Smartphones are devices that are capable of performing various tasks including making and receiving calls. With the list of features and functionality just increasing by the day, matching the bunch of your needs to the exact smartphone available in the market is tough. There is no particular system or procedure to buy a smartphone but there are a set of questions that the customers must get answers to before actually zeroing in on the smartphone of their choice.
Lifestyle Analysis -
Categorizing the purchase decision into major segments is necessary. Figuring out certain aspects and characteristics of one’s lifestyle and career traits is necessary before deciding on buying a smartphone. A week’s activity when put under the radar would reveal a particular pattern of activities an individual indulges in.
For E.g. – A marketing executive passionate about Sports would actually be travelling extensively. Moreover he/she would try and spend the weekend working-out or playing their favourite sport. Constant need of interaction and updating themselves with current information would be necessary keeping in mind their marketing career. Extensive travelling leads too many experiences the traveller will want to capture with a decent camera. The resultant bunch of needs would be a smartphone with good battery back-up, nice camera, device loaded with messenger and useful travel apps.
Operating System –
Broadly being categorized into four major categories namely IOS, Android, Windows and RIM the smartphone market revolves around launching devices mostly based on the above mentioned Operating systems.
IOS: IOS is a platform powering all Apple devices. This OS is widely known as the best out there with one-of-a-kind apps and services that is envied by its competitors. With games, loads of entertainment solutions and an organizer that would solve all business needs, the IOS is really impressive and handy when it comes shaping into the best bunch of benefits for users from different walks of life. But then on the low side, it cannot be personalized to a great extent and is not flexible when it comes to making it ‘your own’. This OS is purely for touchscreen users and it does not have the physical keyboard option.
Android: Android on the other hand is an OS that is most prevalent these days. Devices that run on Android are plenty and it can be personalized well to an individual’s comfort. But then it takes time to set up and get accustomed too with the updates not making it on time.
Windows: Windows has kicked in its new version, Windows 8 which seems to be very promising with splendid apps, but then the pool of users and the apps are too small as of now.
RIM: RIM that runs all Blackberry devices is almost obsolete with Blackberry Messenger being one of the main reasons that these devices are opted for.
Device Research –
Once lifestyle traits are recognized and the OS decided, it will be time to scrutinize the hardware options available. Many devices manufactured by companies are available in the market. The First aspect is deciding on the form of the device. Is a bar, slab, slate, QWERTY keypad, slide or portrait QWERTY feasible for your needs. Once that is decided the usability should be figured out. If the usage is going to be rough, then opting for a reasonable and durable phone would be ideal. If smartphone users are willing to change devices every year then, cheaper brands can be approached in order to sacrifice a little on quality to get a whole lot of features and the latest updated OS.
Accessories and Specification Information –
Features like a flash on the camera and the megapixels on the secondary camera should be kept in mind before buying a particular smartphone. Along with that, accessories such as earphones, Bluetooth devices and free apps should be taken into consideration. The major specifications that a smartphone user should screen through is the speed of the processor, Megapixels on the camera, the size of the screen, latest update on the OS, the kind of battery used to determine stand-by time, warranty and the quality of after sales services.
