The smartphone is more than a communications device for many of us today, having earned its place as an indispensable tool for both the casual user and the high flying boardroom executive. With a wide range of smartphones available in the market, you might have a very tough time figuring out just which particular handset suits your needs. As new models are released regularly each quarter, the timeless question remains: "What are the factors to consider before purchasing a new phone?"

1. Android or iOS? 

This is a no-brainer for many people: it is normally a toss up between Android or iOS. If you have been a happy camper at a particular camp for a while already and see no need to change, then you know just which model to look out for in your next shopping trip. iOS users have far more limited choices at their disposal (which is not a bad thing at all), while those rocking on Android will have a far tougher time picking the right device considering the plethora of available options.

2. Requirements

Before considering the latest and greatest, you would do well to ask the question, "Do I need it?" Assuming the latest bells and whistles are not part of your daily driver needs, then it is time to go down the specifications ladder and pick up a corresponding model. The beauty about Android handsets is the wide range of devices from entry level all the way to wallet-busting prices. 

It pays to reflect on your daily usage pattern. If you just do a bit of gaming but spend most of your time on social media, answering emails and surfing for information, a mid-range device is more than capable of doing all of those and then some. It would be overkill to spend money on a flagship device just because you can afford it. Serious mobile gamers have not much choice but to look to the latest flagship devices as those tend to feature the highest amount of RAM and internal memory coupled with the fastest available processor. Another added advantage of a flagship model such as the Samsung Galaxy Note10 would be the certainty of having it arrive with a high end camera setup. 

3. Battery life

Does your current handset require a trip to the nearest power outlet before the day is over? If so, it would be best to consider a high capacity battery to tag along with your next smartphone purchase. A powerbank is useful in emergencies, but nothing beats a high capacity battery right out of the box. It would be even better if said battery offers quick charging capability. Many of the latest handsets are able to attain a full charge in just under a couple of hours of charging, which is a far cry from handsets in the past. 

4. Budget

If money is no object in this matter, then purchase a flagship device. However, most people would like to maximize their hard earned money, which is why listing out your requirements and needs before shopping will help a lot in figuring out which device falls within your stipulated budget. 

While not all budgets fit your requirements and vice versa, at least a prioritized list of requirements will allow you to make a more informed decision. Perhaps you could sacrifice some processing muscle for a smartphone with a mid-range processor that has high end cameras, assuming snapping photos is your primary pursuit with any handset? A flagship device might easily cost double, but you will not find double the performance in the included cameras. 

Do check out with your mobile carrier from time to time as to whether they are offering a decent price point for high end devices when your contract is about to end. More often than not, you might snag yourself a steal just because your mobile carrier would like to retain you as their customer. 

Conclusion

Know what you need and how much you can spend on a new smartphone. While the smartphone has moved on from being a humble communications device, do remember that you are not defined by the kind of smartphone you use. All the best in your hunt for your next handset!