Smartphone buyer's guide

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lokhor

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#101528 3-May-2012 11:08

Hey all,

I have written a smartphone buyer's guide specifically for an NZ audience. Give it a read and let me know your thoughts.

http://www.androidnz.net/2012/05/buyers-guide-to-smartphones-in-nz.html

All comments are my own opinion, and not that of my employer unless explicitly stated.

BlueShift

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#618783 3-May-2012 11:28

I know the website is called androidnz, but some brief mention of the other types of smartphone (or at least the one starting with i) would add some balance to the guide. Anyone in the market for a smartphone will be aware of iphone, even if it is only to reject them. Having a 4S in the guide would give a point of comparison.

Jaxson

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#618793 3-May-2012 11:39

Yeah as above, in that it's specifically an android phone guide, rather than a generic smart phone guide which would include apple and windows products....

Also, just a personal view here, but on cheaper phones, I don't necessarily think a lower res is a con, as high res on a tiny screen tends to cram too much in, making it very hard to be precise with ones finger.....

Might also want to point out about screen protector covers. I've got one on my cheap phone and they work extremely well. many people associate them with those shipping harder plastic covers, so don't consider they'd like one etc.

However, the colours/fonts seem good so it's easy and clear. Well done.

Wade

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#618796 3-May-2012 11:46

I like what i read but maybe before you get to the actual phones a write up on specifications and what they mean in the real world terms would be of great benefit to a true beginner, screen resolution is probably the first point i would cover as size and resolution often get confused, also the implications of say a 600mhz processor vs 1ghz vs dual core processors etc?

There is a cost versus value proposition that needs to be addressed. Maybe expanding uses and required spec's for eg. e-reader = big screen, HD video recording = processing power, music player = expandable memory etc?

My comments are based on the assumption that the goal is to educate people as to what they want/need versus best in class

lokhor

2858 posts

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#618859 3-May-2012 13:28

Jaxson: Yeah as above, in that it's specifically an android phone guide, rather than a generic smart phone guide which would include apple and windows products....

Also, just a personal view here, but on cheaper phones, I don't necessarily think a lower res is a con, as high res on a tiny screen tends to cram too much in, making it very hard to be precise with ones finger.....

Might also want to point out about screen protector covers. I've got one on my cheap phone and they work extremely well. many people associate them with those shipping harder plastic covers, so don't consider they'd like one etc.

However, the colours/fonts seem good so it's easy and clear. Well done.

Sorry I should have been more clear, this is intended for those interested in Android smartphones specifically.

Regarding the low resolution of smaller screens, Android is built specifically to scale UI elements based on the DPI of the device. This means the higher the DPI, the larger elements will be onscreen to account for the high resolution. Screens with small devices will still benefit from high resolution screens as UI elements will appear at a usable size and everything will be crisper.

I may add something about cheap screen protectors and cases or write a separate article for that.

All comments are my own opinion, and not that of my employer unless explicitly stated.

lokhor

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#618861 3-May-2012 13:31

Wade: I like what i read but maybe before you get to the actual phones a write up on specifications and what they mean in the real world terms would be of great benefit to a true beginner, screen resolution is probably the first point i would cover as size and resolution often get confused, also the implications of say a 600mhz processor vs 1ghz vs dual core processors etc?

There is a cost versus value proposition that needs to be addressed. Maybe expanding uses and required spec's for eg. e-reader = big screen, HD video recording = processing power, music player = expandable memory etc?

My comments are based on the assumption that the goal is to educate people as to what they want/need versus best in class

You might be right about the specifications and what they mean, I was trying to keep things simple with the Pros and Cons but included the specs in the comparison tables. Would an addendum with links to what everything means help?

I agree that correlating specs to how they affect user features would be beneficial so it's something I'll consider.

Do you think more detail about how processor speed affects the user experience would be beneficial also?

All comments are my own opinion, and not that of my employer unless explicitly stated.

mattRSK

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#618864 3-May-2012 13:42

This is excellent. I had no idea the Nexus was only $619. I might get one :)

NZtechfreak

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#618865 3-May-2012 13:44

Great discussion, and I think some very good points raised by all.

I tend to view this as a continuous work in progress piece that will grow over time, so expansion to cover other costs and accessories (screen protectors/memory cards etc) will naturally become part of it as time goes on and it will become increasingly valuable as a resource.

Twitter: @nztechfreak
Blogs: HeadphoNZ.org