In this day and age, a smartphone has become a necessity. This seems almost unbelievable, considering the first cell phone was only launched in 1983, and this was completely unlike the cell phones that we know today. Although it was still chargeable via an external power supply, one full charge took around 10 hours, which only allowed for 30 minutes of talk time. Talk time is the most accurate description as this was all that you could do on the first cell phones. Similarly, these devices weighed almost two and a half pounds, as opposed to the current smartphone which will weigh a maximum of six ounces.

We’ve come a long way in the technology sector, leading to our lives revolving around smartphones. With this being said, how do you go about choosing your new smartphone?

Select an Operating System

First thing’s first, you must decide on which operating system you prefer. The two most dominant systems on the market are iPhone (iOS) and Android, and you’ll ultimately have to choose between the two of these. iPhones are more user-friendly than androids and have superior security; however, they’re best integrated with other Apple products and you’ll also pay a significantly higher price tag for an iPhone. On the other hand, Androids are more customizable and cost a lot less than their competitor. The two operating systems are almost like chalk and cheese, and you tend to love one and hate the other, and vice versa.

Establish a Price Range

If you’re struggling to decide on your preferred operating system, establishing a price range will normally help you narrow your options down. As previously mentioned, iPhones are the most expensive cell phones on the market, and you should expect to pay upwards of a thousand dollars for the latest model. Despite this, you’ll pay under $800 for a top of the range Android phone.

Not everyone pays for their phone upfront; instead, you might pay an upfront fee and then pay for the rest in monthly instalments on a contract. Therefore, you’ll need to decide whether you need to be establishing an upfront budget or a monthly one.

Consider Your Existing Devices

As previously mentioned, Apple devices integrate well with one another and make it virtually impossible to integrate with any exterior software. Therefore, if you already have a MacBook and an iPad, it’s a good idea to maintain consistency and get an iPhone. Despite this, if you have an android tablet and a windows computer, you might not require an iPhone. It’s also worth noting that if you’re an avid Google and Microsoft Office user, these apps are already installed onto an android phone. You can download them onto an iPhone, but you may have to pay a fee for Microsoft Office access.

Consider Your Needs

Each operating system has some standalone features. Both have the basics, such as web browsing, email, and maps so this doesn’t need to be of concern. Similarly, most up-to-date smartphones will have biometrics, allowing you to unlock the device with your fingerprint or use facial recognition. With this being said, Apple’s biometrics are much stronger than androids. Despite this, iPhones will come with Siri and iCloud, whereas Androids will come with Google Now and Google Drive. It’s all about assessing your needs to see which system best adheres to your requirements.

Contemplate Apps

Most apps will be available across all platforms, including Spotify, YouTube, and Facebook. Although, apps such as Facetime and iMessage are exclusive to Apple, whilst Google Now is exclusive to Android. You should decide which apps you’d like to prioritize and make your decision in this way.