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Design: Determining good smartphone design is purely subjective. Many people prefer a metal or glass design; others, plastic. If you're concerned about durability, look for a phone that is water-resistant. A handful of phones also now feature a shatterproof glass display, and many include a Gorilla Glass display to protect it from short drops (A protective case will help with that, too.).
Processor: Even midrange phones now offer satisfactory performance for nearly any user level or basic task. A good processor inside a phone will translate to faster open times for apps, smoother navigation and quicker photo editing.
Battery: Many factors, including the screen size, processor and operating system, determine how long a smartphone lasts on a charge. A decent benchmark is to look for a smartphone with a battery capacity of at least 3,000 mAh. Any phone that lasts longer than 9 hours of straight 4G LTE use is considered very good.
Storage: Given that some apps and games can easily take up more than 1GB of storage, not to mention how many high-res photos and videos smartphone owners are capturing, go for as much internal storage as possible. Some models offer just 8Gb or 16Gb; however, the minimum on premium handsets these days is usually 32GB. Adding a micro SD card can also help expand your storage. This option is available on many Android phones.
Price: Don't pay for more than you need. The latest iPhone and premium Android phones start around $650, and can easily run you $800 or more. But there are great options below $500, and even some solid choices for less than $200.
Carrier: A smartphone requires a talk and data plan. Choose a service provider that offers what you'll really use. Avoid expensive, one-size-fits-all plans. Consumer Cellular, for example, offers a wide variety of smartphone choices from entry level to top of the line, along with talk and data plans that cost their average customer less than $25 a month, with no contracts.
Let today's top technology work for you! It's a competitive marketplace, so by shopping wisely, you're sure to find a smartphone that keeps you happily connected at a great price.