A man's smartphone - what should it be, what are its differences and features? In essence, a smartphone is a gadget whose "gender" can only be determined by the color of the case. But if you study the characteristics and capabilities of the models in more detail, then surely among them one can single out those in which the manufacturer initially laid a "male" character. Having evaluated the hardware component, not only the color, but also the material of the case, as well as the functionality, we can assume that this particular model will look most harmonious in the hands of a self-confident man who has achieved success in his life.
Wileyfox models
We will focus on the products of the young British company Wileyfox. This brand deserves special attention. Having appeared on the market in the fall of 2015, in a short time, Wileyfox smartphones have won many fans among users and respect from experts. Company success story:
- December 2015 The authoritative Forbes magazine named Wileyfox Swift the smartphone of the year;
- February 2016 The company wins the prestigious British Mobile News Awards-2016 in the category Challenger manufacturer of the year;
- October 2016 The well-known Internet edition Hi-Tech Mail.ru awards the victory to the Wileyfox Spark + model in the nomination "Best smartphone up to 10,000 rubles."
The main advantages that favorably distinguish the brand's models on the market can be described as follows:
- Work in data transmission networks of the fourth generation 4G LTE;
- Original firmware Cyanogen OS based on Android OS;
- Powerful hardware, high performance;
- Support for working with two SIM cards (both slots work in the LTE network);
- High quality components and body materials;
- Stylish original design;
- Democratic pricing policy;
Only by picking up a smartphone, you understand that this is exactly what you have been looking for for a long time. The device attracts with its bright stylish design and pleasant tactile sensations from the aluminum case. The model is equipped with a 5.2-inch 2.5D curved display, which is able to ensure readability in almost any conditions. Laser edging is applied on the metal surface of the case, making the design of the device stylish and strict. The frame of the main camera module and the fingerprint scanner is also applied using laser technology. You can make sure that this is a real Wileyfox by the brand logo - the chanterelle's face, which is located on the back panel. On the market, phones are presented in two colors - trendy Champagne Gold and stylish, truly masculine midnight blue.
A man's smartphone must have reliable protection against unauthorized access. The Fingerprint module is responsible for this in the Wileyfox Swift 2 X model. Thanks to the presence of a fingerprint sensor, it has become much easier to protect personal data stored in the device's memory and restrict access to applications. A fingerprint is a password that you will never forget, and a stranger will not be able to guess. To unlock, just touch the scanner, and the smartphone is ready to work. You no longer need to come up with and memorize complex graphic passwords and digital combinations. One touch of your finger to the scanner is enough to open access to all applications, including the possibility of making payments using NFC technology. Smartphones that support this technology connect with other devices and accessories for data transfer with one touch.
The smartphone is equipped with a high-quality 2.5D 5.2-inch display with Full HD resolution and 530 cd / m2 brightness. Phones with such dimensions, as practice has shown, are the most convenient and comfortable for one-handed operation. The smartphone fits in the palm of your hand, there is no fear that it will slip out. At the same time, the size of the screen allows you to conveniently manage applications and functions, as well as read documents and surf the Internet. A good high-quality display, thanks to IPS and ONCELL Full Lamination technology, provides not only high image quality, but also wide viewing angles. There is no distortion on the screen, even when viewed from a 178 ° angle. The production technology of the display allows you to remove excess air gaps between its layers, thereby guaranteeing no distortion. To protect the screen from mechanical damage, Gorilla Glass 3 is applied to it. Men will also appreciate the convenience of working with an oleophobic coating, thanks to which fingerprints on the display surface are practically invisible.
The device supports work with two SIM cards. Be sure to pay attention to the fact that regardless of which slot the SIM card is in, it can provide a connection to high-speed mobile 4G LTE Internet. It is enough to select from the menu from which SIM card slot 4G will be used.
Dual-SIM smartphones are the best choice for those who want to separate business and personal calls, or choose the optimal tariff for the Internet, leaving the usual number for calls. The ability to install two SIM cards in one device is convenient and cost-effective.
The smartphone is built on the basis of a powerful eight-core Cortex A53 MPcore processor, with a frequency of 1.44 GHz. So that you do not worry about the availability of free resources, even for running the most "heavy" applications, 3 GB of RAM is provided. You can download and install the necessary programs, as well as save photos, music and videos on the internal memory (32 GB), or expand it using a microSDXC card (work with cards up to 128 GB is supported). This hardware support allows you to install the best applications for work and play without worrying about memory constraints or the processor's ability to process instructions quickly.
The device is controlled by a unique firmware of the popular Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow operating system - version of Cyanogen OS 13.1. The firmware is designed for experienced users who want to make working with their smartphone as convenient and safe as possible. Cyanogen OS provides reliable protection against Internet threats and provides ample customization options. You can independently make changes to the interface, the operation of applications and other functions that your smartphone supports.
All modern phones provide the ability to take high-quality photos and videos. The Wileyfox Swift 2 X has a good 16MP camera. The module has an aperture of f / 2.2 and physically consists of five lenses, which allows you to take high-quality pictures even in low light conditions. The smartphone can record Full HD video with a resolution of 1920 × 1080 and a frequency of 30 frames / sec.
Men will surely appreciate the presence of GLONASS and GPS navigation modules in the device. This allows you to use your smartphone as a navigator. Going on a long journey, you will no longer have to look for a long way - the smart application will tell you the most convenient and shortest way. It is also worth noting that the device is equipped with a 3010 mAh capacitive battery, which is well reflected in its battery life. With fast charging support, it only takes 15 minutes to get 25% battery capacity.
The smartphone, like all phones of this brand, has an original stylish design. The body of the device is made of aluminum alloy and has a grainy matte structure, which is extremely pleasantly reflected in the tactile sensations when using the device. The perimeter of the case is decorated with laser edging. Using the same laser technology, the rear panel highlights the lens of the main camera module and the fingerprint scanner. The presence of the Fingerprint module guarantees the security of your personal data, which are stored in the smartphone's memory, as well. Today, phones that are unlocked with a fingerprint scanner are recognized as the most comfortable to use and the most protected from outside interference. You don't need to enter complex passwords to access apps and features, just a touch of your finger is enough. In addition, fingerprint confirmation is also used for payments using NFC technology.
High performance is achieved thanks to the modern powerful eight-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 430 MSM8937 processor, clocked at 1.44 GHz. Not worrying about resources when downloading applications allows the presence of 3 GB of RAM and 32 GB of internal memory. If necessary, the available memory can be increased by installing microSDXC (work with cards up to 64 GB is supported). Like all phones of the brand, this model supports 4G LTE data networks and two SIM cards. You can choose the best tariff for both calls and mobile Internet, as well as separate personal calls and communication at work.
The model received a large 2.5D curved screen at the edges, covered with Gorilla Glass 3. IPS and ONCELL Full Lamination technology provides the best viewing angles that modern phones can have - even at 178 ° the image on the screen does not lose its clarity and brightness, does not distorted and perfectly readable.
Even telephones for men are required to have cameras. The Wileyfox Swift 2 Plus is equipped with a 16MP main camera. Dual flash and the ability to adjust settings while shooting allows you to achieve excellent results even under the most adverse conditions (low light). The camera module physically consists of five lenses, which ensures high quality of the resulting images.
The phones of the company are easily recognizable thanks to the stylish original design and corporate logo - the face of a chanterelle. received a metal case with plastic inserts (top and bottom of the rear panel). In addition to the brand logo, the panel also houses the main camera and fingerprint scanner module. The model is offered in three colors: Tiffany green, Champaign gold, and Midnight blue. It is the last option that most closely matches what men's phones should be.
Having a fingerprint scanner not only makes it easier to access your smartphone and applications. This technology reliably protects your personal data. One touch to the scanner will be enough for you to unlock, while a stranger cannot physically guess such a password. Fingerprint sensor ensures your comfort and safe data storage.
The model is equipped with an NFC module, which provides the ability to exchange data with other devices. To connect an accessory, just touch it with the device and the connection will be established. Wileyfox Swift 2 can work with two SIM cards, and any of them is capable of providing access to high-speed 4G LTE mobile Internet.
Comfortable reading of documents and work with applications is provided by high-quality 2.5D glass with Gorilla Glass 3 protection and an oleophobic coating. The 5-inch IPS is made with ONCELL Full Lamination technology, which provides high image quality even at a viewing angle of 178 °.
But the most important thing that smartphones for men should provide is high performance. Wileyfox Swift 2 is powered by a powerful 8-core Qualcomm 430 processor at 1.44 GHz. For video processing, a graphics accelerator Adreno 505 is provided. Speed \u200b\u200band the absence of freezes will provide 2 GB of RAM, and thanks to 16 GB of internal memory and the possibility of increasing it to 64 GB, you will not know problems with a lack of resources for downloading and installing the necessary applications. High quality photos are provided by a 13-megapixel main camera, and an 8-megapixel front module is provided for video conferencing.
Conclusion
Despite the fact that the criteria for choosing a men's smartphone are strict, there are decent models on the market today. And you can buy a reliable, powerful and modern device at a completely democratic price.
If you want to know what they are, then read our review.
A mobile or cell phone for a real man is a thing that emphasizes his individuality. Every man chooses a telephone according to his needs and capabilities. So, if you decide to present a mobile phone to a man as a gift, then first of all forget about your wishes and preferences.
When choosing a gadget for a loved one, first of all, one should take into account his age, habits, as well as the type of activity. After all, every man is different. However, there are still some recommendations that will help you more accurately choose the right phone option for a man.
Actually, when choosing a phone, the following are important:
Color and design
It will probably be an obvious fact that you shouldn't choose a phone with hearts. Or, say, pick a pink phone. It is quite obvious that such a cellular man simply will not accept or even be offended by such a gift. These are simple and straightforward things. However, there are some factors that are not easy to notice at first glance.
It has been proven that men prefer cell phones that symbolize masculinity and emphasize their dignity.
The most appropriate phone color for a man would be black, gray, steel or, say, bronze. The main thing is that the color is not warm and bright. Cool colors are preferred.
In the forms of the telephone, men are more attracted by the angularity and severity of forms. It is a well-known fact that many men avoid models with flowing shapes. After all, every man wants to look solid. For example, a businesslike businessman will never choose a blue folding mobile with strongly rounded edges.
Design
When selecting mobile phones by design, first of all, you need to consider the form factor of phones. When choosing, men give more priority to candy bars and sliders, for example, the Nokia 8800 phone, almost not paying attention to folding phones. Somehow it so happened that men are reluctant to buy a folding phone, considering that this phone design is more suitable for women.
A great option is a candy bar. This is a classic version of the phone design, always in demand among both men and women. Monoblocks are push-button and touch-sensitive. And if the push-button monoblock is tolerant of any not gross damage, then the candy bar with touch controls requires more care in operation. When choosing between them, first of all, you should think about the person's occupation and how he handles technology.
The least popular design is the slider. When choosing a slider, you should also pay attention to human activity. Various loose substances, as well as simple dust, can damage your phone. So it's a bad idea to choose a slider for someone working on a construction site.
Functional
When choosing a mobile phone, men put in the first place the functional features of a particular phone. A man is even ready to sacrifice angular forms for the sake of exactly the number of functions that satisfies his needs. To choose the right phone with one or another functionality, it is worth taking into account both age, and occupation, and habits. Some will prefer a phone with a modest list of functions (just to make a call), while others will be barely satisfied with a smartphone with the highest possible level of equipment.
First of all, it is worth paying attention to human activities. If a man often checks mail and spends a lot of time at the computer, then his choice is more likely to fall on a smartphone with a lot of RAM and a high processor frequency.
But if a person's needs for functionality are small or he understands little about technology and phones in particular, you should not choose an expensive smartphone with a huge number of functions. A person simply will not appreciate such a gift.
Operating system and manufacturer
It so happens that a stylish and pleasant-looking phone with an optimal set of functions and the right shape can be rejected by a man because of the manufacturer's brand or operating system that is not suitable for him. Someone will prefer Samsung, and someone Nokia, Sony Ericsson or HTC, LG or Apple. The choice of each man is individual, so there are no specific rules for choosing a manufacturer. You can find out about a man's preferences in this regard only by asking him.
The situation is approximately the same with the operating system. 5-6 years ago, of course, it would not mean absolutely anything, but now it can decide everything. The company and the operating system are two related characteristics. For example, Samsung produces smartphones with Bada and Android operating systems, Nokia produces smartphones with Symbian operating systems, and Apple produces iPhones on Ios.
Everything is great if you take a push-button candy bar or a slider, because you don't have to make such a choice with them. But if you need to choose a smartphone or a communicator, then only the man whom you will give it to will help to decide. Try to inadvertently ask him about the advantages of Android or Symbian OS.
For a real man, a mobile or cell phone is a thing that emphasizes his individuality. Every man chooses a phone according to his needs and capabilities. So, if you decide to present a mobile phone to a man as a gift, then first of all forget about your wishes and preferences.
Or, say, pick a pink phone. It is quite obvious that such a cellular man simply will not accept or even be offended by such a gift. When choosing, men give more priority to candy bars and sliders, for example, the Nokia 8800 phone, almost not paying attention to folding phones. Somehow it so happened that men are reluctant to buy a folding phone, considering that this phone design is more suitable for women. Some will prefer a phone with a modest list of functions (just to make a call), while others will be barely satisfied with a smartphone with the highest possible level of equipment. Everything is great if you take a push-button candy bar or a slider, because you don't have to make such a choice with them. But if you need to choose a smartphone or a communicator, then only the man to whom you will present it will help to decide.
The classic of the genre is a laptop or ultrabook. At the same time, for the money for which a flagship smartphone is purchased, you can buy a very functional car.
A business person will need an organizer on the phone that can replace a regular diary. Also, a man will be pleased with the presence of a flashlight in his mobile device. An important factor when choosing a phone is communication with the outside world. If your mobile phone has an infrared port, you will need to present an infrared adapter designed for synchronization with a computer. Devices with Bluetooth are not cheap, buy such a phone if a man really uses a wireless headset.
10 smartphones that no man will give up
Therefore, today I want to talk with you about what you can give the second half. From the age of 12, I heard from my mother and grandmother that when I grow up I will not be needed by any young guy. That everyone needs children and my destiny ... I want to give my husband a new phone, but Samsung has no metal cases. My husband asked what phone to give you for your birthday? I bought her a cover for him, finally zbs. I thought, maybe I can put it in a cover and give a cover supposedly one, and there is a phone ??) girls, flash ... 5) he has my savings the day after tomorrow DR I have my savings, I work part-time something I can make my husband an expensive gift. 4s, he needs a new phone, it has been around for 3 years with this ... but I didn't like these new iPhones, they look like a Samsung ..
Talking about his teenage years, he often recalls a Motorola mobile phone, and when choosing things is he guided not only by fashion trends, but also by the concept of practicality? He says he doesn't want to overpay for the brand, but doesn't like Xiaomi? The OnePlus 3 is an incredibly powerful flagship that scores a record number of points in performance tests. The "stuffing" here is almost the same as in expensive brand flagships. At the same time, the smartphone is cheaper! If OnePlus 3 is in his pocket, it means that the man is used to weighing everything, knows what he wants, he does not take practicality, and his friends definitely do not consider him a “victim of marketing”. What's that noise? Here are the majority of schoolchildren and students to whom mom does not give more than a Chinese? Yes, I admit there are CATs and there are no similar ones, but these are specialized phones.
Choosing a gift for a man is a whole science. Each of us thinks more than once: what to give? Moreover, recently this holiday is not only for those who served, serves or is related to the military craft, but the holiday of all men, in which they receive congratulations and gifts. But there is no originality or invention in these things. So let's think bigger. By the way, the presented ideas can be used for gifts, both for a birthday, and for the New Year and further down the list.
When choosing men's smartphones, you should focus on parameters such as body design, processor, battery and camera. Likewise, the smartphone should not turn off in the midst of work. The fact that there is a male phone design, I agree. A man should always remain a man, no matter what life is around. Of all that was named here, it is approximately familiar with 650. The 640 itself has about the same, only without a metal bar around it. So everything is true, but by and large the main thing that a man's smartphone should have is a capacious battery and good processor power. And the larger the man is, the larger the phone should be.
That is, the cost of the gift is also of little concern to them. This is for us - women, it seems that men do not like to communicate a lot, and therefore they do not need a new phone. In fact, all men come from childhood. Therefore, a mobile phone for a strong half of humanity will become the embodiment of a childhood dream and an unforgettable gift, and choosing a men's mobile phone is quite simple. Even if you think expensive gadgets are the most suitable for real men, he may have his own reasons why he does not want to become the owner of a fashionable mobile phone. Therefore, he does not need to choose a smartphone that is the embodiment of your vision of a phone.
Any hint of a frivolous, and even more so a feminine look of the phone, is considered by them as a good reason to refuse such a cell phone option, even if functionally it suits them completely. In general, it cannot be called purely feminine, this color is very versatile, but men rarely opt for white phones. Therefore, you should not choose a phone with body elements painted in bright colors if you are buying a cell phone for, say, a business person. But for a person who is tuned in to everything innovative, for someone who strives to always and in everything to be ahead of the rest of the planet, the candy bar is not the best choice, because there is nothing unusual about it. Men, like children, love games, do not mind watching movies on their phones and will not give up the TV set built into their cell phones. The new phone should definitely be functionally better than the one it is currently using.
Smartphone design is an important thing, because we hold this mobile product in our hands more often than any other thing. However, many manufacturers produce gadgets aimed mainly at the female or male population. As a rule, men choose a more strict phone color, their priority is high performance and autonomy, and often - so that it would be comfortable to play on it. It is also desirable that the device has a sturdy case that will not suffer from falls, and moisture protection is also important. Of course, these parameters are inherent in many devices, and in order to help you with the choice, I have compiled a rating of the best smartphones for men in 2017, which includes models with the best price-quality ratio.
This is the best Samsung smartphone in the first half of 2017, and what else can you expect from the flagship. Let's start with the design: the device is quite large and stands out with an unusual aspect ratio, due to which it seems elongated in length. Separately, I would like to say about the reliability of the case: it calmly withstands falls and has water protection, it is convenient to hold it in your hand, although, of course, it will not work to operate it with one hand. The screen with a diagonal of 6.2 inches, has a resolution of 2960 by 1440 pixels, an AMOLED matrix, and the whole thing is covered with a protective glass Corning Gorilla Glass 5. The display is made very well and the picture on it looks bright and juicy. The hardware qualities of the model are as follows:
- Processor - ARM Kryo, 64 bit, 8 cores, 2.35 / 1.9 GHz.
- Graphics Accelerator - ARM Qualcomm Adreno 540.
- Memory - 4 GB RAM, built-in 64/128 GB, combined memory card slot, up to 256 GB.
The performance is very high, certainly not records in synthetic tests, but everything is at the highest level. The battery capacity is 3500 mAh, but thanks to the various power saving modes, you can significantly extend the operating time. This device can also be attributed to camera phones, the main module has a resolution of 12 Mp and the front one, wide-angle - 8 Mp.
- Pros: high-quality case, great screen, powerful processor, good battery.
- Cons: Slow and awkward fingerprint scanner.
Also - a good, but expensive smartphone, in which everything is done quite interestingly, but it has its pros and cons. Let's start with the design: the case is made of brushed metal, it doesn't get dirty, but slippery, so it's better to buy a case. Under the screen, a mechanical button with a built-in fingerprint scanner works quickly, without lags. The diagonal of the display is 5.5 inches at a resolution of 2560 by 1440 pixels, there is a protective glass, but the lack of an oleophobic coating is alarming; even though the finger slides normally, it is still not very convenient to wipe it off. The main camera is 20 Mp and the second is 12, the front sensor is 8 Mp; they cope with their work normally, autofocus works quickly and correctly. Performance is high, but still not gaming, so heavy 3D games are best played at medium settings. The hardware properties of the device are determined by the following elements:
- SoC - HiSilicon Kirin 960.
- Processor - ARM Cortex-A73, 64 bit, 8 cores, 2.36 / 1.84 GHz.
- Graphics Accelerator - ARM Mali-G71.
- Memory - RAM 6 GB, built-in - 64/128 GB, combined slot for memory cards.
The battery capacity is 3750 mAh, and under normal load it lasts 1.5 days.
- Pros: excellent display, very good camera, high-quality body, capacious battery.
- Cons: no oleophobic coating.
This is a budget smartphone with a metal case and a powerful battery. There is nothing unusual in its design, and there are 4 colors to choose from: black and gray for men, gold and pink for women; under the screen there are one mechanical button and two touch buttons. The display with a diagonal of 5.5 inches, Full HD resolution and IPS matrix looks quite good, with normal brightness and viewing angles. The main camera is 13 megapixels and for selfies - 8 megapixels, the maximum video resolution is 1920 x 1080 pixels, everything works fine, so there are no complaints about the camera. The hardware part of the model looks like this:
- SoC - Qualcomm Snapdragon 430 MSM8937.
- Graphics Accelerator - ARM Qualcomm Adreno ™ 505 (S430).
- Memory - RAM 2 GB, built-in - 16 GB, memory card slot (up to 256 GB).
The performance is quite low, although this is enough for everyday use, you can comfortably surf the Internet and watch videos, but 3D games will pull only at low settings. The battery capacity is 5000 mAh, it is not removable and if you load it with heavy applications, the charge will be enough for 2 days.
- Pros: high-quality screen, good performance, energy balance and autonomy.
- Cons: Little onboard memory, so it is difficult to install programs.
This device belongs to the category of rugged smartphones, has a shock-resistant case and water-protection, standard - IP68. The body is plastic, but there is a rubberized panel on the back and special bevels on the sides, which will soften the fall. There are mechanical buttons under the screen that allow you to control the gadget with wet hands, and there is also a control mode with gloves. The screen with a diagonal of 5.2 inches has a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels, an IPS matrix, looks normal, good contrast and color reproduction. The main camera is 16 megapixels and the front one is 5 megapixels, the shooting quality is not the best, but still there are no particular complaints. "Iron" is represented by the following elements:
- SoC - Qualcomm Snapdragon 435.
- Processor - ARM Cortex-A53, 64 bit, 8 cores, 1.4 GHz.
- Graphics Accelerator - ARM Qualcomm Adreno 505.
- Memory - RAM 2 GB, built-in - 32 GB, a slot for memory cards (up to 2048 GB).
In principle, everything works fast enough and shows good results in synthetic tests. The battery capacity is 4100 mAh, which with such performance and screen will last for 1.5 days, there is support for fast charging - Qualcomm Quick Charge 2.0.
- Pros: security, excellent screen, capacious battery with fast charging.
- Cons: Easy to accidentally press on / off button, weak front camera.
Also - an interesting smartphone from the middle price segment. Here, the immediately recognizable design of Sony devices, no rounding in the corners, the body is made of aluminum and plastic, the assembly is good. The phablet's screen is 6 inches diagonal and has a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels, but like other devices from this company, it has the same disadvantages, expressed by cold shades and insufficient brightness. Separately, I would like to say about the camera: everything worked out well here and the gadget can be called a selfie background; after all, the front camera has a resolution of 16 megapixels and its own image stabilization, as well as flash and autofocus. Needless to say, even in the dark, the photos are still of good quality. The main photo module with a resolution of 23 megapixels and without autofocus, which in the dark significantly reduces the quality of shooting. "Iron", although not top-end, but very productive:
- SoC - MediaTek Helio P20.
- Processor - ARM Cortex-A53, 64 bit, 8 cores, 2.3 GHz.
- Graphics Accelerator - ARM Mali-T880.
- Memory - 4 GB RAM, built-in - 32 GB, a separate slot for memory cards (up to 256 GB).
Autonomy is average - 2700 mA / h, which is enough for a day on average.
- Pros: design, high-quality screen, sound, cameras, performance.
- Cons: Battery capacity.
Another flagship of my top 10, in which everything is done, as it should be in the best smartphone, but it still has some drawbacks. Let's start with the screen: here is the same AMOLED matrix, 5.5 inches diagonal and 1920 by 1080 pixels, it looks good and there are no complaints. The design has been updated, and despite the aluminum case, the device does not slip out of your hands; The edges are rounded and the screen is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 5 with a 2.5D effect. The cameras have also been updated and will take better pictures. Two rear cameras of 16 megapixels and a front one - 16 megapixels, you can shoot video in QHD resolution, macro photography is especially good. The hardware part of the model contains the following components:
- SoC - Qualcomm Snapdragon 835.
- Processor - ARM Cortex-A53, 64 bit, 8 cores, 2.45 GHz.
- Graphics accelerator - Qualcomm Adreno 540.
- Memory - RAM 6 GB, built-in - 64 GB.
Despite the fact that this is a top-end solution of the last year, at first glance, there is not much difference, but the device has become faster by about 16%. The battery received a capacity of 3300 mAh, but everything was optimized and it can last up to 2 days with an average load.
- Pros: Great body, screen, processor and cameras; fast scanner and charging.
- Cons: buggy GPS, Chinese charging plug.
Compared to the model of last year, the gadget received quite a lot of advantages, although it lost one of the advantages - a removable battery. The body is now metal and the camera is slightly recessed, but in general there are not many design changes. The screen has a diagonal of 5.5 inches, with a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels, the AMOLED matrix looks good and has no complaints. The cameras are quite average: the rear and front ones are 13 megapixels each, but it is difficult to take good quality photos in the dark. Separately, I will say about the sound: this is not the best smartphone for music, but quite loud. The hardware characteristics of the model are as follows:
- SoC - Samsung Exynos 7 Octa 7870 Joshua.
- Processor - ARM Cortex-A53 MPcore, 64 bit, 8 cores, 1.6 GHz.
- Graphics accelerator - Mali-T830 MP2.
- Memory - RAM 3 GB, built-in - 16 GB, a separate slot for memory cards (up to 250 GB).
The performance is not top-end, the games run fine, although the settings will have to be reduced. The 3600 mAh battery lasts 1.5 days with an average load.
- Pros: display, camera, smart processor, battery, fast scanner, great sound.
- Cons: little memory.
Also, an updated version of last year's version, but now it's true - a good smartphone with a large screen. Let's start with the design: the aspect ratio is familiar here, the body is metal, but it is comfortable to hold in your hand despite its size. The phablet screen has a diagonal of 6.44 inches and a resolution of 1920 by 1080, an IPS matrix, it behaves well in the sun and retains natural colors under large viewing angles. The main camera is 12 megapixels and the front camera is 5, both do a good job with their tasks and even autofocus works correctly. The gadget contains the following elements as "hardware":
- SoC - Qualcomm Snapdragon 625.
- Processor - ARM Cortex-A53 MPcore, 64 bit, 8 cores, 2.0 GHz.
- Graphics Accelerator - Qualcomm Adreno 506.
- Memory - 4 GB RAM, built-in - 128 GB, a separate slot for memory cards (up to 128 GB).
In general, this is enough for normal phone operation. The device is powered by a 5300 mAh battery, which has support for fast charging.
If you don't follow the smartphone market all the time, then it can be difficult for you to choose the right phone that you will not have to regret buying. The site experts have collected for you the answers to the most important questions about choosing a smartphone. Here you will learn how to choose the phone that suits you, which phone is better to buy in 2017-2018, and how to save money on your purchase.
What are you expecting from a new smartphone?
Before buying a smartphone, it is worth deciding on the set of features that you expect to receive. Do you need a productive device or just a dialer? Want high quality pictures? Are you waiting for your smartphone to work for several days without recharging? Do you need a metal case and features like a fingerprint scanner, water resistance or bezelless?
Today you can find a smartphone for every taste, but it is better to avoid some delusions. For example, if the phone has twice as many processor cores and RAM, the screen resolution and the number of camera megapixels have increased, then it will definitely be better. This is not entirely true. obtained by our experts after checking the devices in the laboratory and during daily use, have clearly shown that many parameters and characteristics do not directly affect the quality of the phone. Therefore, if you have a smartphone of the past or the year before last, then it is absolutely not necessary to change it precisely because of the "outdated" characteristics.
If you do decide to change your phone, pay attention to the constantly updated website compiled by experts. With it, you can compare smartphones according to various parameters or simply find out which smartphone is the best today. This became possible due to the fact that for the first time all phones were tested using a single methodology. We also annually summarize the results, making selections, as we did in 2016, or choosing the best smartphones of the year, as, for example, we have done in years ..
Which operating system should you choose?
The smartphone can run on the operating system iOS, Android and some others, such as Windows. But these two operating systems are the most widespread.
iOS - the operating system from Apple, which runs all the company's portable devices: iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch. The main advantages of the system are ease of learning and a high level of optimization, and at the same time stability, high speed of operation and excellent compatibility with applications. Another plus is constant system updates for most of the company's devices, but keep in mind that old gadgets after the update can slow down. The main disadvantage of iOS is the closed nature of the system, for example, you can't just throw a movie from your computer or put a song on a call. Also, iOS is characterized by limited support for multimedia formats, and even here it is impossible to replace many basic applications and change the appearance of the system without making a Jailbreak - an operation of opening access to the file system to expand the capabilities of the device. Just keep in mind that after Jailbreak you will lose the warranty on your gadget. Over the past couple of years, Apple has been working on fixing the flaws. For example, they expand the options for customizing the phone - they add support for third-party keyboards, the ability to drop some media files on the iPhone without using iTunes, and already allow you to remove some pre-installed applications. Also keep in mind that iOS devices are on average significantly more expensive than Android competitors.
Android - an operating system from Google with a wide range of customization options. A standard browser, utilities for writing text messages and calls, a calendar, notes, a keyboard, an email client - most of these applications can be uninstalled and others that are convenient for you can be installed. You can even change the appearance of the interface. This system has many settings and changeable parameters, and the number of applications and games for Android is huge. Cons - not as high level of protection against malware as in iOS, and the simultaneous coexistence of a huge number of models on different versions of the system. This can lead to difficulties in optimization and compatibility with various applications and devices. Another drawback is the limited time support for the gadget. So, most devices receive system updates from the force within a year or two, no more. Then you have to either buy a new device or stay on the old OS.
Windows Phone - an operating system from Microsoft, which has almost disappeared from the mobile device market. Its features are "tiled" style and high speed of work even on frankly weak hardware. The disadvantages of the system are an unintuitive menu and a small number of applications and games in the store. Now this system is living out its last days on smartphones, in stores you are unlikely to find a Windows phone, except perhaps a budget one.
Which display diagonal is right for you?
One of the main parameters of a smartphone is the diagonal and screen resolution. The dimensions and such an important point as the convenience of using a smartphone directly depend on this.
Examples of smartphones with different display diagonals.
Less than 4.6 inches - a compact smartphone with a small screen, which is convenient to hold in hand, to carry in any pockets (this is an important moment in the summer when we wear light clothes) and which is comfortable to talk on even for a long time due to its small size. The downside is that controlling a smartphone with such a screen can be inconvenient at first. If you have thumbs up or you are choosing a smartphone for the older generation, this option is best not considered. Due to the growth of device diagonals, it is not easy to find a phone of this size with good characteristics. These are mainly budget or old phone models, for example. Exceptions are 4 "or 4.6".
4.6 - 5.3 inches - universal screen sizes. These can be both budget and mid-range models, and flagship smartphones (for example). If the diagonal is closer to 4.6 inches, the device fits comfortably in the palm of your hand and is easy to operate with one hand. A smartphone with a diagonal closer to 5.3 inches is not very comfortable to hold in the hand, but on a large screen it is easier to work with small icons, play, watch movies, read mail, and so on. In this category, you will find both small phones (like 4.7 ") as well as larger models (like 5" or 5.2 ").
More than 5.3 inches - a separate term was invented for such phones: phablet (combination PHone + tABLET). Such devices combine the capabilities of a smartphone and a tablet, so they need to be controlled with two hands: in one you hold the smartphone, the other - you touch the screen. Phablets are difficult to carry in the pockets of clothes, most often they simply do not fit there. A device of this type is suitable for those who are ready to put up with the huge dimensions and the corresponding inconveniences of a smartphone. But it seems that today this no longer bothers anyone, and people are ready to endure it for the sake of the big screen. Typical phablets are (5.5 inches) and (5.5 inches). There are also larger models, for example (6.44 inches).
What type of screen do you need?
Manufacturers of modern smartphones, as a rule, indicate information about the type of screen right on the box. It can also be found in open sources (for example, on the manufacturer's official website).
TFT / TN - screens based on this matrix are usually used in the most inexpensive smartphones. Key features are low contrast, narrow color gamut, faded images and small viewing angles. Of course, when purchasing a budget smartphone, you don't have to expect good picture quality. The owners of such a screen are extremely budget smartphones, for example, and.
IPS / S-IPS / PLS - screens based on such matrices have a natural color gamut, wide viewing angles and a high level of brightness. Also, this type of matrix has good readability in the sun - this is important if you often use your smartphone outdoors.
Some manufacturers use specific names to denote this type. For example, HTC indicates in its smartphones "Super LCD" screens, while in reality it is the same IPS-matrix. IPS-matrices can be found both in inexpensive phones, like, and in flagship models, for example, in or.
AMOLED / Super AMOLED - earlier screens based on these matrices were used only in the flagship smartphones Samsung, but now they can be found in other manufacturers, for example, in the phone or. In addition, AMOLED matrices have spread to inexpensive models such as. Distinctive features: very rich and contrasting colors, good viewing angles, wide color gamut, perfect black display and energy saving. The disadvantages are the high price and the "burnout" of blue pixels over time, which is why the service life of such a display is less than that of IPS / S-IPS / PLS-based screens. Also, some Super AMOLED screens use Pentile technology, which consumes less power, but when viewed closely, the image appears grainy and unnatural (with a red halo around letters, icons and other elements).
Screen resolution Is another parameter that sometimes leads to confusion. It would seem that everything is simple - the higher it is, the better the image will be. But in reality, you can hardly tell the difference in picture clarity between a 5-inch Full HD screen (1920 × 1080 pixels) and a 5.5-inch 4K display (3840 × 2160 pixels).
In our opinion, HD-resolution (1280 × 720) is optimal for smartphones with a diagonal of up to 5 inches, and Full HD for phones with a screen over 5 inches. An overly clear Quad HD, firstly, will be useful only for tablets or phones with virtual reality glasses, and secondly, it often has a bad effect on the autonomy and performance of a smartphone.
How to choose a smartphone camera?
It is believed that the more megapixels in, the better the pictures - and this is true, but only partially. The quality of the photo depends not so much on the number of megapixels as on the size and quality of the matrix, optics, image processing algorithms and a number of additional options. Therefore, first of all, we advise you to look at the quality of the photos taken with the phone (you can test the camera yourself in the store or see the pictures in the reviews on the device). In our opinion, smartphones, LG G6, iPhone X are among the best in terms of shooting quality. Of the cheaper models, we can recommend either any last year's flagship, for example, or. Among state employees there are also good cameras, for example, u.
Photos Huawei P10 Plus
What should be the battery capacity?
It is impossible to predict the battery life of a smartphone based on technical specifications alone. It depends not only on the capacity of the battery, but also on the "gluttony" of the filling, resolution, screen brightness, the type of its matrix, device optimization and, of course, the mode of its use. That is why we check the operating time and test the autonomy of smartphones using a single method. It would be wrong to give a specific value for the battery capacity and say that it is optimal. But we can still give you rough guidelines for phones, based on the diagonal of the screen:
- for a smartphone with a display up to 4 inches, we recommend a battery capacity of at least 1400-1500 mAh;
- for a diagonal of 4-5 inches, you need a 2000 mAh battery;
- with a screen from 5 to 5.5 inches - at least 2400 mAh;
- for displays over 5.5 inches, a battery of at least 3000mAh is required.
Standing apart from other models are "long-lived smartphones" with huge batteries, such as the popular ones (5000 mAh) or (4100 mAh). There are also models with a battery capacity of 10,000 mAh, for example.
Do I need to pay attention to the body materials?
If you buy a device based only on technical specifications, then this item can be skipped. In another case, before buying, you should decide what kind of smartphone you want: made of plastic, metal or glass. So which phone should you buy? Let's figure it out in order.
Matte plastic is a commonly used material and is usually smooth. Plastic is inexpensive and practical, it does not leave marks and fingerprints, and if scratches appear, they are almost invisible. Such material is used in.
Glossy plastic - shiny plastic, usually solid color, but sometimes with graphic effects on the surface. These smartphones look impressive at first (especially on the shelf in the store). However, the "gloss" quickly loses its original appearance - the body is covered with fingerprints, greasy stains and scratches, which are clearly visible. Popular smartphones with glossy plastic casing - and.
Polycarbonate - one of the plastic options, outwardly something between smooth and glossy plastic. A universal material used in most Microsoft smartphones or in any other, for example, an old one or.
Coated plastic Soft-touch - plastic with a special elastic rubber-like coating, resembles a rubberized surface to the touch. Pros - the smartphone with the “soft-touch” -coating is comfortable to hold in the hand, it will not slip out, even if you take it with wet palms. Cons - after six months or a year of active use, the case begins to wear out: the "soft-touch" coating peels off and a surface with a simple plastic is exposed. As an example, we will give a device with such a coating.
Metal - usually an aluminum alloy is used, less often stainless steel. A smartphone in a metal case looks and feels more expensive in the hand than any plastic one. This effect is difficult to describe in words, it is much easier to understand it just by taking such a phone in your hand. In addition, people always think that such a smartphone is more reliable. There are also disadvantages: the painted metal wears out over time - the paint peels off, scratches and dents appear. The most popular smartphones using metal in the case are and.
Glass - hardened or simply with increased resistance to scratches and impacts. Used to protect the screen from damage and sometimes as an anti-reflective layer. Such material is used in almost all modern devices, usually Gorilla Glass from the American company Corning, DragonTail Glass from the Japanese Asahi Glass or others. On the market there are smartphones covered with glass on both sides, for example, and. It looks nice, but such surfaces get dirty and slip easily, and besides, you will hardly be happy if you suddenly drop such a “glass” phone.
How powerful should a smartphone be?
The performance of a smartphone depends on the processor, the amount of RAM, as well as on its firmware and optimization. As a rule, all modern phones are powerful enough for basic tasks and simple applications. And when buying a mid-range device (for example), you can reasonably expect that it will pull any applications and heavy games, perhaps, sometimes with limited graphics.
If you need maximum performance, then take any modern flagship, for example, or. But a noticeable difference with the same "average level" will be noticeable only in the most difficult applications and games. Therefore, it is not at all necessary to focus only on top-end hardware when choosing a smartphone. By overpaying for the flagship filling, you are more likely to buy stock for several years in advance. But during this time, the smartphone may well break down, or it will become outdated for some other reason (for example, the manufacturer will stop updating the operating system).
Some limitations and performance problems can be seen only in the budget segment. Here we would advise you to focus on at least 2 GB of RAM and at least four cores in the processor, with operating frequencies from 1.3 GHz, for example, like or. Going lower, you risk enjoying delays in the daily operation of the device.
How much memory should a smartphone have?
Any smartphone has a certain amount of internal memory for storing user data: music, videos, photos, and more. In cheap models, memory can be 4 or 8 GB, but we would advise you to focus on at least 16 or 32 GB. Although today there are models for 64, 128 GB and so on. As an additional option, you may be offered a slot for a microSD memory card, but not all smartphones have it.
How many photos, apps and hours of music can fit into a smartphone?
Important: in any smartphone, part of the internal memory is occupied by system files and is inaccessible to the user. The amount of such memory depends on the specific model and manufacturer. If the specifications of the smartphone indicate 8 GB of memory, the user will have about 3-6 GB available, if 16 GB is indicated, about 10-13 gigabytes will be available. Before you buy a phone, consider how much memory you need.
16 GB - if you buy a smartphone mainly for calls, checking mail and the Internet, a version with 16 GB of internal memory or even less will do. The presence of a slot for a memory card will expand this volume and store additional photos, audio and video.
32/64/128 GB - if you plan to use your smartphone as an MP3 player, store captured photos, play like on a game console or make a video recorder out of it, then it is advisable to choose a phone with at least 32 GB of memory.
Smartphones with a memory card slot add another 32 to 200 gigabytes of memory. Moreover, budget models, as a rule, support microSD cards with a volume of 32-64 GB, and more expensive devices - up to 200 GB. The expanded memory will allow you to use your smartphone to the maximum: play on it, listen to music, download and watch movies and TV shows. But at the same time, keep in mind that memory cards do not live very long and break easily, that is, in one day you can dramatically lose data from it.
