How do I choose a phone?

Phone specifications are largely marketing. The things that determine whether you like a phone in two years are how long its battery lasts, how long it receives updates, and whether it has enough storage — none of which lead the advertising.

What you'll need

• A budget (optional)
• An honest list of what you use a phone for (optional)

Step by step

1. Decide the ecosystem first.iPhone or Android. Switching means moving apps, purchases, backups and sometimes messaging. If everyone around you uses one, there is a real convenience argument.
2. Check how long it will receive software updates.This determines how long the phone stays secure. Some manufacturers commit to five years or more; budget models sometimes offer two. It is the most overlooked specification.
3. Prioritise battery capacity over processor speed.Almost every current phone is fast enough. Battery life is what you notice daily, and it degrades over the phone's life.
4. Buy more storage than you think you need.It cannot be upgraded on most phones and running out is genuinely disruptive. 128GB is a realistic minimum for most people.
5. Judge cameras by reviews and sample photos, not megapixels.Processing and lens quality matter far more than the number. Look at low-light samples specifically, which is where phones differ most.
6. Hold it if you can.Size and weight matter more than any specification for something you hold for hours a day. Many current phones are too large for comfortable one-handed use.
7. Consider last year's flagship or a mid-range model.Usually far better value than the current flagship. The performance difference is small; the price difference is not.
8. Check it works properly on your network.Band support varies, particularly for imported phones. A phone that lacks the right bands has poor signal where you live.

Tips

• Refurbished phones from sellers offering a warranty are excellent value and usually indistinguishable from new.
• Buying outright and taking a SIM-only deal is normally cheaper over two years than a bundled contract, though it needs cash up front.
• Check repairability and the cost of a screen or battery replacement. It varies enormously and determines how long the phone stays viable.

Common mistakes

• Choosing on processor benchmarks — Every current phone is fast enough for ordinary use. Battery, updates and storage affect daily experience far more.
• Buying the minimum storage to save money — It cannot be upgraded, and running out means constantly deleting things. The upgrade is worth it up front.
• Ignoring the software update commitment — A phone that stops receiving security updates is no longer safe for banking and email, regardless of whether it still works.

Questions people ask