QOTW: Which feature matters most when buying a mobile phone?

[Myss_tree]

First and foremost is that it works as .... a phone.

[nar53]

Battery Life

[anselhelm]

There is no single one feature: there are multiple criteria that must be met.

• No bigger than 5.5". If I wanted a tablet, I'd buy a tablet.
• MicroSD card slot, as I usually want to add a 256GB card.
• 32GB internal storage bare minimum, due to items that cannot be moved to the removable storage.
• IPS screen (or better).
• Android One / stock android with no junkware / bloatware. Must be Android 9 (Pie) or with the option to upgrade to this.
• Decent battery (bare mimimum 3000mAh, with 4000mAh or higher preferred).
• Decent-quality camera.
• Decent price (£300 GBP maximum). Anything more isn't worth it.


For reference, my current phone is a Nokia 8, which I got for a great price when the Nokia 8 Sirocco launched.

[spacein_vader]

First and foremost is that it works as .... a phone.

Do you use any other criteria to narrow it down beyond literally every phone in the market?

There is no single one feature: there are multiple criteria that must be met.

• No bigger than 5.5". If I wanted a tablet, I'd buy a tablet.

Assuming you mean screen size of late I've found that's not a barometer of physical size. My moto g5 has a 5 inch screen but due to reductions in bezel size there are phones on the market with up to 6" screens in a device that's no bigger.

[Hoonigan]

Simplicity of use. Things like having a QR Scanner built into the default camera application or getting updates as and when they're released, not when the manufacturer thinks they should be. Just keeping things simple.

[lodore]

software updates and no bloatware. I am hoping google work on their own processer and then support devices for longer. if apple support the iphone for 5 years can't see why google can't support the pixel phones for as long.

[spacein_vader]

software updates and no bloatware. I am hoping google work on their own processer and then support devices for longer. if apple support the iphone for 5 years can't see why google can't support the pixel phones for as long.

I think now the smartphone market has stopped growing in the majority of markets you're more likely to see apple reduce their support than Google increase theirs. Got to encourage upgrades somehow.

[lodore]

I think now the smartphone market has stopped growing in the majority of markets you're more likely to see apple reduce their support than Google increase theirs. Got to encourage upgrades somehow.

I can see the logic in that but hope it doesn't happern.

I think the £1k smartphone caused some of the slowdown. less innovation and increased cost is simply stupid. If the prices stayed lower I feel more people would stay on the 2 year upgrade train but people have felt they are willing to pay £1k but will keep it longer. I think the companies have shot themselves in the foot. If customers are willing to upgrade every 2 years on an £800 device but keep a £1k device for 4/ 5years then the company makes less money. Somepeople will always be willing to upgrade every 1 or 2 years to be the person that always has the lastest but the extra 0 has made a difference with the majority.

[DevDrake]

OS support
camera
battery
performance/price ratio
additional features (NFC etc)

[big_hairy_rob]

Price

The OS, memory (and whether expandable), battery (and whether removable), camera sensor, size

[cheesemp]

Price. With high-end phones now reaching £800 I with X new features I'm never going to use and power I don't need price has become my priority. When I can get a phone running a decent version of Android that takes ok pics for £100 why pay more. Currently rocking a while focusing swift 2+ which was open box with scratch at Amazon for £90. Feels faster than the £330 Moto z it replaced why would I pay more?

[AndyM2012]

Size. Some day my Lumia 920 is going to need to be replaced. An Xperia XZ2 Compact seems to be the only comparable phone now.

[Lordhawkwind]

I'm waiting for my new S10 to arrive on Friday. Got £250 trade in on my 2 yr old S8 so cost me £549. My upgrade cycle is 2 years but only if the new phone is better and a reasonable price. I chose the S10 for its screen, size and 128gb storage. IMHO the S10+ is too big and obviously the S10e is no better than my S8.

[Phrontis]

That I can make a call on it helps. One that has a loud ring tone I can hear in a factory environment would really help. And a camera that that has a hardware button, like the old Windows phones. In fact a new Windows phone would be really nice. Oh and I'd like to drop it from 6ft without it even being scratched.

[Saracen999]

First and foremost is that it works as .... a phone.

That, basically. A few memories, good battery life modest price, good signal coverage and clear audio. Not necessarily in the order.

I note the question specified "mobile phone", not smartphone. Had it been the latter, privacy with controls convincingly in my control would dominate and as I'm not convinced any smartphone satisfies me on that, nothing else much matters (to me).

[Andi-C]

1. Speed (using a inferior processing unit is a drag)
2. Decent screen
3. Battery life
4. Above par camera

Everything else is a bonus.

I've got a Honor play & it's all of the above.