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Whether you want easy simplicity or cutting-edge tech, our buying guide helps you make the right choice.
Buying a new phone isn’t just about picking a brand but about finding the right balance of performance, features and value.
In this guide, we’ll break down the key things to consider before you buy, explain the difference between classic and smart phones and share tips to help you choose the best device for your everyday needs.
When choosing a new phone, one of the biggest decisions you’ll make isn’t about the brand or camera megapixels — it’s about the operating system (OS) that runs it.
Think of the OS as the phone’s main personality, determining how you swipe, tap and organise everything. You will essentially choose between two main systems: Android (used by many brands like Samsung and Google) or iOS (used only by Apple's iPhone).
iOS, exclusive to Apple’s iPhone range, is known for its smooth performance, simplicity, and strong integration with Apple products like Mac, iPad and Apple Watch.
Android, developed by Google, powers phones from brands like Samsung, Google Pixel, OnePlus and Xiaomi. It’s loved for its customisation, hardware choice and wide range of price points.
Both are feature-packed and regularly updated — but they differ in style, flexibility and ecosystem. To help you decide what feels right, here’s a quick side-by-side comparison of iOS vs Android.
The display is your phone’s screen — the part you look at and touch. It can vary in size (how big it is), resolution (how clear and detailed it looks), and refresh rate (how smoothly it moves when you scroll or watch videos).
A good display makes everything look and feel better. A higher resolution means sharper pictures and clearer text. A higher refresh rate (such as 90 Hz or 120 Hz) means the screen updates more times per second, making movement look smoother when you scroll, play games or watch videos.
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This is the brain of your phone. It's a tiny chip that does all the thinking. Every time you open an app, swipe the screen, or take a picture, the Processor is the part that makes it happen. It controls the speed and how well your phone can do several things at once (multitasking).
A better, faster processor means everything on your phone feels snappier and smoother—apps load quickly and games don't lag. Think of it like a fast car engine. More importantly, phones with newer, more powerful chips usually receive software updates and new features for much longer. This means your phone stays secure and up-to-date for years, not just months.
RAM is your phone's short-term memory or its workspace. Think of it as a huge desk: when you open an app, your phone puts it on this desk to use quickly. It keeps your apps ready to go so you don't have to fully reload them every time you switch.
More RAM = a bigger desk. If your desk is too small, you can only keep one or two things open before your phone has to close an old app to make room for a new one. With plenty of RAM (we suggest 8GB or more for a modern phone), you can jump smoothly between a bunch of apps (like checking a map, replying to a text and listening to music) without any frustrating delays.
This is the phone's long-term memory or its closet. This is the permanent place where everything on your phone lives: your apps, all the photos and videos you take, music, documents and other files. Unlike RAM (the "desk"), this information stays here even when you turn the phone off.
Simply put, more Storage = more room for your stuff. If you take lots of photos, record high-quality 4K videos, download big games, or keep a large music library, you will fill up your storage fast! We suggest 128GB as a starting point to be safe, but going for 256GB or more is the best way to avoid seeing that annoying "Storage Full" message for a long time.
This is the entire photo and video system. It includes the physical lenses you point at things, plus the software brain inside your phone that instantly processes the raw image, adding color, detail and light. It controls both the front and rear cameras.
This is how you capture and save your memories. A good camera system means the software is smart enough to handle different situations—like bright sunlight or a dark room—and consistently produces clear, usable photos. Focus on checking reviews to see what the actual photos look like.
This is the phone's fuel tank—it tells you how much energy the battery can hold. It is measured in mAh (milliamp-hours), which is just a technical way of saying how big the tank is.
A bigger mAh number (like 4,500–5,000mAh) means the tank is usually bigger, so your phone lasts longer. However, the size of the tank isn't the whole story! Battery life also depends on two hidden factors:
Software Efficiency: How smart your phone's brain is at saving energy (like a car that gets great gas mileage).
Display Speed: High-refresh rate screens (which look very smooth) drink more power (like driving a sports car fast).
Most devices now use a USB-C port for charging and data transfer, replacing the older Micro-USB. Many brands have switched to USB-C, bringing them in line with the latest standards.
In addition to regular charging, many phones now support fast charging, which allows for quicker battery refills. Wireless charging is also becoming more common, letting you charge your phone by simply placing it on a pad or stand. Some high-end phones can even charge other devices, like your earbuds, wirelessly.
Choosing the right charging type can save time and make everyday use easier. USB-C is now the industry standard — it’s faster, more reliable and universal across laptops, tablets and phones.
Fast charging can refill up to 50% battery in as little as 30 minutes, perfect for quick boosts before heading out. Wireless charging adds convenience — just place your phone on a pad, no cables needed.
Looking for a phone that supports wireless charging? Browse our wireless charging phones
This is the software platform—the fundamental layer of code that controls every part of your phone. Think of it as the phone's entire personality and rulebook. For smartphones, the choices are almost always Apple's iOS or Google's Android.
The OS shapes your entire phone experience. It determines:
The Look & Feel: How the menus, notifications and homepage/layout is organised.
App Selection: Which apps are available and how they function.
Updates: How often your phone gets new features and security fixes.
Device Compatibility: How easily the phone works with your other gear (like your laptop, smartwatches and wireless headphones).
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This is what the phone is actually made of (glass, metal, or plastic) and how tough it is. IP Rating (like "IP68") is a simple code that tells you exactly how much water and dust the phone can handle before it breaks.
A phone made with premium materials (like metal and strong glass) simply feels nicer to hold and is more likely to survive an accidental drop. An IP68 rating is key because it gives you strong peace of mind—it usually means your phone can survive being dropped into the pool or getting soaked in the rain.
This is the newest and fastest type of internet connection for phones, replacing the older 4G network. Think of it as upgrading your small country road to a massive, high-speed digital highway.
Speed is the main reason! It means you can download huge files or stream 4K videos instantly, without waiting. It also gives you better performance in busy areas (like concerts or train stations).
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This is everything your phone uses to keep your private information safe and your phone private. Biometrics refers to locking and unlocking your phone using your unique body features, such as your Face ID/face scan or a fingerprint sensor.
It also covers the controls that let you decide which apps can access your location, camera, and data.
Convenience and Protection. These features give you exclusive access to your phone, making unlocking faster than a passcode while keeping everyone else out. If your phone is lost or stolen, all your photos, bank details and messages are protected.
This refers to how often your phone’s manufacturer (like Apple or Samsung) sends software updates. These updates include new features and important security fixes to keep your phone safe and working well.
Updates extend your phone's useful life. A phone that gets regular updates stays secure against the latest threats, remains compatible with new apps and accessories and keeps running smoothly for years. If a phone stops receiving updates, it quickly becomes vulnerable and outdated.
This is the teamwork between your phone and all your other gadgets—your smartwatch, wireless earbuds, laptop, and smart home speakers. It's how smoothly and easily they communicate with each other.
A strong ecosystem makes your digital life easier and faster. For example, Apple’s ecosystem is famous because its iPhone, Apple Watch and iPad all work together perfectly. Features like AirDrop let you share files instantly between only Apple devices without messing with cables or emails. The better the teamwork between devices, the less time you spend fiddling with settings.
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