Buying a smartphone: what matters
Smartphone prices span a huge range — solid devices start around €150 while flagships cost ten times as much. What matters is not the spec sheet but what you actually use day to day.
Display
OLED/AMOLED delivers richer colors and true black; 120 Hz feels noticeably smoother. Under 6.3 inches counts as compact today.
Battery and charging
From 4,800 mAh you'll usually get through the day. More important than raw capacity: charging at 30 W or more saves your morning.
Judging cameras realistically
More megapixels doesn't mean better photos. Check reviews for night shots and video stabilization — that's where devices differ.
Use the price history
Smartphones drop in price quickly after launch. The price history shows whether a “deal” is really below the usual level — the previous generation is often the smarter buy.
Quick checklist
- Storage: 256 GB if you shoot a lot of photos/video
- 5G and dual SIM if you travel a lot
- IP68 if the device should last
- Set a price alert instead of buying at the peak
