant amount of space, and those who store media on their phones will want to ensure they have plenty of extra gigabytes available. Although some Android devices let users store information on SD cards, many apps use the primary storage on a device exclusively and can’t be moved to an external card. Furthermore, internal storage will always be faster than external storage, leading to better performance. Running out of storage space for apps can be frustrating, and being able to store all the apps you use on a regular basis can make the extra cost of a mid-tier or premium device well world spending.

Audio Quality

Smartphone speakers can’t match the sound quality of external audio devices, but the convenience of smartphone speakers means many people end up listening to a significant amount of content using the phone’s speakers. Premium devices are more likely to feature dual speakers for stereo sound, and they can often play louder audio. Even those who want to use headphones or connect their phones to external speakers might see a difference in quality, as the digital-to-analogue chips in smartphones vary in quality as well. Still, some budget phones have surprisingly good audio quality, while more expensive phones might fall short.

Camera Quality

Cameras on smartphones have improved dramatically over the years. No phone can yet match the quality of standalone cameras, but it’s becoming more and more difficult to tell the difference. Today’s premium phones often feature multiple lenses, providing even better picture quality, and many can record video at a high resolution and high frame rate; entire movies have been shot on smartphones. Again, even those who own high-quality cameras might want to consider the quality of their phone’s cameras, as the convenience of smartphones means most people will have them when their primary camera is left at home.

Attention to Detail

Simply putting together a phone’s components and installing compatible software isn’t enough to ensure a phone works optimally. Operating systems and other programs are complex, and small bugs can cause major problems for end users. More expensive phones typically undergo far more rigorous testing than phones at a lower price point, and they’re less likely to have major bugs causing problems in the future. Furthermore, and bugs uncovered after the phone is released are more likely to be fixed through software updates on premium devices. Small software problems can cause users to waste a significant amount of time, and the money spent on more expensive devices can save users from headaches in the future.

Support

Smartphone screens have become significantly more durable over the years, but no screen is immune to cracks. Premium phones often sell in high numbers, and it’s generally easier to find replacement screens and other components on high-end devices compared to budget devices. Repair technicians also tend to have more experience with premium devices, and this expertise means they’ll be better able to service them. Because we carry phones with us almost all the time, drops happen, and knowing your phone can be repaired can make the extra cost of a phone worth spending.

Less expensive phones are still incredibly versatile devices, and those on a budget shouldn’t pass on smartphones just because they aren’t as good as more expensive devices. Those able to spend a bit more, however, can typically benefit significantly by purchasing a mid-tier or premium device.

 

TelcoWorld Corp. - Known as Beltz's Mobile Phones & Repairs Moorabbin

source https://www.telcoworld.com.au/news-blog/premium-smartphone-worth-extra-money/

How to Get a Used Smartphone The Right Way

You can save a lot of money purchasing a used smartphone–but you may be worried about getting ripped off. While you may communicate with the seller on social media, there is no way of guaranteeing you will get your money back if the smartphone breaks or is in poor condition. Finding a reputable seller with significant experience dealing with used smartphones and making a thorough inspection are essential steps in the process. Since everyone seems to want the latest model of smartphone, you can find many high quality devices that are being sold simply because the owner wants the latest version of smartphone.

Think About the Price

It is a good idea to research prices before actually looking for the smartphone. Browse through listings on the internet to find an appropriate price range. Make sure you are looking at prices for unlocked phones rather than locked versions. Think about the price you are willing to pay and consider that price as it relates to the condition of the phone. It may seem obvious that phones that are in better condition fetch higher prices, but in some cases, you can find a phone in excellent condition with a low price simply because the phone is a tad outdated. Make sure you can easily find chargers and accessories for older version high-quality phone. Also compare the price you are looking for to the cost of the same phone if purchased new.

Finding a Seller

Major websites, such as eBay, that sell nearly everything under the sun are the common go-to places for finding used smartphones. However, establishing trust is important when dealing with these sellers and it may not be clear how you would get a refund if the phone is not in good repair. Many people prefer to work with knowledgeable smartphone sellers who focus on mobile devices, can provide advice, support, repair, and if necessary, a refund. If you can manage it, inspect the phone thoroughly in person, and know what to look for during the inspection.

Will Your Phone Work with Your Network?

It would be unfortunate to go through all of the trouble of researching prices and negotiating a good deal on a used smartphone only to find that your purchase is not compatible with your network. This is one reason it can be advantageous to buy a used phone from a dealer rather than from a large website. You may be told that the phone you are buying only to find that it won’t work where you are. One way to ensure your phone will operate in your location is to purchase a multiband, unlocked smartphone.

What You Will Need for the Inspection

Simply giving the phone a glance and shutting it on and off is not sufficient to determine whether the used device is really worth buying. An inspection to determine the quality of the product requires time, a systematic process and several items. Negotiation skills are required in your discussion with the seller, and let him or her know that you intend to give the phone a thorough inspection before agreeing to purchase it. Bring a laptop, headphones, your SIM card, a charging cable and a microSD card.

How to Inspect the Phone

Take the time do a complete inspection of the exterior of the phone. Look closely for any signs of scratches or small dents. Give the battery a close look and if can be removed, take it out. If there is water damage, you may be able to tell by looking at the SIM card slot. After you have examined the phone for physical damage, test the ports. This means connecting the headphones and the charger. Don’t simply plug these in, but devote a few minutes to making sure the connection stays strong and doesn’t flicker or die out. A quick glance might tell you the phone is charging, but ensure it charges well and that the headphones can connect properly to the port. Open all the areas of the phone that have flaps that can open. You may be able to confirm that there is no rust or scratches in these areas.

Run a Full Test

Just as you would take your time to make a test drive before purchasing a car, you will want a trial run with the used smartphone. Put in your SIM card and use the phone for a few minutes. A good salesperson should be patient during this process and not rush or pressure you to cut this important step short. Use all of the features you are accustomed to by making calls, texting and going to your favorite website. Find out the service code that will let you run an automatic test on all of the features of the smartphone. This test will make sure the screen dims and lights properly, and the sensors, camera and touch screen feature is working well.

Don’t Be Afraid to Negotiate

You may feel you are getting a good deal and be satisfied with the phone you are buying and the price that is being offered. However, if your previous research has shown similar used phones at lower prices, see if you can discuss the price with the seller and try for a discount. This may work if you can find a reason why the phone should be sold for less, for instance, a few scratches on the back or the age of the phone. You may not get the price you are asking for, but the seller may throw in a free case or a discount on the charger.

What About the Warranty?

Many people may give up on the idea of a manufacturer’s warranty when purchasing a used smartphone, but if you ask the seller, you may find you could still be covered. Many companies offer a year warranty from the time the phone was initially purchased, but some manufacturers provide a warranty for two years. The advantage of working with a company rather than an individual is that you usually can get some kind of warranty for your used phone, or at least a replacement if it turns out to be damaged.

If you’re looking for a good price on a quality, refurbished mobile, stop by Telcoworld to checkout our collection of Samsung phones in Melbourne to learn more.

TelcoWorld Corp. - Known as Beltz's Mobile Phones & Repairs Moorabbin

source https://www.telcoworld.com.au/news-blog/get-used-smartphone-right-way/