Choosing a high-end smartphone, what do you have to take into account?
Next week the Samsung Galaxy S4 arrives in our country. Specifically, it will be next Saturday, April 27, when the new flagship lands in Spanish stores. With this, the fabric of top-of-the-line terminals will be configured that awaits us until we look at the fourth quarter of the year "" at least, in the absence of knowing what Apple will bring us with its new iPhone "". Thus, those who are looking for their new phone and have in mind to get the latest of the latest, have to take into consideration a number of factors in order to get the phone that best suits their needs.
screen
To speak of a smartphone is to do it, in the first instance, of its screen. What we will have to take into account points in two directions: size and resolution. The format range offered by the current high-end generation includes sizes ranging from the four inches of the iPhone 5 to the 5.5 inches of the Samsung Galaxy Note 2. As for resolutions again sweep begins softly with phone Apple, which has an electronic canvas of 1,136 x 640 pixels roof touches, and the standard FullHD (1,920 x 1,080 pixels) on multiple computers. The combination of both criteria yields the density of each screen, with HTC One being the one that, with itsFullHD distributed in 4.7 inches, reflects the best data: 468 dots per inch.
We could consider some more details, since each panel uses a different type of technology, the results of which are more than patents based on very specific circumstances. In general, we will run into variations of OLED screens, where the HD Super AMOLED of the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 and Samsung Galaxy S4 stand out. This system will be especially interesting for users who expect good behavior when we use the terminal under the incidence of direct light on the panel, as well as we are interested in having a high saturation of colors, gaining in chromatic vividness.
Size, weight and strength
Logically, the screen will largely determine the dimensions of the phone we choose. But not only the panel will be responsible for the size and weight of the phone. Regardless of that, each user will be seduced by a type of device for the comfort that its use arouses. In this sense, the way in which each smartphone fits in the hand "" and in the pocket, both literally and figuratively "" can be a more than important element when we choose our next mobile.
The Samsung Galaxy Note 2 is, until the Samsung Galaxy Mega hits the stores, the most extensive phone of those that populate the current high-end market. In spite of everything, it is not a particularly bulky piece of equipment, and the adaptation time to its large format is less than one might think. Also, despite its size, it is relatively light. On the other side of the ring is the iPhone 5, which is one of the smallest on the scene, along with the BlackBerry Z10.
It should be noted that those who are especially seduced by mobiles with a robust presence in hand, should consider the possibility of getting the Nokia Lumia 920. The flagship of the Finnish is a tank. Its single-body polycarbonate casing and compact apparatus give this phone a weight that does not go unnoticed, although that also provides a more than remarkable appearance of solidity. So much so that of all the terminals that we could identify with the high-end of this moment, the Nokia Lumia 920 is, without a doubt, the most resistant on the market. Maybe the Sony Xperia Zbe the second in importance following this criterion ”” especially regarding its hardness before the action of water or dust ””. However, the reference terminal design of the Japanese firm does not have all of them with it: it is a very careful terminal in terms of aesthetics, although there are those who do not see the finish in rigid edges with good eyes.
Cameras and additional functions
Given the current generation, the section dedicated to cameras and videos is especially interesting among the high-end of the last batch. The range of options goes from the eight megapixels of the iPhone 5, the Nexus 4 ”” developed by the South Korean LG for Google ”” and the BlackBerry Z10 to the thirteen megapixels of the Sony Xperia Z and Samsung Galaxy S4. All, on the other hand, allow you to record video with FullHD quality.
Between both extremes, however, we find two curious and interesting proposals: on the one hand, the four "ultra-pixels" of the HTC One; Furthermore, the sensor 8.7 megapixels based on technology PureView of the Nokia Lumia 920. Regarding the first, the Taiwanese HTCwants to seal the peace in the megapixel war, and its proposal with the latest flagship in its catalog is not so much focused on concentrating more information per image point as on making these points reflect a certain richer information. Translated to Roman paladin, the idea is that the camera collects more light and reflects in the photos resulting more vivid and faithful results with the captured scene. On the other, what the Finnish Nokia has presented is going to slipstream from what already came in the Nokia 808, although in this case on a smaller scale. The Nokia Lumia 920 cameraIt is one of the best on the market right now, and it manages to capture excellent quality photos, especially when taken in low light conditions. In addition, the video stabilizer that it integrates for high definition filming is really amazing.
However, the Nokia Lumia 920 does not stand out as much as other terminals on the market in terms of additional functions linked to the camera. In this sense, the Samsung Galaxy S4 and HTC One stand out especially. The South Korean terminal contains the most complete offer on the market in this sense, and not only could we perform intelligent tasks with the camera "" either for touch-ups, real-time montages or application of filters "", but also because it integrates, for For the first time, actions that make the main sensor and the secondary sensor "" installed on the front of the unit "" work at the same time, generating photographs or videos that cross the captures made with both cameras.
Operating systems
This point is, as it were, like "the tale of the good pipe." Each user has ended up developing their own love-hate relationship with each platform on the market, and the positioning of manufacturers in the direction of another ecosystem has ended up making, in a way, easier the choice of the next terminal that we will take with us to pocket. Despite everything, the undecided and those who keep an open mind on this point increasingly notice how their arguments begin to dissolve among a large offer of platforms.
In this sense, the most interesting options that can be put on the table right now are four: Android, iOS, Windows Phone 8 and BlackBerry 10. Within Android, it will be necessary to take into account the last two versions available, 4.1 and 4.2. Thus, if what we want is an open system, subject to customization and with a wide configuration margin, we should convince ourselves that Google's system is the one that interests us the most.
Given this, it should be kept in mind that Google's next big event is just around the corner, so the possibility of a new reference phone being unveiled casts its shadow on the device developed by LG. In addition, at this time the most powerful terminals of the Android ecosystem would be on the verge of getting 4.2. The Samsung Galaxy S4 will go standard with this version, and the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 and HTC One will receive it shortly.
On the other hand, if we are users of many of Microsoft's online services, perhaps we should take into account the interest that Windows Phone 8 arouses in the Nokia Lumia 920. The user interface of this system is very comfortable and simple, allowing a good margin of customization. Furthermore, the integration of several accounts of many other services ”” Facebook, Twitter, Office, Xbox Live, Hotmail, Live, etc… ”” is excellent, one of the most attractive that we can find at this time.
Opting for iOS on the iPhone 5 or BlackBerry 10 on the Z10 is something much more personal, although each platform conceives loyalty with its target audience in a very different way. Apple has barely made any really significant changes to its operating system since the iPhone became iPhone, while the Canadian firm has proposed a refreshing revolution with its platform, trying to attract new users while continuing to court its most loyal audience.. Thus, whoever is happy with iOS can continue to be with the iPhone 5, and whoever wants to try something new, although familiar, will be pleasantly surprised by the BlackBerry Z10.
Processor
The processor issue is becoming increasingly elusive. Is a terminal with a quad-core chip more powerful than one with a dual-core? Does it matter how you communicate with the operating system? Does RAM influence? Does every type of user equally require a state-of-the-art processor? Are all dual cores the same? Each issue can be approached in many ways, but in the end, the customer who wants to get a high range does not get to consider all these possibilities.
This section can be simplified by focusing on the second of the questions posed. Sure, a very powerful processor guarantees great performance, but how it is coordinated to ensure smooth operation with the system will be just as important. Thus, in our country we can enjoy two phones that present, as far as the Android ecosystem is concerned, the best solution on the market in this regard: the Snapdragon 600. We are talking about a quad-core chip that develops a frequency of 1.7 GHz in the case of the HTC One and 1.9 GHz in the Samsung Galaxy S4. Four cores are what we see in the Snapdragon S4 Pro of the Sony Xperia Z, although now at 1.5 GHz, which is the same that the Nexus 4 installs .
However, as we say, other manufacturers have opted for dual-core solutions which, however, cannot be blamed for significant power losses. And it is very curious that in almost all cases, the integration between software and hardware has been conceived from the first moment. Both the BlackBerry Z10 and the iPhone 5 have been technically and functionally conceived in parallel. The case of the Nokia Lumia 920 ”” with the Snapdragon S4 at 1.5 GHz ”” is more peculiar. The collaboration between the Finnish company and Microsoft is very close, although it does not meet the criteria of the other two firms included in this section. Despite everything, the Redmond people have always pointed out thatWindows Phone 8 does not currently require quad-core cores to ensure optimal performance.
Memory
This criterion is essential when we want to buy a new high-end smartphone. And now we will see why. In the next point we will see that price matters, and a lot, in choosing a high-end phone. In this sense, the Nexus 4 exerts a powerful siren song for those who want a complete terminal at a more than reasonable cost. However, this phone does what happens to the iPhone 5, the Nokia Lumia 920 or the HTC One: it lacks expansion options via microSD cards. And to make matters worse, the cheapest model only has eight GB. It is best to have a minimum of 32 GBif we want to have plenty of space to load music, videos, photos and applications. However, the most frugal users will have no problem pulling with 16 GB.
Thus, if we talk about the Samsung Galaxy Note 2, Samsung Galaxy S4, BlackBerry Z10 or Sony Xperia Z, we will have the argument in favor of customizing the total memory using external cards. In the case of Samsung terminals, in addition, the incentive is even greater, since the maximum supported memory is 64 GB. Those are available, as if that were not enough, in versions of 16, 32 or 64 GB, with which the user will have greater freedom of choice in this regard.
Another important section regarding memory is related to the previous point described in this analysis. We are talking about RAM. Having a high RAM helps to relieve the processor when it comes to presenting tasks that we must have at our fingertips at any time. In Android, the presence of high RAM is essential, taking into account the amount of graphic resources available in each of the customizations that each manufacturer applies to this ecosystem. Thus, it is appreciated the presence of the two GB that carry the Samsung Galaxy S4, Samsung Galaxy Note 2, Sony Xperia Z or HTC One. The iPhone 5 installs only one GB of RAM, which could be more than enough for iOS 6, although in the absence of knowing the next system update, this data ends up being limited to a question mark. BlackBerry has not been half measures and has integrated two GB in its Z10. As for the Nokia Lumia 920, Microsoft continued to make the same argument as with the operating system.
Battery and autonomy
Here we run into the mother of the lamb. Current technology has enabled us to take high quality photos and videos; that we can resort to processes that a couple of years ago were only available to very powerful computers; that we control the devices literally without touching them. But when it comes to talking about autonomy, manufacturers frown and uncomfortably try to change the subject.
For the moment, the solution is to charge the milliamp batteries and make more or less reasonable use of the equipment's functions. It is practically impossible to establish objective criteria to analyze the autonomy of each terminal, and manufacturers strive to throw balances that, in practice, we could hardly verify for sure, since each mobile behaves differently depending on the use, system and type of components that have been used in the construction of the phone.
Thus, everything happens to indicate the type of battery that each smartphone installs and, very important, to know if we can replace it with another. This is not a trivial detail: since we cannot ensure a certain autonomy until we get used to the operation of the terminal, what better option than, in case we do not have recharging points in certain circumstances, we can carry an additional battery with the one to prolong the use of the mobile. In this sense, Samsung devices provide this possibility within the high-end segment at the moment. The rest of the manufacturers, unfortunately, cancel this option.
… And what is more important: price
Having decided on a next-generation high-end already anticipates that the user may not be so concerned about the cost of their new phone. However, entering the comparison, surely the weight of the price will finally determine the decision. We spoke before the price of the Nexus 4 as one of its most powerful arguments. A cost of between 300 and 350 euros is well worth it. However, the 300 euros may not be well invested if we need more than eight GB of internal memory. And also this mobile is little less than impossible to buy it in Spain. Here few units arrived that were sold out instantly. And it does not seem that the situation is going to improve.
The case of the Nexus 4 is a rare sight within the range of high-end phones at the moment. That the possibility of spending less than 600 euros for our smartphone does not cross our mind. Only the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 would be an exception, given that it was presented last September and has been on the market for some time, becoming possible to find it around 500 euros. As for the rest, we will ride the fork that borders between the 600 euros of the Nokia Lumia 920 and the 700 euros of the Samsung Galaxy S4 and HTC One. And that with the most economical models: the iPhone 5 of 64 GB reaches the ceiling in the 870 euros.
conclusion
Having said that, what are the decisive criteria for choosing one or the other mobile? In this sense, there are as many responses as there are users. It is always recommended that before getting one or another device, we spend a few moments messing with it. In mobile stores and operator establishments we have the opportunity to explore, even superficially, how the device that interests us behaves, as well as to become familiar with its presence in hand.
With this, in addition, we can establish a series of more or less general criteria with which different groups of users can be identified. Those looking for a phone that is an ally in corporate matters, will see the BlackBerry Z10, Samsung Galaxy S4 or Samsung Galaxy Note 2 as some great candidates. The first one, of course, because of its roots in the philosophy of BlackBerry devices; in the other two, due to the number of office solutions that are integrated into the system through exclusive applications "" with Samsung Knox as the most current attraction, which is a kind of dual desktop that allows us to encrypt information in the cloud "".
Those who want a computer multimedia with many options, you may be interested in the Samsung Galaxy S4, HTC One, the Nokia Lumia 920 or Sony Xperia Z. The simplicity in the user interface focuses on the iPhone 5 and Nokia Lumia 920, and those looking for a team that is pure power will have no problem recognizing the HTC One and Samsung Galaxy S4 as the references of this moment.
